"She's in here Lord Vader, but I'm not sure-"

"That will be all, Madame. Leave us."

So, he has finally found me. Ani has finally come. Or is it Vader now? No matter, Luke and Leia are safe. Safe in their new homes and buried so deep within my mind that it is only possible for me and me alone to find them.

I slowly open my eyes and stare at him blankly. He is dressed all in black, and on his belt he carries a lightsabre. But it isn't his. It must have been given to him by Palpatine, the so-called Emperor..

I know I probably look terrible. The disease is eating at my heart from the inside out for the past six months. There is nothing anyone can do. I doubt even the Chosen One could save me now.

Ani always said that I was an angel. Well, if I was, then I must be a fallen angel now.

She looks terrible. Her face is pale and drawn. She has lost so much weight its probably a miracle she's even alive right now. No. Not a miracle, just her will, which is the strongest I've ever seen.

I still don't know why I am here. I left her on Naboo to serve Palpatine. It was my choice. My choice to leave her screaming in our bedroom, my choice to leave the Jedi. My choice. So why am I here?

It must be her. No matter how hard I try to deny it, she is still my angel. And now, because of me, she is a fallen angel.

The doctors told me that it is a wasting disease, caused by stress, that slowly eats out the heart. It has infected only a few over the past fifty years and they still haven't found a cure for it. They've called in Jedi healers before, and even they cannot heal those that are infected.

She opens her eyes and she stares at me. Her eyes are still the most beautiful in the galaxy, even when they are tired and full of pain. The hurt in them doesn't seem to be only from this disease that is slowly and painfully killing her. There is another kind of pain in them.

With a great effort, she manages to whisper, "Ani..."

"Ani."

How I managed to speak I don't know. I haven't been able to speak for almost a week. I've just been so tired. Now though, I feel as though some strength has returned to my body.

I manage to hold a hand out to him. He comes over as if being controlled by someone else and takes it. He wants to speak, I can see it, but he doesn't know what to say. To apologize probably. To say that he is sorry for leaving me a sobbing mess in our bedroom in Theed Palace, for leaving me with a son and daughter who must be hidden from him, their own father, and the monster he now serves.

It's too late for sorry. But it's not too late for him to love me. After all, despite all he's done, I still love him. My Ani.

I wish I could tell him that, but the strength that was just there a moment ago is gone. All I can do is squeeze his hand slightly and stare at him.

I realize that Luke is going to look just like him. He did from the moment he was born. Blue eyes and a lock of blond hair. The difference in their eyes though is remarkable. Whereas Luke's eyes were wide and innocent, just as a nine-year-old boy's once were, Ani's are now darker. They lost their innocence long ago.

A fallen angel and a Jedi turned Sith. What a pair we make.

'A fallen angel and a Jedi turned Sith. What a pair we make.'

I heard that last thought coming from her. She's turning bitter, but not completely. I feel something I haven't felt in a long time.

Regret.

She's a beautiful woman, even after she's been ravaged by this disease that has taken hold of her. She's the one perfect being in this galaxy and she's bitter. She shouldn't be. I made her this way.

I haven't felt this way in so long. I always regretted having to leave my mother behind all those years ago. I didn't return until it was too late. Ever since then, I haven't let myself feel anything except anger. But now regret flows through me full force.

"Padmé," I whisper, "I..."

I don't know what to say to her. I want to say that I'm sorry for what I've put her through, but I've never been good at apologizing to anyone, even to those who I care about.

Perhaps it's too late. To late for sorrys, but never too late for me to love her. Perhaps she should know that.

"Padmé... I never stopped loving you. I never once did."

He never stopped loving me. I think my mind always knew that, but my still heart needed him to say it. I close my eyes briefly andI feel more at peace than I have in a long time. He has always loved me. Even when he was a 'funny little boy.'

I open my eyes to him again and find that I can't see him as well as I could before. It won't be long now. My time grows short. I wish I could speak to him one last time.

It shall be granted... Young Handmaiden...

If I had the energy, I would have jumped at the voice inside of my mind. Only one person dared to call me that. Qui-Gon Jinn. By the Force, how could such a thing be possible?

You just thought it. The Force. Now hurry.

Who am I to argue with a Jedi Master, dead or not?

"Anakin," I say, "I never... stopped loving you... either. Things... will change one... day. There will come... a day when... you shall join me... and... we'll finally..."

I'm growing weaker and I can see a light forming behind him. It's almost time. I can't help but smile at him.

Author's Note:

I hope you enjoyed this little baby of mine. I'm particularly proud of this story and I worked especially hard on it. Thanks for taking the time to read it!