This is my first fan fic. Please read and review. I hope you like it.

Chapter 1

There he was, just standing there. He was just an arm's length away. All she had to do was reach out and touch him. She hesitated for just a moment and then he was gone. He was pulled out on the dance floor by a young girl. That was the first time Scarlett had seen Rhett since the night Melanie had died. It had been about six months and now they were both at the same party. The party was for Andrew Hamilton, one of Melanie's cousins, whom Scarlett had met at the funeral. Andrew lived in Savannah and they had kept in touch for Wade's sake, so he would know some family on his father's side. Through this correspondence Scarlett and Andrew had realized that they shared a few common interests, which led to her being invited to his birthday party.

Rhettcouldn't help but feel as though someone were watching him from behind. He was just about to turn around when his sister Rosie grabbed his arm and drug him out to dance. The party was for Rosie's friend's husband and Rosie had talk him into going as her escort, for she was still single. Rosie really wanted him to go to get his mind of his troubles and Rhett knew that. Ever since he had arrived in Charleston, six months ago, all he could think about was Scarlett. He was actually hoping that the party would take his mind off of her for a while.

Scarlett was now standing back in the shadows trying to figure out what she was going to do. Should she go up to him, or let him find her, or leave. She knew she was still completely in love with Rhett and couldn't live without him, but she didn't know what to say to win him back.

Scarlett was deep in thought when Andrew approached her and asked her to dance. She answered with a simple nod of the head and before she knew it she was in the middle of the dance floor. The next song came as well as another partner and so on. Scarlett was the bell of the ball again. She completely forgot about all her problems.

All the men were trying to get a dance with the beautiful woman. Rhett was somewhat amused by the thought of one woman capturing all the men's hearts. It reminded so much of a 16 year old girl at a barbeque. "No," Rhett thought to himself, " I won't think of her right now, I'm here to have fun." He decided he might have enjoy getting his dance in with the bell of the party.

As he approached the crowd, he heard that laugh he loved so much and then he heard her voice. "Dear god, get a hold of yourself Rhett, she not here. Why would she be here." He silently cursed himself for his thoughts. Then he reached the front of the crowd and saw her. He couldn't believe his eyes. There she was with all her glory. Her eyes met his stare. The whole world fell away, leaving only them. Rhett finally spoke without taking his eyes off of her, " Gentlemen if you don't mind, I'd like to have a dance with my wife." Immediately the other men backed off and Rhett took Scarlett by the hand and lead her to the dance floor. All Scarlett could do was follow along without a word.

They dance the first half of the song just staring at each other in silence. Scarlett couldn't stand it any longer, " Rhett is it really you? I'm not dreamin' all this up am I?"

"I was just asking myself that same question Scarlett." Rhett's voice was full of wonderment and confusion. They danced the rest of the song in silence. Both remembering how well they danced together, but also thinking about what their next move should be.

As the song ended Rhett whispered in Scarlett's ear, "We need to talk." As she put her arm through his, she replied, " There is a garden out back, it might be empty." So they left the party in search of a quiet place. Rosie watched as her brother walked outside with a woman she had never seen before and hoped the woman would help Rhett forget his awful wife.

Neither said a word until they reached the garden.

'' Well Scarlett you look good, how have you been?''

Scarlett was shocked at how nice he was being. '' I guess I've been ok, considering I lost my only friend and husband in the same day.''

"Scarlett, can't we have a nice, civil conversation without bringing that up. Lets at least get through the pleasantries."

She saw the pain in his eyes and she knew he wasn't ready to go there yet. "Your right Rhett, I'm sorry."

Some of the pain disappeared from Rhett's eyes, "Don't think about it. How are the children?''

'' They are alright, but they miss Melly a lot. I try to keep their minds off of her.''

Rhett was somewhat shocked, ''Scarlett are you saying that you have been spending time with your children.''

''Yes I have, we have grown rather close actually. I come to realize that being a mother is not such a bad thing. I have found that they love me no matter what. They have also been one of the main reasons I was able to live through these last few months.'' The thought of her knew relationship with her children brought a smile to her face. Rhett could see her pride for her children.

'' You know Scarlett I never thought I would here you say you enjoyed being a mother.'' Rhett's shock was written all over his face.

'' I have changed a lot since you left, Rhett. I have learned to enjoy things in life and not take things for granted.''

'' How in the world did you figure this out Scarlett?'' Rhett was truly interested in her answer.

'' Well when you have six months to think you start to figure things out.'' This was not exactly the answer Rhett was waiting for.

'' Scarlett surely that's not all you've done since I left, sit around and think about things.''

''Well not entirely. As soon as the funeral was over I went to Tara for awhile. Suellen and I, if you'll believe it, finally found a neutral spot and have become you might say friends. It did feel right though, it's not my home anymore, it's Suellen's. So we went back to Atlanta. After we got back I found myself with nothing to do. I visited Ashley a couple times, but he has changed so much, I couldn'tt bear to see him.''

At this Rhett asked,'' How could Ashley change so much that it would drive you away.''

''Well Rhett, at first all he did was drink his problems away, then he just decided to forget them. He acted as if nothing had happened. He even sent Beau off to an all boys school.''

''It's sounds as though you dear Ashley has somewhat lost his mind.''

'' Oh Rhett you know I no longer feel anything more for him other than a brotherly love.''

''That is what you have said my pet.''

''Anyway one day when I was visiting Ashley, he...he..uh...''

''Come on Scarlett want could Ashley do that is so terrible?''

''He asked me to marry him.''

''He did what?'' Rhett eyes flamed with anger.

''When I reminded him I was married and that I didn't love him, he got very upset and left the room.'' Scarlett was now noticing the anger in Rhett eyes.

''So you finally had the chance to fulfill your wildest dreams and you turned it down.''

''Damn it Rhett, haven't you heard a word I said. I have changed, I no longer think about Ashley that way. The only man I want is y...''

Scarlett stopped before she said something she would regret, she couldn't let Rhett have the upper hand, but she had to tell him.

'' Please continue Mrs. Butler.''

''Fine I'll say it, the only man I want is you Rhett. Your the only one I love.'' She hadn't planned on saying she loved him so soon.

Rhett's eyes showed something that Scarlett had seen before but didn't know what it meant.

All Rhett could think about was that he couldn't let himself be hurt again. He was searching her eyes for that one thing he had been looking for since the day he met her, but this time it was there. For the first time Rhett finally saw love in Scarlett's eyes. It wasn't just love, it was love for him and him alone.