Oh the perils of publishing a story before it is finished. I have decided that R&S are headed for Sydney, Australia, not Melbourne as I originally wrote. Sorry for any confusion.

The voyage from Panama to Australia took five weeks.

As they steamed across the Pacific Ocean in first class luxury, enjoying the fresh sea air and beautiful vistas, Rhett and Scarlett gradually learnt to talk honestly with each other, to trust each other. They talked about their parenting, their longing for each other that they had hidden so well, their mistakes. They still liked to bait each other, but they did it now in a loving, teasing way, not maliciously. Scarlett began to feel the baby moving, and when she placed Rhett's hand on her so he could feel it too it filled him with awe, mixed with nervous anticipation. When Scarlett asked if he was hoping for a girl or a boy, his mouth went dry. The thought of either scared him. 'I don't know,' he managed to answer. 'I have no strong preference.'

'Are you still afraid, Rhett, to be a father again?' she asked softly.

'Yes,' he answered uncomfortably. 'Everyone I love I hurt. I don't want to harm our child Scarlett.'

'Oh, Rhett,' she said lovingly. And she slipped her arms around him. 'You are a wonderful father to Wade and Ella. And you were a wonderful father to Bonnie too. You will be fine.'

Rhett stared out across the Pacific Ocean for a few moments before replying. 'Bonnie ruled me, and it was my inability to say no to her that killed her. I intend to be more firm this time around,' he responded soberly.

One day Scarlett told Rhett how she had regretted banning him from her bedroom, but had been too proud to admit it. 'I missed you,' she said. 'You missed me?' he repeated, incredulous. 'If only you had told me. It was not being allowed near you that nearly drove me insane. Do you have any idea how difficult it was for me to be around you and not be allowed to come near you? It was torture.'

'I am sorry, Rhett,' she said sadly. Rhett stood looking at her wordlessly, struggling to reign in his emotions. Then he stepped towards her and took her in his arms. He didn't speak for a long time, remembering the pain of her rejection.

Later, he told her how he had longed to go to her when she was ill after her fall down the stairs, but he didn't think she wanted him. 'Oh Rhett,' said Scarlett, looking up at him, 'I did want you. I wanted you so much. I think I cried every time I woke up and you weren't there. 'But I couldn't bring myself to ask for you. I was too afraid that you would refuse to come. I thought you didn't care.'

Rhett lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it tenderly. Then he straightened up and looked at her thoughtfully.

'It seems that our pride has kept us apart,' he said. 'We are very alike you know my dear. We both like to give the impression that we don't need anyone.'

'But I do need you, Rhett,' Scarlett responded quietly. 'I need you too, my dear,' he murmured in reply. And he took her in his arms again, holding her tightly, as if to prove it.

Finally the day dawned of their arrival in Sydney. As they cruised in through the heads, Sydney Harbour sparkled before them in the warm sunlight. Small pleasure craft were scattered over the water. There were other vessels too – ferries and merchant ships. Wade and Ella dashed about excitedly from one side of the ship to the other, trying to take it all in.

Rhett eyed the busy harbour with interest. How he would love to feel the freedom of sailing on the wind again.

Scarlett's voice broke into his thoughts. 'How beautiful!' she exclaimed. 'Yes, it is,' Rhett agreed, observing the way her face had lit up with pleasure. 'And look at the houses,' she added, pointing to some large colonial style villas which had come into view on a low promontory overlooking the harbour. 'Oh Rhett, could we live in a house like that? They do look grand. And the views would be breathtaking.'

Rhett smiled. 'That would suit me very nicely,' he said. 'I would love to live near the harbour. Perhaps I shall teach you to sail, when you are, er, not in such a delicate condition.'

'Rhett!' Scarlett exclaimed, glancing around her self consciously and blushing prettily. 'Don't talk about such things.'

'Would you not like to learn to sail?' asked Rhett, deliberately misunderstanding her.

Scarlett's eyes narrowed. 'You know perfectly well that is not what I meant. I would certainly like to go out in one of those little boats with you. I do think though, that I would prefer your driving to mine.'

Rhett smiled at her fondly. 'Very well, my dear, we shall dance across the waves together, and I will be your captain.'

'I would like to learn to sail, Father,' said Wade, who had caught the end of the conversation as he joined them at the rail. 'Would you teach me?'

'Hello, Wade,' Rhett smiled. 'It would be my pleasure.'

Scarlett observed him quietly. She did not recall Rhett ever looking so relaxed and happy. It had been a good idea to come on this trip, she thought.