Disclaimer: Gone with the Wind is not mine. All relations come from Mrs. Margaret Mitchell's novel Gone with the Wind. (And some background from Alexandra Ripley's novel Scarlett)

Chapter Twenty- Five

Rhett guided Scarlett toward a large house, the lush, green lawn wrapping around a good few acres of land. Scarlett thought it to be the unsightly thing she had ever seen; the monstrous thing had a golden gate reaching a good eight feet and a fountain in the front for God sakes! It was the most grandiose thing and yet Scarlett held little to no interest in it. She could pick out all its faults; too big, too flamboyant, but yet, through its heinous exterior Scarlett thought it to be quite something.

Scarlett raised one ebony eyebrow before again beginning to walk only to be pulled back by large hands, laughter rumbling in his large chest. "Where are you going Scarlett, my pet?" Rhett asked continuing to chuckle, "Get back here."

Tilting her head and staring him in his dark eyes she could so easily get lost in, she made her way towards him. "Why are we here Rhett, I want to go home."

"You are home." He answered simply as he brandished a glinting golden key from the breast pocket of his jacket. Smirking as he witnessed Scarlett's jaw plummet instantaneously and her jaded orbs bulged out in sheer surprise.

"But…But…" She stammered seizing one of Rhett's large, muscular arms in her two little hands. "But Rhett!" She whispered curious yet shocked all at once, "Rhett, it's so ostentatious!"

He let out another chuckle as he unlocked the gate, watching, as it creaked vehemently and swung open just as it did the day the two returned from their honeymoon. He offered her his supporting arm once more and she took it in a daze. "I see your taste has improved considerably."

Scarlett could not answer as he lead her up the extended pathway leading to the large double doors made of the best oak. It looked as if the house had been abandoned for a good few years, allowing the shrubbery to twist and turn, entwining its branches with that of the trees next to it.

She let out a gasp as her eyes beheld the sight. I was something to be described. Rhett unlocked the front door to reveal a grand foyer laden with portraits, expensive velvet carpeting and other very wealthy items. There were portraits of herself with a coy smile upon her lips and in gowns that must have weighed a good twenty pounds because of all the detail and jewels. There were little porcelain vases and figurines, which decked the room.

Rhett left her side and began to draw open the deep red colored curtains in the foyer and the dining room as well as the sitting room allowing the beams of light to illuminate their surroundings which made everything look even more delicate than before. Scarlett could not believe she had once actually lived here; it appeared too extremely surreal.

Scarlett began to meander about the foyer as Rhett made his way up the majestic staircase draped in a velvet fabric lugging his suitcase up with him. He figured he had better let Scarlett wander a bit for something might trigger her memory; he would be down in a few moments.

As Scarlett glanced about in awe she saw a deep red stain at the base of the stairs. It looked as if it had been scrubbed numerous times in an attempt to get out this discolor to no avail. It looked as if it were a relatively new soil; done three years ago at the most.

Scarlett gently got down on her knees before it, the redness seemingly jumping out at her as if saying something. She furrowed her ebony brows, her green eyes concentrating solely on the stain before her. Gingerly she raised her right hand and ran her fingers across the messied carpet. Everything around her halted suddenly.

Unbelievable delight. Wonderful news. Sadness. A man was spitting insults at her. Incredible anger. Balled up fists. Grinding of teeth. Eyes of fury. Lunging forward in a mad attempt to inflict pain upon the one who had done onto you. He moved away. Falling. Screaming. Falling. Screaming. Blackness as she landed in a large pool of her own blood, red and shimmering in the candlelight. Inhaling the scent of death.

Scarlett gasped loudly as hot, salty tears poured from her eyes. Terror was in her emerald eyes as she attempted to stand upright. Unable to support her weight, she scrambled away from the stain of blood. She could still smell it; undergoing the copper taste of blood that seemed to hang pungent in her parched mouth. She could feel the liquid under her fingers as she lay listlessly on the floor flirting with death.

In a frenzied attempt to get as far away as possible from the stain, she back bumped into something. She looked up, her eyes filled with unending fright as she looked into the liquid black eyes of Rhett. She threw her arms about his legs and sobbed into them.

Rhett sat down with difficultly for her arms were wrapped tightly about his calves. He took the shaken girl in his arms and rocked her back and forth, rubbing her back. He had come downstairs moments before, watching as Scarlett stared almost lifelessly at the carpet, trembling.

"I was falling forever." She croaked, burring her face in his cravat, inhaling his unusual sent of cigars, brandy and a smell that could only be described as Rhett. "I was falling and falling down these very stairs. I could taste the blood, I could feel death's grasp upon me, Rhett. I'm frightened."

Rhett's heart broke as he tightened his hold upon her, whispering in her ear again and again. "It's alright Scarlett. I promise everything is going to be all right. I'm not going to let anything happen to you. I'm never going to let anything happen to you. Not again, my darling, not ever again."

There they sat, their hearts calling out for one another and she knew. Scarlett knew that she loved this man. She had been trying to conceal her feelings and push them down into the bowels of her soul, but it was useless. She loved him wholeheartedly and always would.

A/N- Hello everyone!!! I hope this chappy is to everyone's liking. I worked hard on it...even ask my beta.

I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable break and have fun!!!!!

Please review! eternal rose 45