A.N.: Fact #1 I wasn't going to finish this story. The idea hit me so long ago when I was lonely and could only think of fanfiction plots. I started writing it down and after have a couple of chapters posted it to see what people think. The reviews were mixed. I'm honest about never reading the book, but I tried researching timelines and well it's fanfiction. The glory of fanfiction is that it doesn't have to follow every detail, so I messed up that's on me. So if the idea of Rhett being Wade's real father interests you at all please continue reading. Fact #2 It bothered me to no end that this story wasn't finished and it meant so much to my plotting mind that it worked out an end point and my typing fingers connected all the piece.

Chapter Four

(Past)

"Ah Miss. Katie O'Hara, what a pleasant surprise to see you in the lounge at this odd hour."

"Mr. Butler, it is not odd to see a lady in the lounge in the middle of the day. After all it is raining outside."

"Ah but it is pleasure after you stormed away from me yesterday."

"You sir were being crass and rude after being such a gentleman in bring me back to the hotel."

"Madame you wound me with my own faults." Rhett grabbed his heart and watched as a spark of laughter and intelligence lit up the young ladies eyes.

Their time together continued in a good natured fun for four days. They would meet, while Gerald was completing his business and Scarlett was left to her own means of entertainment. Rhett would secretly escort her to a few stores or around the hotel gardens, but kept his distance from most of Charleston's noisy eyes. He was after all not received in his home town, and would have left immediately if he had not rescued the young Irish beauty.

It was the fifth day of the acquaintance that their relationship took a turn. They were enjoying a lovely walk when again an afternoon rainstorm approached. Slipping her hand down into his as a sign of completed confidence and they both started at a run. By the time the couple reached an isolated gazebo they were both laughing from the adventure.

They were breathless from their shared joy. They were unnaturally close. Rhett brushed curls of her wet ebony locks away from her face. "Katie," he breathed as he gently touched his lips to hers. It was a simple kiss, shared in a moment of joy and passion. The kiss deepened slightly as the two realized their seclusion and secret moment.

As the kiss ended, Rhett pulled Scarlett close to his chest and gently rubbed her arms. "You are going to catch a cold while you're in Charleston."

(Present)

"Mother we are home." Rhett said as he entered the Butler house.

They both looked up as they heard what sounded like elephants running down the stairs.

"Wade Charles Hamilton you slow down." Scarlett yelled up the stairs. She watch gratefully as Wade slowed and managed to not fall down the flight of stairs.

"Mother!" Wade missed the last two steps and fell into his mother's waiting arms. However she wasn't balanced and she fell from the force. Rhett watched in horror as Scarlett tripped backwards, pulling Wade closer to her as she landed solidly on the entryway carpet. Thankfully he heard both mother and son laughing. He glanced up and saw his mother gently walking down the stairs smiling at the reunion, but when her smile turned to a frown Rhett glanced back down at the scene before him. He noticed Scarlett's dress.

"Wade that's enough, your mother needs to get dressed for supper."

Wade rolled off his mother, "Yes, Uncle Rhett."

Rhett helped Scarlett stand, and turned her towards his mother. "Mother Mrs. Scarlett O'Hara Hamilton, Ellen Robillard's daughter. Scarlett my mother, Mrs. Eleanor Butler,."

Scarlett quickly wrapped her cape around her and bowed her head towards Rhett's mother, "Ma'ma."

"Scarlett, we are delighted to have you here, now why don't you come right on up to your room. We will hold dinner back for you my dear."

"Oh Mrs. Butler please don't, I would much rather wait until tomorrow. I ate on the train ride and would just rather get some sleep."

"If that is what you wish my dear."

"Mommy you have to eat, the food here is so good. And Mammie doesn't even need to hide me biscuits, there is always more food here."

"Hush Wade, I already ate." Rhett watched the interchange; it just clarified what Scarlett told him of the hard times at Tara while they were in his jail cell. He also noticed that his mother was trying to hide her worries over Scarlett's dress and lack of appetite.

"Here you are my dear. Just ring if you need anything."

"Thank you Mrs. Butler."

"Please call me Eleanor my dear." With that Mrs. Butler left, but not without a pointed glance at Rhett.

"Mother, Uncle Rhett bought me a train set and Rosemary is so much nicer than Suellen, not as nice as Aunt Melly. And the food, oh mother you must eat."

"Wade it is past your dinner time. Go find Mammie. I will come see you later." Scarlett pushed her son towards the door, as he walked past Rhett ruffled his hair.

He closed the door not sure where their conversation would lead, "Scarlett, Wade is right you need to eat." Rhett held in his anger, already aware that Scarlett was tired and wary from her travels.

"I am not going to your mother's table dressed like this." She said in frustration gesturing towards her dress as she sat on the bed.

His anger exploded, "I gave you more than enough to buy a new dress," after all five hundred dollars was more than enough to pay the taxes and see to basic needs of clothing and food.

Scarlett sighed knowing Rhett had every right to be angry with her on how she spent his money but she truly didn't have the fight left in her to enter this battle today, "Others needed it more."

Recognizing Scarlett missing the opportunity to fight Rhett gave into his deeper need of comforting the still young woman in front of him. He gathered her sagged shoulders into his arms and whispered, "What happened to the self-absorbed Katie Scarlett O'Hara?"

"Her family was threaten," She cried into his chest.