Disclaimer: Not mine.

Scarlett lay in her bed enjoying the long deep breaths she could take now that her stays were off. Mammy had sent Uncle Peter to fetch her and she knew Melly would come. As she continued breathing deeply her head slowly stopped swimming. She knew she was still tipsy. But she also knew Melly could calm her fears and the feelings inside her.

When Melly arrived she perched next to Scarlett on the bed and asked softly, "What is it, dear?"

"Oh, Melly! It's awful. I'm so ashamed! But I have to tell someone!"

"Scarlett, you are my very dear sister, and you can tell me anything."

"It's humiliating!" Scarlett cried. But Melly made soothing noises and took Scarlett's hand in hers.

Scarlett sat up and threw her arms around Melly crying, "Rhett proposed! Today! On the day of Frank's funeral. He doesn't even love me, Melly and he's so mean! He told me he can't go all his life waiting to catch me between husbands and laughed. He actually said he wanted me! He doesn't love me. He wants me like …" Scarlett couldn't say, that Watling woman. Scarlett couldn't tell Melly Rhett had already asked her to be his mistress or that she'd … that's she'd gone to him at the jail.

"Shhh, shhh." Melly said. "Of course Captain Butler loves you. He's loved you for years. But Scarlett, … are you…"

"Of course not! I told him no."

"Oh my dear, it's just, today, people would say you didn't love Frank. Especially after you loved Charlie so much you turned down all of those proposals during the war."

Rage flashed in Scarlett as it always did when Melly thought better of her.

"But, I"

"I know, dear, I know. I know you loved Frank and you are broken hearted."

Scarlett sniffled and pulled out of Melly's arms. "Melly, I don't know why … I'm so upset that Rhett proposed. But I am, I am… angry with him. He laughed at me. And, and …."

"Oh Scarlett, I always thought you'd have married Captain Butler during the war if you still weren't so upset about dear Charlie. I know that you have loved him for a long time and he broke your heart when he left us on the way to Tara. It used to make me feel so happy how your eyes would light when he came calling. It was the only time at all during the war you ever looked happy. I know Charlie would want you to be happy. Perhaps, in time, when you are less grieved about Frank, you will see how much you love him again. When the time is better…"

"Melly, during the war Rhett said he'd only marry someone if he couldn't have her any other way. He just … he wants to … buy me…like ... And I..." Scarlett looked down in shame. She sold herself to Frank. And Rhett knew it. Melly probably knew it too. Ashley certainly did. And if he'd helped her in the jail, she would have sold herself to Rhett then. But now! How could he ask to buy her now! She didn't need him. And she did not want to submit to him.

Melly laughed. Scarlett's eyebrows drew together and her eyes flashed. "No, no, dear, don't be upset with me. I'm sorry. It's just Captain Butler loves you. He stayed in Atlanta and rescued us during the siege, for you. He bought your earbobs so you could buy the mills. And, dear, I know ... I know he was riding with you to keep you safe. He loves you to distraction. And, you know how men say silly things when they are in love. I know you are heartsick and confused. And the time isn't right. You are just distraught dear, or you would see how much he loves you."

Scarlett listened and wondered if Melly could be right. Despite thinking the best of people, Melly was often right about people's inner thoughts. Scarlett wondered how Melly knew what people thought when she, Scarlett, never knew what people were thinking. Might Rhett actually love her? Had he said he loved her? Scarlett couldn't remember. She knew he said he wanted her though. Scarlett was filled with a mix of hope and anger and disappointment. She didn't understand her feelings and she hated feelings she couldn't understand.

When Melly fiercely pulled Scarlett into her arms and patted her back Scarlett realized she'd begun crying again. "There, there, you haven't lost Captain Butler because you said no. He understands. You buried your husband today. You couldn't possibly… he understands. He's waited for you before and he will wait again. Don't worry dear."

"Melly?"

"Hmm?"

"Thank you." Scarlett thought of how Melly would have charged down the stairs and stabbed that Yankee at Tara. She didn't know why the memory kept playing in her mind, but it comforted Scarlett. Melly could soothe her fears. She was almost as good as Rhett that way. And now Melly might be all she had. But she wouldn't be able to sleep in Melly's bed to stave off the nightmares now. Well, Rhett had never soothed her nightmares, and Frank hadn't either. She would be alone, and she would survive, but she wished the house wasn't so quiet. She couldn't talk about this anymore.

"How are the children?"

"Wonderful, Darling, I think Wade is too young still to really understand and he's happy playing with Beau. And Ella is just a delight. You must be so happy to have her."

"I miss them. It's so quiet without them." I've had too much brandy, Scarlett realized. I must stop talking. "Melly, I'm tired."

"Of course you are. You rest and I will see you tomorrow." Melly stood and Scarlett laid back. Melly drew the covers up to Scarlett's shoulders as if she were tucking in a child. Scarlett's eyes watered and she smiled weakly, it was so like her mother. Melly smiled and left in a rustle of skirts.