Disclaimer: The characters are all owned by the original masterpiece creator, Margaret Mitchell. I appreciate the use of her fantastic story.

Immediately following Scarlett's fall down the stairs.

Rhett rushed down to the bottom of the stairs where Scarlett lay. Mammy came as fast as she could out of the nursery, where she had left Bonnie and her new kitten playing with a hair ribbon. Rhett yelled to the closest servant, "Hurry, get Dr. Meade!" He pulls Scarlett into his arms and takes her up the stairs, 2 at a time.

Later...

"Rhett, Rhett," Scarlett called as loud as she could in her delicate state.

"Right here, darling," Rhett replied.

"Rhett, I am so glad you are here," she whispered.

"Dr. Meade has been by and said there are no broken bones."

Scarlett didn't feel like there were no broken bones. She had never been so sore in her life. Childbirth was mild compared to this feeling. "What about the baby?" she asked Rhett.

"I'm sorry, Scarlett," was all Rhett could say. With that Scarlett began to cry. The only child she had ever wanted and it was gone.

She looked over at Rhett and realized what disarray he was. His hair was messy, his clothes were the same ones he returned home in.

"How long have I been sleeping?"

Rhett replied, "You have been out for 2 days."

"2 days!" she squeeked. "And in all this time you couldn't find one moment to go clean yourself up?"

Rhett eyes lit up and a smile came over his face due to her fire returning. "I was too concerned about you. I will not go anywhere until you are better. And as long as you will have me, I will never go anywhere again. I was so worried about you. I have been sitting here thinking and realized I have never told you how I feel about you. Well, I love you Scarlett. I have always loved you, since the first meeting at Twelve Oaks. It was so obvious that we were meant for each other. We are both hard and sinister people, but I'm sure that is why I fell in love with you. Only when like marries like could there be happiness," Rhett confessed.

Scarlett was surprised at this outpouring of emotion. She had never seen this side of Rhett. And where had she heard that phrase before? Oh yes, Pa said that once, long ago at Tara. That time seemed like it was worlds away.

She had missed Rhett so much while he and Bonnie were away. It was an emptiness that was not filled again until he returned. Almost as though she had feelings for him. Feelings for Rhett? Could it be? She has always loved Ashley. She will always love Ashley. Why would she have fillings for this man? He was a vile, sneering jokester who drank heavily and always found ways to anger her. But the passion he brings out in her. The way he has always looked at her. They way he is always there, just when she needs him most. She will never forget the night before he left when he carried her up the stairs. That night still makes her blush. That night created the child she dearly wanted.

How could she feel to let go? To let it all go and love Rhett instead of Ashley. She would never understand Ashley. To understand his world, his books and his love for the past. He needed to look forward to the future. The future that she had been giving him for several years now with the lumber mill. She had given Ashley everything, including her heart, and was it Ashley sitting here with her now, when she needs him most? No, it was Rhett who has always been there. Who was there for her to take her on the dance floor after Charles died. Who secured for her the horse and carriage, miserable though it was, on the night she and Melanie escaped Atlanta. The kiss they shared that evening...

"I love you too, Rhett."

Please review so I know if I should continue with this story.