Disclaimer: Trust me, I just double checked. Still not mine.

Scarlett left early the next morning for the mills. She went to Johnnie Gallegher's first, hoping to catch him off guard. The yard looked fairly sparse, either the ledgers would show unexpected sales or he was selling out from under her, a lot. After a short discussion, Scarlett gathered the ledgers and left without telling Gallegher she planned to go out of town. She'd have to figure out some way of checking up on Gallaher while she was at Tara.

Scarlett arrived at Ashley's mill in low spirits. She was frustrated with Johnnie Gallegher and her feeling that she needed him to make money along with their mutual dislike. On her way from Gallaher's mill to Ashley's she'd tried to conjure up the images of her golden knight. She could see so clearly the day he returned from his grand tour and how his golden hair gleamed in the sun as his soft grey eyes smiled down at her. She remembered endless hours tearing through the countryside on and off the bridle paths together and the time he carried her all the way home after she sprained her ankle. But none of the memories filled her with the same warm glow they used to. She knew Ashley's books would be a mess and even at Ashley's best his mill often barely covered expenses, with Hugh running it for the several weeks Ashley's shoulder would need to heal, Scarlett would be sure to lose money. Maybe she should close Ashley's mill while she went to Tara. But that would leave her entirely dependent on Johnnie Gallegher and the store. The store was still letting too much go out on credit and she couldn't fix that until she returned from Tara. So, it would really leave her entirely dependent on Johnnie Gallegher's mill for several weeks of income. Maybe she should only stay at Tara for a week. Or perhaps she shouldn't go at all.

When Scarlett entered the office she saw a flash of fear pass over Hugh's face. Knowing she'd be unable to curb her tongue, she greeted Hugh and told him she was just picking up the ledgers. Hugh handed them over and Scarlett wished him a nice day and left with no further discussion.

Scarlett turned the horse and carriage around in the yard and headed back out onto the road into the woods. Soon she saw Rhett approaching on his huge stallion and relief flooded Scarlett. She slowed the horse and was genuinely smiling at him as he pulled aside her.

"Would you like me to drive?"

"Yes." Scarlett nodded and Rhett yelled "Woah!" to both horses as Scarlett pulled the carriage to a stop. Rhett tied his horse to the back of the carriage and climbed in next to Scarlett.

Scarlett passed him the reins and said, "Thank you, Rhett." She paused for a moment before continuing, "This horse is much easier on me than the old nag and I'm sure she helped save me last week. I'm not sure I ever properly thanked you."

Taking the reins, Rhett looked down at Scarlett, "You are quite welcome, my dear. I am glad you like her."

Rhett clucked to the horse and they started out slowly.

Scarlett felt comforted by Rhett's presence and that puzzled her. Shouldn't she feel longing for Ashley? She hadn't been alone with him in over a week. She was in love with Ashley, not Rhett. Wasn't she? Yes, of course, she had always loved Ashley. She was just grateful Rhett was going to drive her home safely. As they trotted slowly along Scarlett could feel herself relaxing. There was something about Rhett, though, she just wasn't sure what it was. She leaned back against the seat and sighed.

At the sound of Scarlett's wistful sigh rage shot through Rhett. Damn her! She's right next to me and she's dreaming of that miserable Wilkes.

"How was your little gentleman, Scarlett?"

"What? Hugh? I barely talked to him."

"No. Don't play with me. How was Ashley today?" Rhett's voice was tight and it annoyed Scarlett. What was wrong with Rhett? She'd been so happy to see him and now it seemed today was a mean day.

"I don't know, Rhett he's home recovering not at the mill. He can't return to the mill until he doesn't need the sling any longer or the Yankees might know he was injured in the raid. Doctor Meade said at least four weeks."

"Don't you think they'll wonder why he's not at work?"

"How should I know, Rhett? Yankees think all sorts of foolish things. Besides, why do you care how he is? I thought you didn't like Ashley."

"I don't dislike Ashley, Scarlett. I feel sorry for him."

"Why on earth do you feel sorry for Ashley!? There is nothing to feel sorry for!" Scarlett knew that wasn't true. Since he'd come back to Atlanta there was something downtrodden about Ashley, but Scarlett was sure he'd get over it once he learned how to properly operate the mill.

"I feel sorry for him because he belongs in the old world, not operating a mill for you in this one. He isn't adjusting, Scarlett. He longs for the world before the war, but it will never be that world again."

"Humph," Scarlett grumbled bringing her body to sit upright the way she knew a lady should. She opened her mouth to reply, but Rhett continued on, "Yes, he longs for and belongs in that old world and he'll never be happy until he adjusts to this one, but he does not want to adjust. And then there's you."

"Me! I don't make Ashley unhappy! I…"

Rhett reached across himself to put his hand onto her arm as he cut her off. "Yes. You make him unhappy Scarlett, he wants you and feels guilty for wanting you and it's made worse because he's living off your charity."

"Rhett!" Scarlett screeched drawing away and turning on him. "Ashley loves me! And he's not living off my charity! How dare you! Get out of this carriage this instant!"

"Scarlett," Rhett sighed. "Ashley isn't in love with you the way you want him to be. He loves Miss Melanie. But he's drawn to you and to your passion for living," Rhett mocked, "and he wants you. You represent the old world he lost to him, the world of his youth. And he is living off of your charity and what's worse is he knows it."

"He is not! He earns his money managing the mill!"

"Does he now? And how well does he manage it? Are you making a lot of money from his mill, Scarlett?"

Rage was making Scarlett's hands tremble. "You cad!" She screamed. "Stop this carriage and get out! To think I was happy to see you! Get out! You are being mean and nasty because you are jealous I love Ashley and loves me and you can't understand that! You are the one who is low and dirty and wants women and …" Scarlett stopped screaming. She could not say "asked me to be your mistress" out loud.

Rhett sighed and drew the carriage to a stop. "Scarlett, I am not trying to upset you. I want you to be happy and Ashley will never make you happy. Ashley will never be happy and you can't make him happy."

Scarlett turned angry narrowed eyes upon Rhett. "Get out!"

"No. I'll leave you when we are safely through shantytown. It's not safe for you to drive through there alone."

"Then why did you stop?"

"So I could turn my full attention to you. I would like to finish the conversation before we must drive through shantytown."

"We are finished."

"Scarlett, do you believe me?"

"About what?" Scarlett asked, confused. What was Rhett going on about now?

"That I want you to be happy?"

"No! I believe you want you to be happy and you just … you just want…relations," Scarlett whispered, "and you don't care what happens to me then."

Rhett's knuckles were white he was clenching the reins so tightly, but Scarlett didn't notice.

"You are wrong."

"Rhett!"

"Not about that, I do want to have relations with you, and so does Ashley, we are men, Scarlett." Scarlett flushed and turned her face away. "But I do care what happens to you. I want you to be safe and happy and I believe I've shown that to you in many ways."

"What? How?" Scarlett felt flustered. Rhett was usually not open like this and it made Scarlett nervous. Scarlett felt a little bit like she was an injured rabbit and Rhett was a hawk circling in.

Rhett chuckled and asked, "Fishing for compliments, my dear?"

"No," Scarlett snapped, her voice shaking. She could feel her pulse racing and her face was still warm with embarrassment at their conversation.

"I brought you out of your fake mourning, I made you the belle of the ball at the bazaar when we first danced, because that's what you wanted, I brought you necessities and luxuries during the war, I stayed in this godforsaken city during the siege in case you needed me, I stole a horse and drove you out of the city, as soon as I was released from jail I found you to make sure the taxes were paid, then, even after you married Frank, I met you in these woods to drive you while you were expecting Ella so you would be safe."

"And you got me this horse," Scarlett added thinking. Melly had said a lot of the same things the night Rhett proposed. Scarlett trusted Melly, but she was not sure she trusted Rhett. "But you left us."

"That night, on the way to Tara," Scarlett added when Rhett didn't respond.

"I had to."

"No, Rhett, you could have stayed and taken us to Tara."

"No, Scarlett, I needed to go with the army and if I'd have gone to Tara with you, I wouldn't have ever been able to leave you."

Scarlett's brows drew together and Rhett could see she did not understand what he was trying to imply. But he couldn't risk more than implication at this moment. She still thought she was in love with Ashley. Rhett had to make her see reason, and soon.

"Scarlett?"

"Hmmm?" Scarlett answered without looking at him. Damn. He wasn't sure if he'd gone too far, or not far enough. Well, he'd find out soon enough.

"Are you ready to go on?"

Scarlett nodded and turned her face to the front. She did not make eye contact with him or turn to look at him.

Rhett slapped the reins lightly on the horses back crying, "Yah!" and they began the ride back into town.

§§§

Scarlett was lying in bed thinking about what Rhett had said to her and how parts of it were so similar to what Melly said. Did Rhett care for her? Might he love her? He really had done so many nice things for her. She thought about the kinds of things Rhett hadn't mentioned like the time he saved her from embarrassment during the dinner party when they ate the last chicken and Scarlett was playing songs that were too sad, or how she could talk about her business to him honestly and frankly and how he spoke to her like an equal, unlike most men who were shocked or talked to her like she was some silly little ninny who couldn't possibly understand interest rates. But if he cared, why was he so mean sometimes? And why would he ask her to be his mistress? Every time she thought of it and of how she'd offered herself to him at the jail Scarlett was overcome with shame.

Just as Scarlett was contemplating her own shameful behavior, and feeling that somehow Rhett had driven her to it, her door creaked open and Wade came in.

"Wade?"

"Mother?"

"Come here, darling." Wade came to the edge of the bed and Scarlett sat up and helped pull him up as he starting climbing up. Wade climbed over Scarlett and cuddled up next to her.

Scarlett laid back down and pulled Wade close into her side. "Did you have a bad dream?" She asked him softly.

"Yes."

"What happened?"

"The Yankees came and took me."

"Oh, dear. Well, the Yankees can't get you."

"Why not?"

"I will protect you."

"From the Yankees?"

"Yes."

"From all the Yankees?"

"Yes."

Wade exhaled sleepily and curved his body into Scarlett's. Rhett was right, Wade was afraid of the Yankees and having nightmares about them. As they lay there breathing quietly Scarlett wondered if Rhett would be upset when Wade crawled into their bed if they married. "God's nightgown!" Scarlett thought to herself, "What am I thinking!" Scarlett could feel herself turn red in the darkness. She hoped Wade was already asleep, his face was turned away and she couldn't tell. "Enough. I'll think of this tomorrow." Scarlett thought as the rhythmic sounds of Wade's soft breathing soothed her and she finally fell asleep.

§§§

Although it was still March, Thursday was warm. Scarlett had gone into town in the morning to order the supplies for the convicts and the raw lumber for the mills, then she headed to each mill to leave the inventory slips. She wanted the trip to go quickly. She'd spent more time in town than she'd wanted this morning and it was after 1 o'clock when she'd started out towards Johnnie's mill.

It was nearing three when she came upon Rhett waiting at a crossroads, his horse turned to watch for the carriage coming from Ahsley's mill. She smiled when Rhett heard her approach and turned to watch. She was happy to see him, she realized. This confused her because she was still angry at him for yesterday, wasn't she? No matter, she was glad she wouldn't have to drive through shantytown alone.

When she pulled the horse to a stop where Rhett waited, Rhett said, "It's getting late, I thought you'd be coming from the other direction."

"I wish I was," Scarlett answered, "But I had to order supplies this morning and was in town too long. I just have to drop the slips at Ashley's mill and then I'll be finished."

Rhett nodded and tied his horse to the back of the carriage as he listened. He climbed in and said, "To Ashley's mill?"

Scarlett hesitated. She knew they were at not only an actual crossroads but the proverbial kind too. If Rhett drove her to the mill, Hugh would see and he would tell his mother who would tell everyone. All of Atlanta would know Rhett was driving Scarlett around again when Frank had been killed mere days ago avenging Scarlett. She knew that if she asked Rhett to wait here for her to return he would not and that would be the end of whatever it was between them. Without knowing exactly why she didn't want that, she knew that she didn't and said, "Yes, thank you," as she handed Rhett the reins.

Rhett felt a surge of triumph as they headed down the narrow road. They would be seen and she knew it, and she hadn't told him no or asked him to wait in the woods. If she wasn't afraid to be seen with him, she must be coming around to his point of view. They belonged together.

They drove in silence for a while before Scarlett said, "Rhett? Wade has nightmares."

"I see."

"Well, what should I do?"

"What are his nightmares about?"

"He said last night that the Yankees came and got him."

"What did you say?"

"I told him they wouldn't get him because I would protect him."

Rhett smiled with a joy even Scarlett could see. "Good, that's exactly what you should tell him."

"I'm not just telling him that, Rhett! I am protecting him! I'm protecting him right now from the Yankees! What do you think I have the mills for!"

"Shhh, soothe your ruffled feathers, I was paying you a compliment," Rhett answered.

"Oh. Thank you then."

Scarlett put her hand in the crook of Rhett's elbow, "How can I stop his nightmares?"

"I'm not sure you can, Scarlett. What helps you not have nightmares?"

Scarlett shuddered. Sometimes she hated that Rhett knew so much about her. But his voice and his eyes were kind and his arm felt relaxed under her palm. She didn't think he was teasing her. So she answered honestly, "Nothing really, they are better when I don't go to bed hungry but sometimes they come even when I … am not hungry."

Rhett nodded, "Does he have them every night?"

"Well, I think so, the first few nights after he came home from Melly's I didn't ask him why he crawled into the bed with me. Last night was the first night I asked him what his nightmares are about."

"Why last night?" Rhett was very curious about what made her be aware of Wade enough to ask. He hoped it was their talk on the porch. And what had she done the nights she didn't ask?

"I was still awake."

"I see," Rhett nodded.

Scarlett felt he misunderstood. "It's just, sometimes when he wakes me I'm too sleepy to really be aware, and one night he didn't even wake me, he just got into the bed and was there when I woke up."

"So what do you usually do?"

"Well, I just soothe him, I hug him and tell him he's all right." Scarlett shrugged. "And I let him sleep in the bed with me. The other night he just kept crying so I sang to him until he fell asleep." Scarlett felt embarrassed, but she didn't know why. Those were the things Melly had done long ago at Tara that had made Scarlett feel better.

Rhett could feel that Scarlett was going to withdraw her hand, so he drew his arm in to trap her hand between his arm and body. "I think those are all the right things to do, Scarlett," Rhett said. Scarlett exhaled, relieved. "And I think when he's awake, you just remind him that he's loved and safe and I think he'll grow out of it."

"What if he doesn't?"

"He will." Scarlett wanted to counter that she hadn't grown out of it and she was a grown woman. But instead she looked at Rhett's hands on the reins and his strong arms and her small hand on his arm. She was glad that she could talk to Rhett about the things she thought about. She felt some unknown tension ease out of her and they rode to the mill in silence.

When they arrived, Rhett dismounted and helped Scarlett out. She turned when he wasn't following her inside and he said, "Go handle your business, I'll wait here."

Hugh watched from the door as Scarlett approached. Well, now everyone will know for sure, Scarlett thought. She didn't care though; whose business was it who rode in her carriage with her? No one's. Scarlett shook the thought out of her head and entered the lumber office.

As she settled at the small table with Hugh all Scarlett could think was she wanted this to be quick. She recalled all the times she'd met with Ashley in this office and how she liked for those meetings to drag on and on. She wondered how she would feel if she were sitting down with Ashley instead of Hugh while Rhett waited outside. She smiled to herself, Rhett would not have waited outside if it were Ashley.

Scarlett began explaining the supplies she'd ordered, and when they'd be delivered, and where to have the slips signed, and which had balances owing upon delivery. She asked Hugh for all of the order contracts, she'd make a schedule for him to follow while she was at Tara. Hugh nodded his understanding.

Well, then, I will see you tomorrow and we will go over the schedule."

"That's fine, Mrs. Kennedy," Hugh was glad when she finally left.

§§§

Once they were a good distance from the mill, Rhett asked Scarlett if she was still going to go to Tara.

"Yes, on Monday. Saturday night is a musical and I promised Melly I would help set up even though I can't attend," Scarlett said sourly. "And, Sunday the Jonesboro station isn't open, so I will take the children and go on the first train Monday morning."

"And how long will you stay there?"

"I'm not sure. Probably only a week or two. I need to get back to the mills and I have to start making some changes at the store. I want a rest, but I can't rest for too long."

Rhett nodded. "Scarlett, I have to go to London."

"I understand. How long will you be gone?"

"At least 8 weeks. It's a long passage and I need to be in London for a time and I must also do some traveling in England."

Scarlett nodded. She felt trepidation, but she didn't know why this made her anxious, so she said nothing.

"I don't like the idea of you in these woods alone when I am not here."

"I have to go to the mills, Rhett. I have to make money and I have a pistol."

"That pistol didn't do you much good last time."

"Rhett!"

"Scarlett, I'm being serious. I'm worried about you, and I have to go to London."

"Rhett, I'm sure it will be all right."

"I'm not so sure. Scarlett, come with me."

"What! Rhett, no! Are you asking me … No! Rhett, how could you, after …"

"No, no, no, Scarlett, shhhh. I'm not asking you to be my mistress."

Scarlett could feel her heart racing and angry tears pricking at her eyes. Rhett shifted all of the reins into one hand and took his other hand in long slow sweeps down Scarlett's back. She was trembling. He wanted to stop the carriage, but he knew they needed to get through shantytown while it was still daylight.

"I'm, not Scarlett. I'm asking you to come as a friend, a traveling companion, that's all."

"Rhett! I can't travel with a man, and what about my children!"

"They can come too, Scarlett, and Prissy and Mammy."

"No."

"If you don't want to travel with a man, Scarlett we could get married, then you would be traveling with your family."

Scarlett looked at Rhett. There was something in his eyes she didn't understand.

"No, Rhett, I … no." Scarlett's voice was shaking. Scarlett felt trapped in the moving carriage and was starting to feel panicked. "No." She shook her head.

Rhett swept his hand down her back one more time, then tucked her into his side. She surprised herself by going willingly and placing her head on his shoulder. Scarlett didn't know why she should behave this way, she wanted to run from the carriage and she also wanted to scoot closer and let her whole body rest against Rhett's. She breathed deeply against his chest. She could smell whiskey, tobacco and horses along with something comforting and manly. Scarlett closed her eyes and breathed.

Rhett slowed the horse, Scarlett needed time to calm down before they hit shantytown and then they'd be back in Atlanta all too soon. Rhett's mind was racing, he could feel Scarlett relaxing against him, he'd been surprised when she hadn't resisted his embrace and had even put her head on his shoulder. One of her hairpins was poking uncomfortably into his neck, but Rhett said nothing. He would hold her as long as she wanted. Perhaps bringing up marriage again was a blunder, but Rhett needed to leave by the end of next week at the latest and he wanted Scarlett to come with. He was afraid if he left her alone he'd come back to find her engaged to someone else, or even worse, married again already.

They drove on in silence and Scarlett was a dead weight against Rhett's chest. Her breathing was slow and even and Rhett wondered if she'd fallen asleep. When the road bent around an ancient pine, Rhett knew they were only about a half mile from shantytown.

"Scarlett?" Rhett drew his fingers down her arm. "Scarlett?"

"Hmmm?" Scarlett murmured and cuddled into him. Then Rhett felt her stiffen. He squeezed her to him for a moment knowing she was about to draw away.

"Rhett?"

"Yes, my dear?"

Scarlett didn't say anything, she breathed in deeply one more time before drawing herself up and pulling away. Rhett withdrew his arm from around her and drew the backs of his fingers down her reddened cheek. She looked adorably rumpled and laying against him had flattened part of her hair. "Did you sleep well?"

Scarlett smiled shyly and looked down before returning her eyes to his face. "Yes. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep."

"Don't be sorry, my dear, I'm glad you rested. But we are coming up to shantytown, so be alert."

Scarlett nodded and Rhett watched out of the corner of his eye as she smoothed her dress and patted her hair.

Rhett urged the horse into a trot and they passed through shantytown unmolested.

Once they were through shantytown the ride back into Atlanta was short. Soon Rhett pulled to a stop, it was time for him to return to his horse and let Scarlett drive into town alone.

"Are you going back out to the mills tomorrow?" Rhett asked.

"Yes. I have to return the ledgers and double check the supplies for when I am gone and schedule the deliveries for Ashley's mill."

"When do you plan on returning?"

"How should I know, Rhett? I haven't even looked through the orders yet, things might be even worse than I fear."

"All right, my dear, I would like you to select a time so instead of my waiting in the woods all day to run into you, I can meet you once you are away from the mills like civilized people."

"Meeting in the woods is hardly civilized."

Rhett burst into laughter, "No, no it isn't, but we've been doing it for months. And I meant meeting at a set time like civilized people not meeting in the woods."

Scarlett was surprised to find she did not feel embarrassed by this misunderstanding as she usually did when she misinterpreted something Rhett said and he laughed. And she did want Rhett to ride with her tomorrow.

Scarlett thought it over for a moment then nodded and said, "I'll go to Johnnie Gallegher's mill first, it's likely to be less a mess and then to Ashley's. I'll leave there by three o'clock."

"That sounds fine. Don't leave before 2:00 though, or you might be too close to shantytown before I reach you."

"I won't."

"Good. And Scarlett…" Rhett leaned in and kissed Scarlett slowly. It wasn't the same as the night he proposed or the night he left her on the roadside. There had been something urgent then. This was more tender, but it still made Scarlett's heart race and a shimmery warmth to pool into her belly. Scarlett grasped her trembling fingers into Rhett's lapels. Rhett's left hand still held the reins but his right was smoothing down Scarlett's side, the way he always did to Wade, but it was not comforting at all, Scarlett felt like tiny sparks were left on her skin in the wake of Rhett's hand all the way through her dress and corset and chemise.

When Rhett pulled back, Scarlett followed him, so he kissed her lips softly once more and then looking into her eyes said, "I'll see you at three o'clock tomorrow."

Rhett looped the reins over the post and stood. He gazed at Scarlett for a moment then climbed out of the carriage. "Tomorrow," Scarlett echoed to his back. Rhett untied his horse and walked him up to the side of the carriage. "Take the reins, Scarlett."

"Oh, yes," she said and reached for them. Rhett took in her dazed expression and mounting his horse, rode away smiling.

Note: Thank you so much to all of the fabulous reviewers! I appreciate the feedback and insight.

I'm actually home sick from work and school today, which on the one hand is terrible because I feel awful. On the other, I clearly believe rest = write, so it's been an altogether good day. :)