Chance Meeting
Scarlett woke suddenly in a cold sweat. She had had the nightmare again. But now she finally understood what it meant. She had lived it. She run through those misty streets, her heart hammering against her chest. And he had rejected her, with so little emotion or regret that she feared that she knew she really had lost him.
She felt tears stinging at her eyes again. Scarlett longed for him so badly it hurt. She longed to hear his voice, she longed to feel his touch. How could she have been so blind?
She was snapped out of this reverie by a sudden knock upon her door.
"C-Come in." She cleared her throat quickly.
Mammy entered, and upon seeing Scarlett's face, her features softened with concern.
"Scarlett honey, what's wrong?"
Scarlett didn't reply.
"Where's Mister Rhett?"
"Rhett's not coming back, Mammy." Saying the words nearly made the tears break the surface, but Scarlett refused.
"What do you mean he's not coming back?"
"He left me."
"No! It can't be true, Miss Scarlett!"
Scarlett opened her mouth to speak, but the lump in her throat made her choke, and the tears began to flow freely.
"I was so stupid, Mammy! I was so stupid! How could I have treated him like that? How could I not have realized how much I loved him!" She sobbed into Mammy's instantly open arms.
"Oh, honey, don't cry. If I know Mister Rhett, he'll be coming back to you."
"He won't! He's gone, Mammy, and I never knew I could miss someone this much." Scarlett choked out through her tears.
"Scarlett honey, he loved you so much, I know he did. Love like that don't just go away."
Scarlett nodded, wiping her eyes.
"I'm so sorry to hear about Miss Melanie." Mammy suddenly changed the subject.
Scarlett realized guiltily that Melanie's death had been the last thing on her mind these last few days. Her funeral was tonight.
"I suppose I should go buy a suitable dress for the funeral." Scarlett said, rising out of bed.
"All right, Miss Scarlett. And don't you worry about Mister Rhett. He'll be coming back to you."
Scarlett smiled slightly, wishing with all her heart that Mammy was right.
*~*
Rhett sat down on the plush hotel bed, looking at the letter for the umpteenth time. It was from Ashley, informing him of Melanie's funeral tonight. Rhett was torn. He had truly cared for Melanie, and knew in his heart he should go. But he also knew that if he went, the chances of running into Scarlett were very good. And that he didn't even want to fathom. He never wanted to see her again. That cold, unfeeling bitch had ripped his heart into pieces so many times that he felt destroyed, emotionless. He tried to think of her as little as possible. But it was hard. So many random things would remind him. And he would remember. Seeing her again, this soon, would be too hard.
Coward.
A nagging voice in his head told him. He knew it was true. Technically, he had to see her again sometime, she had to sign the divorce papers. Divorce papers. How staggering-he was actually going through with it, divorcing Scarlett. He had threatened and joked about it, but never thought the day would actually come.
Rhett sighed, his head in his hands. He must go to that funeral, and he had to see Scarlett again.
*~*
Scarlett wandered through the shop as if in a trance. Her black dress was finished and ready to be taken home, but she wasn't ready to go home. Home was too full of memories-everything in it reminded her of Rhett.
Walking up and down the aisles of fabrics, Scarlett spotted a dark green silk.
Rhett always loved me in that color.
She mentally slapped herself.
For God's sake, Scarlett, enough. Wallowing in your sorrows isn't going to get him back.
Nothing's going to get him back.
She was going to drive herself mad if this didn't stop. She wanted a friend to talk to about this, but she had no one. Melanie would have listened. But Melanie was gone. And Ashley, that poor fool, he wouldn't understand. Scarlett had severed so many ties because Rhett had made it so easy to. Rhett had made it interesting and enjoyable to be scandalous. And even though their family had earned back some respect for Bonnie's sake, there was no one who Scarlett could talk to. Especially not about something so scandalous as a divorce.
Scarlett felt the beginnings of a headache forming. She closed her eyes, leaning against a row of fabrics wearily. Suddenly, she heard the sales woman at the front say the last words Scarlett wanted to hear.
"Well, hello, Mr. Butler!"
Or perhaps they were exactly the words she wanted to hear.
*~*
Scarlett's eyes snapped open at these words. It couldn't be possible. Rhett couldn't be in this very shop, at this very moment. Self-consciously smoothing her hair and pinching her cheeks, she peered anxiously at the front desk.
Sure enough, that familiar booming laugh echoed through the store. It was Rhett. Seeing him made her feel as though it was hard to remain standing, she felt so overwhelmed with the feelings coursing through her body. Her knees shook slightly. Should she try to sneak out without him noticing?
No, that was stupid. She was going to talk to him. What other chance like this would she get?
Approaching the front desk, Scarlett saw Rhett take notice of her.
"Mrs. Butler. What a surprise."
*~*
Rhett made sure to keep his tone even and emotionless, even though his heart had started pounding the moment he saw her. Old feelings were racing through him again, but he obstinately ignored them.
Why? Why had this happened? He thought it would be nice to walk around the town before the funeral, get some fresh air and generally avoid the area anywhere near their former home. But of course, as fate often proved a cruel mistress, Scarlett was here.
"Rhett, I- what are you doing here?" She fought the urge to profess her love right then and there, not really wanting to face the embarrassment of rejection all over again.
"Melanie's funeral. Thought I should come. How are you, Scarlett?"
How am I? Is he joking? Miserable? Lonely? Wanting you back more every moment?
"Just fine, Rhett, and you?"
"Fine."
An uncomfortable silence fell, and palpable tension filled the air between them.
"Your dress, Scarlett?" The sales woman broke the silence, causing both of them to jump slightly.
"Oh, thank you." Scarlett took the black dress.
"Of course you're attending as well."
"Melly was like a sister to me, Rhett. How could I not go?"
Rhett didn't reply to that.
"So, I suppose I'll see you there." And Rhett left the store.
Scarlett didn't give a second thought to going after him.
"Rhett, I need to talk to you."
"You have nothing to say I'm interested in hearing, I assure you." Rhett continued to walk briskly away as a slight rain began to fall on them. Scarlett usually would have worried about her dress, but the thought didn't even cross her mind.
"Rhett, please, you have to listen to me!"
"I don't have to do anything, Scarlett."
She grabbed his arm, forcing him to face her.
"Rhett, you won't believe me when I tell you I love you, but I swear it's true. These last few days have been hell for me, I've never felt so lonely…so lost. I need you in my life, I want you back. Please forgive me, please, Rhett." Her green eyes were filled with tears.
"I told you forgiveness is not an option here, Scarlett. I thought I made that clear."
"Please, Rhett! I don't know what else I can do to convince you, but I can't live like this! I need you."
"Why? To buy you pretty things? Don't worry, darling, you sign the divorce papers, and I'll make sure you get enough money to keep you happy."
"I won't be happy, Rhett. I don't want your money, I want you."
Rhett suddenly pulled her into a nearby ally, feeling this should be a more private conversation.
"Do you know how long I wanted to hear that? Do you know what I would have given to have your love while we were together? But you ruined all that, Scarlett. You ruined our marriage and you ruined my life. And if you ruined yours in the process, well, that's your own damned fault." Rhett shook her slightly, a slight remnant of passion burning behind his dark eyes. Scarlett saw her opportunity. She brought her hand to his face.
"Rhett, what can I say to make things right?"
"There's nothing left, Scarlett. Only a fool pursues a lost cause."
"You pursue them, Rhett. Once they're really lost. You said those words to me."
"I was a fool, then. A fool to ever believe we had a chance." Rhett let her go, turning away.
Scarlett didn't reach for him again.
"I'll bring the divorce papers over after the funeral tonight, Scarlett. Have a pen and ink ready, I have no intention of staying long."
And with those words, Rhett walked off into the rain.
~*~
A/N- Hey everyone! There will be a continuation to this, I'm just forming some ideas. Please give me reviews and input, both
are always appreciated. This is my first GWTW fanfic, so I hoped everyone liked it.
Scarlett woke suddenly in a cold sweat. She had had the nightmare again. But now she finally understood what it meant. She had lived it. She run through those misty streets, her heart hammering against her chest. And he had rejected her, with so little emotion or regret that she feared that she knew she really had lost him.
She felt tears stinging at her eyes again. Scarlett longed for him so badly it hurt. She longed to hear his voice, she longed to feel his touch. How could she have been so blind?
She was snapped out of this reverie by a sudden knock upon her door.
"C-Come in." She cleared her throat quickly.
Mammy entered, and upon seeing Scarlett's face, her features softened with concern.
"Scarlett honey, what's wrong?"
Scarlett didn't reply.
"Where's Mister Rhett?"
"Rhett's not coming back, Mammy." Saying the words nearly made the tears break the surface, but Scarlett refused.
"What do you mean he's not coming back?"
"He left me."
"No! It can't be true, Miss Scarlett!"
Scarlett opened her mouth to speak, but the lump in her throat made her choke, and the tears began to flow freely.
"I was so stupid, Mammy! I was so stupid! How could I have treated him like that? How could I not have realized how much I loved him!" She sobbed into Mammy's instantly open arms.
"Oh, honey, don't cry. If I know Mister Rhett, he'll be coming back to you."
"He won't! He's gone, Mammy, and I never knew I could miss someone this much." Scarlett choked out through her tears.
"Scarlett honey, he loved you so much, I know he did. Love like that don't just go away."
Scarlett nodded, wiping her eyes.
"I'm so sorry to hear about Miss Melanie." Mammy suddenly changed the subject.
Scarlett realized guiltily that Melanie's death had been the last thing on her mind these last few days. Her funeral was tonight.
"I suppose I should go buy a suitable dress for the funeral." Scarlett said, rising out of bed.
"All right, Miss Scarlett. And don't you worry about Mister Rhett. He'll be coming back to you."
Scarlett smiled slightly, wishing with all her heart that Mammy was right.
*~*
Rhett sat down on the plush hotel bed, looking at the letter for the umpteenth time. It was from Ashley, informing him of Melanie's funeral tonight. Rhett was torn. He had truly cared for Melanie, and knew in his heart he should go. But he also knew that if he went, the chances of running into Scarlett were very good. And that he didn't even want to fathom. He never wanted to see her again. That cold, unfeeling bitch had ripped his heart into pieces so many times that he felt destroyed, emotionless. He tried to think of her as little as possible. But it was hard. So many random things would remind him. And he would remember. Seeing her again, this soon, would be too hard.
Coward.
A nagging voice in his head told him. He knew it was true. Technically, he had to see her again sometime, she had to sign the divorce papers. Divorce papers. How staggering-he was actually going through with it, divorcing Scarlett. He had threatened and joked about it, but never thought the day would actually come.
Rhett sighed, his head in his hands. He must go to that funeral, and he had to see Scarlett again.
*~*
Scarlett wandered through the shop as if in a trance. Her black dress was finished and ready to be taken home, but she wasn't ready to go home. Home was too full of memories-everything in it reminded her of Rhett.
Walking up and down the aisles of fabrics, Scarlett spotted a dark green silk.
Rhett always loved me in that color.
She mentally slapped herself.
For God's sake, Scarlett, enough. Wallowing in your sorrows isn't going to get him back.
Nothing's going to get him back.
She was going to drive herself mad if this didn't stop. She wanted a friend to talk to about this, but she had no one. Melanie would have listened. But Melanie was gone. And Ashley, that poor fool, he wouldn't understand. Scarlett had severed so many ties because Rhett had made it so easy to. Rhett had made it interesting and enjoyable to be scandalous. And even though their family had earned back some respect for Bonnie's sake, there was no one who Scarlett could talk to. Especially not about something so scandalous as a divorce.
Scarlett felt the beginnings of a headache forming. She closed her eyes, leaning against a row of fabrics wearily. Suddenly, she heard the sales woman at the front say the last words Scarlett wanted to hear.
"Well, hello, Mr. Butler!"
Or perhaps they were exactly the words she wanted to hear.
*~*
Scarlett's eyes snapped open at these words. It couldn't be possible. Rhett couldn't be in this very shop, at this very moment. Self-consciously smoothing her hair and pinching her cheeks, she peered anxiously at the front desk.
Sure enough, that familiar booming laugh echoed through the store. It was Rhett. Seeing him made her feel as though it was hard to remain standing, she felt so overwhelmed with the feelings coursing through her body. Her knees shook slightly. Should she try to sneak out without him noticing?
No, that was stupid. She was going to talk to him. What other chance like this would she get?
Approaching the front desk, Scarlett saw Rhett take notice of her.
"Mrs. Butler. What a surprise."
*~*
Rhett made sure to keep his tone even and emotionless, even though his heart had started pounding the moment he saw her. Old feelings were racing through him again, but he obstinately ignored them.
Why? Why had this happened? He thought it would be nice to walk around the town before the funeral, get some fresh air and generally avoid the area anywhere near their former home. But of course, as fate often proved a cruel mistress, Scarlett was here.
"Rhett, I- what are you doing here?" She fought the urge to profess her love right then and there, not really wanting to face the embarrassment of rejection all over again.
"Melanie's funeral. Thought I should come. How are you, Scarlett?"
How am I? Is he joking? Miserable? Lonely? Wanting you back more every moment?
"Just fine, Rhett, and you?"
"Fine."
An uncomfortable silence fell, and palpable tension filled the air between them.
"Your dress, Scarlett?" The sales woman broke the silence, causing both of them to jump slightly.
"Oh, thank you." Scarlett took the black dress.
"Of course you're attending as well."
"Melly was like a sister to me, Rhett. How could I not go?"
Rhett didn't reply to that.
"So, I suppose I'll see you there." And Rhett left the store.
Scarlett didn't give a second thought to going after him.
"Rhett, I need to talk to you."
"You have nothing to say I'm interested in hearing, I assure you." Rhett continued to walk briskly away as a slight rain began to fall on them. Scarlett usually would have worried about her dress, but the thought didn't even cross her mind.
"Rhett, please, you have to listen to me!"
"I don't have to do anything, Scarlett."
She grabbed his arm, forcing him to face her.
"Rhett, you won't believe me when I tell you I love you, but I swear it's true. These last few days have been hell for me, I've never felt so lonely…so lost. I need you in my life, I want you back. Please forgive me, please, Rhett." Her green eyes were filled with tears.
"I told you forgiveness is not an option here, Scarlett. I thought I made that clear."
"Please, Rhett! I don't know what else I can do to convince you, but I can't live like this! I need you."
"Why? To buy you pretty things? Don't worry, darling, you sign the divorce papers, and I'll make sure you get enough money to keep you happy."
"I won't be happy, Rhett. I don't want your money, I want you."
Rhett suddenly pulled her into a nearby ally, feeling this should be a more private conversation.
"Do you know how long I wanted to hear that? Do you know what I would have given to have your love while we were together? But you ruined all that, Scarlett. You ruined our marriage and you ruined my life. And if you ruined yours in the process, well, that's your own damned fault." Rhett shook her slightly, a slight remnant of passion burning behind his dark eyes. Scarlett saw her opportunity. She brought her hand to his face.
"Rhett, what can I say to make things right?"
"There's nothing left, Scarlett. Only a fool pursues a lost cause."
"You pursue them, Rhett. Once they're really lost. You said those words to me."
"I was a fool, then. A fool to ever believe we had a chance." Rhett let her go, turning away.
Scarlett didn't reach for him again.
"I'll bring the divorce papers over after the funeral tonight, Scarlett. Have a pen and ink ready, I have no intention of staying long."
And with those words, Rhett walked off into the rain.
~*~
A/N- Hey everyone! There will be a continuation to this, I'm just forming some ideas. Please give me reviews and input, both
are always appreciated. This is my first GWTW fanfic, so I hoped everyone liked it.
