A/N: Before I start this chapter, I would like to pay tribute to a wonderful actress. Betty Joan Perske, better known as Lauren Bacall died yesterday at the age of eighty-nine. Now, there only remains three people on AFI's Greatest Actors of All-Time list: Sophia Loren, Sydnie Pontier (I doubt I spelled that right), and Kirk Douglas. She was an amazing actress and an amazing woman. R. I. P. Betty Joan Perske/Lauren Bacall. I hope you and Humphrey are together now and happy again.

"I think your whole life shows in your face and you should be proud of that."

-Lauren Bacall

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Part One, Chapter Twenty-One

Duncan's New Resolve

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It was daybreak. They had made it out of Atlanta, but smoke could still be seen from behind them. Duncan pulled the carriage to a halt.

"Why did you stop?" Courtney asked.

"This is the turn to Tara," said Duncan. "Let the horse breathe a bit." He turned around and said, "Mrs. Wilkes."

"Miss Zoey done fainted way back, Cap'n Butler," said Katie.

"Well, she's probably better off," said Duncan. "She couldn't stand the pain if she were conscious." He looked back to Courtney. "Courtney, are you still determined to do this crazy thing."

"Yes," said Courtney. "I know we can get through, Duncan. I'm sure we can."

"Not we, my dear, you," said Duncan. "I'm leaving you here."

He got off the carriage.

"Your what?" Courtney gasped. "Duncan where are you going?"

"I'm going, my dear, said Duncan, "to join the Army.

"You're joking!" Courtney declared. "I could kill you for scaring me so!"

"I'm very serious, Courtney," said Duncan. "I'm going to join up with our brave lads in gray."

"But they're running away!" Courtney pointed out.

"Oh, no," said Duncan. "They'll turn and make a last stand, if I know anything about them. When they do, I'll be with them. A little late, but 'Better late-'"

"Duncan, you must be joking!" Courtney said, cutting him off.

"Selfish to the end, aren't you?" Duncan laughed.

"Thinking only of your own precious hide, with never a thought for the noble cause," said Duncan.

"Duncan, how could you do this to me," said Courtney, "and why should you go now, after it's all over and I need you? Why? Why?"

"Why?" Duncan asked. "Maybe it's because I've always had a weakness for lost causes once they're really lost. Or maybe, maybe I'm ashamed of myself. Who knows."

"You should die of shame to leave me here alone and helpless!" Courtney spat.

"You helpless?" Duncan asked skeptically. "Heaven help the Yankees if they capture you! Now, climb down here. I want to say goodbye."

"No!" Courtney said moving away from him.

"Climb down!" said Duncan. He grabbed her waist and pulled her down and started dragging her along.

"Oh, Duncan, please don't go," Courtney begged. "You can't leave me, please. I'll never forgive you!"

Duncan stopped and held her close and passionately.

"I'm not asking you to forgive me," said Duncan. "I'll never understand or forgive myself. And if a bullet gets me, so help me, I'll laugh at myself for being an idiot. But there's one thing I do know, and that is that I love you, Courtney. In spite of you me and the whole silly world going to pieces around us, I love you, because we're alike. Bad lots, both of us. Selfish and shrewd, but able to look things in the eye and call them by their right names."

"Don't hold me like that!" Courtney said as she tried to pull away.

"Courtney, look at me," said Duncan holding Courtney's cheek tenderly. Courtney looked at him. "I love you more than I've loved any woman. And I've waited longer for you than I've ever waiten for any woman."

He kissed her forehead.

"Let me alone!" Courtney cried.

"Here's a soldier of the South who loves you, Courtney," said Duncan, "wants to feel your arms around him, wants to carry the memory of your kisses into battle with him. Never mind about loving me. You're a woman sending a soldier to his death with a beautiful memory. Courtney, kiss me."

He kissed her and Courtney struggled to break free. She pushed him away until she finally broke free.

"You low-down, cowardly, nasty thing, you!" Courtney spat as she slapped him. "They were right! Everybody was right! You aren't a gentleman!"

Duncan laughed.

"A minor point at such a moment," Duncan said. He took out his gun. "Here. If anyone lays a hand on that nag, shoot him. But don't make a mistake and shoot the nag."

"Oh, go on," said Courtney angerly, ripping the gun from Duncan. "I want you to go. I hope a cannon ball lands slap on you. I hope you're blown into a million pieces!"

"Never mind the rest," said Duncan. "I follow your general idea. And when I'm dead on the alter of my country, I hope your conscience hurts you. Goodbye, Courtney."

With that, Duncan left. Courtney turned around and went back to the carriage. She cried on the horse for a moment. She grabbed the rein's and began leading him down the path.

"Come on, you!" said Courtney. "We're going home."