Wedding Day

Summary: AU. Han says his last goodbye to Leia as she marries Isolder.

Disclaimer: None of it mine. SW belongs to Lucas. Mr. Wolverton created Isolder. Title comes from the song of the same name by Bon Jovi (unreleased).

A/N: Well, there goes the last of my stash of shortfics! This was written months ago and I've only just pulled it out now. Do not despair, I'm definitely not finished with The Shortfics yet! All my bunnies end up here sooner or later ;)

He took a deep breath and knocked on the door. Today was the big day. Today was the day Leia was to be married—to another man. He had opened his heart to her; confessed his love. But in the end she had chosen to serve her precious New Republic.

In the end, love hadn't saved them. Only the sixty-three gifts of Hapes could destroy that. Isolder was the face of perfection. He was everything Han was not, including the soon-to-be husband of the most beautiful woman in the galaxy.

Leia's soft voice invited him in. He braced himself and opened the door. She was sitting in front of her mirror putting the finishing touches for her trip down the aisle. She looked radiant—like a bride should before her wedding.

She spun around to face Han, who averted his eyes to avoid looking straight into hers. It was just too painful. He tried to ignore the lump in his throat.

"Han," she addressed him softly.

It's alright, Solo. Just keep concentrating on the 'fresher door and you'll be fine.

She noticed he wasn't dressed in formal attire. "You can't turn up to a royal wedding dressed like a pirate, Han," her own voice quivering. He angrily turned to look her in the eye.

"That's because I'm not coming to your precious New Republic sham of a royal wedding! I'm here to say goodbye. For good."

Leia was taken aback. "Han I know things didn't work out between us but I still want you to be there…"

"To do what?" he interrupted. "To watch you rub in my face that you don't love me anymore? To watch you walk down the aisle into the arms of another man? I can't do that Leia. If I do I won't be responsible for my actions. If it were up to me I'd kidnap you and take you far away from this. But it wouldn't do any good. You're going to marry Isolder. It's over. Goodbye Your Highnessness," he spat bitterly.

A small, petite hand stopped him from storming out. "I never said I didn't love you anymore Han."

Sharpen up Solo. Scoundrels don't cry.

"You have a funny way of showing it Princess. 'I love you Han but I'm marrying a blonde, rich, pompous ASS of a prince and I want to you come to my wedding'. No thanks. I hope you have a good life together and have lots of really blonde, pompous kids. In fact…"

Soft lips on his own disrupted his tirade. For a moment, he forgot the reason he was here. In his mind he entertained the idea of it being their wedding. But it was short lived. He pulled away.

"Don't go…please," she begged. He shook his head.

"Goodbye Leia. I'm sorry I'll miss your wedding day,"

And then Han Solo left the room.