Disclaimer: I own nothing regarding GWTW

Author's Notes: Thank you for all the reviews and feedback.

Chapter Seven

At the end of June, Rhett returned to Atlanta. As Rhett was walking to the National Hotel, he saw Scarlett walking with a soldier. They seemed awfully chummy. Before he could hide, Scarlett turned and saw him. She smiled and called to him.

Rhett smiled back. He guessed Scarlett's interaction with the soldier was innocent or she would not have called him over. When he reached her, she said, "Did you just arrive?"

Rhett nodded his head and lifted his trunk. He said, "Not thirty minutes ago."

"Wonderful. You must come to supper tonight."

Rhett decided that Scarlett's relationship with the soldier indeed was innocent, or she cared truly little for the man if she could so boldly invite Rhett to dinner right in front of him. Rhett said, "Of course. Six?"

"Yes, see you then. Come along, Private Benjamin, we must get back to the hospital while you still have the strength to make it back."

"Let me drop my trunk off at the hotel and I will walk with you just in case Private Benjamin is not as strong as you think he is."

Private Benjamin scowled at Rhett and said, "No, Sir. I know I can make it back to the hospital."

"Very well, Private. Scarlett, tell Dr. Meade there is a large box of hospital supplies at the depot with his name on it. He should go pick it up right away. I will come by tomorrow and discuss the cost with him."

"Alright, Rhett."

"I will see you tonight, Scarlett."

Scarlett had a smug expression on her face. It must have pleased her for two men to be fighting over her attentions. Rhett was sure that would please any woman. It would please him for two women to be fighting over his attentions.

As Scarlett and the soldier walked away, Rhett stood there watching them. When Rhett saw Scarlett turn around and look at him with that smug expression on her face, he thought, 'Damn.' Nonetheless, he smiled and waved at her when she smiled and waved at him.

Rhett did come to supper that night. Over the supper table, Scarlett said, "You must excuse us, Rhett, if we seem a little glum. Today is the second anniversary of Charlie's death."

"It would be understandable why you all would be sad on this day."

"I wonder if June thirtieth will ever be just another day."

"Probably not, Miss PittyPat."

"No, probably not. I still remember the days my father and my mother died."

"Let's not think about all the people you have lost in your life."

"You are right, Captain Butler. There are far too many of our loved ones who have died far too soon."

"Scarlett, what did Mrs. Merriwether think of the fabric for Maybelle?"

"She was overjoyed. Maybelle looked lovely in her wedding dress. It was a beautiful ceremony. Rene only got two weeks leave and that included travel time."

"The truth is Scarlett neither you nor I had much more of a honeymoon than Maybelle did."

"That is true."

"I wish Ashley would get a leave."

"That would be nice, Melly."

Rhett was actually happy that today was the second anniversary of Mr. Hamilton's death. That meant he could start calling on Scarlett.

Later that night when Scarlett escorted Rhett to the door, he said, "Will you allow me to escort you to the Merriwether's Saturday night?"

"That is fine with me, but Melly will have to continue to go with us. I don't want my mother to hear about me letting a man call on me especially a man with your iffy reputation."

"I'll have you know that I am received in all the finest homes in Atlanta."

Scarlett smiled and said with pride, "Yes, you are but we can't take any chances my mother will think it is improper although people are not behaving as properly as they were before the war started."

"Yes, it is hard enough for me to make it to Atlanta. I am afraid Jonesboro would just be too far."

"I don't want to be in Jonesboro either. It would not be nearly as exciting as in Atlanta."

"Is it Atlanta you find exciting?"

"Maybe it is the people who visit Atlanta. Now go."

"Let me kiss your cheek."

Scarlett gave Rhett her cheek, but it wasn't her cheek that he kissed. Scarlett didn't object to him kissing her lips but before he could deepen the kiss, she drew back. She said, "We can't give people a reason to gossip about us."

Rhett stepped out the door and said, "See you Saturday."

Rhett did go by the hospital to talk with Dr. Meade about the hospital supplies Rhett had brought to Atlanta. Rhett found Dr. Meade changing the bandages on one of the soldier's arms. Rhett was pleasantly surprised to find Scarlett with him. She smiled at him but didn't speak.

Rhett said, "I want one hundred dollars in greenbacks."

Dr. Meade said, "I have fifty dollars Confederate. That is all I have. You can have it all and I guess I can owe you the rest. If that is not satisfactory, you can take your supplies and sell them to someone else."

Rhett smiled and said, "Since the supplies are to save the lives of men who are fighting for the cause, I will take your fifty dollars and be satisfied."

Dr. Meade gave Rhett a grateful smile and said, "You are a fine man for all you are doing for the cause," The older man's statement made Rhett happy, but Scarlett's magnificent smile sent him over the moon with joy. Dr. Meade said, "Scarlett, go ahead and put new dressing on Sargent Matthews' leg."

"Yes, Dr. Meade."

"Come with me, Captain Butler, and I will give you your money."

Dr. Meade had already started walking off when Scarlett gave Rhett a little wave. Rhett waved back. He hadn't failed to notice that Sargent Matthew was frowning at him. That made Rhett smile as he hurried off to catch up with the older man.

As Rhett walked out of the hospital with the fifty dollars Confederate in his pocket, he thought, 'She is worth all the money I am losing," Rhett gave a chuckle when he thought, 'I would happily spend that amount of money on her to see that smile.

The Merriwethers cancelled their soiree after the citizens of Atlanta heard there was a battle being waged in Gettysburg, Pa. On July 2nd, everyone was at the town square waiting for news. Waiting for the lists. The lists of the dead.

Scarlett and Melly were sitting in their buggy in the hot July sun with their parasols over their heads. Just like every other woman in Atlanta.

The newspaper was printing the list as soon as they got news. People were so anxious for news they were ripping the sheets away from each other. Uncle Peter was able to get half a sheet, but it was the half with the 'W's' on it so all was well.

Melly thrusted the paper into Scarlett's hands. Scarlett silently read down the list. When she got to Williams, she knew that snob Ashley was not on the list. She said, "He is still alive. Let's keep praying." In almost half the buggies there was a mother or wife weeping. Melly got out of the buggy to provide comfort to the bereaved people.

Scarlett looked at the paper and started reading from the top. She started with Sanders and read down the list. When she saw that Brent and Stuart Tarleton's names were on the list. She started crying. She guessed neither India nor Careen were going to get their happy, ever after. She also started praying for Tom Tarleton's life. The Tarletons couldn't lose all their sons.

Rhett walked up to the buggy and handed Scarlett his handkerchief. Scarlett muttered, "Thank you."

"Is Mr. Wilkes on the list?"

"No, that pompous snob is still alive," Scarlett put her hand over her mouth. She had not meant to reveal that much.

Rhett burst out laughing. He said with a twinkle in his eye, "That is very good news, indeed."

Scarlett looked at Rhett and realized there was no way for her to maintain she was still in love with Ashley. She smiled and said, "Not for me but for Melly it is very good news."

"When can I openly start calling on you?"

"Not for another year."

"Alright. We will have to keep dragging Miss Melly with us everywhere we go."

"You wouldn't want to compromise me."

"I very much would."

Before Scarlett could speak, Melly was climbing in the buggy with Rhett's help. She said, "Captain Butler."

"I heard the good news. Your husband's name is not on the list."

"Yes, it is good news for me but so many others the news is horrible."

"Shall we leave Melly?"

Scarlett was still embarrassed about her gaffe and just wanted to leave.

"Just a minute, Scarlett. Captain Butler, I don't know if you have heard but the Merriwethers have cancelled their soiree."

Rhett said, "Of course. Will you be here tomorrow?"

"Yes."

"I will see you then."

Scarlett reluctantly smiled and said, "Alright."

Rhett did join them every day for the next four days. He stood by the buggy and told the ladies amusing stories while they waited for the lists to come out. On July fifth, Rhett said, "The fighting in Gettysburg is over. General Lee has retreated, and the Union general has let him without pursuit."

Melly said, "That is good news."

Rhett said, "I do have bad news for the Confederacy."

Scarlett said, "What?"

"The Yankees have taken control of Vicksburg yesterday."

"Go on."

"With the fall of Vicksburg two things have happened. Both are bad for the Confederacy. The Yankees have control of the Mississippi River and they have divided the Confederacy in two."

Melly said, "Does that mean the war is almost over?"

Both ladies anxiously looked at Rhett. He didn't know if they wanted the war to be over even if the South lost or they wanted the South to win the war at all costs. It didn't matter what they wanted the South was going to lose the war, but the generals and Davis would not surrender until they had no other choice because of honor. He sadly said, "I doubt it. The North is going to have to force the South to surrender."

"Oh Rhett."

Before Rhett could reply, Uncle Peter was there with the list. Rhett took the paper from him and said, "Allow me," The ladies watched as Rhett read the list. Finally, he said, "Mr. Wilkes' name is still not on the list. Not to be the bearer of bad news but we will probably not know for sure if Mr. Wilkes has survived for at least another week."

Melly said, "Yes, of course."

Rhett handed the list to Melly and the ladies started reading the list. After a couple of minutes, he said, "I will be returning to Charleston tonight. I have just stayed this long to be sure Mr. Wilkes was alright."

"Thank you for staying. I don't want you to leave but you must go make us some more money."

Rhett was cheered up with the unhappy expression on Scarlett's face. Actually, on both ladies' faces.

Melly said, "Will you have time to come to supper tonight?"

"Yes."

"When will you be back?"

"Before December."

"Alright."

"Tell Dr. Meade I will bring him some medical supplies when I return."

"Of course, Rhett. I will see you tonight."

"Uncle Peter, we are ready to go back to the house."

"Yes ma'am."

Rhett did come to supper that night, but he quickly left after he had finished eating. He said, "I have to go pack." The real reason was because he couldn't handle everyone being so sad and unhappy. He had never liked being around sad people. Soon he was on the train to Charleston.