Disclaimer-I don't own any of the original GWTW or SCARLETT characters.

Rhett sat leisurely in the large chair which sat the parlor at Tara. In one hand he had a small glass of brandy and in the other he held a cigar, which he had been dragging on for quite sometime. Wade stretched himself out across the small sofa, opposite Rhett, read a rather thick book.

For the first time in a long while Rhett felt like he could relax. Ella was fine and healthy and looked to be on the path to a good recovery. He seemed to have redeemed the place in Wade's heart that he had once held, but then lost somewhere along the way. Rhett took drink of brandy and smiled as it began to take its calming effect. He was by no means drunk, or trying to be for that matter, but the small glass of alcohol seemed to calm and relax every part of his body. Including his mind, which had seemed to have been franticly thinking for some time the past couple weeks?

Rhett dragged on his cigar, and then followed by another sip of his brandy.

"Is it any good?" Wade asked, somewhat curious.

"What, this?" Rhett asked holding up his drink.

Wade nodded.

"Well its..." Rhett started. "Here."

Rhett smothered his cigar and held out his drink toward Wade.

Wade sat up straight and a confused look was displayed on his countenance.

"But I..." Wade stammered.

"But nothing son, come here and just try it." Rhett said.

Wade slowly got up and edged over toward Rhett. He took the brandy swifter which was partially filled and looked at it hard.

"Uncle Rhett, I don't…"

"Wade didn't you want to see how it tasted? Now try it for yourself." Rhett said.

Wade held his stare at the drink and then quickly brought it to his lips and swallowed quickly.

Wade's face displayed how the liquid really tasted. "Ugh! Uncle Rhett how can you drink that!"

Rhett laughed and patted Wade on the back. "Son, I'm not going to tell you that you will acquire a taste for it, because it will taste just as awful every time you try it. Although, sometimes you will crave such a ravishing, intoxicating poison." As Rhett was finishing his sentence he saw Scarlett descending from the stairs; another intoxicating poison.

"She's asleep now." Scarlett said almost in a whisper. "Now Wade you probably need to head on to bed too." Just then Scarlett noticed the brandy glass in his hand. "Wade Hampton Hamilton, what in the world do you think you are doing!"

Wade, still trying to get the brandy taste out of his mouth, looked in a confusing state toward his mother. Then he glanced down at the glass which lie in his possession. "Oh…uh…mother…I…" Wade stammered.

"Good grief. Rhett did you give him this!" Scarlett said taking the glass from Wade's hand.

Rhett grinned while Wade stood frozen. "I thought it would a good enough time as any to let him try it. Lord knows you and I have had our share of it.

Scarlett eyes were filled with poison as she looked at Rhett.

"Wade, you should be heading to the Fontaine's now." Scarlett said, but then remembered, "Oh, it's to late now. Well I suppose on night won't be too bad. Go on and wash your face and you can sleep in your room."

Wade nodded and began to walk off when Scarlett leaned down to let him kiss her cheek. He kissed his mother's cheek lightly and then said goodnight and went off to bed.

Scarlett watched as Wade disappeared into his bedroom. "Rhett! How could you give him that? He'll be wanting it enough without you giving brandy to him."

"Oh Scarlett, I was about his age when I tried it myself. He needs a male figure he can trust with that kind of thing."

Scarlett couldn't help but smile and she sat on the settee, where Wade had been sitting, opposite Rhett. She drank a quick sip of herself before sighing.

Rhett grinned while watching her. "Still a hypocrite." He thought with amusement.

The fire was burning in the fireplace making the parlor very warm and inviting. The soft sound of crickets chirping outside made a sweet melody. The window in the corner was open slightly and a cool breeze blew in bring smells of newly cut hay, fresh peaches in the orchard, and magnolia and jasmine. Rhett watched as Scarlett leaned back on the settee and the breeze blew soft tendrils of hair about her face. She closed her eyes when the wind blew in and took a deep breath as if she wanted to capture the scents and hold them forever.

Scarlett opened her eyes and noticed Rhett's eyes upon her. The fire played magically on his skin showing off muscular arms. Scarlett wished he would just reach over and pull her to him and hold her forever. Then, suddenly, that's exactly what he did. Rhett got up and in one stride pulled Scarlett up into his arms and kissed her passionately. She through her arms around him a returned his kiss whole-heartedly. Then Scarlett pulled away. As much as she wanted to continue kissing him, she had to resist. He was married; something the both of them had neglected for sometime now.

They both stood there. Both out of breath, scared and venerable. All their emotions were out in the open, unguarded and unprotected. Scarlett searched for some words of explanation, but couldn't find any.

"I…I…goodnight Rhett." She breathed as she crossed the room and headed up the stairs.

Rhett sat back down. He couldn't figure out what made him kiss Scarlett. Whether it was the night air blowing in or the way her hair blew innocently about her face.

Later that night as he was laying in bed he decided it was time for him to go home. Back to Charleston. Back to his wife. A wife he didn't love or come close to loving. Rhett wished with all his heart and soul that he could turn back time. Right up when Scarlett told him she loved him on their stairs in Atlanta. But what might have beens or what ifs could drive a person crazy if you thought about them to long. He new from first hand experience. Rhett closed his and tried to let sleep come, although to many thoughts were clouding his mind.

Scarlett to was in a restless state of mind. She too wished she and Rhett could be together. Why, they belonged together. They had a child together, even if he didn't know about it. But with Rhett married now there was no hope. Thinking of Cat made Scarlett miss her all the more. She hadn't had much time to think of Cat these past couple weeks while Ella had been sick. But now the little girl was all she could think about. Scarlett missed her so much it hurt. Then Scarlett made up her mind to leave for Atlanta and visit her baby. It had been so long and Scarlett had to see her.

"Tomorrow, darling, tomorrow. I'll see you tomorrow." Scarlett said as she feel asleep.

Ok guyz. I was going to stop right her but I am feeling generous so here is alittle more….better love me for it.lol

Rhett open his eyes as the sunlight began to seep into his room. He yawned and stretched and decided to get up. He told Dilcey to draw him a bath and that he would be leaving for Charleston shortly. Rhett got dressed after he bathed and was freshly shaven. He packed rather quickly in hopes to leave before Scarlett was up.

"You're a coward." Rhett thought to himself. "Leaving again, when the going gets tuff. Coward."

"Mist' Rhett, yous be leaving?" Dilcey asked.

"Yes Dilcey. Give my goodbyes to Scarlett and the children." Rhett said as he put on his panama hat.

"Yes sir, but Miss Scarlett done left."

"Left?" Rhett questioned as he stood in the doorway.

"Yes sir, she leftcha dis note." Dilcey said, taking a neatly folded note from her apron pocket.

Rhett took it and walked to the front porch and braced himself on one of the large columns. He unfolded the letter and began reading.

Rhett,

I have a matter in Atlanta I must see to. I will be back shortly; within the next day. Please stay with the children. Thank you.

-Scarlett

Rhett folded the letter back and stared at it. She was one step ahead of him. As he usually tried to be with her. Rhett walked back in the house and the a thought struck him. "Why in the world was Scarlett going to Atlanta for? She had nothing there. That he knew of." Curiosity plagued him.

Rhett had to know why she was in Atlanta. He would simply go crazy if he didn't find out. Then Rhett dropped his bags and headed upstairs. He opened Ella's door and walked over to her bed. She was still asleep; lost in peaceful dreams. Rhett gently brushed back her light red hair making her stir.

Ella woke up and smiled at Rhett.

"Good morning uncle Rhett." Ella yawned.

"Morning sweetheart." Rhett smiled, remembering waking Ella and Bonnie this way.

"Why are you waking me so early?" She asked, in between asleep and awake.

"Well darling, I had to tell you that your mother and I are going to town. We are going to get you a surprise."

"Really what?" She asked, excitement escaping her voice.

"Whatever you want darling." He said sweetly.

With her eyes closed Ella said, "Umm, a new doll. With a pretty pink dress."

"A doll it is then." Rhett smiled

"With a pink dress." She added.

"With a pink dress." Rhett repeated.

"We'll be back soon, sweety." Rhett said kissing her head and heading for the door.

"Goodnight…I mean goodbye uncle Rhett." Ella said

Rhett closed Ella's door softly and met Wade in the hall.

Rhett explained to Wade that he and Scarlett were going to Atlanta and would be back soon.

"Now you're the man of the house till we get back." Rhett said.

And Wade nodded. Wade followed Rhett out to the porch and watched as Rhett mounted his horse and began to gallop off.

Wade wondered were his mother was, if they were both going to Atlanta. But matters between his mother and his uncle Wade stayed clear off.

Rhett galloped his horse down the dusty driveway of Tara and headed on to the main road. All the while wondering what Scarlett could be doing in Atlanta right that minute. He would know soon enough, but kicked his horse on faster just the same.

So what do you think? Mad at me for stopping there? LOL