"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: Forgot.read my other posts. DUH!

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

NOTE: I am almost done!

CHAPTER: 9.Calling For You

Rhett stared out the train window as trees blew by. Why did he think he

could visit Mother? All she would do is badger him about what was wrong and he would

have to explain everything to her. There is one thing he does not like and that is his Mother

prying into his love life that is now officially over. He thought over the millions of places

he could go to forget about everything. Rhett almost considered going to Europe. Then it

hit him.Belle. She's calm him down. After all, after drowning himself with brandy and

girls, maybe, just maybe, he could forget that Scarlett O'Hara ever existed.

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

Scarlett could hear soft voices flooding her mind. She thought she heard

Melanie's voice, but it soon drifted away to nothing. She felt a painful throbbing in her

head that she could not get rid of. Where was she? What had happened? She strained to

figure out her thoughts when she felt a wave of dizziness as blackness came over her.

* * *

Scarlett turned around and saw Rhett riding up Tara. Scarlett shook her

head. It could not be possible. Rhett left and would never come back. But as the rider

neared the road she was certain it was Rhett. Running as fast as she could, she ran out to

meet him. He jumped off the horse and drew her to him. They embraced and stood there

holding each other for the longest time. "Oh, Rhett!" Scarlett mumbled, her face buried in

his chest. He pulled them both out of their embrace and took her by the waist. "I know

Scarlett. Let's go inside," Rhett replied as Scarlett and him walked up the steps and inside

Tara. Scarlett was so overjoyed; she could barely believe he was back.

Rhett opened the door for Scarlett and led her inside. Tara was full of a

thick smoke that tingled her nose. Frightened she drew back against the door but there

was nothing there. Scarlett frantically turned around to see nothing but the smoke

enveloping her. "Rhett!" she cried out hearing only her own voice. "Rhett, where are

you?" she fell to the floor and crawled on her hands and knees searching for something,

someone, anyone. As she waved her hands around, her hands came in contact with

something. Moving her hand back to where it was she felt someone's leg. Thank

Goodness, she thought as she stood up and embraced who she thought was Rhett. "Oh,

Scarlett. You're so strong and full of life," drawled Ashley as he stroked her back.

Confused, she pulled away from him.

"Where's Rhett?" she replied full of confusion. "Where is he?!" she yelled

waiting for an answer. Ashley just stood there with that look of calm on his face. What

has happening? She turned around leaving Ashley standing there, in search of Rhett. She

yet again waved her hands in front of her when they hit against the door. Scarlett pulled

the door open in relief, only to find outside as dark and smoky and the inside. Scarlett felt

a presence behind her and turned to run. That someone was chasing her and she could

feel them getting closer and closer. "Rhett?" she cried in between broken sobs. Scarlett

stopped. She heard a faint galloping She looked behind her and saw a bleak figure of

someone on a horse.

The rider came closer and closer until they stopped and were within.

arms length of Scarlett. She strained her eyes and saw what looked like Rhett. She moved

closer and saw Rhett, smiling down on her with a slight smirk. "Good morning, Scarlett.

Or should I say evening. It is a little dark out." He paused as if expecting her to say

something. Scarlett was so terrified to say anything. "I suppose you should go inside, it

seems that your husband is waiting for you." Scarlett couldn't move but she managed

to whisper, "My husband? Who are you talking about?" Scarlett was desperate now.

What was Rhett saying. Rhett leaned down to where Scarlett could feel his breath on her

face. "Ashley," he said, just above a whisper. With this he sat up and rode off until

Scarlett could not see him anymore.

She fell to the ground overwrought with emotion. She once again lost

Rhett. She sobbed into her hands when someone began to gently shake her shoulder. Not

responding, the shaking became more insistent. Scarlett struggled from their rough grip but

soon light opened her eyes and she saw Mammy standing over her. "Miz Scarlett?"

Scarlett panicked and looked around at her surroundings. She was in her bedroom in her

bed, still in her clothes. Melanie, Ashley, and Pork were in here too. "Rhett?" Scarlett

whispered, confused. "Where's Rhett, I just-I just saw him." She drifted off when she

saw the confusion written on Mammy's face. "It's a'ight, Miz Scarlett. Yous jus havin a

bad dream, thas all." Mammy's words were soothing but she could sense that something

was wrong. "Where's Pa? I want to see Pa." Mammy's face changed and everything

came back to her. Jonas Wilkerson.his offer to but Tara..he left but.Pa--. Scarlett

gasped and choked back her tears. Pa was gone, her last link to the life she knew. What

could she do now, without him or Mother?

Scarlett fell back on the pillow, and muttered words in delirium. She heard

voices again but soon they faded and she was back to the same pitch black feeling she

once experienced.

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

When Rhett arrived at Belles, he received a hearty welcome from the

many girls that worked there. Many were offering themselves but Rhett did not need that

tonight. He needs a stiff drink and a poker game or two o stop thinking about that one

thing that clouded his mind. After searching a while, Rhett found Belle by a table flirting

with some men. Rhett laughed to himself. Belle was still the same. He walked over and

snuck up behind without her noticing. The men she was talking to looked at him in

confusion, probably because they were so drunk. Rhett put his finger to his lips and they

seemed to understand. Rhett slowly placed his hands on Belle's waist. She jumped,

quickly turned around and cried, "What the--?" Rhett stood back to watch her reaction.

Belle, seeing who her attacker was, placed her hands on her hips and said "Well, long

time, no see Rhett." Rhett, who was still laughing, just shook his head and followed Belle

upstairs.

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

Melanie softly walked into Scarlett's room. She lit a lamp which soon

illuminated the room. Walking over to Scarlett's bed, she noticed that Scarlett still hadn't

woken. Her face looked so pale. Her eyes had nags beneath them and her lips were dry.

Melanie stroked her hair. She was still wondering why Scarlett's was constantly calling

for Cap'n Butler in her delirious state. Melanie wondered if maybe Scarlett was finally in

love.

Melanie could tell that Scarlett had never truly loved Charles like she

loved Ashley. Melanie could only wish that maybe Scarlett had true feelings for

Mr. Butler. There were always talking and laughing with each other, she wondered why

she didn't see it before. But now that Rhett had left.she wondered what happened

between them. With Scarlett's Pa dying and her getting sick, it made Melanie wonder...

She hurriedly dabbed Scarlett's face with a washcloth and set off to her room. Melanie

sat down at the desk, took out a piece of paper, and began to write.

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

Rhett woke up to see darkness all around him. Last night was an

nightmare. Everything was reminding him of Scarlett. He went to play poker and

couldn't help but think of when Rhett took Scarlett's father and himself out for a drink

and came back completely unaware of where they were. Rhett left in the middle of the

game and began drowning himself with alcohol. Belle came in and asked Rhett if he

wanted to stay with her tonight. Rhett declined and tried to fall asleep. It was then that

the real nightmare began.

He closed his eyes and images of Scarlett flooded his mind. Scarlett at

Twelve Oaks, Scarlett at the Bazaar, Scarlett in mourning, Scarlett at the hospital,

Scarlett on Aunt Pitty's porch, Scarlett on that road to Tara, and Scarlett and him

kissing.He finally couldn't take it anymore and decided to drink some more. That's

when he finally fell asleep but only woke up to urgent knocking on the door. Agitated

that someone decided to wake him up, he put on his robe and sauntered to the door.

Slowly opening it, a man appeared, holding a piece of paper. He looked

flustered when he saw Rhett's VERY angry face and muttered, "I am so very- very

sorry Mr.- Mr.Butler. But you have a received a very urgent telegram from someone in

Jonesboro." The man handed the paper to Rhett. Who on God's Earth knows me in

Jonesboro. Then it hit him. Scarlett. 'She must need money,' he thought to himself.

Choosing to read it later, he thanked the man and shut the door. Lighting a lamp, he

poured himself another glass o brandy and opened up the telegram. He read it slowly.

Mr.Butler. stop. Scarlett sick. stop.

Calling for you. stop. Come

soon. stop. Melanie.

The glass fell to the floor and so did the paper. Rhett threw open the

door and ran down the hall knowing he had one thing to do.