A slimy, wet tongue ran across Han's face, waking him instantly.

"Ugh! Chewie!" He rose up from the bed, wiping the saliva off his face. But Chewie didn't care, he just kept wagging his tail and kept licking his human.

Han rubbed his weary eyes, trying to figure out where he was. He knew was on Earth, but that didn't add up. His last memory was being out in space...

"In breaking news, space debris is continuing to fall out of the sky and into the oceans," A voice announced from the other room.

Hearing this report, Han followed the voice, staggering out of bed and into the living room. He flinched, seeing Luke standing there in front of the TV.

"Hey," He greeted with a smile. "How are you feeling?"

"Luke?" Han squinted his eyes. "What is going on?"

Luke chuckled. "I think this should tell you."

Han stepped closer to the TV, staring at the footage of space debris hurtling into Earth with the speed of a meteorite and then crashing into the water.

"Is this the place we were at? How did it get destroyed?" Han gaped at Luke.

"It's a long story, but I'm sure Lando will tell you."

"Wait," Han frowned. "Why not you?"

Luke's eyes softened. "I'm not staying here, Han. I'm going back with Leia."

Han's shoulder slumped. "She's- She's leaving? When?"

"Pretty soon. She was just waiting for you to wake up," He replied, seeing Han grab his truck keys.

"Well." Han turned around, opening the door. "I'm awake."

~

As soon as the truck came to a stop, Han and Chewie jumped out and ran towards the ship. Lando was already there, giving the ship one last check before launch off.

"Solo!" Lando waved to him. "You're awake!"

"Yeah, but where's Leia?" He asked.

Lando laughed at his friend's impatience. "Relax, she's inside."

"Thanks." Han darted past him. He had just stepped foot inside when something in his peripheral vision caught his attention.

"Leia," He called to the woman, who was standing over her control panel and starting at the new coordinates she had entered.

She flinched, turning around at the sound of her name. "Han, I'm glad you're awake. You took quite the hit."

"I'll still don't even remember anything. I guess I'll have to ask Lando." He shrugged, coming closer.

She smiled. "The Emperor was about to strike me with lightning. But you blocked it." Her smiled faded. "How could you be so stupid? You should have known that would kill you!"

"Just as ungrateful as ever," He teased. "That's one thing I won't miss about you."

"So you'll miss me then?" She smirked, folding her arms over her chest.

For the first time, Han was at a loss for words, scrambling to play it cool. "Well, I won't not miss you."

Leia burst out laughing. "If there's something I'll miss about you, it's your ability to make me laugh."

"Well, I'm glad for that then." Han started fumbling with his fingers, letting an awkward pause come over them.

"What will you do when you return?" His tone had turned serious.

"Luke and I will be coronated as Emperor and Empress," she answered. "We will rule together while I try to reinstate the Senate."

"Wow, those are some big goals." Han bounced on his heels. "Will everyone be okay with that though?"

"Yes, there is enough support for our claims. My aunt is the viceroy of one of the largest planets. And after what happened to Alderaan, many planets started to oppose the Empire." She lowered her head. "And my betrothed is a viceroy of the wealthiest and most populated planet."

"Your what?!" Han stammered, thinking he misheard her.

She nodded sadly. "Yes. I was- am betrothed to someone. But what about you? What do you plan to do now?"

Han blinked. "Oh, uh, I'm not sure."

"You could always come with me. If you'd like," she offered. "I know you would love it. There's a planet just like Earth, but prettier. It is where my mother was from."

Han shook his head with a smile. "No, as much I would like to, my place is here."

"I understand." Leia returned his smile. "To be honest, I think you should join the Air Force."

"You know what the Air Force is?" He raised his eyebrows almost to the point of them touching his hairline.

"Not exactly, but when I stayed in your room, it was filled with Air Force decorations."

"Yeah, being a pilot in the Air Force was my dream as a kid," He mocked himself. "It was ridiculous."

"Han, that could still be your dream," Leia assured. "I've seen you do some amazing things. You took on the Empire with me, you fought off a bounty hunter, you nearly died for me!"

She stepped forward, closing the gap between them. "You may be cocky and irritating and I constantly want to slap you. But beneath that rough exterior, you are one of the bravest people I know." She was starting to get flustered, her reddening face was proof of that.

"And-And I love you," She blurted out, looking to him earnestly.

Han's eyes widened at her admission but immediately softened. "I know."

He quickly pulled her into his arms, bringing his mouth against hers. She deepened the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Hey! Whoa!"

They abruptly broke apart, turning to see Luke and Lando both staring at them from the entrance.

"Should we go back out or?" Lando pointed with this thumb.

"No, you can stay." Leia shook her head with a grin. "We should be leaving soon anyway."

Han strolled up to Luke. "The next time I see you, it better not because of an alien invasion okay?"

"Okay," Luke laughed.

"Well, I guess this is goodbye then. I'm going to miss you." Han patted his friend's back, but the younger man pulled him into a hug.

"I'm going to miss you too."

"Take care of your sister. Make sure she doesn't become like her father." Han winked.

"I will," Luke vowed.

"Thank you for everything, Lando," Leia said, hugging the man.

"You're welcome. And thank you for giving me the adventure of a lifetime." He returned her hug. "And I'll watch after Han, make sure he doesn't get into too much trouble."

Leia released Lando, seeing that Han was standing behind him. "Well, Han, I wish you the best of luck."

"Me too," he responded. "And I know you'll be a great Empress." He brought his hand to her shoulder, caressing it. "If you ever doubt yourself, remember you always have me and Lando rooting for you back here."

Leia's face broke into a smile. "Thank you."

They embraced once more, neither one wanting to let go. They held onto each other tightly, knowing they would soon have to let go forever.

~

The sun had begun to set, creating a sunset only the desert was known to hold. Nowhere else could you see such beauty, such colors blend into one another like something out of a painting.

From a safe distance on the ground, Lando and Han waved towards the ship. They watched as it began to lift off, blowing dust and dirt around them. The ship continued rising higher and higher into the air, heading for a destination Han could only imagine.

Han looked on until the ship soon became just another twinkle in the evening sky, indistinguishable from the stars.

But he did so not with any pain or longing, but with a smile on his face and a newfound dream in his heart.

The End.