I just want to give a big "THANK YOU!" to all of my truly awesome chapter 5 reviewers! I love reading all of your thoughts and what you think of my writing! Thank you again so much and PLEASE continue to review! I am having a lot of fun doing this and am in it for the long haul with the plot I have in mind so please bear with me! :)

As always: I do not own the rights to the characters of GWTW!

Scarlett awoke as a steady stream of bright sunlight glared on her face. "Ugh!" she thought with irritation as she rolled over to avoid the unwelcome intrusion, "Rhett forgot to close the drapes." She desperately tried to fall asleep again, grasping onto the quickly fading memories of the dream she hoped had signaled a new turning point with Rhett. As she stretched out her body, she began to remember….

…..She was among the crowd, all dressed in black, at Melly's grave site. The day was gray and foggy, the myriad of old oak trees towering overhead adding to the foreboding darkness surrounding the mourners. Standing over the open grave, Scarlett held tightly onto Beaus's shaky hand while India and Aunt Pitty stood next to them, loudly sobbing. As Melly's coffin was lowered into the ground, Ashley hysterically rushed forwards, almost as if to jump in with his beloved wife. Everyone remained firmly rooted in their places and only Scarlett ran to stop Ashley, grabbing him by the waist in order to hold him back. "Ashley! Oh Ashley!" Scarlett repeated over and over again, her words somehow suddenly awakening him to the foolishness of his actions. "You must be strong, Ashley! You must be!" she whispered into his ear as he reluctantly stepped away and let the dirt continue to be shoveled onto the coffin.

Scarlett suddenly found herself running away from the cemetery, then through a dense fog down Peachtree Street. She knew she was running towards her home where her instincts told her Rhett would be found, waiting for her. She was anxious to reach him knowing, only with Rhett, would she find the love and happiness she had been searching a lifetime for. As each step moved her closer to her final destination, the dark clouds and deep sorrows of the past she was running from fell away from her as if a heavy weight had been lifted. As she kept moving forward, the landscape around her became brighter with each passing step yet her surroundings were no longer familiar. She found herself now running through a grassy field bounded by ancient oak trees when she finally saw Rhett and Bonnie, hand in hand, beckoning for her to join them where they were. Rhett left Bonnie standing on the raised piazza of a large white brick plantation home with the view of a picturesque river just beyond. As he slowly walked down the stone steps, he removed his hat and brightly smiled as Scarlett grew closer. Finally reaching Rhett, Scarlett held out her hand to his and kissed it lovingly as he spoke, "Welcome home my dear."

"What a great dream!" Scarlett thought as her mind slowly shook off its early morning fog. The sudden realization came to her that, at the present moment, not only was she was completely naked but had spent the night in Rhett's bed, the object of her desire sharing it with her. The memories of the previous evening came to mind and Scarlett slyly smiled. Rhett's reaction at her attempts to prove how much she desired him had thrilled her. Scarlett shivered as she remembered how he carefully removed her tightly-laced corset, making her bare skin quiver at his tender touches. She realized she had drifted off to sleep before she could accomplish her ultimate goal yet mentally added her attempt to the victory list kept inside her head anyway. Scarlett's thoughts quickly turned towards finishing the business she started as her hand slowly began traveling between the sheets towards Rhett's side of the bed. Feeling the coolness of the sheets, Scarlett's eyes instantly flew open in anger as she realized he was not there and probably had been gone for quite some time. A cream-colored envelope on the nightstand table caught her eye as her heart sank at knowing it was from him. With shaking hands, Scarlett opened the seal and began reading the contents:

My dear Mrs. Butler,

Please pay my respects to your dear Ashley Wilkes this morning. I am afraid I had to leave for Charleston much sooner than I originally hoped.

Rhett

"What a low-down dirty skunk! I don't care if care if he ever comes back!" Scarlett shrieked, all the while knowing that she did care after all. Sinking back under the plush bed covers, she tried to fathom what had gone wrong since last night. Throughout the course of the previous day, things between her and Rhett had seemed to be moving in the right direction. He had responded so readily to her advances and Scarlett had even seen the familiar glint in his eyes she knew signaled his desire for her. She remembered the look of excitement on his face when he noticed the wedding band in place on her finger instead of the emerald and diamond albatross that was normally worn there. Fingering the band still on her finger, Scarlett carefully slipped it off and read the inscription inside, "I am forever yours, RKB".

"Great balls of fire!" Scarlett shouted out as she realized everything added up to her knowing all was not lost after all. "Rhett loves me….why, he's just scared and ran away! I guess I have never made much of an effort before and my new ambitions may have frightened him!" Excited by her realizations, Scarlett quickly made up her mind that she would never give up on him. She remembered how he ran away from her in the past after continually misinterpreting her words and body language every time they seemed to break new ground in their marriage and she knew she finally needed to set the record straight that he was nothing more than a coward.

Scarlett's focus quickly shifted as she remembered Melly's burial was that morning and the funeral carriage would be arriving in a couple hours. "I just need to get through the morning then I'll be going home," she said as she looked around the room at all the reminders of Rhett. "I just can't think clearly here and, besides, I planned on going to Tara anyway." On a new mission, Scarlett pulled herself out of bed and went to her own room where she quickly dressed and styled her hair then decided to pack her bags so that she could leave all her ghosts behind as soon as possible. Looking for the corset Rhett tossed on the bedroom floor last night, Scarlett reentered his room and, taking one last look around before the funeral carriage arrived, she noticed Rhett's black robe carelessly tossed on a chair in front of the fireplace and decided to pack it in her bags for Tara. As she grabbed it off the chair, she took a deep breath after noticing Rhett had taken Scarlett's portraits, left behind on the mantle last time he had gone, with him.

Rhett's mind could not stop thinking of Scarlett as he sat on the rocking train bound for Charleston. Closing his tired eyes, he remembered how he had laid in bed most of the night, staring at her beautiful face and tracing his fingers over her trim, lithe body while she peacefully slept. He realized then that physically he would not be able to hold out from her much longer and they must resolve their marital issues as soon as possible. He was afraid he would lose his mind and possibly force his self on Scarlett as he had shamefully done before. He was a man, after all, and had not sampled the full offerings of his wife in quite some time. The dry spell he was currently undergoing was making his life extremely difficult especially when he knew a willing partner could easily be had over at Belle's for a few gold coins or freshly printed currency.

Rhett opened his eyes just as the train conductor passed through his passenger car collecting tickets. Knowing he would not be able to sleep, he mindlessly began staring at the full glass of whiskey he ordered a while ago but still couldn't bring his self to drink. Just when all the little events of the previous day seemed to have added up to a good chance for a new beginning with Scarlett, Rhett's pleasant memories of cuddling against her body quickly faded. With bitterness, Rhett thought of the incident that caused him to change his mind in leaving town instead of staying in Atlanta with his wife...

Lying in bed, Rhett pondered his situation and knew the best course of action would be for him to continue on to Charleston in order to take care of the pressing business with his brother Ross that needed attending to. Yet, as he moved in to feel the warmth of Scarlett's body next to his, the only place on earth he wanted to be was where he was at the present moment. Rhett drifted off to sleep, finally feeling at peace, as he had decided to awaken in the morning with Scarlett by his side. They would have a thorough discussion regarding their marital matters after Melanie's burial and hopefully again end the day together in his bed, this time in a new consummation of their minds and bodies. Rhett was glad to have come to his final conclusion and thought that Charleston and his brother would just have to wait as he finally drifted off to sleep.

After what had seemed like only minutes gone by, Scarlett's body jerked away from Rhett's and he quickly woke knowing she was having another of her dreams. As he pulled Scarlett closer in the attempt at waking her, she began calling out for Ashley over and over again before falling silent with a satisfied smile on her sleeping face. Rhett felt as if she had ripped the heart out of his chest and immediately climbed out of bed. The sound of desperation he had heard in Scarlett's voice gave Rhett every reason to believe she had lied to him after all and still harbored love for Ashley. He had no desire other than to get as far away from her as he possibly could and spoke out from across the room, "Damn your cheating heart, Scarlett! If it's still Ashley you want, then it's Ashley you can have!" Sitting by the fading glow of the dying fire, Rhett quickly penned a short letter then placed it where he knew she would find it upon waking. He sat back down and wrote a second letter, this one much longer, quickly writing before Scarlett would awaken. After sealing the letter, Rhett quickly dressed then took one last look at the angelic innocence his wife personified while sleeping and he frowned, knowing she was actually the devil in disguise as she had repeatedly taken him to hell and back. His pride had been finally broken at hearing her dreamy desires for Ashley. Rhett knew he was being childish and should stay to hear out her point of view yet his anger overtook his senses as he firmly decided going away now would be the only logical choice. Besides, leaving when the going got rough was all he had been used to doing anyway and he was not about to put an end to his old habits now.

Rhett began drinking his whiskey then quickly ordered another. As the numbness of the alcohol began dulling his pain, he felt a pressing urge to express his feelings. His eyes traveled across the train car and noticed the majority of passengers were otherwise engaged in conversation, reading quietly, or were napping. Deciding against spilling the secrets of his life to a complete stranger who probably would not want to be bothered anyway, Rhett stopped a young porter passing through and requested a pen and a large quantity of paper. Upon the porter's return with the proffered items, Rhett handed over a small wad of bills then rode the rest of the way in silence while pouring out every thought and feeling he had of Scarlett on the paper. His thoughts took him back from the moment he first laid eyes on her at Twelve Oaks to the moment he walked out of their Peachtree Street house so abruptly a few hours ago and he wrote about all those moments and what she made him feel. Rhett realized how good it felt to get his every emotion out on paper even though he had confided the same sentiments to Belle through the years. Somehow, the process of furiously writing out the words without having to stop to hear another person's viewpoint and lose his train of thought was immensely cathartic. "I'll burn these later today as soon as I am in my bedroom," Rhett decided as he finished writing. He stared out the window at the passing scenery of the South Carolina low country he had loved so much as a young boy knowing he would soon be home.

Scarlett had put on a brave face for Beau's benefit as Melly's coffin was lowered into the cold ground but, all the while, she had felt dead inside too. He had clung to her side, as a child would to a mother, and for the first time in a long while, Scarlett had felt the stirrings of a maternal instinct deep within her. She tightly held onto Beau's hand and whispered her encouragements as the muddy dirt had been shoveled onto the lowered coffin and the flower arrangements placed on top of the majority of the mourners had quickly left for the warm environment of Aunt Pitty's home for the funeral luncheon. Her aunt had insisted for Scarlett to also join them in riding back in the family's funeral carriage but Scarlett politely refused. She had been extremely disappointed upon hearing Scarlett's insistence that Captain Butler's business could wait no longer and how he had been forced to return to Charleston early in the morning. Now, without him by Scarlett's side, Aunt Pitty did not feel right about leaving her all alone in this place and even Beau looked crestfallen at Scarlett's decision. Sensing she would not relent, Aunt Pitty finally made Scarlett promise to accept a ride back after she sent Uncle Peter over with the small carriage as soon as their funeral carriage arrived back at home. Scarlett had desired only to be left alone with the memories of Bonnie and quickly agreed with Aunt Pitty's offer, knowing it would get her to finally leave.

Bending down, Scarlett whispered into Beau's ear before he left wanting to explain why she was staying behind, "Beau, I must be alone with Bonnie for a little while. I need to let her know your mother is in heaven now too and that she must go find her so she isn't alone anymore." Scarlett noticed the tears beginning to fill his big eyes and she continued on, "I will be leaving to go to Tara later today. I promise I will return to see you very soon. Please take good care of your father while I am gone. He needs you to be a good boy and mind your manners for him." Beau nodded in understanding, not looking Scarlett in the eyes as his tears spilled over. He ran off towards the carriage where India sat waiting with Ashley and Aunt Pitty then suddenly stopped before climbing into the carriage and ran back to Scarlett. Hugging her tightly around the waist, Beau's eyes were overflowing with tears as he sobbed," I love you Aunt Scarlett! I'll miss you when you are gone!" Beau abruptly turned away and ran away as Scarlett stood watching, completely surprised at her nephew's reaction. As she watched the carriage begin to drive off, Ashley drunkenly waved goodbye as India's dark eyes continued to burn a hole right through her until the carriage turned the corner outside the gates and Scarlett lost sight of them.

Aunt Pitty's home was only less than a mile away and knowing time was now short before Uncle Peter arrived for her, Scarlett quickly walked past row after row of granite markers signifying the final resting place of Atlanta's movers and shakers on the way to Bonnie's grave. She could feel the heaviness of the ghosts of the past surrounding her as she walked by and shivered as the cool wind blew through the leaves of the trees and through her thin silk dress.

Scarlett sank to her knees after finding Bonnie's grave in the most beautiful section of Atlanta's Oakland Cemetery and knowing she was all alone, began pouring out her heart and soul to the daughter she hoped would be listening from her place in heaven. Scarlett leaned against the over sized white granite tombstone and gently traced her fingers over the masterfully-carved angels and lambs as she realized how much she missed her beautiful little girl. "Bonnie! I miss you so much darling!" she cried out. "I have made such a mess of things with your daddy like I did with you…." Her voice trailed off as she thought she heard someone approaching and, not hearing anything more, continued on, "I love him so much Bonnie and I loved you so dearly too! I am sorry I was such a horrible mother…..please forgive me," she cried as tears streamed down her cheeks. Scarlett closed her eyes as the happier memories of the times with her daughter replayed in her mind. Minutes went by and Scarlett was startled as a sudden cool breeze rustled through the trees, this time chilling her to the bone. Her thin silk dress was damp from the wet grass and Scarlett pulled her shawl tighter over her arms. Knowing it was time to leave, she started sobbing for all she had lost with Bonnie's tragic death and softly whispered, "Goodbye my baby girl…. I'll return soon. Please take good care of Beau's mommy. She's with the angels now too and needs someone to look after."

The clopping sound of horse's hooves pulling a large carriage alerted Scarlett to the presence of someone entering the cemetery's main gates. Realizing the sound was not from the carriage driven by Uncle Peter that was due to arrive at any moment, Scarlett suddenly felt vulnerable at being there alone. Her heart began beating furiously as she quickly began walking towards the exit gates, not wanting for anyone other than Uncle Peter to discover her there. As the sounds grew closer, she knew she would have been easily spotted and mentally braced for whoever was headed her way. Scarlett bristled as the horses came to a stop on the dirt road, only a few yards behind her, and a familiar voice called out her name and completely caught her off guard. Scarlett quickly turned around and realized nothing could have braced her from the person whose completely unexpected presence loomed large in front of her startled eyes.

Belle Watling had deeply respected the kindhearted Melanie Wilkes and wanted to pay her respects one final time to the greatest of Atlanta's ladies. Knowing it wasn't acceptable for a woman like her to be seen at the family's funeral services, Belle knew she would have to arrive after they were over and the family was long gone. Belle's driver waited across Oakland Cemetery's main entrance gates near the train tracks parallel to Decatur Street. Watching as the mourners and the Wilkes family's funeral carriage drove off to the south, her driver slowly proceeded. The cemetery was completely deserted and the rows upon rows of thousands of similar white tombstones stood as an eerie testimonial to the Confederate men the war had claimed, many who had once been patrons at Belle's place. She had great respect for what the brave men had hoped to accomplish and was a frequent after-hours visitor there, placing countless bunches of flowers on their graves throughout the year.

Hearing soft sobs over the whispering winds, Belle's sharp eyes immediately spotted Scarlett across the way, quickly walking towards the direction of the exit gates. She was all alone and Belle had heard, among the chatter in her saloon, stories of young women such as Rhett's spoiled wife, being raped or even killed in remote, deserted locations such as this one. With a sigh, Belle knew it wouldn't sit well on her conscience if such harm befell Rhett's wife, even if she was rude and wretched and didn't deserve any charity coming from her. As she directed her driver in Scarlett's direction, Belle reluctantly decided the right thing to do would be for her to make sure Scarlett was kept safe by offering her a ride home.

"Mrs. Butler," Belle Watling shouted out from the open window of her carriage, "It ain't fittin' for a lady such as you to be in these parts all alone." Noticing the surprised expression on Scarlett's tear-stained face at her address Belle continued, "Besides, some bad man could be lurking around these parts and you might just end up accidentally giving away for free what my patrons pay my girls the big bucks for. I certainly don't want to lose any more business on your account," Belle smirked at Scarlett then laughed at her own comment as her gaudy red head went back inside the window. Scarlett knew Belle was right and that it hadn't been the smartest idea to remain behind all alone. She had heard stories in the past of shady men looting fresh graves at night. She wouldn't be surprised if what Belle said was true and someone was hiding among the tombstones. Being alone, it would be easy for her to be attacked just like the time she rode to her mill through Shantytown and this time she had no gun with her. Unconsciously shivering at her thoughts, Scarlett said goodbye to Belle and began walking much quicker towards the exit, thinking she'd catch Uncle Peter's carriage shortly on the main road.

As soon as the words left her mouth, Belle felt ashamed for insinuating Scarlett was no lady. Both women knew it was the truth but she knew sometimes the truth was best left unsaid. Analyzing Scarlett's tear-stained cheeks, dull lifeless green eyes, and mud-covered dress, Belle knew a suffering woman when she saw one and was instantly filled with guilt. She had grown to hate the woman with a passion, more than anyone she ever met, yet now, climbing out of her carriage and proceeding to quickly walk towards Scarlett, Belle felt only a strange sort of sympathy inside of her. Scarlett had endlessly abused Rhett's love for years as well as insulted Belle both behind her back and to her face but Belle knew she owed it to Rhett to help his wife if she was able to as it was the right thing to do. After reading the letter Rhett sent over to her place by private messenger earlier in the morning, she knew he had been completely wrong in leaving and her personal thoughts on the situation might even be appreciated being heard by his own wife.

Belle's heavy jewelry noisily jangled as she hurried towards Scarlett and held out her hand as an unspoken peace offering. "Mrs. Butler, why don't I give you a ride home and you can tell me what Rhett's done this time," she gently spoke. Scarlett bristled at the mention of Rhett's name and the familiarity of Belle knowing him on a first name basis wounded her deeply yet Belle obviously knowing how Rhett had left again piqued her curiosity. "She obviously knows something and I intend to find out," Scarlett thought as the need to know the truth drove her to distraction and she heard her voice accepting a ride before quickly climbing up into the carriage. Facing Belle from her seat inside, Scarlett startled Belle completely as she spoke, "Mrs. Watling, if you don't mind, I would prefer if you took me to your place so we could talk there. I've always been curious to see where my husband likes to spend all his spare time." Belle pushed her bouquet of yellow roses for Melanie Wilkes out of the way and sat down on the red velvet seat, silently deciding to return later in the day before directing her driver over the train tracks towards her place. Scarlett turned to her once more and got straight to the point as she truthfully asked, "Why are you being so nice to me Mrs. Watling? I certainly have made it known that I neither care for you nor desire your kind of help." Belle smiled knowingly at Scarlett, finally understanding Rhett's fascination with the unpredictability of his unladylike wife and responded with a smile on her face, "Don't think I care a whit about you either, Mrs. Butler. I am only being kind because you are still married to my very dear friend, at least you still are at the present moment, and I owe him a huge debt of gratitude. If anything happened to you out here….." Belle's voice trailed off as she looked out the window at the passing cemetery and decided to end the conversation. She knew she bested Scarlett for once and missed seeing the crestfallen look on Scarlett's pale face as she spotted Uncle Peter watching her riding away in Belle's carriage.

Scarlett had been silent the entire way to the Red Horse Saloon while Belle sat across from her, trying to read her thoughts. Belle's sudden appearance at the cemetery had been unwanted at the time but now, thinking her situation over, Scarlett realized she had many questions only Belle could truthfully answer. As the carriage passed through town, Scarlett knew her presence was noticed by those passing by on the street. Even Uncle Peter had probably told everyone gathered at the funeral luncheon who she was with yet she didn't care. She had established, just yesterday, that Rhett's opinion of her was all that mattered now and she was holding firm to her convictions. "Oh fiddle dee dee! Let them talk….let them all talk! I don't care! Soon I'll be back home at Tara anyway," she thought as a feeling of relief overcame her.

Entering the saloon behind Belle, Scarlett overheard the patrons and Belle's girls whispering Rhett's name as all eyes quickly trained on her. Knowing how much time Rhett spent at Belle's place, Scarlett was not in the least surprised at the commotion her presence made among his acquaintances and she giggled to herself for the first time all day. She knew she looked a mess, as well, after sitting in the mud at Bonnie's gravesite but didn't care. As she led Scarlett upstairs, Belle noticed her smile and correctly assumed the nature of Scarlett's thoughts. Belle led her into Rhett's room and closed the door quietly behind them as she grabbed some towels and poured water into a large wash bowl on the side table. "You can wash up then sit over here, Mrs. Butler," Belle directed as she pointed to the chair Rhett had passed out in a few nights ago. Scarlett quickly cleaned her face and dress then sat down. Breaking the silence, Scarlett spoke, "Please call me Scarlett, Mrs. Watling, as I am sure you have called me as much, or worse, when alone with my husband." Belle was surprised at Scarlett's forwardness and instantly softened as she respected those who got right down to business. "You are a smart woman, Scarlett, and please call me Belle," she said with a genuine smile as she poured from a bottle of expensive brandy, knowing from all of Rhett's intimate conversations that it was Scarlett's libation of choice and hoping to ply her with as much as possible in order to loosen her up and uncover the truths she needed to know. Belle was determined to put a stop to Rhett's years of foolishness over his wife here and now. She had a whole case of her fine brandy squirreled away. If it took that much to get Scarlett to admit to her how she really felt about Rhett then she was ready. Rhett's letter had arrived on Belle's doorstep too late for her to stop his sudden departure but Scarlett was here and Belle long ago decided she would do what she could to help the lovers reunite for good, if that was what Scarlett truly wanted when the truth was uncovered. Rhett's letter transcribed all that had occurred between him and Scarlett over the past day, abruptly stating that he knew his wife still loved Ashley, which was the sole reason for his leaving. When Belle read the line where he explained how he heard Scarlett cry out for Ashley in her dream, she heartily laughed at the absurdity of Rhett's reasoning and abrupt actions. "What a scared, stupid, stubborn fool!" Belle thought after reading the letter over a second time. "He continually runs away just when he finally makes a breakthrough with her and never sticks around to hear her side of the story. It's no wonder my place is filled nightly with married men! None of them understand their wives even though they think they know it all!" she sadly mused. Her only desire now was to see her dear friend finally happy in love and if she could help in any way in that department she would. Rhett had done a great deal, many years ago, at his own personal expense in helping Belle when she most needed the kindness of a friend. She long ago vowed to pay her debt when its reparation was most needed. Because of her, his life had forever changed and he was forced to leave Charleston by his own father. Knowing Rhett was probably already halfway there by now, Belle knew it was finally the time for her to pay him back for his sacrifices and that her help would begin through aiding Scarlett.

Staring out the window in Rhett's third floor room, Scarlett slowly savored the brandy's burn as it traveled down her throat. Her mind was in a fog as she numbly remembered Belle's appearance at the cemetery and their subsequent arrival here at Rhett's favorite haunt. Looking around the room, Scarlett sighed to herself as her hazy eyes recognized the small traces her husband left behind: a soiled white shirt, a pair of onyx cuff links, a couple of handkerchiefs with his monogram, and a brown Panama hat. She had known the room was his as soon as Belle opened the door earlier and she caught a whiff of his musky cologne. It had momentarily made her swoon with sadness at knowing only a few hours ago, she had been intimately close to its original source.

Scarlett sensed Belle watching her closely and knew she was waiting for her to snap out of her daydreams. Scarlett was still amazed that she was here in this place of all places sitting across from the infamous Belle Watling, the one woman she despised more than anyone else in the world, after India Wilkes, of course. Now, Belle's kindness and concern for her safety and well-being was startling, unexpected, and even a little bit scary and Scarlett knew it was probably somehow all for Rhett's benefit anyway. As her mind began to wander into unladylike territory, Scarlett giggled to herself and hoped her mother was not watching her at the current moment from heaven. Her thoughts turned sillier by the minute as Belle sat waiting for Scarlett to talk. "Maybe Belle is getting me drunk in order for me to pass out before she shackles me and forces me to work for her as a prostitute," she giggled to herself immediately attracting Belle's closer attention as she quickly swallowed her third brandy. Scarlett hiccupped and laughed at her drunkenness as her train of improper thoughts continued, "I would promise to not escape if Rhett was my only customer," she decided as she knew Belle was now completely curious as to what she was thinking and smiled at her. Finally gathering her wits about her, Scarlett knew what must be said as she needed Belle in her corner to get information regarding Rhett and understood she needed to play another game as best she could.

"Belle," Scarlett began with hesitation as she strengthened her voice, "Please forgive me for being so harsh to you in the past. My sister by marriage, Mrs. Wilkes, always was considerate on your behalf and I should have been the same, especially after you took great personal risk at providing an alibi for Mr. Wilkes and Dr. Meade," she said, hoping her apology would seem sincere. Inwardly, Scarlett was seething with anger at having to apologize to the whore she knew Rhett had been not-so-secretly cavorting with, even if she had given Scarlett a ride and three glasses of the most delicious brandy she ever tasted. Still, Scarlett continued her charade and quietly admitted, "I truly hope my apology and gratitude have not come too late." She slyly looked for Belle's reaction to her words from under a veil of thick black lashes. She couldn't quite tell if Belle had believed her or not as Belle was sitting in her chair, utterly speechless. Scarlett knew she would drive her final point home while she still had control of the conversation and fluttered her eyelashes in mock embarrassment as she seemingly choked on her words, "I must thank you again for something of a more delicate sort. I have to admit you were able to give Rhett the physical pleasure I wasn't able to and as a lady it pains me to own up to that to a woman like you." It had truly hurt her to admit her failures but Scarlett knew her admissions would possibly lead to the truth regarding Rhett and Belle's relationship. It was a truth Rhett would never admit and one that Scarlett realized she must know before deciding her next plan of attack on winning Rhett for good. Belle leaned across the table, covering Scarlett's hands with her own, looked into Scarlett's wide green eyes and heartily laughed out loud.

"Scarlett, honey, that was quite the performance you put on but I have to admit, as I am sure you probably already know, Rhett has told me everything there is to know about you. I know you are lying through your teeth and are probably cursing me in your mind right now. However, I credit you for your attempts at sweet talking me into your corner. I must say, you are quite an interesting woman and Rhett truly does deserve you," She good naturedly said. Belle took another look into Scarlett's eyes and noticed the sadness that had been there earlier had returned. As a woman, she knew by instinct that Scarlett was deeply betrayed by Rhett and knew the things that needed to now be said. Taking a deep breath, Belle poured another brandy for Scarlett and decided it was time to get to the heart of the matter. "Scarlett, let me completely truthful with you," Belle began as Scarlett sipped her fourth brandy and nodded for her to continue. "I think it is necessary for you to know I was never the one giving Rhett intimate pleasure. It was you Rhett has always wanted, always loved. I told him he was poisoned with you years ago and it is still true to this day," she explained. Scarlett's eyes brightened at hearing the words and a slow smile began spreading over her face. Belle continued on, "When Rhett first met you, he confided in me he was through with my girls and could never again be with another woman if he couldn't have you. If there's anything I have learned after years of running my business, it's how to read men and separate their fact from fiction. Rhett is the real deal, Scarlett. He could never lie to me just as I won't lie to you either when I tell you all I have been to your husband is a good friend and a business partner."

Scarlett looked at Belle with a new understanding and, through her intoxicated haze, suddenly felt horrible for all her years of bitterness and anger towards Belle. Melly had been a good judge of character and knew Belle was a worthwhile enough person to be kind to. As she falsely admitted only moments ago, Scarlett now knew she should have been more like Melly and given Belle a chance. Looking up with the bright smile still on her face, Scarlett gently asked, "Do you mean to tell me that all the times Rhett was here he was not unfaithful, even once, to his marriage vows?" Belle picked up on Scarlett's upbeat demeanor and slowly nodded as she responded, "Yes. As I said, Rhett only has eyes for you. I'll admit before you came along he was no saint but once he set his sights on winning you over, your name became hated among every one of my girls." The two women smiled at one another as Scarlett realized Rhett's enduring faithfulness, after all the tortures she put him through, proved he loved her. Rhett had responded so readily to her advances only a day ago that Scarlett knew that same love was definitely still there, smoldering beneath the surface of both their shared stubbornness and endless miscommunication. Scarlett grew quiet as she closed her eyes for a moment and thought things through. After a few moments, she opened her eyes and looked directly into Belle's. "Belle," Scarlett quietly spoke, "I am afraid that I must ask for your forgiveness a second time but this time around I really mean it." Both women smiled at Scarlett's words as they both were reminded of her dramatic acting only a few minutes ago. "I am truly sorry for all I've said and done to hurt you. I certainly don't deserve to hear what you've told me here today and I certainly don't know why you took me in and are being so nice to me but I hope you do know I truly appreciate all you've done for me." Scarlett glanced at Belle and noticed she was trying to read her face to see if she was telling the truth or lying once more. Scarlett laughed as she finished off her drink and said, "I am serious! As hard as it may be to believe, I am really telling the truth this time!"

Scarlett's vibrant eyes were sparkling with new life and Belle grew more captivated with her by the minute thinking that if their lives had been different, they may even have become good friends. It was easy to see how Rhett had fallen for Scarlett's charms years ago and why he clung to his hopes of finding true love with her as she was certainly a one-of-a-kind creature even though Belle was struck at how alike Scarlett and Rhett really were. Another thought immediately came to mind and Belle joked, "Scarlett, honey, I believe you! Now, believe me when I tell you if I met you before Rhett did, I would have tried to get you working for me! You could have made me a small fortune!" Looking into each other's eyes, they both burst into hysterical laughter at the highly inappropriate thoughts their similar minds were thinking.

Scarlett sat on the 4:30 pm train to Jonesboro feeling lightheaded and giddy from Belle's brandy and surprising camaraderie. Tightly closing her eyes, she tried to hide herself from Mammy's inquisitive stares and pretended to nap. Only after Mammy turned away to watch the passing landscape had Scarlett felt free to rehash the deep conversation she and Belle had after they cleared the air between them. Belle had an ease about her in extracting pertinent information and, even though she knew she had too many brandies to count, Scarlett had willingly found herself telling Belle every secret hidden in the deep recesses of her heart and mind. She admitted to her years of having fallen under Ashley's spell, all the while actually having been in love with Rhett but not having seen her, as well as his, love for what it was. She spoke of her childhood at Tara and how she felt when she first laid eyes on Ashley and then later on Rhett, She told of how she now realized Rhett had been secretly courting her all the years she had been in and out of marriages to other men, She told of the night of Ashley's birthday party and how Rhett had forcefully made love to her then quickly fled the next morning. She felt free to admit how she loved Rhett's roughness that night and had woken the next morning so eager to begin anew with their marriage and lives together. She told Belle how for three months she couldn't wait for his return from London and was secretly pregnant with the baby she truly wanted to have. When Scarlett explained how Rhett returned home and immediately began insulting her with his words, Belle actually began crying with her then passed Scarlett one of Rhett's handkerchiefs as she blew her nose into her own. When Scarlett talked of losing the baby and breaking her ribs after falling down the stairs and described how Bonnie had tragically died soon after, Belle actually got out of her chair and held Scarlett in her arms for a long while as they cried together for all the tragedy she had to endure. Belle finally admitted to Scarlett how she had heard the exact same stories from Rhett through the years but now, as a fellow woman who had to make tough choices of her own in life, Belle completely and thoroughly understood Scarlett and her point of view and found she actually really liked her.

Scarlett had been amazed that she had misjudged Belle in so many ways throughout the years. It was easy to see, once she got to truthfully talking, that Belle was an honest, good-hearted woman beneath the outlandish outer appearance. Scarlett hated to admit Rhett was right but Belle really did have more heart than Scarlett could ever hope for. In fact, with a small twinge of guilt, Belle had reminded Scarlett of her mother as Belle had been so patient, genuinely caring, and full of honest, down-to-earth womanly advice during their long hours of conversation. Even though Belle and Rhett's shared secrets that Scarlett had been determined to uncover the truths to were not discussed, Scarlett did listen to Belle's knowledgeable advice on what to do about Rhett and that was all that mattered to her for now.

Quickly drifting off in an intoxicated sleep, Scarlett rested peacefully with a smile on her face as Mammy turned to look at her. Mammy knew all Scarlett's secrets and knew all about her problems with Captain Butler. She even knew Scarlett had spent hours after Mrs. Wilkes' burial at Belle Watling's place in the seedy side of town and it angered her that her precious lamb was so careless about her reputation. She did not want Scarlett to make any more mistakes and be unhappy with her choices like Miss Ellen had been. After sitting a while longer in her seat, Mammy felt her joints aching again and realized she had not been feeling so good lately and had been much achier the past few months since Bonnie died. "It won't be long before the good lord sends for me too," she thought to herself. Knowing her life was quickly running out, Mammy understood it was well past the time when Scarlett would have to learn everything she needed to know when they arrived at Tara. Scarlett needed Captain Butler now more than ever and especially without Mammy around much longer to take care of her. It was finally time Scarlett was given the things Mammy had hidden away for years so Scarlett could one day finally understand the truth about her mother.

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