Disclaimer: I don't own Gone With the Wind or anything else you may recognize. This story is unbeta'd so all mistakes are my own.

AN: Thank you so much for all of the love! I have been away from the GWTW community for awhile, we all know that life gets in the way when you least expect it.


Rhett turns up at her apartment before she's even awake. He brings her breakfast from her favorite restaurant and leaves it on a tray atop her nightstand. She wakes to the smell of her favorite breakfast and a note that tells her he'll see her at lunch.

She eats her breakfast and watches the morning news. She's especially keen on hearing how the market opens after the troubling news late last night. It does fine, and opens on an upswing. She writes a message to Josie and gets out of bed to prepare for the day.

The office is humming when she gets off the elevator. As she crosses the open offices the room quiets and anyone she comes across greets her with a formalness they've learned Scarlett appreciates. Josie stands as soon as she spots Scarlett. She follows Scarlett into her office and shuts the door behind her.

"Good morning, Mrs. Kennedy," Josie says. Scarlett barely has a moment to put down her things before Josie begins her impassioned plea. "Please allow me to apologize for my behavior. I will gladly hand in my resignation if that's what you would like. Mr. Butler assured me that he was an exception to your rule and it was very difficult to say no to a man that powerful."

"Captain Butler," Scarlett says. She can't help but to correct people when he is not present. He didn't earn his title by sitting behind a desk. He deserved some acknowledgement of his service. But he didn't see it that way, he didn't care if people called him mister or captain, or even simply by his Christian name.

"Captain Butler," Josie repeats. "Please accept my sincerest apologies Mrs. Kennedy."

Scarlett looks at Josie and says, "Fine. Did you get the information I asked for?"

"Yes, of course," Josie says. She hurries out of the office and returns quickly with a folder. She hands it to Scarlett and leaves the room.

Scarlett hates to admit it but Josie is one of a kind. She is more than qualified for the job, but she seemed to honestly enjoy her work despite how demanding it was, and Scarlett's volatility. She flips through the data. Josie had compiled data from six different reports released this morning into a one page long summary. The full reports were on her desk for Scarlett to review after the summary.

Josie returns later with Scarlett's morning cup of coffee and a notepad. She sits down in the chair Rhett had occupied the night prior, and looks absolutely childlike in comparison. Scarlett takes a sip of her coffee and they get started.

An hour later Josie leaves the office with correspondence to write, additional research goals, and directions to fire several staff persons who had missed key information. Scarlett settles into her desk and starts writing her own notes for the Friday meeting. So far she had not been able to uncover any issues with acquiring the company. She had met with her advisors from each department, and none of them had found any problems. Friday's meeting would be with the board and she needed to be completely prepared.

It isn't until Josie send her an instant message that she realizes how long she's been sitting behind her desk. The ping of the alert makes her look up. She clicks the message but doesn't have a chance to read it.

"Scarlett, you've kept me waiting for too long," Rhett says as he comes through the door. Scarlett had learned long ago that closed doors mean nothing to him.

"Rhett, what are you doing here?" Scarlett says as she minimizes all her windows.

"Don't you recall? We have a lunch date, or am I so easily forgotten these days?' Rhett says as he sits on the corner of her desk.

Scarlett leans back into her chair and looks up at him. She says, "As I told you last night, you can't fault me for having a life. This weeks happens to be quite busy for me."

"Insemination and a presentation to your ever fickle board," Rhett says.

Scarlett's mouth drops. She takes a breath then asks, "How did you find out?"

"Anything I want, whenever I want," Rhett reminds her as he stands. "And I want to have lunch with you, now."

Scarlett looks at the time and is startled to see it's already half past one. She stands and says, "Where are we going this time?"

"I promise you'll enjoy the food, just leave the rest to me," Rhett says. He holds her coat open for her and gestures for her to go ahead.

"I have my cell for urgent matters," Scarlett says they pass Josie's desk. She doesn't bother to wait for a response.

She feels her employees' eyes on her as they walk through, no one dares to say hello to Rhett. She keeps her back stiff and her head high as they wait at the elevator.

Once the doors shut she loosens her posture, and Rhett says, "Why do you care what they think of you?"

"Because I'm their CEO, they should respect me, and if they don't I'm not doing a very good job," Scarlett says.

"Darling, you could have someone come in and manage the day to day stuff, and be out seeing the world," Rhett says. "Wouldn't that be more fun?"

"What's fun about the world? I've been abroad, and let's just say that I prefer where I am, thank you," Scarlett says.

Rhett looks at her and seems to hold back from commenting any further.

They get into the car without further conversation. Today he's driving one of his many cars. She tries not to think about where he must have spent the night. She did tell him yesterday that she knows he has many acquaintances in the city, and that includes Belle. So she really can't be jealous, especially when she's married to Frank.

"Stop thinking so loudly," Rhett says as they exit the parking garage.

"I'm not thinking about anything," Scarlett says immediately.

Rhett smirks.

Scarlett hmphs, but lets the moment pass. She then says, "Thank you for breakfast. It was a nice surprise. Although, it would have been nice to eat with you."

"I had a few things to take care of, and I didn't want to wake you," Rhett says.

'Well, thank you anyway, I enjoyed it immensely," Scarlett says.

"You're welcome," Rhett says.

Scarlett tucks a loose bit of hair behind her ear and looks out the passenger window. She says, "Melly called earlier, she's going to bring Wade into the city tonight. He's insisting on spending time with me."

"How dreadful that your son is so devoted to you," Rhett says.

"It's not as though I neglect him," Scarlett says.

"I never said that," Rhett says.

"But you take issue with the way I'm raising him," Scarlett says.

"I know it's your personal business, but I wish you would be more hands on with the boy. He is so devoted to you, and you have no idea what to do with him. Do you honestly want him to grow up like Ashley?"

"I suppose not," Scarlett says. "It's just, well, I don't have brothers and haven't spent a great deal of time around young boys since I was a girl. It was different when they were tugging my hair and teasing me. But now I have a son who I don't know the first thing about, aside from his birthday, which is permanently etched into my memories considering the circumstances."

"If you spent more time with him you'd know more about him. That's usually how getting to know someone works."

"Well he never cared for me, always crying and fussing, despite my best efforts."

"Ah, so we reach the crux of the problem. He didn't fall in love with you instantly and neither did you. That is a very sorry thing Scarlett."

"My mother, and my husband, died on their way to join me at the hospital. Forgive me for not being so enthusiastic about everything after that."

"I understand your hesitance to get close to anyone after that," Rhett says. "But a boy needs his mother, and he knows Melanie is his aunt, not his mother."

"Fine," Scarlett says. She picks up her phone and begins typing away, and says, "I'll tell Melly to bring more of his things, he can spend as many days as he would like with me."

Melly responds quickly, she even offers to spend the night, because she knew that Scarlett had a busy day tomorrow. Scarlett had told Melly, because there was really no one she trusted more than her sister in law. Melly wasn't one to go running her mouth.

Rhett parks the car and Scarlett is surprised by the neighborhood. She follows him out of the car and says, "Rhett! Are you crazy? I can't be here in this outfit."

"Trust me," he says.

Scarlett hurries to catch up to him and she slips her arm into his.

Despite the location, the food is wonderful. She doesn't admit it to him, but she's sure he can tell. She's feeling so wonderful that she doesn't want to go back to the office. They get back into the car and he doesn't take her towards her office, he brings her to the botanical gardens.

"Shall we take a stroll?" he asks.

"Sure," Scarlett says, glad to have the excuse to spend more time away from the office.

They walk through the garden, and Scarlett has no idea what to say to him. He seems to be deep in thought, and she's not sure why she needs to be here with him. But she feels like she should be.

"I've done some checking up on your husband," Rhett says after they had walked through several gardens.

"Find any other skeletons?" Scarlett says.

"He's playing a dangerous game right now," Rhett says.

"What do you mean?"

"He's involved with a man who is with someone else. That someone else is a very dangerous person. I would recommend that Frank find a new person to spend time with," Rhett says. "If he wants to meet his child."

"Oh," Scarlett says. They walk to the next planter and Scarlett says, "I'll say something, but I doubt he'll listen to me."

"I had the same thought," Rhett says.

"You know I respect your opinion," Scarlett says. She doesn't want to continue along that path of conversation so she says, "Speaking of partners, how is Belle?"

"What makes you think I've seen Belle?" Rhett asks.

"You always see Belle when you come to town," Scarlett says. "And you have your car, I know you keep your cars at her place."

"I keep them there because it's practical. She has a large garage that she doesn't use," Rhett says. "And I didn't see her, she's out of town for the week."

"I don't see why you don't keep a place here," Scarlett says.

"Why the sudden interest in my choice in lodging?" Rhett asks.

"You told me that renting is a waste of money, so I bought my place, and yet you rent everytime you come here," Scarlett says.

"Maybe someday," Rhett says. "I don't have a need for a place of mine own, you know as well as I do that I tend to pull up stakes fairly quickly."

"Sure," Scarlett says.

Rhett changes the subject and says, "So when does young Master Wade arrive?"

"Soon enough, Melly said they would leave once she gets off work," Scarlett says.

"Is she still teaching?" Rhett asks.

"Yes," Scarlett says. "She says that being around the children is good for her."

"She is a very strong woman," Rhett says.

Scarlett bites her tongue. Rhett liked Melly for some reason and Scarlett often found herself thinking that Melanie could be such a fool. But she had taken Charlie's death better than Scarlett had, and Scarlett hadn't loved Charlie nearly as much as Melly had. Melly also had been so good with Wade, a godsend when Scarlett was falling to pieces.

"She can be at times," Scarlett admits.

"While we're talking about your family, how is your father?" Rhett asks.

"His dementia has progressed even further. His nurse says that he hardly remembers anything anymore," Scarlett says. "Sue was supposed to visit him, but she's been on bedrest so she sent Will, but my dad didn't know him and it cause so many problems."

"So why don't you go see him?" Rhett asks.

"I haven't had a moment to spare," Scarlett says.

"And yet here you are out on a stroll with me," Rhett says. "Are you afraid of your father?"

"He's not my father anymore, he's a sad old man who doesn't know who he is," Scarlett says. She hates the way he sees through everything she says and always gets to the root of everything. Her father had been in the vehicle with Charlie and Mother, and had sustained a traumatic brain injury, and hadn't recovered since. She decides to change the subject back to a less annoying topic. "Wade asks about you from time to time."

"Oh?" Rhett says.

"Yes, he always wants to know when Uncle Rhett will be around. He seems to think that you're the only uncle worth spending time with," Scarlett says.

"Well I have always said he's a smart boy," Rhett says.

"Will you have dinner with us?" Scarlett asks. She turns away so hopefully he won't see how much it would mean to her.

"I find it astonishing that you are asking me to dinner for once," Rhett says.

"They say mothers will do anything for their children," Scarlett says.

"That they do," Rhett says as he smirks. He says, "I would love to have a dinner with you, and your family. I'm assuming Melanie will be joining us?"

"I'd say that's a safe assumption," Scarlett said.

"I'm also assuming you'll want me to provide dinner," Rhett says.

Scarlett looks up at him and smiles coyly. "Why Captain Butler, how you do run on."

Rhett laughs. "If I had ten lifetimes with you, it wouldn't be enough."

"You've barely had a year with me, how would you know what a lifetime would be like," Scarlett says.

"I just have this feeling," he says as he pulls her closer. "Something about you draws me to you, and it makes it difficult to concentrate on profit margins and investment potential."

"Are you calling me a distraction?" Scarlett asks.

"In the best possible way," he says. "You're the only person I've ever want to spend more than a day with."

Scarlett blushes. The way his eyes look into her always makes her feel as though he is waiting for her to say something, or grasp the reality of what is happening. Which is difficult, because he makes her feel so many different things.

He looks away and lets her go. He looks up at a particularly tall tree and asks, "So what shall we have for dinner? Does Wade have any particular favorites?"

Scarlett takes a moment for herself and looks at Rhett. She can't help but feel that she's missed a cue. She looks up at the tree and says, "I'll ask Melly, you know how children change their minds about everything. He loved grilled cheese one weekend, and after I went through all the trouble of learning to make it, he informed me that he liked chicken nuggets now."

"You actually cooked?" Rhett asks, looks at her. For once it's easy to see that she's surprised him.

"I did," Scarlett says as she looks away from his dancing dark eyes, and types away on her phone.

"Is she going to respond in time for dinner?" Rhett asks. "I doubt that Melanie would text while driving."

"I'm hoping they aren't on the road yet, as it is not yet four," Scarlett says as she looks up at him. "What were you thinking for dinner?"

"I'll admit that I'm not familiar with child friendly restaurants," Rhett says. "Perhaps it would be best, if we order ahead and have it delivered to your home."

"Why, that means we'll have to leave now to ensure that we're prepared for their arrival," Scarlett says.

"Disappointed to leave the garden?" Rhett asks.

"Always," Scarlett says.

"You and your country ways," Rhett says.

"You brought me here," Scarlett says.

"Because, I like to think that your enjoyment of this place is something only I know," Rhett says.

"You might be right about that," Scarlett says.

"Shall we?" he asks, offering his arm.

"I suppose we must," Scarlett says.

They walk back, and Rhett is make a few calls along the way. By the time they get back to Scarlett's home the food is waiting. Along with staff to set it up. Wade and Melly arrive just as the table is set.

"Mother," Wade says as he rushes past Melly and towards Scarlett.

Scarlett kneels and holds her arms open to allow him embrace her. He wraps his little arms around her neck and squeezes her tightly. She hugs him back. He lets her go and turns and says, "Uncle Rhett!"

Rhett scoops the boy up and tosses him in the air. Wade giggles and is genuinely delighted. Meanwhile, Scarlett hugs Melanie and asks, "How was the drive, not too taxing, I hope."

"Oh no, it was fine, traffic wasn't too terrible," Melanie says.

"I wish you would have let me send a car," Scarlett says. "You shouldn't wear yourself out."

"It was no trouble, I feel fine," Melanie says.

"Hello Mrs. Wilkes," Rhett says, holding Wade in one arm, and shaking Melanie's hand with the other.

"Captain Butler, Scarlett didn't mention you were visiting," Melanie says.

"Oh, she didn't know I would be here this week, but I was quite happy to hear that I would be seeing you and Wade today," Rhett says.

"Rhett is here on business, he's looking into my accounts," Scarlett says, lest Melanie's mind jump to conclusions.

"Oh, of course," Melanie says. "It is wonderful to see you again Captain Butler, it's been too long."

"Scarlett doesn't seem to feel that way," Rhett teases.

"Don't believe a word he says," Scarlett says as she moves Melanie's things to the guest bedroom. "I told him that he was away too long."

Melanie smiles at Rhett and says, "Yes, that is true. Have you had the good fortune of finding Frank at home?"

"No, apparently he's spending time in Europe, according to his devoted wife," Rhett says.

Wade says, "Frank isn't here?"

"No, Wade, he's in Europe," Scarlett says.

"Oh good," Wade says.

"Wade!" Melanie and Scarlett both admonish at the same time.

"He doesn't like me," Wade says.

"Who wouldn't like you?" Rhett asks as he turns Wade upside down and holds him there as Wade squirms.

"He says I'm too loud and doesn't like to play with me," Wade says once Rhett turns him right side up again.

"When did he say that?" Scarlett asks, sharing a look of concern with Melanie.

"The last time I visited," Wade says.

Scarlett looks at her son and says, "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Frank said not to," Wade says.

"Darling, you should have told someone," Melanie says.

"Frank said if I told anyone, I wouldn't get to see mother for a long time," Wade says.

"Let's have dinner before it gets cold," Rhett says as he leads them all toward the table. "I heard that you like chicken noodle soup this week."

"Oh yes, yes I do," Wade says as Rhett puts him down.

"I also heard the noodles had to be a special shape," Rhett says.

"Stars," Wade says as he sits down on his special chair.

Rhett serves him a bowl and says, "Does this meet your standards?"

Wade looks at the soup skeptically, but the noodles are the right shape and it chicken soup. He looks up at Rhett and says, "Yes. Thank you."

Scarlett, who had seated herself and Melanie during this exchange smiles at Rhett and her son. Rhett never spoke down to Wade or thought his idea were silly. As far as she knew, he had not ever told him he was too loud, in fact he often encouraged the boy to be louder. She was angry Frank had spoken to her son in such a manner, and had made such a ridiculous threat. She was going to see Trip tomorrow, before her appointment. There was still time to call everything off, she was not going to stand for Wade to be treated in such a manner by her absent husband.

"Scarlett?" Melanie says as she put a hand on Scarlett's shoulder.

"Yes?" Scarlett asks.

"Captain Butler was just asking if you would like some soup as well," Melanie says.

"Oh, of course," Scarlett says.

Dinner is jovial, compared to Scarlett's usual routine to eat alone or with potential investors. After dinner, Wade asks to be excused to watch his favorite movie in his room. Scarlett excuses him and she's left with Rhett and Melanie.

"Scarlett tells me you're teaching again," Rhett says.

"Yes, well, it's something to get me out of the house," Melanie says.

"I'm sure it's more than that," Rhett says.

"And what has kept you from us for so long?" Melanie asks.

"Business, I had some deals going south when my brother was handling them, so I left to straighten them out and sort out a few more projects," Rhett says.

"Oh that's too bad, is your brother alright?" Melanie asks.

"Yes, he took our father's death rather severely, he's recovered now though," Rhett says.

"I'm sorry, I hadn't heard that your father passed away," Melanie says.

"You didn't mention that to me either," Scarlett says.

Rhett shrugs, "I didn't feel it was worth mentioning. But thank you, Mrs. Wilkes, for your condolences."

"We would have come to the funeral, had we known," Melanie says. "To lose a parent is just dreadful."

"My father cared very little for me, and as a result I cared very little for him, I assure you that I am fine," Rhett says.

They talk more, and Rhett takes his leave at the reasonable hour of nine o'clock, and promises to return to take Wade out tomorrow, as promised at dinner.

"Captain Butler seems quite comfortable here," Melly says.

"He should, he helped put the place together," Scarlett says as she sinks comfortably into the couch beside Melanie.

"You know, back then, I thought you two were going to get married," Melanie says.

Scarlett sits up and says, "Back when?"

"When the two of you were buying things for here, and going out all over town. It just seemed like you were getting ready to spend your lives together," Melanie says. "Ashley thought it was ridiculous, but I liked the idea."

"You thought that Rhett and I were going to be married?" Scarlett repeats.

"Maybe not married, maybe you would just live together, but I thought it was going to last," Melanie says. "And he was so good with Wade. It just seemed like a good match."

"Oh," Scarlett says, she lays back down. She says, "To tell you the truth, I sort of thought so too. But he left so suddenly and didn't come back, or call, or write, so I gave up."

"Honey, that wasn't your fault," Melanie says as she runs her fingers through Scarlett's hair. "You didn't make a mistake as far as I'm concerned. You're looking out for yourself and for Wade, there's no shame in that."

Scarlett doesn't say anything and doesn't bat away Melanie's hand either. It reminds her of her mother, and in times like these, she misses her mother dreadfully. Scarlett rolls to the side and turns the television on. She flips through channels and by luck finds a movie both she and Melanie enjoy.


AN: I had to post this, I'm going on a trip for a few days. I think I'll try to update on Fridays, but no promises. Thanks again for all the love.