Rhett slowly opened the door and entered Scarlett's sanctuary. Briefly glancing around the room, he found her laying on the bed curled up in a ball. He walked to the side of the bed "Scarlett" he began in a soft voice "We need to talk."

Scarlett buried her face further into the pillow, trying to hide from his intent stare "Just go away Rhett" her voice was muffled by the pillow "It is what you do best."

Rhett knew she was crying, and quite honestly didn't know what to do. Instead of saying anything he quietly retreated from her room.

Rhett left the Peachtree house that afternoon in search of a stiff drink and some time to think.

Evening found him returning to their home, if you could call that monstrosity a home. But then he thought "She had made some dramatic changes to improve the home" he smiled at that "Scarlett trying to make a home welcoming" shaking his head he entered the home prepared to do battle again with his beloved wife. Once in the house he caught the scent of dinner. He entered the dinning room to a scene he wasn't prepared for. Scarlett eating dinner with her children and having a genuine conversation with them. Rhett stood in the door watching the scene play out, that look was back in her eyes, that look of love as she looked at each of the children and seemed to take ever thing they said with honest interest. Rhett cleared his throat to gain everyone's attention "May I join you for dinner" he said with a slight smirk on his face. He watched the emotions play across her face. Surprise, anger and possibly love passed across her green eyes, then a mask carefully was put back in place as she answered "Why of course Rhett" she rang for the servant to bring his dinner.

Rhett sat down opposite of Scarlett and watched her. Watched her as she basically ignored his presence and continued talking with Wade about school. For the next hour light conversation filled the room, until the children were excused, leaving Rhett and Scarlett alone.

Rhett was about to speak, when Scarlett began "Rhett were you serious?" she questioned as she tried to hold her emotions at bay "about the divorce I mean."

Rhett took her in, her mask was breaking, he could see tears beginning to form in her eyes making them sparkle "It was an idea" he began "I would be giving you your freedom to chase your life long love" he hadn't meant to be so mean, but he was still hurting and he wanted to make sure she was too.

Scarlett let out the breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Fear had been what she was feeling as she asked the question, but now it was replace by anger. Anger at Rhett, herself and at the whole mess that was her life "I told you that I never really loved him" she spit as she began to rise from her chair "But no the high and mighty Rhett Butler won't give me a chance to prove that" she walked toward him and paused next to him "I know that I have acted like a spoiled child, but it is you that is acting like that now. You want to throw our marriage away" she paused as she tried to regain her falling composure "I realize there is probably little I can do to stop you from getting your precious divorce, but I refuse to suffer anymore than I already have" not giving him a chance to say anything she walked away. She paused as she got to the door, not turning to him she added "Since you think I have been running around with Ashley, why don't you just go and see for yourself Mr. Butler, I haven't set foot in the mill since before Melly passed" she walked out of the room as tears began to fall "I have lost him forever" she thought to herself "But I won't give him the satisfaction of seeing me cry again" she gathered her skirts and practically ran up the stairs to her room. Locking the door she went to her bed and collapsed "I have lost him forever" the only thought running through her head as she again allowed the tears to come "Will I forever suffer from the losses in my life" she thought suddenly as more tears racked her body "Damn it" she screamed not caring who heard.

Down stairs Rhett heard her slam the bedroom door and the click of the lock, a few moments later he heard her scream out. He really was not too impressed with himself at that moment. He had been the cad that she had accused him of being all these years. He was well aware of his own selfishness, but never considered the consequences of it. Resolving to see if she truly had stayed away from Ashley, he rose from the chair and again left the house, this time he took his horse and rode to the mill. He was going to find out from the cause of his marital problems himself, if Scarlett was speaking the truth. Deep inside he knew she was, but to accept it meant that he had judged her wrong and would have to admit it.

The ride to the mill took went more quickly than Rhett had anticipated. He dismounted his horse and quickly entered the mill. The first sign that Scarlett had not been there was the disorganized manner in which the office was found. She would never had allowed this. There sitting at his desk was the man that had held Scarlett's heart for so many years. Ashley turned to see Rhett Butler standing in the doorway, staring at him with a dark gaze.

Ashley stood and offered his hand "Mr. Butler" he began "it is good to see you."

Rhett did not take the offered hand, he instead walked past Mr. Wilkes to Scarlett's desk across the room. He took note of the dust build up "Has Scarlett not been in to keep an eye on things?" he asked in a cool manner, not taking the time to turn to Ashley.

Ashley sighed as he stared at Rhett before he answered "No Mr. Butler I can't say that your wife has stepped foot in this office since before my darling Melanie fell ill. She has had the books sent to her house and is managing her end from home." He shook his head in disgust at Rhett Butler. The man before him had destroyed his lovely Scarlett in more ways than one, she wouldn't even speak to him unless it was totally unavoidable "Truth be told Mr. Butler I do believe she is going out of her way to avoid this place" he paused before he said the next words, the words that made Rhett Butler visibly jump "and me."

Rhett stared at the desk as he listened to Ashley's words, letting them slowly sink in "Well then Mr. Wilkes it wouldn't bother you then, I mean since she has lost interest in this pass time, if we sold our half?" The question would answer more than one thing to Rhett, one that Ashley was willing to go it alone without being coddled by Scarlett and two that Ashley would relinquish any hold he had on Scarlett.

Ashley now stared at the floor. He knew the meaning of the question. He knew that Rhett must know now for sure his feelings toward Scarlett, how he had used her love for him over the years as sort of a security to fall back on. He also knew that he had to make a decision, since Scarlett had refused to see him, there was little hope that she still carried a torch for him and he had to let her go completely, just as he had with Melanie when he laid her to rest. His voice was clear as he answered Rhett's question "Yes Mr. Butler perhaps that is the best thing to do, isn't it?" he answered.

Rhett felt hope build in his heart for the first time in a long time at Ashley's words, he also began to believe Scarlett for the first time. He turned to face Ashley and took in for the first time how fallen the man looked, he was a shell of the man he had first met at Twelve Oaks so many years ago "Well then it is settled, I will have my lawyer draw up the necessary paperwork and sent to you" he turned and walked out without another word, leaving Ashley at a loss for words at the situation that had just occurred.