Author's Note: This story is inspired by the following bit of information from Soul of the Jedi—

According to Gary Kurtz, GL's original idea for ROTJ had it ending with the heroes all going their separate ways and Leia being crowned Queen of her people.
We know he changed his mind- but... (Asmesarthim)

Setting is immediately after Return of the Jedi, unless otherwise noted.

Rating: PG-13

The Long Way Home

Chapter One: Smuggler's Run

Han Solo sat in the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon, feet propped in Chewbacca's seat. The star lines flew past the view port, a sight dizzying if it wasn't so common place to the smuggler. Han's thoughts weren't on his destination, but rather the long journey that had taken him here, and a thousand questions about what he could have done differently.

For every one of those questions, there was a light year between him and the life he had known for five years. On a forest moon, a princess and a Jedi stood staring at the sky, waiting for the familiar, beat up round shape of Han's ship to return. He had left before, surely he would come back, the two thought.

"Not this time," Han said to himself. The war was over and the battles won; there was no need for soldiers anymore. The soldiers would be changed into mechanics and construction workers, two jobs Han did not find particularly appealing. There was no room in this new Alliance for smugglers who had been weak and stupid enough to fall for princesses…

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They had sat together after the celebratory fires had died out, staring into the embers, their hands interlaced in silence. Though Endor buzzed with life, the Corellian felt very alone. All the things he had admitted to, or almost admitted to, about Princess Leia sat uncomfortably between the two of them, a third party in what should have been a tender moment.

"Han…" Leia's voice had broken the silence, but only just. "There's still a lot of work to do," she said. "I have to find a place for my people…there's a galaxy to put back together…" Her voice trailed off, but regained its courage. "I am not my own woman anymore…I never really have been. The things I have to do now…I'm not sure if, or when, I'll have time for anything else."

Han didn't say anything at first, but he pulled his hand out of hers, rubbing the back of his neck in thought. What had he expected? It had been pulling teeth to get her to acknowledge his existence in more than a "Beneficial to the Alliance" kind of way. A moment of weakness had made her say all the pleasant things he'd never before believed a woman saying to him? Obviously, if this was what had come down to?

He looked at her, though her eyes were still searching the coals. She was so beautiful, but he could never really have her. She belonged to her people, her galaxy, her Republic. There was no place for one lonely man in all that.

He stood up and tugged on the hem of his shirt. "So long, Princess…"

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Han noticed that Chewie hadn't said anything to him since they began their repairs to the Falcon that same night. No questions, especially; only a few growls of agreement or frustration as they tried to repair Lando's damage. The lack of receiving dish would cut down on their video entertainment considerably, but Han had meant to start reading more anyway.

A light blinked on the console, indicating their trip was nearly over. Soon, they would revert to real-space, and Chewbacca's home world of Kashyyyk would be floating before them. After so many years of traveling, of hiding, Han's one true friend was finally going to be returning home for good. At least one of them should be happy.

The doors to the bridge swished open, and the being in question shuffled in, nearly tossing Han out of his seat as the Wookiee tried to get to his control panels. Han cursed at him in Huttese, but the word carried little weight behind it. Chewbacca looked at his friend and did his best to raise a furry eyebrow as he growled.

Was he absolutely sure about this?

"Of course I am, Chewie! Look, I don't know how many times you have to save me before the Life Debt is complete, but if you keep staying with me, you'll keep needing to pay it back. Go home. Find a wife. Make a baby Wookiee or two and name one after good ol' Uncle Han."

Chewie grumbled again. Did Han want to stay on Kashyyyk for awhile, relax a little bit?

Han shook his head. "Spend time with a planet full of you guys? No thanks, pal. I'm going to have enough trouble getting your smell out of my clothing without getting more Wookiees involved.

Chewbacca told Han exactly where he could put his smells. Han laughed.

"Look, I've got plans. Lando and I are going to meet up on Dantooine. He's heard that there's a market cheap transportation modes in the system…"

Was Han going back to smuggling?

"Nope. Completely above-board stuff. I don't want to undermine a government I helped set up, now do I?"

Chewbacca shrugged. The Falcon lurched at that moment and both men set to work.

"Well, here you are Chewie, home sweet home."