"The Long Road"

AUTHOR: Melly (otherwise know as, RHETTLOVER!)

RATING: PG

EMAIL: GWTWindyChick3@juno.com

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

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

SYNOPSIS: blah, blah, blah, I am done!

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

NOTE: This is a longggggg one.

CHAPTER: 7.Unexpected Arrivals

Out of the many chores Scarlett could choose from each day, she hated

washing clothes the most. The continuous motion of pulling your arms back and forth

killed Scarlett's arms and left her with no choice but to switch every once in a while to

her weak arm. Ever since she had started this tedious chore, her hands were dotted with

blisters, calluses, and bled constantly. She also despised the sound that the old washboard

made. A constant swish up and then swish down filled her brain until she could not take it.

As the sun suddenly hit her eyes, she caught her finger in a buttonhole and nearly grated

her finger off. Wincing in pain, she pulled her finger out of the hole and massaged it

gently until she heard the floorboards behind her creaking. Turing around, she saw Rhett

standing before her.

"What happened to your finger?" he questioned as his eyes were directed

towards the small trickle of blood down Scarlett's finger. "Oh, nothing. I just slipped and

grated my finger on the washboard," Scarlett replied quickly not wanting to seem like it

was that big of a deal. Unfortunately, it was to Rhett.

"Come here," Rhett said as he pulled Scarlett to him. Gently taking her

finger, he pulled out his handkerchief and dabbed at her nail until the blood was gone. As

Scarlett tried to pull her hand away when he finished, Rhett grabbed the same hand by the

wrist firmly and said, "Turn over your hand." Almost afraid of the dark pools that stared

into her eyes; she reluctantly turned her hand over so it was palm up. Rhett's fingers

gently traced the creases in her palm and massaged the large calluses that had formed on

her fingers. "Scarlett," he whispered softly. "Rhett, its fine. I don't mind," Scarlett also

whispered, casting her eyes away from Rhett's. She figured he was referring to her hands

since he was staring at them like they were the most important thing n the world.

"Your hands. I remember holding them, long ago, when they were so soft

and white. But now, like everything else, the war has imprinted on them the memories of

that pain that wasn't so long ago." Rhett said this as his eyes filled with a deeper emotion,

something Scarlett could not identify. She had never heard Rhett speak so poetically. Of

course, everyone she knew had changed, so why could not Rhett.

Rhett came back to his senses as he replied, "But why dwell on things you

can't change?" Slowly dropping her hand he cleared his throat. "The reason I came out

here in the first place is because I am going to town for the day. So, don't expect me back

until after dinner." Surprised at his sudden venture to town, Scarlett's eyes widened.

"Why are you leaving?"

"If it bothers your pretty little head, I thought we all could enjoy a little

change around here. Therefore, I am going to buy each of us a surprise. What it is, I can't

tell you yet, but you'll find out." Mad that he'd be all alone with no one to talk to,

Scarlett folded her arms and put on her best pouty face. "I don't want you to leave, Rhett.

I'll need.". Before Scarlett could finish her speech, Rhett interrupted, "Do I sense that

someone will be missing me?" Sardonically smiling, Scarlett glared back at him. "No. I

just need your help. But I don't care if you ever come back at all now," Scarlett retorted,

throwing her head back as she turned to walk away. "Don't worry my pet. I'll be back,"

Rhett laughed as he got up on his horse. As Scarlett watched him with her hands folded

and eyes bright, Rhett Butler rode away down the road of Tara.

************************************************************************

Scarlett continued washing the rest of the clothes as everyone else

prepared for dinner. Remembering the song she was singing last night with Rhett, she

began humming it again. It was so strange how one thing could be stuck in your head,

even though you didn't really know what it was; just that you knew it was there.

Thinking about this realization, she didn't even realize that a man was walking up Tara's

road.
A stirring pebble brought Scarlett back to earth when she looked up and

saw the sandy-blonde-haired man that she knew always dwelled in her heart. Overought

with feelings, she rose form her chore. She didn't know what to say. It was like.she just

couldn't describe the feeling. It was like she didn't miss him. As if it were a terrible sin to

think such a thing, she threw it from her mind and figured that she was just shocked that

Ashley was back.
Remembering herself, she embraced Ashley and whispered," Welcome

home, Ashley. We have all missed you so. Please come inside."

************************************************************************

Scarlett glanced up from her "rare" meal of chicken and the "usual" peas.

She thought she heard her name, but no one was looking at her, so she continued playing

with the overly cooked peas. Melanie, who had chosen to join everyone at the table

because of Ashley's arrival, was chattering like bird. Every three minutes or so she would

remind everyone that her "precious Ashley was home, home at last". Besides Melanie's

constant jabber on talk of things that made no sense, conversation was dull. Ashley

looked so old and changed as he watched Melanie with what Scarlett thought was

agitation, but what was really patience and love. Scarlett wished Rhett were here. He

could always spice up the conversation. She hoped that Rhett would bring her Bon-Bons

or maybe something special like a new dress.Dreaming about all of the possibilities, she

definitely heard her name this time and looked up.

Almost every face was staring in her direction right now. Embarrassed she

sweetly asked, "I'm sorry.I am so tired, did I miss something?" Melanie, trying to

rescue Scarlett from even more embarrassment cut in, "No, Scarlett dear. I was just

telling Ashley about how brave you were, helping Beau and I make it here, safe from

harms way. We also have Cap'n Butler to thank for that." Melanie continued on about

what had happened to Ashley, but Scarlett chose not to listen. Just at the mere mention of

his name, she ached for Rhett's company. Quietly excusing herself from the table, she

stole outside and left a confused group of diners behind her.

Once she reached the haven of the outside air, she collapsed into the

nearest chair and placed her face in hers hand. What confusion she was feeling right now.

Mixed feelings were flowing in and out of her brain and she didn't know what feeling

went with what person. She was still brooding over the way she felt when Ashley arrived.

What if she had fallen out of love? Could such a long time of separation do that to ones

love? How could that happen, though? Never could she fall out of love with Ashley

Wilkes, the one man she truly loved. It simply had to be something about him being gone

so long.

Then there was Rhett. He always seemed to enter Scarlett's mind. She

admitted that she did have a certain attraction towards Rhett but never feelings of love.

He was almost like a friend. He was always there to dance with her, comfort her, save

her, rescue her, criticize her, compliment her.she thought of all things that Rhett did for

her when the largest one came to mind. Rhett loved her. It was obvious. Everything he

had done. Taking her and Melanie out of the hell that was sure to kill them in Atlanta,

always showing her such a good time. Why didn't she ever realize it before. With this

new thought of Rhett's love toward her another thought entered her mind Could she,

Scarlett O'Hara, ever love a skunk like Rhett Butler.

Scarlett brought her hand to cover her mouth as this new realization hit her

with the force of a bullet. She loved Rhett! Her mind was spinning now and she clearly

organized her thoughts. It made sense. Why was she always longing to hear his voice? To

see his flashly smile? Hear his crude yet hilarious remarks? To feel his touch? Scarlett

touched her lips as she remembered that feeling when Rhett kissed her, that longing to be

somewhere.then, she didn't know where, but now she knew. It was to be in his heart.

Always, she wanted to be loved like Rhett. They way no one else could have ever loved

her or spoiled her or comforted her. That's why she was missing him already. Not caring

if Sherman himself were watching her, she jumped of the chair, picked up her skirts and

ran towards the end of the long road.

Scarlett knew just where to wait for Rhett. The rock where she had always

waited for Pa seemed to be calling for her. When she finally reached it, she plopped

herself down and slowed her breath, till she was able to think straight again. How could

she have ever thought she loved Ashley? Of course! Ashley was the last link to her

childhood. The childhood that was so simple and uneventful. The life that had no

adventure. She wanted to hold on to her past and used Ashley as her link to those days,

but no more. She didn't need any of that life. All she need or ever wanted right now,

more than anything, was to see Rhett Butler, riding down the road, ready to take her away

from it all.

But why would her feelings about Rhett be any different from those that

she had for Ashley? It was because Scarlett had changed. She wasn't the Southern Belle

anymore that never took a man seriously before in her life. She was now Scarlett O'Hara,

the woman who had faced death and was now ready to take on love. She had such a

mature feeling of love for Rhett that she could hardly bear it. How stupid she had been,

never to have before seen this love that was so passionate. Yet, it was not her fault.

Stupid, dreamy Ashley Wilkes always stood in the way of everything was right.

Scarlett knew just what to do. Knowing that Rhett loved her, she'd tell

him everything, and then he could take her away from Tara, away from the life she no

longer wanted to live. Dreaming about Rhett's reaction, she was awoken by the pounding

of hooves. Jerking her head up, she saw Rhett coming down the road until he stopped

right next to her. "Whoaaa." she heard him yell. Standing up immediately, her face was

shining brighter than ever. Rhett jumped off the horse and walked towards Scarlett.

"What are you doing here Scarlett?" Scarlett's face was so bright, her eyes twinkling, her

lips redder than ever, her beautiful smile lighting up her face. Rhett wondered.

Scarlett felt like the stupidest person in the world. She replayed Rhett's

question in her head. 'What are you doing here?' What was she doing here. She was

waiting here to tell Rhett that she was madly in love with him. She wasn't just going to

say that! Her pride made her back down from her confession and Rhett watched Scarlett

's face in confusion as she was desperately searching for words. "I-I was just.waiting

here for you-to tell you that.that, Ashley is back." Scarlett regretted her words the

second they left her mouth. Rhett's face became angered as he recovered from the blow.

"Well, that's too bad," Rhett replied casually. "For I won't be able to chat with him

long." Frantic at what he was trying to say, she grasped his arm tightly. "Whatever do

you mean?" she asked, desperate. "I mean that I am leaving, and right away," he said

with no emotion. "Why are you leaving?" she pleaded, gripping his arm even tighter.

"Does it matter? You've your precious Ashley, there's no use for me now." He pulled on

the reins of the horse as if he were ready to leave. Scarlett wanted to jump up and down

and scream "No. I love you, not him," but her pride stopped her and she just stood there,

watching Rhett walk back toward the house with the horse. If anyone were close enough

to Scarlett O'Hara Hamilton, they would see a single tear sliding down her cheek.