A/N: I am so sorry for the HUGE delay in this, I've been so busy and life is about to get so much more busy...

Gerber: I finally got another chapter up!

Catta: sorry it's taken so long!

Kristanna: well...this is what happens next...

svufanatic1234: thanks so much! Heres the next part!

Queenfan03: thanks! I had just finished reading Scarlett when I started this, so that's probably why...glad you like it!

Soña: I'm sorry you don't like this...but if you want it to go differently, id be glad to read your own fiction...at least I think that's what you were trying to say...you may want to consider spelling things in a recognizable way if you have more suggestions for me, I'd value more feedback!

CHAPTER FOUR

'''The air around Scarlett seemed to buzz as hot tears slipped down her cheeks. How foolish she

had been to think Rhett had changed, how stupid of her to believe that everything could be

better again. Her thoughts whirled, and she bitterly blamed herself for the mess she was in. If

only she had kept her temper, if only she had thought about what to do before this, if only Rhett

weren't so hateful...


'''Rhett moodily slammed his glass to the polished wooden surface of the bar. The bartender

looked at him with a pitying look, before turning and continuing to wipe the shiny surface of the

bar.

'''Slipping his hands through his dark hair, Rhett stared down at his reflection, which appeared like

a ghost in the gleaming surface beneath him. He had messed up so terribly already. When he had

set out to Ireland, he had sworn he would do everything in his power to get Scarlett back. I had

forgotten to take that temper of hers into account he mused, not to mention the none so

small fact that I have a daughter.

'''At this thought, his nostrils flared. True, it may have been too soon to address the issue of his

daughter, and she was rightfully part of him, but what had Scarlett thought, that he would stand

by watching his own child grow up thinking of him as nothing but a kindly stranger her mother

had married?

'''How can Scarlett expect to raise that child on her own? She barely has the sense to take

care of herself he smirked bitterly. Yet, so far it seemed that Scarlett had done well in the girl,

who was happy, healthy, and bright. Scarlett herself had changed too. Her shrewd business

mind showed clearly now, and she did not attempt to cover it with the façade of a Southern

belle and she had before. Something in her face had changed, it was hardened and world wise.

Yet, Rhett realized, for all these differences, he loved her more now than ever before. And he

would be a damned fool if he lost her again, he thought in sudden panic. Sitting up abruptly,

tossing a folded bill on the counter, he hurried out of the smoky barroom and headed quickly

back to the suite.


'''The tears had long dried on Scarlett's face, and in the moonlight, the only disruption to the

smooth expanses of white skin on her face were salty tracks the traced along her cheekbones.

Her breathing was slowing, and her eyelids began to droop slightly, when a crack of light

appeared across the room, widening, and spilling soft light over her form. The silloutte of a man

who had long haunted her dreams filled the doorway, and she blinked, disoriented.

'''Remembering their fight, Scarlett held her breath, preparing herself for the deluge of insults she

knew would pour from Rhett's mouth. Instead, she watched as he slowly stepped inside the

room and closed the door. As the light disappeared, Scarlett could see that this head was bent

over, he had not seen her awake. She closed her eyes quickly and slowed her breathing,

feigning sleep.

'''Rhett's footsteps sounded loud as he stepped across the floor of the silent room. Scarlett's

eyelids fluttered nervously, and she scolded herself mentally, trying to calm her heart. The

footsteps stopped by the side of her bed, and after a moment, Scarlett felt a large hand

smoothing back her hair, which was matted and damp against her cheek.

'''"Scarlett...Scarlett my love...how can I ever get you to forgive me for everything I've done to

you...you've changed since I saw you last, and I feel I don't know you anymore...but Scarlett, I

love you and I wish I could make you believe it..." he whispered brokenly to her seemingly

sleeping form.

'''Bending over, he kissed her forehead tenderly, and the Scarlett heard his footsteps moving

across the floor and then stopping. After minutes that seemed like eternity, Scarlett slowly

opened her eyes, expecting to see Rhett staring at her disconcertingly. Instead, she saw his large

form slumped over in a chair, his head bowed. After several more minutes, she heard him snore

softly, and she realized he was asleep.

'''Her own heart fluttering anxiously, Scarlett stared at the ceiling. A small smile formed on her lips

as she dreamily traced that place on her head where Rhett had kissed so lovingly. He does care

she thought rapturously, her mind spinning in a delighted eddy. There were so many possibilities

now that she knew, and she lay abed, wide awake until the first rays of dawn crept through the

window.