I liked EatonB's take on Palpy and his relationship with Ani. Palps honestly tries to help Ani and isn't lying when he claims to have some ability to assist in saving Padame. My take on the Sith relationship is that there is a great degree of loyalty amoung badies up until the apprentice begins to feel powerful enough to take over. The Sith are less one-dimensional when they have an honest passionate concern for each other.

I've suspected that in a prior iteration of the prequel story arc Padme was a Force-Wielder. My interpretation of the end of ROTS was that Padme's body had become dependent on Force energy and when she concieved twins by another Force-Wielder they began to drain the Force from Padme's body. Maybe this could explain why Force-Wielders are discouraged from marrying each other? Palpy could then step in and honestly help keep her alive with his knowledge from Plagueis.