Rhett walked down the street headed toward Belle's. It was his first time being back in Atlanta since he had left Scarlett with those cold words, "Frankly my dear I don't give a damn." He told himself his reason for coming back was to keep up appearances, but Rhett didn't just come back for the sake of propriety, he came back because he had missed Scarlett terribly. He thought he didn't care anymore and that all he felt for her was pity but after some time away to think, he knew he was still helplessly in love with Scarlett O'Hara Hamilton Kennedy Butler.

Belle greeted Rhett with a wide grin and said, "Well if it isn't Captain Butler! Get over here and give me a kiss you scoundrel."

Rhett chuckled and gave Belle a kiss on the cheek. He had missed Belle. She had always been there for him and while he didn't have any romantic feelings for her, as she might have like for him to, he considered her a dear friend.

"How are you Belle? Business is doing well I hope?"

"Oh I'm doing just fine Rhett. A little melancholy with you gone, but now I feel much better." Belle giggled as she took Rhett by the arm and walked up the stairs with him to her office.

Once in her office, Belle poured Rhett and herself a drink and handed it to Rhett as he sat in a chair opposite her desk. Belle reclined in her plush velvet chair behind her desk. "So how long are you staying Rhett?"

"To be honest, Belle, I have no idea. I could be here for a couple of days or months. It all depends on how things go after I see Scarlett."

Belle looked surprised. "You mean you haven't been to see Scarlett yet? What has it been? Six months now?"

Rhett looked down at his drink and said, "Five months and twenty-eight days to be exact. You know better than anyone that I'm not an impulsive person, but coming here was an impulse. I didn't even write Scarlett or send her a telegram to let her know I was coming."

Belle's look of surprise turned into a slight grin. "Well I guess she'll be surprised then." Belle's face suddenly changed expression. "Rhett, you say you haven't written her?" Rhett shook his head in response, curious as to why Belle asked. "Well, Rhett, from what I've heard Scarlett's not doing so good. I mean I can't say for certain because I haven't actually seen her myself. In fact, nobody's seen her since you left. She's been locked up in that mansion of hers. But that can't be good. I know how Scarlett likes to be out and about."

Rhett's expression was unreadable, like usual, but behind his mask he was worried. He knew, also, that Scarlett hated to be cooped up in the house. Even when she was pregnant with Bonnie and it wasn't acceptable to be out in public, she would still go to the store every now and again.

Rhett didn't want Belle thinking anything was amiss, so he shrugged her off, "Oh I'm sure she's just feeling sorry for herself. If anyone can feel sorry for themselves it's Scarlett."

Belle wasn't convinced but she just smiled and said, "Yea, you're probably right."

Rhett stood and told Belle he'd be back for a visit and kissed her on the cheek once more. Rhett chose to walk home instead of taking the carriage. He need time to mull over what Belle had said about Scarlett not leaving the house. He wondered just how badly she had taken it. Truthfully he had thought she would be sad and feel sorry for herself for a few days and then get over it. He still didn't know if he actually believed that she loved him, and if she did was it just an infatuation like she had for Ashley Wilkes? These thoughts went through his mind as he stood on the door step of his home, preparing himself for what he would meet when he entered.