"The Long Road"

AUTHOR: Melly (otherwise know as, RHETTLOVER!)

RATING: PG.I think!

EMAIL: melismelli_101_@hotmail.com

DISCLAIMER: I do not own GWTW, (unfortunately!) (

TIMELINE: After Scarlett has arrived at Tara during the War.

SYNOPSIS: You do not need one anymore!!

DISTRIBUTION: scarlettonline.com, fanfiction.net, network54.com.etc.

NOTE: This one is a midget. SORRY!

CHAPTER: 4..Sitting at her Feet

Sunlight danced around Scarlett's cream-colored walls. She awoke slowly,

savoring that wonderful feeling of waking up knowing the day is new. When she fully

awoke, she stretched out on her back and yawned loudly. She pulled herself up from the

bed and opened the windows to let in the sunlight's rays. 'I must have overslept!' Scarlett

thought as she looked at the pale sun near the middle of the sky. How could it be noon?

As she walked towards the door, she felt a sudden lurching in her stomach. Bending over,

she grabbed at her muscle and breathed in deeply. No wonder, she thought herself. 'I

haven't had anything since breakfast yesterday.' This was usually natural to Scarlett

considering the fact that she often skipped meals to give a share to the others that were

sick.

Scarlett walked lightly down the hall and a feeling of happiness this

morning, which usually was not the case. When she entered the parlor, she plopped down

on the settee and elevated her feet on the cushion. Humming softly to herself, she fiddled

with the lace on her nightgown, finding much interest in it.

As soon as she closed her eyes, Scarlett heard footsteps coming up the

hall. "Good Morning!" she called as they entered the parlor, not noticing who came in.

Keeping her eyes closed, he felt a slight decline to the settee and looked up to see Rhett

lounging next to her feet. Remembering the last time she was with Rhett she began

blushing the color of her name. Rhett, being the observant man that he is, noticed this and

began laughing. This made Scarlett feel comfortable enough to star4t a conversation with

him.

"Did I miss anything last night at dinner?" she questioned laughing

herself.

Rhett's face became serious as he asked "Scarlett, you shouldn't be

skipping meals," Scarlett laughed at this and replied "Rhett, how nice of you to worry!"

His face now had a smirk on it but Scarlett continued any way. "I do it a lot Rhett. There

are people in this house that need that food more than I do."

Rhett was surprised. It did not seem like Scarlett to be thinking of

someone besides her own precious hide. Deciding to not argue with her, he approached a

different, yet serious subject. "I can't help but ask, Scarlett. What was your purpose of

leaving yesterday during that intimate moment we were sharing."

Scarlett stared into those black orbs with a look of surprise on her face.

She hoped against hope that he would not ask. She could not just tell him that she was

thinking about Ashley and that she did not want to get pleasure from a man she did not

love. Scarlett opened her mouth and tried to speak. "Well.I.I'm" Her muttering was

cut off by a stomp.

Miz Scarlett, whut you doin' here." Mammy came trudging through the door and

placed her hands on her hips. "You knows better than to be wearin' yo nightgown in the

presence of a gempmum," Mammy pouted.

Scarlett gathered herself up, relieved that she didn't have to answer

Rhett's penetrating question. "Sorry Mammy," Scarlett replied insincerely. Mammy's

sharp gaze followed Scarlett out the parlor door. Scarlett turned and ran up the stairs to get

dressed as fast as she could and laughed inwardly as she heard Mammy scolding Rhett

about sitting at a lady's feet.

Scarlett changed in to her daily apparel of a stained, dirty and very

wrinkled calico frock. Doing her hair up as best as she could without Prissy, she stepped

out of he door praying that today would be a solider-free day. She was certainly tired of

taking care of others though she didn't really mind doctoring them. Being the belle she

was, she would flirt and laugh with the few men that had speaking abilities. Scarlett had a

full day of work ahead and was glad that Rhett was here to help now that he was better.

When she reached downstairs she was surprised to see everyone waiting

for her in the hall, including Rhett. Casting her eyes in a different direction, she set

everyone off on their orders. Pa would tend to there one and only horse that the Yankees

managed to leave behind. Suellen

and Careen were still overcoming the effects of the Typhoid but would help Prissy in

picking cotton while Mammy washed the clothes and made soap. Dilcey and Pork were in

town buying supplies with the $50 Rhett gave them for their hospitality. That, of course,

left Rhett and Scarlett with plowing. Scarlett knew it would be a long day.

TOLD YOU IT WAS SHORT!