That evening Scarlett grew restless as she considered a long night in the hotel. She had seen a restaurant along the river that seemed like it might be a good place to go. She would take the children. Yes, that was it; they would dine out tonight. Prissy readied Wade and Ella as she got herself together. Scarlett knew it went against custom for a woman to be out after dark, even with her children, without the protection of a man. But she would go crazy if she spent the entire night at the hotel. Too much time to think...time to miss Rhett, Her knowledge that he was nearby wore at her patience. He was no longer a want for her, he was a need. She knew that alone, with her eyes closed, her thoughts and memories would take her beyond endurance. Urges that she didn't quite understand would overtake her and her need for him would become urgent. Dinner out was meant to be a distraction. At the restaurant, she and the children enjoyed the food, fresh seafood. The children had never tasted the delightful fish and shrimp that could only be found along the coast. It had been years, in fact, since she had enjoyed such a meal. Once they finished, they held hands and began their short trek back to the hotel.

They had almost reached their destination when a man appeared out of the shadows. Scarlett didn't like the looks of him. He had the seedy, unkempt look of a river rat. She had heard stories of them, living along the back alleys and piers of the river, working only enough to keep starvation at bay and taking whatever they wanted when the opportunity presented itself. Scarlett had the uncomfortable feeling that she and the children were his opportunity.

He grabbed her arm with his filthy hand and tugged at her. "Got any spare change for the needy?" He leered at her with yellow, rotten teeth and a look in his eye that frightened her. She was reaching into her bag, as if to retrieve her money, but searching for her derringer instead. She had taken to carrying one long ago when she was out at night in Atlanta, taking care of her business. Before she could pull it out of her bag, however, a familiar and quite welcome voice spoke from the shadows behind her.

"If I were you, mister, I'd move along and leave the lady and her children alone."

The man peered into the shadows and spat on the sidewalk. "You gonna make me leave? She's a pretty 'un. We could share, ya know what I mean?" His laughter chilled Scarlett. Rhett stepped out from the shadows, a revolver in his hand. "You're right, mister. She is a pretty one. But I don't share." His voice sounded as sinister as the rat's. The man dropped his hand and began to back away. Then he turned and ran into the alley.

Scarlett turned to Rhett to thank him but his expression stopped her. His anger was easy to see, even in the darkened street. "Scarlett, what the hell are you doing out here at night?"

"Rhett...I, ...we went to dinner. We were tired of the hotel food. Wade and Ella had never tasted seafood before, so we went to a place I saw along the river."

"From now on I suggest that you limit your excursions to daylight. Seafood is available during the day."

"Yes, of course. I...was being foolish again, I realize that. And thank you for coming to our aid."

"You're lucky I happened along. If I hadn't been down the street, playing cards, I wouldn't have been in the neighborhood."

"Leaving the game so early, Rhett? That's not like you." She was trying to flirt just a little and change the subject.

"Unlucky night. Quit before I lost too much." Then his tone changed and became harsh. " Look Scarlett, I'm afraid I'm no longer interested in being your hero. Don't expect that I will continue to come to your rescue."

He stared into her eyes for a moment and then relented. "I'll walk you back to the hotel to be sure you get there safely."

It was a quiet walk. The children sensed the tension between their mother and Rhett and made no sounds. Rhett's mood was black and wary. Scarlett's mind was wandering; traveling through time, remembering all the times that he had been there when she needed him the most. And once again, tonight, he had been there. It was as if destiny had played a role...

They arrived at the front of the hotel and the little group stopped. "Wade, you and Ella tell Rhett good night and then go on up to Prissy." The children said good night, Wade shaking his hand and Ella timidly hugging his leg. Rhett's face softened a little with the children and then became dark again as they left.

"Rhett, again...thank you. It...it seems you are always coming to my rescue. I suppose I need to learn how to fend for myself better."

His jaw was clenched. Glaring at her, he nodded. "Yes, learn to stay out of trouble, Scarlett; if not for your own sake then for your children. I won't be around to come to your rescue anymore."

Sadly she conceded, "yes, I know Rhett. I..." she hesitated before continuing, "I hadn't realized until recently how much I have come to depend on you. It seems where you are concerned, I haven't been very smart, have I? I mean... well, yes I suppose you do know. I'm sorry Rhett, I didn't mean to..."

"Scarlett," he began, "I think I know what you want to say and please, don't. I don't want to hear it. Now, if you think you can make it from here to your room on your own, I'll say good night." He turned and walked away.

"Good night, Rhett," she said to his back.

She made it back to their rooms and helped Prissy ready the children for bed. Once they were settled, she sat in a quiet corner of her own room. The light was dim and made her mood even more melancholy. Rhett was behaving with civility but there was no warmth in his words. Briefy during their conversation in the park she thought she had seen the old Rhett. But the man tonight that came to her rescue was barley recognizable. Rhett had always had an attitude about him, one of mild arrogance and sarcasm. He often seemed to be laughing at the world as if he thought it was one big joke that only he understood. His eyes often danced with amusement at the mundane concerns of of his fellow citizens. But the man on the street tonight had none of that arrogance and there had been no hint of amusement. He simply looked and acted worn and tired. For the first time since she had known him, it struck her just how much older he was than she. Not that it mattered to her, except to reemphasize what she had done to him. If she hadn't broken him, she had certainly bent him beyond repair. He hadn't deserved to pay that high a price for loving her. She had to find a way to make it up to him.

After awhile, she prepared for bed and crawled between the covers. Her eyes were heavy and soon she drifted into sleep. Sometime later she felt them, his hands. They were caressing her, running over her body, teasing and taunting, loving and lusting. Her body responded to his touch, her skin tingling, heat rising from her core, and restlessness making her writhe. Oh Rhett, I'm so glad you came back. Please Rhett...please...The sound of her voice woke her up. Startled she sat up in her bed. The room was empty. The sensations of her dream had been real, however. She still tingled from his touch, her heart was beating rapidly, and moisture was heavy between her legs. "Great balls of fire," she said to no one. As she realized that it had only been a dream, she settled back into her pillows and cried. Her tears were from frustration, anger with herself, and an intense need to have him next ot her. "I'll get him back...I just have to," she whispered in the dark.

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