Sorry this took a while, but my time has only allowed me to let the fanfic simmer inside my head. I hope you enjoy this one. The winds are changing for these characters. I imagined that MM ended where she ended, because life for R&S was coming to a resolve, and we know that kills a story. So that's why this site exists. GWTW is about grand adventures and it must occur before R&S inevitably get together. Will they in this chapter? Read on…

6 Testing The Waters

Scarlett heard the sound of a galloping horse and looked out the window from her darkened room to see the figure racing into the darkened street. She knew Rhett would be gone the next day. Quickly, she ran to her vanity, lit her lamp, took out some stationary and began writing. Rhett Butler could run to the farthest end of even the uninhabited world, but this time she would not allow her presence to ever leave him.

As the wife of Rhett Butler, she was dead on target about his abrupt departure. She was almost sure it was because of the overture she made about sealing the fulfillment of his grand purpose in life through procreation.

On the first train out of the station, Rhett reached in for his handkerchief and felt an envelope beside it. He had been settled into his chair for an hour staring at the envelope on his tray table. The passenger beside him lost count of how many times he picked up the envelope and dropped it back down. Rhett finally made up his mind. He picked up the envelope, stretched his lapel out to place it back in the pocket when he caught a sniff of a faint odor. He lifted the envelope to his nose, and there she was, in his mind. The scent on the envelope was so subtle, he could tell she did not tactfully spray it on. This was the smell of her, her sanctuary, the bedroom he was more than welcomed back into. 'For the time being,' he added to his thoughts. Although he made up his mind not to read it, he could not find the strength to throw it away. What a foolish romantic he accused himself of being.

The rain finally abated, and Atlanta was back to its original hustle and bustling pace. With well-informed eyes, Scarlett could see the truth in Rhett's prediction about the city's economy. She was disappointed, however, that her prediction about his departure had come true. But it didn't stop her from continuing to plan her next moves towards winning his heart again. She was happy to write him a simple letter, hoping the lightness of it would relieve the tension she could sense he was shouldering.

It would be almost six weeks before Rhett finally opened the letter. He was heading out to ride in the middle of 'nowhere' Texas to find his kind of gold. Casino owners had poured in tons of money on Rhett's campaign because of his vast experience in bringing in the goods through impenetrable channels. They knew his operation would produce great results, and he was well-liked by common people since he was not afraid to get down in the trenches to work alongside them. Sporting the finest leather boots, vest and Stetson with the complementing bristly stubbles on his face, he dismounted from his exhausted horse and pulled out from his saddle the letter, causing its sensual fragrance to blow in the arid panhandle air.

It was not the heavy emotional letter dripping with romantic sap that he expected it to be. He was surprised at himself for erroneously thinking so since that had always been unlike Scarlett. Why would she do that now? Change? He asked himself. He wondered if 'to change' was what he wanted Scarlett to do. Nevertheless, he was forever amazed that whatever Scarlett set out to do, bad or good, would be accomplished.

Among mentioning that she was glad to have the chance to see him before he set out on his 'epic' journey, she and the children would often think of him, and anxiously await his return, what struck him was the imagery she created as she wrote,

"I will be taking the children to Tara in March to witness spring come into full bloom in the countryside. Perhaps I will show them my childhood secret place. I remember someone dear to me recommending doing things for fun. I should do as much as I can before, I, too, shall grow older. Until I see you again. Love, Scarlett."

Cutting to the chase, between the lines, there was another open invitation so subtle no one would be offended if the other should decline or was less discerning. Scarlett figured if Rhett was reluctant to reveal the details of his ventures, then she would reveal her plans for the purposes of remaining within reach. Although she fantasized about Rhett dropping his pursuit to be richer once he realized he missed her, just as he had during his blockade running days, she wasn't counting on it actually happening this time. Instead, she resigned herself to the possibility that he'd go only as far as replying to her letter.

February went by without a reply, but Scarlett kept looking forward to the splendor Tara would lay out before her. She meant what she said. She was going to have her fun. Why sit around and mope when she was in demand, by Atlanta society, and by her doting children?

Before she fled Atlanta, she made a considerable donation from a stash of undeposited funds made by the store, hoping it would escape Rhett's detection. She had promised the Old Guard a fixed amount to take care of the cost incurred for the Spring Ball. If Rhett hadn't left so abruptly again, she would've remembered to brag about becoming the chief contributor of Atlanta's biggest event. Now she had to flee from making more donations on inevitably unforeseen costs in all efforts to make the Ball a success. True to heeding Rhett's advice, she made her excuses, and was strolling through the magnificent red clay dirt in no time.

Scarlett couldn't stay dry on land any longer. She had taken her children to the pond where all of Clayton County youths had spent many carefree days in spring and summer. The Tarleton boys had claimed to discover the pond after confirming that none of the County parents had known it to exist. And who would learn that this new discovery was taking the attention away from her? Once she learned of it, the pond was never the same. All the young county kids would disappear at the same hour of the day. Their slaves were bound to secrecy, until Dr. Fontaine, who did know about the pond, and who planted medicinal herbs by it, made a shocking discovery. Girls in their shimmies jumping into the water! It was scandalous for the old man. Word went around and the pond was placed off limits. However, Fontaine kept it discreet about Scarlett since his daughter was just as deep in the same pond water as she was.

Now Ella, ever-so trying to please her mother, stepped into the clammy, cold pond, concealed her fright that something underneath the murky waters would grab her at any second, yet willed herself to brave it every time she saw how skilled a swimmer her mother was, splashing and racing with Wade. After seeing how refreshed the children were, Sue Ellen soon found herself at the pond making a picnic for the children. She couldn't help but observe that the vibrant personality that made Scarlett so alluring had returned to her on that spot. It usually sparked a gnawing sense of jealousy within her, but on that particular day, it had filled her with pride to be Scarlett's sister. She had been reminded that peace could be found again by reliving the golden days of the past, and it was Scarlett who never turned her back on the family. Even if she took them on begrudgingly, they all wouldn't be in such a state of comfort no other folks in the county could ever regain. Then and there, were no beaux to fight over—just time to mend and bond. Scarlett felt Sue Ellen staring, and winked at her before resuming to teach the girls how to do a back float.

Right before sunset one evening, Ellen's youngest girl came running upstairs yelling for Auntie Scarlett to come down. When Scarlett raced downstairs, Will and Sue Ellen looked at her guiltily. Concern building, she asked, "What is it?"

"A telegram just came in?" Sue Ellen answered.

"Is it bad news?" she asked, as her sister's eyes practically had relayed.

"It's from Rhett.."

Scarlett grabbed the telegram from her hand and her eyes widened as she read it. She lifted her eyes to Sue Ellen's. Confused she wondered outloud,

"How could this message possibly be bad news?"

"Just when things couldn't be better, he wants to take you away from us," Sue Ellen answered and stormed passed Scarlett, leaving Will to do the explaining.

Will remained silent leaning against one of the columns. He didn't have to look her way to see the elation building up in her.

"As soon as you're packed, kissed all the young uns goodbye, I'll make sure you get on that train for the dusty ole state of Texas."

They will reunite next chapter, but it will certainly bring up mixed emotions between the two. Please review. I'd like to hear how you think of what's going on so far. Is Scarlett's personality to your liking? What about Sue Ellen's? I'd love to hear from you!