Disclaimer: I own nothing in regard to GWTW

Author's Note: This is based on the old adage 'Be careful what you wish for you may just get it.'

When Scarlett and her children when to the train station to board the train to Jonesboro they saw Rhett just sitting there staring out into space. Ella cried out, "Uncle Rhett, Uncle Rhett!" Rhett looked in their direction. This was the last thing Scarlett wanted. She had thought Rhett had left town after Melly's funeral but no he was still here. He had probably spent the night at Belle's. But strangely Rhett just kept staring in their direction like he didn't recognize them. Scarlett walked over to him. She couldn't pretend not to have notice him now that Ella was calling out to him. As they were walking over the station master cut her off from reaching him.

The man asked her, "Do you know this man?",

Scarlett replied, "Yes."

The man said, "I'm glad you came to get him. Something is not right with him."

That startled Scarlett and she said, "What do you mean?"

The man said, "He's been sitting there since yesterday. He hasn't done anything but stare out into space. I had the porter ask him where he was going and he said, "I'm waiting for my wife. "

Scarlett said, "I'm his wife. I will take care of him." Scarlett looked at Wade and Ella who had heard everything and shrugged her shoulders. They walked over to Rhett and she said his name.

Rhett looked up at her and said, "Scarlett I've been waiting forever. Where have you been?"

Scarlett said, "Just running late. I'm sorry I kept you waiting." Scarlett was getting fearful. When Rhett looked at her, he had that same vacant look in his eyes that her Pa had after her Mother had died.

Then Scarlett said, "Are you ready to go to Jonesboro with us?"

Rhett said, "I've been waiting forever. Where is Bonnie?"

Then Scarlett with an insight that amazed her she knew she had to lie. She would have to make something up. Scarlett said, "Oh Rhett, you sure are stuck on that name for a child that's not even born yet."

Rhett looked at her strangely and said, "Oh yeah. She is still in the womb." And Rhett reached out and put his hand on her tummy. Wade and Ella gasped but Rhett didn't notice.

The train arrived for Jonesboro. Scarlett said, "Let's get on the train Rhett."

Rhett said, "Okay" and gave her his arm.

They all got on the train. They sat down and Rhett said, "I should have gotten us a private car."

Wade said, "It's not that far. We will be there in no time."

Rhett said, "You are right." And he turned to look out the window.

Ella and Wade started talking and Scarlett hissed, "I don't know! Let's just keep him calm. I hope there is a doctor still in the county."

On the hour-long trip Rhett talked to Wade and Ella about different things. He reached out and took Scarlett's hand and held it the rest of the trip. Scarlett thought please don't let him have gone crazy. Please don't let his mind have broken like Pa's.

When they got to Jonesboro station Will was there to pick them up. Will said to Scarlett, "I didn't know your husband was coming."

Scarlett said, "Last minute change of plans."

Scarlett introduced the two men then got in the back of the wagon with the luggage.

Rhett said, "Are you going to be alright back there, my dear? It doesn't look very comfortable."

Scarlett said, "It is fine, Honey. You go on and sit up front with Will."

Rhett said, "We need to get a better means of transportation."

Scarlett said, "We will. As soon as we get back to Atlanta."

Will and Rhett talked on the way to Tara. Rhett didn't sound crazy. He was holding up his side of the conversation just fine. Wade looked at Scarlett with a questioning look and Scarlett just shook her head and indicated she didn't know.

When they got to Tara everyone got out of the wagon. Mammy came out to greet them. Rhett greeted her and spoke to her but some of his comments were off. Mammy started to correct him but Scarlett caught her eye and shook her head.

Scarlett asked Will to go get Dr. Fontaine. There was something wrong with Rhett. Will looked at her and she said, "He thinks Bonnie is still alive. I convinced him she hasn't even been born yet."

Will said, "I'm on my way."

Scarlett said, "Thanks. Don't say anything to Suellen."

Will said, "I won't."

Scarlett saw Suellen and introduced them to each other. Rhett was full of flowery praise. Scarlett then said, "Let me show you to our room."

Rhett said, "Okay." And gave Scarlett one of his sexy smiles that almost broke her heart.

Scarlett showed him to her childhood bedroom and they put their bags inside the door. He said, "It is a lot smaller than our bedroom in Atlanta"

Scarlett said with a smile, "I guess we will just have to snuggle up."

Rhett said, "I would like that." He reached out and grab Scarlett and brought her to him. He kissed her like he hadn't kissed her in so long. All she could do was kiss him back. After a few minutes Scarlett backed away and said, "Tonight."

Rhett said, "Yes."

Scarlett said, "Let me show you around Tara."

They walked down the stairs and she showed him everything about her beloved Tara. By the time they got back to the house Dr. Fontaine was there. Scarlett asked him to step outside for a minute and Wade engaged Rhett in conversation.

Scarlett said, "I think his brain is broken. We lost our daughter in June and he is referring to her as if she is still alive. When I told him, she was still in the womb he looked confused for a minute and then accepted it as the truth. We have not been very happy lately but he is behaving like we have never had a cross word."

Dr. Fontaine said, "I have seen this before. He can't accept his reality so he blocks out everything he doesn't want to remember."

Scarlett said, "Is this permanent?"

Dr. Fontaine said, "Probably. If he ever gets where he can deal with his emotional loss then his brain will heal. There is a one in 100 chance of his brain ever retrieving those memories. He will be perfectly functional but there will be parts of his memory missing."

Scarlett said, "What should I do?"

Dr. Fontaine said, "What you shouldn't do is try to make him face the reality that he has blocked out. There is a Yankee doctor I know of who specializes in brain problems. He lives in Baltimore. I will get you his information."

Scarlett said, "Thanks, do you want to talk to him?"

Dr. Fontaine said, "No need. I don't know if what he is saying is true or false."

Scarlett said, "Thanks for coming over."

That night the dinner conversation was pleasant. Scarlett and Rhett put Wade and Ella to bed. Afterwards they went and sat on the porch and talked. It reminded her of the days when they would sit on Aunt Pittypat's porch and Scarlett said so. Rhett smiled and said, "Some of my most pleasant memories." Scarlett smiled back and said, "Mine too."

Then Rhett said, "Let's go to bed Scarlett."

And suddenly she didn't care if he was crazy or not, she was going to have relations with her husband tonight and she was happy.

The next day Dr. Fontaine dropped the name off of the specialist. She sent him a telegram requesting an appointment. His name was Dr. Samuel Adams. At the same time, she telegraphed Rhett's mother and told her there had been a change of plans he was staying with Scarlett. Dr. Adams telegraphed back and said he could see them in two weeks and gave her the time and day. She wondered how she was going to get him to Baltimore. Rhett's mother telegraphed telling Rhett to come to visit when he could.

She wondered how she was going to get Rhett to Baltimore and decided to just ask him to take her. That night after they had retired, she asked Rhett to take them to Baltimore. Rhett agreed and didn't ask any questions. When they made love, she told Rhett she loved him and he told her he loved her too. Scarlett decided she could live with this and went to sleep. Rhett fell asleep quickly also. He had nothing to disturb his slumber. His wife loved him and he loved her and they were expecting a child what could be better. The next two weeks was a wonderful time for Scarlett and Rhett. They talked, they made loved, they planned for the future and they never fought. Rhett teased her a little bit but there was no malice in it. Scarlett was pretty sure she didn't want the other Rhett back but she was going to take him to Baltimore and see if there was a cure. She knew they could never go back to Atlanta. There were too many people who would continue to tell him the truth. She didn't want him to know the truth. She like their life now. She sent a telegram to Henry Hamilton telling him to sell her house and the store. The other property she would hold on to for now.

Scarlett, Rhett, Wade and Ella got on the train to Baltimore. Rhett had secured them a private railcar which was a lot more comfortable. Rhett was telling them about all the things there were to see in Baltimore and how much fun they were going to have. This man was not her Rhett. He was happy, fun loving, and wonderful. He was easy. There were no gotchas. He never made fun of her in a mean way. He was sweet. She needed this man as he was. Wade and Ella seemed to like this version of Rhett too. She was not sure she wanted him cured.

They arrived in Baltimore and he took them to a lovely hotel that had just recently been built. They got a suite. She came up with a plan. She told Rhett that Wade was having memory problems and Dr. Adams was a specialist in the field and they had to take Wade to him. She told him that they were lucky because Dr. Adams said he could work them in. She could not go alone Rhett had to go with her which he gladly did. Dr. Adams talk to Rhett a long time. If Rhett thought it strange that the doctor was talking to him instead of Wade, he never indicated it.

The doctor told Scarlett that Rhett had selective amnesia. He could remember everything but the things that were too painful for him to remember. Dr. Adams felt that Rhett blamed himself for his daughter's death and could not accept that responsibility. The likelihood of ever remembering the last five years was highly unlikely but Scarlett had to take him away from anyone who would make him face the truth. Being made to face the truth would probably result in him disassociating with reality completely. Scarlett asked, "Why did this happened?

Dr. Adams said, "Some people are just not that mentally strong."

Scarlett asked, "He doesn't remember the last five years but he accepts we have been married for five years. How is that possible?"

Dr. Adams said, "He has made up his own version of the last five years. When he gets new information, he changes his memories to fit the information but he never remembers the memories he is blocking out."

Scarlett asked, "Can he be cured?"

Dr. Adams said, "There isn't anything we dare do to make him remember the last five years. His brain is too fragile. He may one day remember it all but I doubt it. He would have to deal with his grief and guilt. He may have moments when he remembers parts of the last five years. Just act as normal as possible."

Scarlett asked, "Do we need to see you again?"

Dr. Adams said, "Only if it gets worse or gets better."

Scarlett took her little family back to the hotel. When Rhett asked her what the doctor said she told him that everything was going to be alright. It was just a phase Wade was going through.

Rhett smiled and said, "That's a relief."

Scarlett said, "Yes, it is."

There was a conspiracy of silence between Wade, Ella and Scarlett. Scarlett had told them everything Dr. Adams had said so they could never mention Bonnie again.

Scarlett knew Rhett would be with her for the rest of his life and they would have a good life but she was still a little bit sad that to achieve this peace Rhett had to lose part of himself.

Scarlett telegraphed Rhett's mother and told her to meet them in Baltimore. When she arrived, Scarlett explained everything to her. Rhett would never be able to return to Charleston because he had taken Bonnie there and the memories might harm him. Scarlett could see Mrs. Butler felt the same as she did, they had lost something they would never get back.

Rhett continued to manage his finances and continued to amass money. He functioned as normally as the next person. Scarlett just had to be sure no one ever mentioned Bonnie.

In the next year their son was born he was name Gerald Rhett Butler. He looked a lot like Rhett to which Scarlett was grateful. Rhett was ecstatic. He said to Scarlett. "I guess I just wanted it to be a girl."

Scarlett smiled and said, "Maybe next time."

And Rhett said, "Maybe next time."

They had another child two years later and it was a little girl but she had turquoise eyes and also looked like Rhett. Scarlett convinced Rhett that she should not be Bonnie. Her name was Elizabeth Katie.

They had another boy two years later and he was named Nicholas James. He looked a lot like Scarlett with blue eyes. After Nicholas was born Rhett told Scarlett he didn't want anymore children and they started using a form of pregnancy protection.

They traveled the world. They would stay in one city for about a year to eighteen months then she would notice Rhett getting nervous and fretful. Scarlett would then say I want to move somewhere else and they did.

Scarlett convinced Rhett to settle in Boston so Wade could go to school there.

Rhett said, "I've never had a problem with living in Yankee land." Rhett did not get nervous or fretful in Boston but one day at the dinner table he was staring intently at Nicholas. He turned to Ella and said, "Do you remember that little girl you used to play with all the time when we lived in Atlanta?"

Ella looked startled but said, "Yes. I do."

Rhett said, "I remember she was always at our house. You two would play dolls and have tea parties."

Ella said, "Yes we did. We had a lot of fun together."

Rhett said, "We would take her to the park with us. We were always going to the park." And he gave Ella a smile.

Ella said, "We had some good times together."

Rhett said, "What was her name?"

Ella said, "Bonnie."

Rhett angrily said, "That's right. What kind of parents would let their daughter spend so much time with us? They were not very responsible parents. What happen to her?"

Ella said, "She died of typhoid fever when I was seven."

Rhett said, "Oh that's sad," Rhett turned to Scarlett with an angry expression and said, "I bet her mother wishes she had spent more time with the child."

Scarlett swallowed, "Oh Rhett, we would be so devastated if that happened to us."

Rhett looked at her then shook his head and said in a kind voice, "Yes we would, my love."

That was the first time Rhett spoke of remembering anything about Bonnie. Scarlett remembered what Dr. Adams had said, 'If Rhett remembers anything, he will somehow make it fit his version of reality.' And he had. Bonnie wasn't his daughter but Ella's friend and therefore it was safe for him to remember parts of his time with her.

Every time Rhett would remember something about Bonnie, he would talk about it then he would fit the memory into his form of reality. As the years went by it happened less and less. Rhett appeared to remember fewer details of Bonnie's life. It became easier and easier for Scarlett to hide the truth from Rhett. This was bitter sweet for Scarlett because there was less chance of Rhett having a complete break from reality but it also hurt her to know that he did not remember the daughter he had loved so much.

Rhett was a loving father to his children and his stepchildren. Rhett was a loving and kind husband to Scarlett. They had a good life. Scarlett was happy most of the time but she had moments when she wished she could share her sorrow with Rhett especially on Bonnie's birthday or the day of Bonnie's death but she could not. There was no one to share her pain with or share her memories.

Author's Note: Selective Amnesia is a real psychology disorder. There is no treatment for it even today.