Another Lost Cause: The End

well, I still don't own GWTW. Also, forgot to mention, I don't own the poem in fic either, it was written by John Keats, of course, and is named "La Belle Dame Sans Merci". Thank you all so much for the great reviews; you inspire my muse, lol. Thanks, JLT

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She could smell the whiskey on him, even as she stood outside his doorway after returning home later that evening.

Wasn't that just like a man, to get drunk in some twisted attempt to forget one's troubles, to run away from them. And wasn't it just like Rhett to run away period? Just like he'd done today, just like so many times in the past that they were innumerable. Well, by God, she wasn't going to put up with it any longer. Cowards were meant to bend under the will of the strong, and that's exactly what she felt he was: a coward.

"What do you think you're doing?" Scarlett asked in shock and fury.

But he kept his back turned from her as he continued packing his suitcase, rocking slightly on his feet.

"You drunken fool. You think you can run from me? Do you honestly believe that by running away everything will be solved? Is that why you've spent nearly you're entire life running: because you're too afraid to face anyone or anything? she spoke acidly. "You make me sick." Scarletts breath caught in trepidation as she noticed he had paused his activities.

He hung his head for a moment before turning and looking her in the eyes. "You don't know me, Scarlett, so don't presume to tell me what I am or what I am not," he growled as his bloodshot eyes shot right through her.

"I don't have to know you. All I know is what you've done to me, and that's reason enough to label you as a coward," she returned. "Hell, if you weren't so drunk now you wouldn't be able to face me at all, would you?"

Rhett practically lunged at her as he grasped her arms tightly in his hands shaking her as his voice shook with emotion. "Damn you! You have no inkling whatsoever of what kind of personal hell I go through everyday, what kind of torture I've been through since the day I laid eyes on you. Run away from you? Christ, I wish it were that easy. Yes, you're right, I have been running my entire life. But I've always come back to you, whereas I've been able to escape everything else." He concluded with a strained voice, "I can't rid myself of you no matter how I try; You consume me, Scarlett. Every bit of you…and yet all you see is him. Do you have any idea how it feels, knowing that the one person you love more than yourself , doesn't give a damn in return? Can you even imagine how it would feel, living with that person, seeing that person on a daily basis, providing that person with their every wish and desire, and they still don't reciprocate in the least? I'd kill myself if I didn't escape from you from time to time," he ended with passion.

Scarlett stared up at him, bewildered and frightened by his speech, too moved to speak. But as he released her and returned to his bags, she found her voice once more.

"You're a liar," she accused as tears began to stream down her face. "You don't love me. I can't believe it. How could you-? No, it can't be true. I would have seen it-"

"Believe what you want then, Scarlett," he cut in heavily. "Why on earth would I show my feelings for you knowing you'd trample them?"

"Then why are you showing me now? Because you know it will hurt me more, is that why?" This was all to confusing. Scarlett thought dejectedly as she wiped at her tear stained face. "Fine just go. I don't need you. I-"

"Yes, I know you don't, you don't have to remind me," Rhett broke in coldly as he slammed the suitcase lid down and snapped it shut.

She ran forward and hit him in the chest with her fists, too emotionally wrought up to speak any longer. But as usual Rhett caught her arms in his and trapped her against him. She could hear the laughter rumbling deep in his chest and this only enraged her more. But as she lifted her face to his in order to express her displeasure she found Rhetts lips had descended upon hers. He kissed her as though he wanted to devour her, become part of her. One hand clamped against her head holding her warm mouth to his the other went round her waist holding her body tightly against his.

"I won't let you leave," Scarlett finally breathed out as they stopped momentarily to catch their breaths.

"You can't stop me," Rhett disclosed swiftly before reclaiming her lips. Scarlett ran her fingers through his thick hair holding his lips to hers even as she used him for balance. Her mind was beginning to swirl in that delicious way that only Rhett could create in her, but Scarlett fought desperately to cling to her mind. She wouldn't let him escape; she couldn't. So responded to him just as hungrily as he was to her, hoping that her actions would speak far louder than her words. Just as her legs began to sway underneath her, Rhett lifted her and brought her over to his bed. He pushed her dressing gown out of the way and made his way down her body, kissing her feverishly.

Scarlett raised her head off the bed in question as she noted that he had ended his journey and lay staring at her stomach. She grew uncomfortable with the intense stare he was giving her body and tried wriggling out from underneath him. He moved his lips back to her mouth once more as he gently laid a hand to rest at her slightly swollen belly. "Don't leave me again, Rhett. Please," she whispered, staring into his eyes intensely.

He swallowed hard then touched her face gently. "Tell me you love me, and I'll never leave again. I know you do, Scarlett, deep down. I knew it that night I took you, and I can see it now. But I need to hear it from you."

"I can't. I don't trust you, Rhett. How do I know you won't leave me again, the next time I do something to upset you." Scarlett tried to look away as she saw the pain that crept unknowingly into his face.

"Then go away with me. I'll take you anywhere you want to go, I'll give you anything you desire, Scarlett, as I always have. I'd give anything to get you out of Atlanta, to see the world. I would have loved to have had you by my side when I went to away with Bonnie. As much as I love her she doesn't fulfill my life as you should. If I could get you away from here, show you-" He paused briefly, "We were so happy together those days and nights in New Orleans, Scarlett, at least I felt we were."

She mulled over his words in silence. Yes, they had shared a measure of happiness together then. And how she missed it! She'd nearly forgotten what those days had been like, with Rhett lavishing anything and every attention on her and her alone. And to get away from Atlanta, from the old cats- everything.

"Yes, let's get away from here," Scarlett answered rapidly.

Rhett laughed lightly at her quick response. "I suppose you'd best get your things packed as well then, my pet. I've already prepared you see," Rhett quipped indicating the suitcase that had fallen to the floor.

Scarlett rolled her eyes. "You didn't plan this, Rhett Butler, so-" But she was smothered out by his persistent lips.

"Say you love me, Scarlett, or by God, I won't take you anywhere."

"Why would I even consider leaving with you if I didn't?"

"For your own personal gain?" he said with raised brow.

"Mmm. That is a rather convincing reason, Mr. Butler," she replied flirtatiously. She was about to make another coquettish remark when she became acutely aware of the look of almost painful waiting in Rhetts eyes. " I love you, Rhett. But I don't know you," she said quietly. "I don't understand why you love me either, after what you've said."

Rhett rose off the bed bringing her with his and held her to him closely. "I've always believed in lost causes, once they were really lost. And I'm pretty sure you and I fall under that category, my pet. And I've always believed that someday you'd love me as I do you, and perhaps, together we'd discover that we we're not just another lost cause, after all."

Scarlett smiled and rested her check against his. Finally they'd both have a chance to find the peace they deserved.

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The End.