Disclaimer: I own nothing. Still.

Chapter Two: Home

Summary: Han Solo decides not to go solo any more.

"I told you Chewie! I've made up my mind." Han growled to his hairy copilot. "There ain't nothing that can make me go back there."

"What about Luke and the princess?"

"They're both crazy! I offered Luke a chance to get out, but he made his choice. If they wanna get killed fighting a hopeless battle, that's their problem. It's got nothing to do with me."

Or so he'd been telling himself.

Chewie fell silent as well. He'd known Han long enough to know there was a time to push and a time to simply let Han be. Han had to work this out himself. He wouldn't respond well to pushing. Either he'd come around or he wouldn't.

Silently, Han stewed. The nerve of those two, suggesting he was a coward. Suggesting all he cared about was money. But they're right aren't they? Something treacherous inside him said.

Your friend is quite a mercenary. I wonder if he really cares about anything. Or anyone.

There was a time when it had been different. A time when he cared about so much more. Back when he was young. When he had dreams and ambitions. When he'd been in love.

His mind went unthinkingly to the princess, and his mouth quirked involuntarily. She was a spitfire, that one. And not just because she'd grabbed Luke's blaster right out of his hands, blasted stormtroopers out in the open, blasted open the garbage chute and ordered everyone down without hesitation. No. She'd refused to give up valuable information even under torture, she'd remained defiant even in the face of death, and hopeful even in the face of tragedy and failure.

….Han had never been with another woman since… Well since. But if he were ever to…...Anyway.

And Luke. He'd known the kid for less than a standard day, but he'd already come to respect the bright-eyed youth. He had to admit to himself, he liked that kid. He had guts. For a farmer anyway. Even one from Tatooine. And while that princess had gotten on his nerves, he'd gained a reluctant respect for her as well. He shook his head. It wasn't his fault. He'd offered Luke a way out. He'd chosen to go out there anyway. And the princess had long since made her choice.

Why don't you take a look around! You know what's about to happen, what they're up against. They could use a good pilot like you and you're turning your back on them.

There had been another unspoken message there, Han was sure of it. You're turning your back on me. On Leia.

Why did it bother him so much? What was it about that pair that sparked something that had laid dormant for years now?

They remind you of yourself, Idiot. The treacherous voice said. The way you used to be.

When had he lost it? That spark. That longing for something more. It hadn't been that long ago, and at the same time it had. Not that long, yet so very long since he too held that same bright-eyed wonder he saw in Luke. That fiery determination he saw in Leia. He remembered being a young man sitting in the cockpit of the Falcon watching them going into hyperspace for the first time. He'd been in giddy awe.

When had he become so jaded? When had his priorities shifted to 'always look out for number one'?

Well take care of yourself, Han. I guess that's what you're best at isn't it?

What did Luke know? He didn't have Han's experience. And now he might never. That voice whispered to him again.

...Bah! Han Solo was a loner. Han Solo always shot first. Han Solo was a one man army. Han Solo didn't need anyone!

…..And Han Solo was tired of being alone.

Han looked inside himself. Deep inside. It wasn't something he often did, but he did it now. And deep down. He was afraid.

It all came down to one, primal, fear.

He didn't wanna get left behind again.

Without his consent, his eyes wandered to the sabacc dice on a chain hanging where they always did from the cockpit ceiling.

He'd learned the hard way. Everyone leaves you. Sooner or later… Everyone leaves.

Go, I'm right behind you.

You wanna know how I've survived as long as I have? I trust no one. Assume everyone will betray you and you will never be disappointed.

Sounds like a lonely way to live.

Except this time… he was the one leaving.

Except for Chewie. He'd always had Chewie. They'd been alone together. Maybe that had made it easier in recent years for him to be the one to leave. Stars, when had he started being the one to leave?

Han Solo had never had a home. Not really. Corellia was his native planet, but it was never home.

He had been home with Qi'ra.

He was home with Chewie.

He'd been home with Luke and Leia.

Han Solo's home had always been with his friends.

Now he'd left a part of that behind him at Yavin.

"Kreth." He cursed out loud, as he turned the ship around.

"You're all clear, Kid! Now let's blow this thing and go home!"

Han bounded down the gangplank of the Falcon and looked wildly around for Luke's x-wing. It wasn't hard to find. Heaps of rebels were crowded around shouting, applauding, congratulating, and Han could just make out Luke and Leia through the throngs of people. Leia had her arms around Luke's neck hugging him while Luke spun her around. Both were laughing, almost crying with sheer joy and relief, and they were very much alive.

"Hey!" The gleeful shout bubbled up and out of him as he dashed to where his friends, yes, his friends stood. Their faces turned to him, and, if possible, lit up even more at the sight of him.

Luke shouted his name, almost incomprehensibly such was his elation. He ran to meet Han and the two men collided.

"I knew you'd come back! I just knew it!"

"Well I couldn't let you get all the credit and take all the reward!" Han said, swiping at the younger man.

"Hey! I knew there was more to you than money." Leia said, joining them and they stood in a three way embrace, all three grinning grins a mile long.

I knew you two would be waiting for me.

Then they strode, full of life and with their arms around one another still, out of the hanger.

Han Solo was home.