Check Mate??

[_darthvader_]

====
“…There are no unachievable goals
There are no unsaveable souls
No legitimate kings or queens, do
You know what I mean? yeah

There are no indisputable truths
And there ain’t no fountain of youth
Each night when the day is through,
I don’t ask much

I just want you..."

I just want you - Ozzy Osborne
==== He had no time to lose. Moving quickly

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[sen_amidala]

For the past couple months, Padme has been more and more time working with the rebels on Yavin IV. Working actively to try to secure supplies and assist in planning raids, but at the same time, she's been struggling to keep her identity hidden. The absolute last thing she needs is for the Empire- for him to find out she's still alive after everything that's been done to keep her, and the children, safe.

The children... She thinks about them often. She's certain they're safe- the galaxy's last two Jedi would have seen to that and she knows very well that she is more than able to trust them with her life, and the lives of the twins. But that doesn't stop her from wondering. Wondering where they are, if they're really safe. If they're happy and healthy and everything any parent would want for their offspring. She wonders too, if they know about her, or if they even know they're adopted. They probably don't. Because if they did, then they'd likely come looking for her, and everything they've all worked so hard to protect would be in jeopardy.

It's of little consolation, but she knows the way things are, are for the best. If they knew where she was, or that she even existed, then they would place themselves in danger- of that she has no doubt. If she knew their location, and the Empire were to discover her...

No, it's better she knows nothing at all.

[darkjedianakin]

Anakin has thought about her, is still thinking about her. Will always think about her. That's why when he left the Death Star, when he left Vader... he went searching for her. Using the Force he'd searched out his beloved Padme. The one person that meant everything to him.

Then he felt it. Felt her. And just being able to do that brought a slight smile to his face. She was safe, away from harm. Landing his ship someways away from her he got on and pulled on a cloak and pulling the hood over his head to hide his features. He didn't want to spook her. Didn't want to worry her.

Keeping to the shadows, keeping to where she couldn't see him he hid. Found a nice hiding spot close to her and just hid. Seeing her again, seeing her safe brought tears to his blue eyes. He wanted so badly to reach out and touch her, to hold her. Then he felt another presense. Vader was coming. For her. Well, he couldn't have her. Nor would she accept him.

[_darthvader_]

He arrives sometime later only to sense Anakin is near to her location. He understands Anakin's hesitancy it is something he bears deep down as well. But though they are one and the same they are different and Lord Vader is more victim to his emotions then he realizes. Patience isn't a virtue he has mastered.

Nearing to the direction he wishes to be Vader pauses not for fear, for he is drawn to this place like a moth to a flame. But rather hesistant as to how he should present himself. It is a delicate matter, one that he doesn't wish to ruin, yet deep down knows it's certain to happen anyways.

The guards do not give him trouble, they know who he is and know better then to interfere. But as he reaches the location the bravado is no longer evident, the weakness is visible to those who know where to look. His beloved was here and he would not wait any longer.

[sen_amidala]

Padme remains blissfully unaware of the possibility of her being watched. Why should she be concerned? Surely if anyone invades the planet, or if any unwanted presence even enters the system, then their scanners will alert them.

She wanders further away from the base, enjoying the sun streaming through the trees, and as she tends to do when everything is quiet and she can find some time to escape, she lets her mind wander to happier, simpler times. A time when she wasn't worried about even hiding the simple fact that she was alive.

[darkjedianakin]

And as she wanders further away Anakin does as well. Keeping himself shrouded in mystery and shadow. Because he still doesn't want her to see him. It's her feelings he's worrying about. They are what keeps him from throwing back the cloak and going to her, what keeps him from warning her about Vader.

Besides, all he wants is to see her smile. Wants to see her happy again. Because her happiness is his happiness. He closes his blue eyes and frowns. Vader is closer and with that there will be trouble. He'd kill himself to keep herself. Though he'd rather see her happy rather than doing that. Wants to hold her in his arms, caress her skin and kiss her lips. All he wants is right in front of him but he can't have it.

[_darthvader_]

He finds himself being led outdoors her energy drawing him as though he were in a trance. The aura that surrounds her is peaceful and calm. It is soothing to his own scorched spirits, but it is nothing compared to actually seeing her in the flesh.

It has been too long, too many nightmares, too many haunting memories, too much pain. He wishes he could see her with his own eyes, but he knows it isn't possible. Just as he wishes he had hands of flesh and bone, instead of steel and wires to touch her cheek, to feel her soft hair. It would be enough to drive a weaker man mad; but he isn't weak. Not anymore or so he tells himself.

So instead he pauses for a moment not wishing to ruin the moment as he watches her daydream in front of him. Enjoying for what little time he has to bask in her unsuspecting presence, letting it sooth the turmoil within and giving him peace that he once believed was lost.

[sen_amidala]

She stays where she is for the moment, mind still wandering. She's snapped out of her thought process when she hears the *snap* of a dry branch cracking.

Suddenly, Padme is alert, hand going to the blaster at her hip. She peers into the forest around her, eyes scanning for any signs of any intruder. She has no reason to believe it's anything more than an animal, but her concern is that it might be a predator. She has not, after all, come this far, survived this long, to become a snack for any random beast that comes along.

She doesn't relax when she feels the danger has passed however. She's becoming increasing uncomfortable, in fact. There's this funny, nagging feeling in the back of her mind that she's being watched.

But that's ridiculous. There are no others aside from the rebels nearby, and why would they be following her? Pfah. Foolishness. She chides herself. There isn't anything here.

Still, she feels uncomfortable enough to turn around and head back for the base.

[darkjedianakin]

He stops cold. Although, he hadn't thought that he was being that careless as to make a sound. It wasn't often that he was careless. Maybe it was this being divided thing that had him out of practice. Maybe.

You do look beautiful, Padme. Like you always have

Anakin knew that she couldn't hear him. She wasn't Force embued like himself or like Vader. For a moment he thought she would spot him and blast him. He was, afterall, a mere stranger now. A dark shadow of her past. One that longed for her so much. He watched her turn and head back towards the base and followed her knowing that Vader would be showing himself to her. This would be bad...

[_darthvader_]

He watches the her move lithely as she aims her weapon in his direction. Her eyes flit around her surroundings forcing Vader out of his own thoughts. He is surprised she hasn't noticed him yet, but then it wasnt as if he was trying to make her notice him. At least not for the moment.

Though she is visibly tense she lowers her weapon and begins to return to base. It is then that he emerges from the shadows. Keeping a safe enough distance not to enter her personal space, but close enough that she wouldn't initially be able to slip past him.

...Padme...

The words leave his mouth in a hushed whisper as though speaking with utter reverence to a goddess. To which she is to him. But his voice is distorted by the machines that make him breath leaving it to sound more like a growl then anything else.

[sen_amidala]

Oh, no...

Not good, definately not good. Without another thought, her blaster's in her hand and she's scrambling back several steps.

"What are you doing here?" She demands sharply, diving her free hand into her pocket so she can fish out her comlink and alert the rebels. How had he managed to get through their defences, unnoticed?!

[darkjedianakin]

Despite himself Anakin steps out more behind Padme, eyes staring right at Vader despite the fact that he still has himself hidden within his cloak.

"He won't harm you. He wouldn't dare."

Blue eyes stared good and hard at Vader as if daring him to challenge his word. But he couldn't just stay in the shadows and watch her freak out over Vader. Besides, she didn't know who he was. He was just a cloaked stranger and nothing more now that she's seen him. Because she'd freak out if she saw his face.

[_darthvader_]

Vader eyes fall onto the device she is going to use to summon the rebels. The moment is lost, the monster is all she's now. He pushes down the anguish this encourages, and focuses on the situation at hand.

Her hands slip to the commlink and he is aware of this. Using the force he deactivates it, before removing the gun from her hand as he causes it to slip from her fingers and land in the grass with a soft thud.

That will not be necessary. Despite what this fool thinks, I am not here to cause you harm.

Vader states smoothly, feeling Anakin's gaze challenging him though he is unbothered by it. Anakin is correct in his assessment. He would rather die a thousand deaths then harm his angel. But to hear Anakin dare to challenge him as though he would even consider sucha thought causes is blood to boil.

[sen_amidala]

She whirls around at the sound of Anakin's voice, taking a few steps away from him too.

That voice... It sounds so familiar... But she knows that's not possible. Or at least, she knows it's not possible it is who it sounds like.

"Who are you?" She demands.

She turns back to Vader as her commlink is devacativated, and her weapon's ripped from her grasp. The question she posed to Anakin's already forgotten- there are, after all, more important issues at hand. Such as the fact that her former husband is here, and that everything she's tried to maintain up until this point is beginning to unravel right in front of her.

She stares at Vader. She'd like to be able to believe that his words are true- that he wouldn't hurt her. Because some part of her still wants to believe that deep inside Vader, Anakin still resides.

But she knows it's a pipe dream. She's already tried many times to reconcile the fact in her head that Anakin is gone and only Vader remains. And that, should Vader ever catch up to her, she will more than likely die at his hands. After all, he already tried to kill her on Mustafar. But fine. She'll play his game, she'll try to buy some time. Perhaps if she can keep him here long enough, someone will come looking and sound the alarm.

"What do you want, then?"

[darkjedianakin]

Anakin watched her step back. It was obvious that she recognized his voice. But that was to be expected. It's not like she would've forgotten his voice. No, she couldn't of forgotten. And it should've hurt him that she'd stepped away from him too. Should've hurt but it didn't.

"A friend, Padme." Simple words yet not.

And for now it was best to stay hidden. If need be he'd use the Force to keep Vader at bay or use it to call upon the rebels himself. "You weren't meant to come here." He states to Vader simply. "Or are you just trying to track me down because you knew that I'd find my queen before you did."

[_darthvader_]

He ignores Anakin for the moment. His attentions lingering to Padme, the answers he seeks now found and satisfied there is no need to remain here any longer. She is safe, and in good hands though she doesn't know it yet. That is all he can ask for, despite his wishes for something more.

I wanted to see for myself, that you were alright and safe.

He wants to ask about their child, but now is not the time, she is on edge and unsettled by his presence. This bothers him despite the fact he expected this. So without another word he quietly turns and leaves.

[sen_amidala]

Padme stares as Vader goes. Well. Huh. That was... unexpected. To say the least. It might've been just a little too easy for comfort. Instincts tell her that absolutely no good will come of this visit.

She watches after Vader until he disappears from sight totally before moving forward to pick up her blaster, keeping her eyes on the stranger.

That all too familiar stranger... My queen, he had called her. But it wasn't possible. Anakin was gone.

But, what then? A spirit? No. She doesn't believe in such things. Someone playing a cruel trick? Perhaps, but who would do such a thing?

"Take off your hood," she requests softly.