Rhett couldn't get his mind off the beautiful girl he had met at Twelve Oaks the day
the war began. It had been a week, but he still couldn't push away the images in his mind, the fiery green eyes that burned with passion in the library, the Irish temper that attracted him so, the sweet, innocent voice that didn't seem to fit the person she really was inside. These thoughts burdened him every minute of every day, and he hadn't the faintest idea of how to rid his mind of her alluring face.

***

The weeks after the barbecue at Twelve Oaks were unbearable to Scarlett. With all the boys in the county at war, there was nothing to do. The last event she had attended was Ashley and Melanie's wedding 3 days after the barbecue, and Scarlett knew that was going to be the last social event she would for a while.

At the dinner table, the topic of conversation was endlessly the war. Scarlett would try to listen, but by the time Pa had been talking for 10 minutes, her attention wore off. In her boredom, she began playing with her peas and moving them around her plate with her fork. Suddenly the table became quiet, and when Scarlett looked up, she realized the cause was Ellen's disapproving stare directed at her. Scarlett turned beet red, and for the rest of dinner Scarlett focused all of her energy into appearing interested in an effort to please her mother.

***

After a week of trying to rid his thoughts of the charms of Scarlett O'Hara, Rhett decided there was only one thing left to do. He had already tried everything else he could think of in order to forget about her, but to no affect.

He arrived at Tara on a Tuesday morning, and after tying his horse to a tree in front of the expansive porch, Rhett knocked on the door. "Not as elaborate or grand as Twelve Oaks," observed Rhett, "but impressive nonetheless."

A weary looking old slave answered the door. "Yes?" she inquired.

"I would like to see Miss O'Hara, please," Rhett said.

"Which one?" asked the old woman.

"Miss Scarlett O'Hara."

The woman nodded her head and showed Rhett in. She trudged slowly up the steps to retrieve Scarlett.

While he was waiting for Scarlett to meet him downstairs, Rhett admired the O'Hara home. Just as the outside was, Tara wasn't nearly as elegant as Twelve Oaks, but the furniture showed money and loving care.

Rhett was admiring a small piece on a table when he heard footsteps on the stairs. He looked up, anticipating seeing Scarlett's bright green eyes, but instead he saw the old woman again, slowly descending. "She's a cumin.'"

Rhett nodded, and within a minute, he heard Scarlett's voice coming from halfway down the steps. "Captain Butler?"

Scarlett didn't understand why he had come. What interest did he have in her? She wished she hadn't. Just seeing him reminded her of the scene she had made at the barbecue.

"Miss O'Hara," Rhett said as he kissed her gloved hand.

"Shall we go into the parlor?" She showed him the way towards the large room, knowing if she shut the heavy wood doors even Mammy's prying ears wouldn't be able to hear what was being said.

To what may I owe this pleasure, Captain Butler?" asked Scarlett.

"My dear, I couldn't get your beautiful face out of my mind," Rhett said.

Scarlett couldn't believe he had the nerve to speak that way to her, especially after the way he had spoken to her in the library. "I cannot believe you had the gall to say such a thing to me. You prove to me, sir, that you certainly are no gentleman!"

"I acknowledged last time we met that I was not a gentleman. Nothing like your Mr. Wilkes," Rhett said with a laugh.

"How dare you insult Ashley. You've had your head so far down in the dirt for so long that you don't know what a gentleman is." Her emerald eyes glared in defense of the man she loved.

"You show me again the intriguing quality you possess that has occupied my thoughts for weeks. Your temper is like none other I've seen in a lady."

Scarlett couldn't believe a man was talking to her in this way. "How dare you insult me-" she started.

Rhett laughed. "I had no intention in insulting you, my dear. I meant it as a compliment. I love a lady with a mind of her own."

"If you think you can seduce me or persuade me to marry you, you are wrong. My heart will always belong to another man."

Again Rhett laughed at what Scarlett had said. "I almost forgot about the honorable Ashley Wilkes and his hold on his heart. Don't fret, my dear. I have no intention in seducing you, nor the intention to ask your hand in marriage. You will come to realize that I am not a marrying man."

Blushing from her false accusations, Scarlett said nothing. She couldn't think of anything to say that wouldn't sound silly or Rhett wouldn't make a joke at.

When Rhett said, "I'm afraid I must bid you good-bye," Scarlett silently breathed a sigh of relief. Her relief was short-lived, however, because of what Rhett said next. "I will see you soon my dear." Kissing her hand in one swift movement, he was out of the room and on his horse within a few seconds.

Scarlett returned to her room after watching from the parlor window as Rhett disappeared up the road. Once in her room, Scarlett picked up her drawing pad and lay belly down on her bed. She absentmindedly began to sketch, and when she realized what she was doing, she was surprised to see Rhett staring up at her from the pad. Confused as to why she would choose him as a subject in place of the usual Ashley, she finally decided it was because his visit was still fresh in her mind.

***

It had been 3 weeks since Rhett's call, and Scarlett hadn't heard anything from him. She had long ago decided that he had no intention of calling again, and she hadn't thought of him since then. Her mind was occupied by more important things, like how to win Ashley's heart and persuade him to leave that coward Melanie for her.

Ellen was beginning to notice her eldest daughter's boredom, and she knew that nothing in Clayton County would satisfy her cravings for beaux. After prayer one evening, Ellen followed Scarlett into her room and proposed her idea. "Scarlett darling, I've noticed that you have been bored here at Tara. Have you not?" When Scarlett didn't disagree, Ellen continued. "I was thinking that maybe you should take a trip to Atlanta. It's always busy there and you'll find plenty of things to do there.

Scarlett's eyes lit up with the thought of a trip. Atlanta had always interested her. Then, a question hit her. "It sounds wonderful, mother, but where would I stay?"

"I received a letter about a week ago from Melanie Wilkes and her Aunt Pitty. They asked me if you wanted to spend some time at Miss Pitty's house. They're all alone in the house, and Melanie says they could use some company."

Scarlett questioned having to live with her enemy, but her curiosity for Atlanta and need to get away won over. Besides, when Ashley came home from the war, that's where he would go. "I can't wait, mother!"

"Very well then," said Ellen, getting up from her seat on her daughter's bed." "I will go and write the necessary letters. You can leave in a week, when I expect a letter back from Melanie.

Two weeks passed, and Scarlett was preparing for her trip to Atlanta. Atlanta had always interested her more than any other town because Gerald had always told her that they were exactly the same age. As she grew older, she realized her father had stretched the truth somewhat-Atlanta was 9 years older, but Scarlett and the town were christened the same year. Scarlett always liked Atlanta because they were of the same generation, unlike Savannah and Charleston, which had dignity in their years.

After Scarlett's trunk was packed, Pork was instructed to ready the carriage for its trip to Jonesboro. Mammy tried her hardest to insist that she accompany Scarlett on her trip. "But Miss Ellen!" she protested. "Miss Scarlett ain't nuttin' but a 'lil girl. It ain't fittin' fo' her to be prancin' 'bout dat town by herself!"

"Why, Mammy, Scarlett's a young woman and can take care of herself, and Miss Pitty will be there to watch over her. But I will send Prissy along with her to tend to her needs."

Mammy scoffed at the thought of that scatterbrained girl helping Scarlett, but knew there was no hope in arguing with Ellen.

***

By the time the train reached Atlanta, Scarlett was already annoyed with Prissy. The young girl had no brains in her head, yet she loved to talk. Whenever Scarlett would be close to falling asleep, Prissy would jolt her awake questioning her or telling her a story. Scarlett had given up trying to ignore her and had now begun quieting her with sharp "shhhs" and threats of selling her south. Scarlett knew she would never have the heart to sell anyone south, but Prissy didn't know that, and it was an effective way of getting at least a short period of silence.

As soon as Scarlett stepped off the train, she heard an unfamiliar voice calling her name. As she turned to where the sound was coming from, she saw a skinny male slave. She approached him, Prissy close behind, and he greeted her in his deep voice. "Good Aft'noon, ma'am. My name's Uncle Peter."

"Hello, Uncle Peter," Scarlett said politely as he took the trunk from Prissy. The scrawny girl was struggling with the weight of the trunk, and was extremely relieved when the burden of trying to move it was taken away from her.

While on their way to Aunt Pitty's house, Uncle Peter told Scarlett stories about how he had taken care of Pitty for 20 years. He was obviously protective of her; he still thought of her as a child who needed to be taken care of.

The trip to Aunt Pitty's home only took about 5 minutes, and Melanie and Pitty were waiting outside for Scarlett. For the rest of the day, Pitty was introducing Scarlett to her friends, showing her off as if Scarlett was her own daughter. It seemed as though every woman she met offered her a place in their sewing circle, and by the end of the day Scarlett had foolishly agreed to join 3 in an effort to please. She had also promised both Mrs. Meade and Mrs. Merriweather that she would be a nurse in their hospital.

Once Mrs. Elsing left, Scarlett inquired to Melanie what all the sewing circles and hospitals were. Melanie laughed when Scarlett told her she had promised 3 sewing circles and 2 hospitals, but quickly covered her mouth in embarrassment. "I'm sorry, darling. Well, you should accept Mrs. Meade's hospital offer. I'm a nurse there, and we can go together. You can be in my sewing circle. It will be easier with someone you know."

***

A week had passed and Scarlett was surprised at the amount of work being a nurse was. She got home everyday too exhausted to do much else than eat and go to sleep.

But the torturous time in the hospital was made up for one day as she headed for home. As she was heading for her carriage, she heard a familiar voice. Right away she knew who it was. Pleased to hear the voice of a man, she turned around, eyes sparkling with curiosity. Her face quickly showed disappointment, though, when she realized the man calling her name was none other than Rhett Butler.

"How do you do, Miss O'Hara?" he asked with his sly smile.

Scarlett sensed Melanie's presence behind her, so she didn't answer the way she wanted too. Instead she answered sweetly, although her face, unseen by Melanie, showed hatred. "I'm very well thank you."

Rhett smiled at Scarlett's face, realizing she was struggling to keep her voice level and "ladylike." He agnowleged Melanie next. "Good afternoon, Mrs. Wilkes. How are you this lovely day?"

"I'm very well, thank you. I believe we met at my husband's home?"

"Yes, we spoke for a few minutes there. That's where I met Miss O'Hara as well. In the library. I believe you had broken something?"

Scarlett's eyes fired up at him at this reference. "Yes," she said tartly, her jaw stiff, "I remember you."

Rhett smiled. "What brings you to Atlanta? I was under the impression you lived near the Wilkes' home."

"I do. I'm here visiting Melanie."

"I'm sorry, but I must bid you farewell. I hope to see you again soon." He kissed each of the women's hands and was in his carriage, driving away.

"What a nice man," Melanie said softly. Scarlett laughed inside thinking about that. A nice man? Rhett? She had no idea.

***

It was a warm September day about a month later. Scarlett was alone after working at the hospital because Melanie had felt ill that morning. She squinted as she exited the building, searching for Uncle Peter, the sun's bright glare hurting her eyes. She realized as her eyes adjusted that he wasn't there yet, but something didi catch her eye. It was Rhett Butler, and he was heading towards her.

"Good afternoon, Miss O'Hara. Where is your friend, Mrs. Wilkes, today?"

"She felt ill this morning, Captain Butler," Scarlett said shortly, then continued to search for Uncle Peter.

Rhett got into her face, determined to speak with her. "Are you searching for someone?"

Scarlett didn't bother to look at him as she answered, she just kept looking at the wide dirt road. "I'm looking for my ride home."

"I would be honored if you would accept a ride from me," he said, removing his hat and bowing in an exaggerated gesture.

Scarlett looked Rhett square in the eye now, disappointed that she couldn't tell what he was thinking. "Thank you for your offer, but I don't think that would be proper."

Rhett laughed. "I'm sure no one will mind. Besides, why does that bother you. Surely you don't care what other people think of you."

Scarlett huffed, and finally saw Uncle Pork as the carriage neared the steps on which she and Rhett were talking. "I must go, Captain Butler."

He reached for her hand in order to kiss it, but she slyly removed it from his grasp. He was chuckling as he said, "Good-bye, Miss O'Hara!"

***

At the sewing circle that night, Mrs. Merriweather brought up the topic of Rhett Butler. Scarlett was suprised to hear that he was a blockade runner, retrieving goods for their use. Many of the "old cats" of society, as she liked to silently refer to them, thought very highly of him. "Obviously he hasn't shown any of these women his real self," she thought to herself as she listened to Mrs. Meade's story about one of Rhett's many gentlemany good deeds.

***************************************8

I hope you liked it. PLease R/R.
~ELyse