Disclaimer: Only in my dreams could I ever own Rhett….he's too much of a free spirit to be tied down by little old me. On the other hand…maybe that's how he likes it…
All Over Again
~ R&S ~ R&S ~ R&S ~
Scarlett was hurt by his response, but she wouldn't let it show. "And why is that? Plenty of men have loved me—I'm sure."
"And look how it turned out for poor Charles Hamilton. No, and even if I was to fall in love with you, you would be the last woman I would tell. You are a cruel creature Scarlett—you use peoples' love to get what you want from them. No, the only way you could ever be kind to someone—to a man—would be if you loved him, wholeheartedly, in return. And I'm not speaking about your over-drawn puppy love for Mr. Wilkes, I'm speaking of true love. A love that is passion and comfort, all at the same time."
During his tirade, Rhett had moved away from Scarlett, and now he stood, looking up at the moon. Scarlett was so confused by his words, she missed the bitter tone in his voice. She understood that Rhett was upset with her. She understood that he wanted something of her that she wasn't sure she could provide, but she had no idea what he wanted. She wished he would stop speaking in riddles all the time, and just tell her what it was.
"And what do you know of love, Rhett Butler? All you know is money, meanness, and whores."
Rhett turned to look at Scarlett, surprised. "I know much more of love than you can imagine. I know of the love a woman has for her son, I love so great that she would refuse the will of her husband to come visit her son in secret. I know of first love. It is passionate, and insane, and wild. It happens so quickly, that before you know it—it is over. I know of enduring love, the kind that—." At that Rhett stopped, and the bland expression was once again in place.
"Do you—do you love Belle Watling, Rhett?" There was a queerly soft expression on Scarlett's face, as though she felt a bit of emotion, a bit of sadness, at the thought.
"I do not." Rhett return to his place beside Scarlett, and wrapped his arm around her. "Now, next week, I'll be gone for four days. I am going to New Orleans in order to finish up some business. You can make whatever purchases you like for the wedding, everything will be charged to me. Spend as much as your heart desires, I don't care. I have already reserved the hotel ballroom for the night, you don't have to worry about that. The entire staff of the hotel is at your service, whatever you want, you may have."
"Thank you Rhett! Now why are you going to New Orleans? You go there an awful lot. I've heard things, but—." Scarlett looked up at Rhett charmingly.
"You've heard things? What have you heard? Here, I'll give you a hint. I'm going there for some personal matters, and not for anything involved in my businesses."
"I've heard that you have a girl there. A sweetheart, or a mistress. If you do, I want you to end it. I won't tolerate you sleeping with some woman, and bringing shame to me."
"You meddling busybody. Its not really your place to ask, is it? I'll tell you, though, because you are after all my wife-to-be. Its not a woman, but a boy. I am his legal guardian, and I have to visit him before we leave on our honeymoon, because I'm not sure when I'll be able to visit him next."
"A boy? What is he like?"
"He is brooding and obnoxious, and much too handsome. Worse yet—he knows it. No Scarlett, I don't go because I want to, but because it is my duty. Come, I'll take you back to the hotel. It is late, and you are tired."
Scarlett tried to argue, because she was intrigued by Rhett's talk of a boy, but he left no room for words. The walk back to the hotel was spent in silence.
~ R&S ~ R&S ~ R&S ~
The next morning, Scarlett refused to speak with Rhett during breakfast. She loved the idea of having her own enormous house, and even more the idea of not having to pay for it, but she was upset with Rhett for keeping secrets from her. She wanted to know about the boy, and felt curiously hurt that he wouldn't talk with her.
"Are you going to sulk all morning? Or could you please stop being a young child, so we could get on with our day?"
"I am not acting like a small child, Rhett! And even if I was—so what? I shall act as I please. I've already told you, you don't own me!"
Rhett gave a hearty laugh. It amused him greatly that Scarlett did not even realize that she was acting like a child. "Fine. Will it make you feel better if I answer your question from last night?"
"Oh, yes!" Scarlett eagerly replied. She assumed that Rhett would tell her more about the boy he was visiting, but she should have known what happens when people assume.
"I'm marrying you to keep you as a pet, Scarlett. I think you're charming, and extremely entertaining. You're sweet and young, and I enjoy that, especially at my advanced age. Never think you're more than that, Scarlett. I'm entertained by you, and I can only hope to find out if my ideas of how you are in bed prove to be true. I think they shall be, but I don't have long to wait."
"If you don't stop talking like that, Rhett Butler, I shall go back upstairs and I shan't eat with you at all this week. I'll simply have food sent up to my room." Scarlett looked at Rhett, indignant. She didn't like the way he called her a pet, the way he degraded her to a simple lap dog.
"Silly girl. You do remember that I'm paying for your room, don't you? That means that if I tell them not to send you up food, they won't. No, I have no reason to fear your threats. You have a very healthy appetite—it's one of the things I like about you, Scarlett, you won't last an hour going hungry."
~ R&S ~ R&S ~ R&S ~
The morning of Rhett's departure, the Atlanta Hotel Lobby
~ R&S ~ R&S ~ R&S ~
"I'll be back on Thursday. Remember Scarlett, two weeks from today, you will be my wife."
"Yes Rhett, I understand. You will write, won't you?" Scarlett had no idea why she would ask that of Rhett. She knew that he would return before his letters could reach her. Scarlett couldn't explain it, but she felt anxious at the thought of them being separated.
"No need to play the devoted bride-to-be, Scarlett. There's no one around to hear you." Rhett thought he might be getting too cynical in his old age. He had no idea if Scarlett meant it or not. Rhett silently reminded himself to be kind to her—she would love him someday. The better behaved he was, the sooner the blessed day would come.
"I'm not playing. Fine, go away. I don't care if you never come back." Scarlett turned away from Rhett, her feelings hurt.
"You truly won't care?"
"Oh of course I will, you old fool! We're to be wed." Scarlett paused, surprised by the words that poured out of her mouth. "I'll be especially awaiting your return if you bring me back a pretty present, Rhett."
"Of course I will. Goodbye, Scarlett." Rhett gave Scarlett's hand a gentle squeeze and began to walk away, slowly.
After a moment's hesitation, Scarlett followed him, running in an effort to catch him. "Wait Rhett!"
"Yes, Scarlett? What is it? Contrary to what you may think, the train won't wait for me because I was detained by you." Rhett was only a tad bit upset. He was mostly curious to see what Scarlett wanted from him.
"Won't you kiss me goodbye, Rhett?"
"Do you want me to?"
"I…"
"Ask me, Scarlett. Ask me, and I'll do whatever you want."
"Kiss me Rhett."
So he kissed her, and it was the sweetest kiss they have ever shared.
~ R&S ~ R&S ~ R&S ~
A/N: I cannot even begin to apologize for not having update in so long. My only excuse is that I have been very busy in my personal life. Please read and review! I accept ANONYMOUS REVIEWS!
