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"Well if it isn't the high and mighty Scarlett O'Hara Hamilton. What can I do for you?" Belle looked up at Scarlett mockingly. Belle did not bother to stand up from her desk. "Won't you sit down?"

"Yes, thank you Mrs. Watling. I'm here on business."

"Business with me? Why, do you want to come work here? Because I usually take my girls only looking fine, gentlemen don't like careworn ladies. And you look as though you've had a rough time of it. But I can imagine Rhett coming here, and seeing you working."

"That's why I'm here. Rhett sent me."

"You've seen him? How? He refused to see me!"

"Well perhaps he just likes me better." Scarlett responded haughtily. Within a moment she realized just how important Belle's cooperation was, and immediately looked repentant. "I'm not sure why he let me see him. But I'm glad he did. You see Ms. Watling, you're to give me one thousand dollars. In cash."

"One thousand dollars in cash? Now what gives you the idea that I could possibly have so much money? And if I did, why would I give it to you? No, Mrs. Hamilton. I've heard quite a bit about you. You're not quite the honorable lady, as Mrs. Wilkes is."

"And if I'm not? Besides, Rhett said you would give it to me. And if you don't believe me, he said that 'New Orleans Women have lost their charm'."

Belle laughed out loud. Yes, she understood. She had known, through most of the war, that Rhett was in love with Scarlett. Rhett had always come to visit her occasionally, ever since she had relocated to Atlanta on his orders, but never with such frequency. It seemed to Belle that Rhett was drawn to Atlanta like a moth to a flame, just as she knew that he was not drawn to her. In fact, Belle was sure that she was only a after thought—or worse yet, a habit.

He would come, he would play poker. He would spend the night with one of her girls, or sometimes in her bedroom. He would tell her stories of his travels, romanticizing them as he would for any lady. But then, unlike how he very often lived in Atlanta, he would go to the hotel. He would say that he had work to attend to, but Belle had known that he simply went to organize himself and gather his presents for his sweetheart.

Yes, Belle had been prepared for this event for far too long. But that she had lost her charm to Rhett, could only possibly mean one thing. Rhett intended to marry Scarlett. Belle was struck with resounding hatred. She wanted Rhett's love, even if he would never marry her.

But the other part of Belle—the part that only all seeing Rhett and kind hearted Melanie could see—realized that all she really wanted was for Rhett to be happy. So she gave Scarlett the money with only one stipulation, "Be kind to him. You may not realize it yet, but Rhett has a heart. And it can be broken. So just trust him. And be open to him, because he will care for you, and spoil you, to your heart's content. Don't lie to him, don't cheat him. He values honesty and trust above everything."

Scarlett was so shocked by Belle' statement, that she didn't know how to respond. Why, Belle almost made it sound as though Rhett was in love with her, and that was simply impossible. Rhett couldn't love anyone but himself! Perhaps he couldn't even love Belle, and Belle was jealous.

Scarlett had her hand on the door when Belle added, "And Mrs. Hamilton. If you break his heart, I swear to you, I'll kill you. I've borne much more than your ladylike heart can imagine, and you have every reason to fear me." Scarlett turned to look at Belle, but her face was so pleasant, that Scarlett almost succeeded in convincing herself that she had just imagined it.

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Scarlett went back to Tara, and back to her responsibilities. She refused to tell anyone where she got the money, but Ashley and Will knew anyway. They would both stare at her when she wasn't looking, probably to see if she had a scarlet A sewn on her clothing. Scarlett was tired. She couldn't seem to concentrate on anything. All she could think about was that as soon as Rhett was out of jail, he would send for her to become his mistress.

Scarlett considered not going. She considered pretending that she had not received the money from him, but she knew it was impossible. The money left over from the taxes, that she hoarded in the back of her closet, was a constant reminder. Scarlett bought the family much needed shoes in the cold of the winter, and even clothes for those whose clothing was especially worn out. But the remainder of the money, Scarlett kept to herself. She give Pork money is small doses, in order for him to get them more food, and he was always mindful to spend less than she gave him.

The day came, nearly six weeks after Scarlett had returned to Tara, that she received a telegram. It simply said:

I'm waiting.

Atlanta Hotel.

Room 462.

Thursday, 4 o'clock.

RKB.

Scarlett was ashamed of the message, for it was Ashley that brought it for her from Jonesboro. He did not speak of it, he only spoke of cotton prices, and the hardships all the other loyal southerners faced. Scarlett was angry with him. She did not understand how he could stand by so quietly, and not say anything of her going to be another man's mistress. It was as though he didn't care. And it was then, that Scarlett resolved to go. And even more so, she resolved that she would enjoy herself. Scarlett knew that Rhett would buy her pretty dresses, and elegant lingerie, and darling caps and gloves. He loved women that looked their best, and in her state, with her tattered clothing, she was far from it.

Scarlett wanted to find an appropriate dress to wear to Atlanta, a dress that would show Rhett that she could in fact be beautiful. That he could get his money's worth out of her. But the only beautiful dress Scarlett had was the one made from her mother's curtains, and that had already been cut up to line everyone's shoes and make rags and bandages.

So on Thursday morning, Scarlett packed a small valise and prepared to leave Tara. She said good-bye to Ashley formally, because she was still angry with him. She told Melanie that she was simply going to try to get more money, that she wasn't sure where she would stay, and she wasn't sure when she would be back. Melanie quietly accepted Scarlett's words, and she did not mention any doubts she might have had.

Will drove Scarlett to Jonesboro. On the way, they talked about inconsequential things, and what crops would be best for Tara in the coming year. They waited for Scarlett's train together, and as the time for Scarlett's departure approached, Will removed the straw from his mouth and spoke in all seriousness. "Scarlett, I admire you for going to do whatever it is you have to do to get the money for Tara. You're different from the other ladies, I know that. You're practical. But you're also rash. I think it'll be wise for you to get away from Tara, and all of your failed hopes, but its as much your home as mine—more so."

"I have to do this Will. For my family. And I have been really disappointed, I think I deserve some fun now. I never wanted to be the head of the family. I just want to be taken care of." The last part was spoken with an enormous sigh. Scarlett obviously tired, and she had no idea what she could expect from her tryst with Rhett in Atlanta.

The train ride seemed terribly long to Scarlett. She was terrified, and she wanted to get her meeting with Rhett simply over with, but she also wanted for it never to happen. She arrived at the train station, and for a few minutes looked around, half expecting Uncle Peter to come and take her to Aunt Pitty's. Scarlett finally hailed a coach, and parted with some of her precious money when she was delivered to the Atlanta Hotel.

The minute Scarlett entered, she felt as though she was being stared at. She felt like everyone knew exactly why she had come, and exactly who she was coming to see. She realized how different her clothing was from the other people in the hotel. While all those filthy, classless, Yankees were dressed in their finery, Scarlett wore rags. Before the war, what she wore wouldn't be fitting of the most hated and useless darky. Now, it was the best she could afford.

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A/N: Thank you to everyone who has reviewed thus far: MEROVIA, Scarlett Jaimie, PrincessAlica, CaptScarlett, BlaqueCat13, djeanne, Team Jacob And Rhett 247, Aquarius Angel, and EugeniaVictoria. Please, everyone REVIEW! It only takes a second, and I know you all know how frustrating it can get to write if you have no idea what people think of the story. I accept ANONYMOUS REVIEWS!

Thanks, next update is next Wednesday!

Yans