Rhett looked back to the children "Children maybe you should go unpack you things" he had noted their bags just outside on the porch. He smiled at them "Go on now" he said in a fatherly tone to his step-children.

Wade took Ella's hand as they ran up the stairs, servants following much slower carrying their bags.

Rhett turned his attention to the study "she must have retreated in there" he thought to himself as he began to walk toward the study. He paused at the slightly ajar door as he listened to muffled cries "What in the devil is she up to" he thought. He had rarely seen Scarlett cry in all the years he had known her. Could his just being there cause this. Straightening up, he knocked softly on the door "May I come in Mrs. Butler" he said in a sarcastic tone. He was not going to give her the pleasure of thinking he might be slightly worried about her.

Scarlett tried to compose herself, as she wiped away her tears and smoothed her dress. Closing her eyes in an attempt to prepare herself she answered "Of Course Rhett" she said in a light tone "this is your house too" she finished. She had not meant to sound so uncaring, but it was her only defense at the moment to deal with him.

Rhett entered the study to face her back as she stared out the window into the garden. He did not know what to say, a first for him.

Scarlett began the battle she knew would come "What on earth are you doing here Rhett?" she questioned, her voice even and controlled "I thought you made it perfectly clear you were not coming back" she finished, still not turning to look at him. "It will kill me again to see that look of hate and disgust in his eyes" she thought as she held on to the window sill, her knuckles turning white from the strain.

Rhett took in the tenseness in her shoulders and caught site of her hands clutched tightly on the sill. He had rarely seen her scared, but at this moment he knew he was witnessing Scarlett terrified. "And it is me that is the cause" he thought with disgust toward himself. Clearing his throat as he pulled a cigar from his coat pocket, he walked to the fireplace and struck a match on the mantle. As he puffed on his cigar he watched her, still not answering her question. He looked thoughtfully at his cigar before continuing to smoke as he finally broached the subject of his return "Well my pet" he began "I came back to keep appearances" his voice showing no emotion as he continued "I couldn't have the town talking about us, I know what your reputation means to you" he finished, noting her shoulders began to shake. In truth he had come to see if she had followed through on her life long lust, Ashley. The thought of Scarlett laying with that man sickened him, he still loved her, but he couldn't risk another attempt, too much had happened.

Scarlett stared out the window, fighting the tears that threatened to resume "How could he be so cold" she questioned herself "Well if this is the game he wants to play, I will not give him the pleasure of see me break" she turned to face him.

Rhett stopped his cigar mid air as he took her in. Her eyes were bright from her freshly shed tears, her hair slightly out of place from it's normal neat bun. She had lost weight. The fact was noticeable in her face.

"Really" she began trying to maintain a calm voice, but knowing she was failing "I didn't think you cared for reputations Rhett Butler" she still had one hand holding in a death grip on the sill "I thought my welfare was something you rarely thought about" she continued "after all wasn't it you who said I was quite capable of taking care of myself." She locked eyes with him.

Rhett braced himself, he knew what he was about to say would be beyond cruel, but then didn't she deserve it "Well my dear there is a solution to our unique problem" he began "You could give me a divorce and we could both be free" he set back on his heals and waited for her response.

Scarlett stood there, again she found herself numb from his words. Her voice came frantic and fast, hysteria filling her "A DIVORCE" she screamed. She no longer cared if the servants knew what was going on "DAMN YOU RHETT BUTLER! DAMN YOU TO HELL" she shrieked as she ran from the room, tears streaking her pale face.

Rhett stood there, slightly shocked by her outburst. He figured she would be upset, but then he was offering her freedom, freedom from him and their cursed marriage. He shook his head at her tantrum "I take it that was a no" he said quietly to himself as he threw the remains of his cigar into the fireplace. For the first time he looked around the room and took in the changes. He wandered around, still shaking his head at the lighter colors and opened curtains. Scarlett had always like the darker shades and rarely had the curtains pulled back. He found himself in front of her desk, staring at the stacks of paperwork piled neatly on it. He picked up the top papers and quickly scanned them, confusion filling his face "why does she have the financials from the mill here" he questioned himself as he set them down. A drink he decided, yes a drink would be nice right about now as he walked across the room to Scarlett's liquor cabinet. Upon opening it he found it empty. All the crystal decanters were empty, neatly dusted and placed on the shelves. He stood there, dumbfounded at the sight, had she completely emptied the house. It was then a familiar voice brought him back to the presence.

"Mr. Rhett" Mammy began as she entered the room "Yous won't be finding any of that in this house" her voice stern as she stared at him "My lamb done had all of it taken out."

"Why may I inquire?" he asked the older woman. He respected Mammy too much to correct her rudeness in questioning him.

"Miss Scarlett needed to" she answered in a more quieter voice "it was for the best" she finished as she backed out of the room to leave Mr. Butler to his thoughts.

Rhett stood there for a moment taking in her words before he left the study and climbed the stairs to Scarlett's sanctuary. He stood before her closed door, thinking of the ironic nature of it, she had always left him on the outside, but perhaps his behavior wasn't the best and he deserved it. He lightly knocked on the door. No answer. He knocked again, this time he spoke "Scarlett", another knock "We need to talk."