Hi readers sorry for the long delay….yes I'm back to writing and plan on updating more often. Once again I must give Margaret Mitchell credit for her story and hope you like this. I will be editing this story soon and hope to make it flow a little better. Let me know what you think!

Chapter 10

Rhett and Scarlett came to an understanding of sorts when it came to the children. It just seemed right to let them see Rhett if they wanted to, though she still had her doubts.

When the children arrived home that evening the pungent smell of salty sea water wafted through the air, making her scrunch up her nose in disgust. Both Ella and Wade burst through the room singing sailor jigs and spouting out praises of fun and adventure.

Ella threw her arms around her mother, her youthful grin breaking the tension in the room.

"Oh mother, I wish you had come! We saw dolphins and Uncle Rhett taught us how to fish. I caught three fish! Uncle Rhett wanted me to help take it off the hook, but it was wiggling too much and…"

"Ella," Scarlett interrupted, feeling a little overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of her eight year old. "I'm glad you had fun today now go get cleaned up, I have had a bath drawn for you." Scarlett watched in silence as the happiness drained from her daughters face. All Ella had wanted to do was share with her mother what she had done that day. Instantly Scarlett felt guilty.

Both brother and sister's eyes met and a silent conversation went on between them.

"Sweetheart, I'm sorry for interrupting you. What was it you were saying?" Scarlett inquired.

Ella's lowered head came up in confusion, but with her mothers permission she continued cautiously. "I was just going to tell you about uncle Rhett getting his finger caught in the fish hook, and how we met the pirates."

If Scarlett's head could have turned any faster it would have flown off her head. She threw Rhett the most threatening look she could as she raised her small hands to her slender hips.

"Pirates? Are you seriously telling me you took my children …."

"Before you go making assumptions about our whereabouts today, I think explaining the situation in a more private setting might be more beneficial." Wade smiled, knowing he and Rhett had already discussed this very concern that his mother would have. Rhett threw her a knowing look hoping she would catch on to his meaning.

Scarlett crossed her arms in frustration." Why was everything a game to Rhett?" In the midst of everything serious he'd always found a way to make light of the situation that they were in.

The silence in the room seemed endless as no one was willing to stroke the temper of the woman before them. Each at some point had taken the brunt of her tongue lashing and were none too eager to fan the flames of anger.

"Well," she began again, this time with more force. "Are you going to tell me or do I have to assume the worst?"

Rhett slowly closed his eyes slowly as he shook his head in amazement. Scarlett was sometimes so maddening. One would look at her and melt at her beauty, only to be astonished at the next moment when she verbally thrashed you. It was this same love hate relationship that always played out before them. Oh the things he longed to reply.

Clearing his throat he turned toward Wade and rubbed the boys head with fondness, messing it up in the process.

"Wade, I intend to see you soon. Where would a captain be with out his second mate." Wade's smile stretched across his face as he nodded in agreement. "And you," she teased as he turned towards Ella. "You'd better get some sleep so that you won't fall asleep again on the ship. Those pirates just might make you walk the plank if they catch you falling asleep on the job."

Ella's smirk lifted Rhett's heavy heart if only for a second before me looked towards Scarlett. Her unamused expression was enough to kill the lightened mood. She leaned forward giving him the biggest hug she could muster, his arms surrounding her at the same time.

"Thanks Uncle Rhett, she muttered as she yawned. "I missed you so!"

"I've missed you as well, but I think you should get ready for bed, we have plenty of time for other adventures."

"You mean it Uncle Rhett, you won't go away again?" His large hand reached up to her face and tweaked her nose.

"I intend to spent a lot of time with you and no I don't intend to go away again, at least not for extended amounts of time."

Wade looked at Rhett as though waiting on his every word. He wanted to trust the man before him but could he? Was Rhett a man of his word? Could he invest his heart again. The only way to find out was to give him a chance, even it was just a small one. Maybe it was time to do so.

"Good night Rhett, I look forward to spending more time with you and thank you for the fun adventures today.

After the children were sent on their way, Rhett turned towards the woman next to him with disappointment written on his face.

"Scarlett it never amazes me the length your imagination will stretch. Have I ever even once given you just cause not to trust me with the children?"

"Do you want me to answer that honestly?" Scarlett's reply was out of her mouth so quickly that it was only after she said it that she realized she'd said it out loud. The look on Rhett's face when she'd responded instantly stopped her in her tracts, making her regret it.

Rhett could have said a lot of things to her snide comment. But he didn't. He didn't because somewhere inside him he too still blamed himself for Bonnie's death. The what if's and could have's played like a loop in his mind. If only…but why her…I'd give anything….were common questions that seemed to have taken a stronghold in his mind. Instead of taking Scarlett's bait, he chose to relinquish the conversation and move forward so that he could vacate her presence with the least amount of damage as possible.

"Must we always have some sort of argument at every meeting?" He inquired honestly. "One would think you enjoy getting your feathers ruffled. As for me, I could live the rest of my life in sheer happiness if I never had the displeasure of disagreeing with you ever again. As it is, I feel as though an explanation is justified."

Scarlett slumped into the settee, arms folded as she pressed her lips together in frustration.

In no hurry, Rhett casually strolled to the decanter and poured a drink into a small crystal glass. It's brown clear liquid and familiar scent teasing his nostrils with promise of relief. He closed his eyes remembering just how good it felt to be numbed my it's enticing effects. His hand grew shaky as he contemplated downing the whole thing despite his vow of being dry.

"At one time this would be my answer to everything." Rhett began quietly as if in thought. "I watched through out my life as my father would drown his sorrows in a bottle, them blame the rest of the family for his short comings."

She watched him twirl the small cup in his fingertips, the light bouncing of the angled glass, mesmerizing her with it's beauty.

"I wish I could say at this moment that I didn't need a drink but sadly my body is betraying me." He turned to confront her, holding out the offering to her. "You on the other hand I daresay are yearning for a drink. I can sense how on edge you are. Here take it, then maybe you will think rationally."

"Rhett what are you getting at? Why do I get the feeling that there is more you wish to discuss then just what happened today?"

"Very observant my pet, there is more." She looked up at him with a sense of foreboding. "The pirates were merely my men aboard my ship. I asked them to play the role as entertainment for them. I thought the children might enjoy something not so scripted as a boat ride. Ella believed right off that they were pirates and that I was effortlessly the brave captain who saved both her and her brother's life. Wade and I, however, chuckled to ourselves at how wholeheartedly she fell for it. I didn't want to discuss that part of it in front of her."

"How absurd! Grown men pretending to be pirates. I can think of better ways to spend my money."

"Well thankfully I'm spending my own and therefore think it was well spent."

"This isn't about the money and you know it. It was just saying …I mean….well, never mind." Rhett chuckled to himself. Her backpedaling was fun to watch even if it wasn't intentional.

"Don't fret your pretty little head about it. I know what you were thinking." She stuck her tongue out at him which amused him even more. "Scarlett," he hesitated, mulling over the right way to deliver the thoughts in his head with out coming across as bossy. "There is something important I would like to discuss with you." He paused making sure she meet his serious gaze. "It has to do with the envelope I received yesterday. It is of great importance that I find out how long ago it was delivered and who delivered it."

She smiled as she thought back to the day Benjamin had arrived and how he'd claimed to be a friend of Rhett's. She had however found it odd that Rhett made no mention of him before. He had been upfront and honest and seemed quite the gentleman.

"It came several weeks ago while I was in Atlanta. A nice gentleman brought it by claiming to be your friend, and inquired as to when you would be home. I told him you were away and that I was not sure when you would arrive next."

"Did he leave a name or tell you what it was regarding?" She raised an eyebrow in thought, then slowing lowered her hands into her lap. She really did like Ben. He was a refreshing change to the people she had associated with lately. Did she really want to tell him the truth?

"If I remember his name was Mr. Kane, though I could be mistaken. Is everything alright?"

Rhett sat down next to her, a worried look overwhelming his handsome features. "Have you seen him since?" She lowered her eyes knowing how horrible of a liar she was. What business of his was it? What good would it do to lie to him, he'd never believe her. In this case the truth was warranted.

"Yes I have had the pleasure of his company since then. I don't see why your making such a fuss."

Grumbling under his breath so that only he could hear, he sarcastically replied, "If you only knew."

"Rhett you do have a point don't you?" She sighed in frustration as he shook his head. What could he say? Anything he asked her to do she would do the opposite just to prove a point that she was in control and not him. Even though she was not his wife, he still felt as though he had to protect her. It was a need so branded into him that it was instinct now to make sure she was ok. Benjamin Kane was no one he wanted around her. With his charm and quick thinking he could just imagine what he could do to her. What were Ben's motives? After all this time why the sudden entrance back in his life? Surely he had some other intention then just to patch their relationship. He didn't believe for an instant that Ben's intentions were admirable, after all they'd known each other since childhood and he wouldn't put it past him to try some smooth maneuvers to gain his trust again.

"I…uh," Rhett muttered momentarily forgetting she'd asked a question. Scarlett's brows pressed together in concern. Leaning towards him she placed a hand on his arm. Just the soft touch from her hand sent a shock up his arm, surprising him again and reminding him just dangerous being this close to her could be. He looked upon her worried face memorizing her features once again so that he could replay them in his mind when he left. Her soft fragrance tantalized his nostrils recalling moments when he'd lain next to her stroking her hair as she slept.

"Rhett, are you listening to me?" Scarlett's voice raised more and more with each word. She gentle shook his arm bring him back to attention. He sighed as his thoughts organized his reply.

"I know you don't hold my opinion in high regard as of lately, and I know what I'm going to say next may not make sense, but please for once in your life just trust what I'm about to say."

To say the look on Scarlett's face was confused would have been an understatement. She looked concerned and daresay worried. She leaned forward to the edge of her seat, her hands wringing the folds of her skirt in anticipation. Rhett's pleading tone made the situation all the more serious.

"Benjamin and I were friends many years ago," He began, his face slightly scrunched up in a worried some manner but relaxed the more he spoke. "Best friends to be exact. We were thicker than thieves and no one could tell you different. But Ben made some very disheartening mistakes that hurt a lot of good people. When I confronted him, he of course denied it. I can't say I didn't expect this sort of thing from him, because it's not the first time he'd done something like that."

"Rhett," Scarlett interrupted, "Ben told me about what happened with the gold mine and his later issues with Belle. This was quite some time ago. He told me he felt bad about what happened." Rhett's mood grew dark. His eyes narrowed in displeasure.

"Oh he did did he, then you are plainly playing coy with me. How interesting that he would come and befriend my wife. The funny thing is I'm not stupid enough to believe that he doesn't have other motives. In as much as you claim to under stand, I can guarantee you only know a small portion. Most likely just skinned the surface. I highly doubt you know the full extent of his follies. There are three parts of every situation. My side, his side, and the truth. I don't want him around my family, only heart ache follows him. If you don't believe me ask Belle. I dismissed him out of my life long ago and I intend with every fiber of my being to keep him away.

"First off I'm not your wife." She paused watching him realize the folly of his words.. Secondly, I don't care how terrible he has been to you, surely you believe people can change. How many years has it been? I think maybe you should give him the benefit of the doubt, go talk to him, maybe there is more to what you think."

Rhett shook his head in disbelief. He was too late. Ben had already gotten his greedy hold on Scarlett. Why couldn't he just leave them alone? In as much as his head said stay clear of Scarlett, he knew in his heart that as long as Ben was around, his trip to Savannah would have to be extended. It maddened him to think of how close of quarters he would have to be with the stunning creature in front of him. He turned slowly away from her feeling her questioning stare bore into his backside. He had to get this right not turn it into something big in front of her. Her natural curiosity would cause her to spent more time with Ben and would be the opposite of his intensions.

"I'm telling you my concerns because they are valid. I thought maybe I could heed caution to the wind but apparently I can't. No you're not my wife, but I do care what happens to you. And by god, I'm not going to let him hurt you."

Scarlett rose to her feet, sensing more anger in Rhett than she'd seen since he'd shot Mr. Butler, Bonnie's pony. "Rhett you have to trust that I can take care of myself and the children. I don't need you to hold my hand. You sound just like Wade thinking that I am this fragile person who needs to be babied. You're playing the role of protective husband when that is no longer your role. Think about it Rhett. You sound more jealous than anything. If it will ease your mind I will be cautious if and when I choose to be around him. If you'd stop being so hard headed and talk to Ben I'm sure that he could clear this all up." Frustrated she walked towards the decanter and poured herself a glass of brandy. She meaningfully tipped it back and consumed in in one swallow. "Now if you'll excuse me I'm exhausted and would like to retire for the evening." She froze in her spot her and Rhett having a sort of stare down till he finally pursed his lips together and bid her good night.

After putting the children to sleep, she found herself alone in her room surrounded by the plague of his words. Was he just jealous or was there more truth to his worries. Ben seemed sincere, though truthfully she didn't know him very well at all. He had lived in Savannah after all and really if she wanted to get all the town gossip on him, she wouldn't have to try very hard. There were all sorts of people who had already tried to stop her on the streets to inquire who she was and where she derived from. It looked as though she had her work cut out for her. She would not completely disregard what Rhett or Ben said, she'd find the truth, and in doing so she would learn more about the man she loved.