Eye to eye

Chapter 3

Scarlett couldn't help but look at the man she adored lovingly. She let a smirk grace her beautiful features and held her head up high. Rhett's dark eyes skimmed across her voluptuous figure and he couldn't suppress the spark of appreciation that lit up his face.

She smiled and coyly averted her gaze. When she looked back at him she found him still staring. Smiling at the nearest familiar guest she moved away.

That's it. She thought. He's had his eyeful, now let him think of how he's going to get more!

Then, as quickly as she appeared, Scarlett disappeared to mingle with the familiar guests of Belle's birthday party.

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It was at least an hour into the party before Scarlett saw Rhett again. But after keeping an eye out for him she was relived to find him standing beside an impossibly large fountain.

He appeared to be lost in thought however, and didn't seem to hear her approach. The silvery moonlight bounced across the shimmering liquid and Scarlett stopped to look at him, realizing for the first time how unhappy he looked.

Clearly that unhappiness was for Bonnie.

But didn't he realize that their child's death had torn her up as well? Didn't he understand that she loved her first, and what was now proclaimed to be her only daughter as much as he?

It suddenly stuck Scarlett why their marriage didn't work; they were both to selfish, to unforgiving to make a perfect match. And briefly she wondered how they lasted as long as they did without killing each other.

Brushing her thought's aside she progressed toward him, only to have him draw away from the fountain and return inside. She caught a glimpse of his frame walking up the stairs through the window.

She watched him closely as she followed. He was standing on the landing, overlooking the crowd of laughing; gracefully dancing people that milled in the ballroom below.

She thought that her still hadn't seen her as she came up behind him, still hidden in the shadows that masked her presence there…

But alas, he knew her to well…

" Look at them Scarlett." He said mournfully. "All dancing and happy. No one cares about what happened to her. No-one remembers Bonnie-Blue Butler."

Scarlett wanted to console him. To tell him everything would be fine. That he had her, Bonnie's mother to help him through this difficult time…

But sadly no. Once again the viper inside her took hold of her. " Well it is all your fault. You gave her that goddamn animal! How can you expect her to not try to jump the pole? She idolized you! You knew she did! You gave her everything she needed to kill herself and you know it!"

Scarlett wasn't sure what exactly happened next, all she knew was that one moment Rhett had spun and took hold of her, the next he had pinned her against the decorated wall, both of them were hidden by shadows.

" I loved her, you know I did! I may have given her what she needed to kill herself, but at least I gave it to her out of love! She never saw you. You were always making money that we didn't need. You may have birthed her, but you were no more her mother then Mammy is mine!"

Each word bit, stung and hurt when it was hissed. She gazed up into the swirling depths of the large brown orbs and her fighting spirit returned to her.

" Get off of me." She spat; realizing for the first time his whole body was pressed into her own.

His mouth twisted into a wry smile and he opened his mouth to retort when…

"Rhett? Rhett honey where are ya?" The southern voice of Scarlett's old rival called.

Immediately they drew away from each other and Rhett, with his eyes still on Scarlett, called back to her.

Belle then walked round the corner in her flowing white gown, looking as much of a constipated swan as always. Well in Scarlett's opinion she did anyway.

The two women glared at each other as Belle progressed toward them and looped her own arm around Rhett's.

" Well sugar all the guests are here now so ya can have that dance." She said slowly, watching Scarlett's reaction.

And Scarlett understood.

The two were together now.

They wanted her to see them as a couple.

Fuming she turned and in her hurry to escape them tripped slightly on the hem of her skirts.

Rhett caught sight of this and chuckled a little. Belle who stood just beside him shook her head in a mock sympathetic way. "Oh Scarett." She said sweetly "Why ever did you wear such a dress if you are to trip over it?"

"Well you see the thing is I could have worn my crimson silk dress all the way from London but I thought what's the point me getting all dressed up when I can save the dress for a special occasion." She explained.

The two in front of her chuckled, and Rhett remarked " It's good to see you back to your old self Scarlett."

At that moment Ashley (no doubt trying to keep he peace) appeared, handing Belle a punch and Scarlett one also, but whispering in Scarlett's ear " I put in a little brandy too, I thought you might want something a little stronger."

Scarlett sent a grateful smile his way and looked toward the other two, Belle was standing with her mouth open and Rhett looked as though her were about to strangle Ashley.

It was the latter Scarlett took pride in.

Rhett must still have some feelings for her!

As Ashley walked away Belle let her nasty views be known. " Well that must be a record, Melly hasn't been dead a year and already Scarlett's making moves on Ashley!"

Breathing heavily Scarlett could contain herself no longer. The hand that held the little glass cup sprung forward and the red, sticky liquid of the glass container flew at Belle who, in shock, stumbled back into Rhett's arms.

The long, golden strands of hair darkened to a deep brown and matted together and, horrified she looked down and the once snowy white dress.

She gasped. "How dare you! You…you will pay for this dress you jealous…you jealous…!"

" Oh Belle do silence yourself, not only will you give yourself a nose bleed, but you will give everyone here a headache!"

Belle fumed and screamed "This party is officially over!" before storming to her room and slamming the door.

Rhett and Scarlett watched the door for barley a second before he turned back to her. "That was a horrible thing you did Scarlett, you ruined her birthday!"

Scarlett gaped, " I am Horrible? Oh no Rhett Butler, it's you and that…that…thing in there that are horrible, hateful monsters! You invited me to this 'party' to show me just how perfect you were doing without me, just how brilliant life was without me around!" She turned and began down the marble steps. " So my dear I frankly don't give a damn how upset your little-,"

Scarlett broke off, gasping as wave upon wave of excruciating pain hit her…

…And hit her hard.

Then, for everyone at the party to see, Scarlett blacked out and her delicate form tumbled down the steps.

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It was midnight, and the Boulevard mansion was in silence until a piercing scream ripped through the air. Scarlett was breathing heavily, her eyes still fogged with sleep and wondering who was screaming when she realized that the sharp noise was coming from her own throat. In what seemed a far off place Scarlett could hear Rhett calling to Belle for a doctor, she heard the sound of the front door slam as someone left in a hurry…

Hours later, Rhett was sitting by Scarlett who was sleeping soundly now that the doctor had taken tests. Now the frail, vulnerable looking man that had helped Scarlett through what must have been immense pain spoke to Rhett and a tiered looking Belle in hushed tones.

"I'll have to confer with a few of my superiors, just to be sure if my suspicions are correct but you should hear from me soon. She should sleep for as long as possible, and shouldn't use her legs an awful lot. Given the circumstances, I know that you won't mind her staying here. If anything unusual happens, make sure to give me a call." He concluded.

"I'll see you out doctor." Belle smiled beautifully.

As Belle thanked the doctor and saw him to the door Rhett looked down on the woman he had once loved completely.

"Oh, Scarlett." He whispered. "What have you done this time?"

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Scarlett woke about noon. There was a note on the beside table she read out loud:

Scarlett,

Belle and I have gone to fetch some of your belongings from Tara, you are under the doctor's orders to not move around a lot so it seems as though you'll be with us for a while. We'll be back soon so please just try to relax a little.

Rhett XXXXXXXXXX

Belle and Rhett came back that evening they found Scarlett outside dressed in her horse riding clothing.

Scarlett looked lovely she had her hair to one side and her ringlets tumbled over her shoulder and her green emerald eyes glistened in the light. She was standing brushing a peach colored pony.

Scarlett wasn't out long when she felt as though she was being watched. She turned to find Rhett leaning against the stable doorpost.

"Where did you get that dress Scarlett?" He asked, his voice dangerously soft.

"Ashley came to visit to see how I was doing. He brought me a gift. Do you like it?" She asked her eyes never leaving his.

His dark eyes scanned her form, looked over the dress of dark blue velvet that hugged her slender figure. She was making him feel strange. Stranger then anyone ever had before, his throat constricted. "It's nice." He replied simply.

She smiled moved closer. "What happened last night? Ashley said-," She lowered her lashed, peering at him from between them. "Ashley said that I fell down the stairs."

He was lost in the pale green orbs. To lost to say anything coherent, so he simply nodded.

She chuckled softly, moved closer still. She was now so close he could feel her breath whisper across his cheek. Scarlett leaned in a little, her soft voice murmuring. "Wouldn't be the first time."

In a moment of madness he pulled her closer to him. Holding her waist he then began to twirl a ringlet which had been carefully tied up in a neat bow. His lips were almost an inch away from hers…

He was going to kiss her….

She was going to let him…

And then Belle's sultry southern drawl ripped through the air once more, freezing both in their tracks.

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There was dead silence as Belle poured the tea.

Across from them sat the doctor from the night before. He was an old man, at least in his late forties Scarlett guessed, a little on the thin side with a balding head of wispy white hair. He looked a little embarrassed about whatever he had to tell the three, which Scarlett deduced couldn't be that bad, after all she was feeling fine.

"Well?" She said sharply. "What is it? Am I dying?"

The little man looked shocked. "No. No, not at all my dear. I fact I have some rather good news, it's just, well it's a little shocking considering a woman of your…status."

"I am confused." Belle confessed. "What would her status have to do with anything?"

"Well…Ms. O'Hara…you are pregnant." He spoke softly.

Silence.

"What?" She asked quietly " That cannot be…"

"I think it's time you left, Doctor." Belle stood, regarding Scarlett through cold, calculating eyes. "Come with me."

As Belle and the Doctor left, Rhett and Scarlett stood to meet each other from across the room.

" Am I the father? " Rhett asked suspiciously

"Well of course you are." Scarlett snapped. "Oh my god what am I to do? My child's father is living with Belle Whatley and wants nothing to do with me…"

"I never have said that. I wish to be part of its life."

"Oh Rhett don't you understand?" She said, burying her face in her hands. "This child could cause my death, there is no way for us to keep it. It's too dangerous and I refuse to give up like Melly did!"

He took her shoulders and shook her gently. " That child is half mine and I will except responsibility for it-,"

"It is a scandal." She hissed. " It would ruin your reputation as well as mine. We are no longer married, So why do you wish to keep something that would have such a drastic impact on your life?"

Rhett breathed in sharply. "We must marry."

Scarlett's head snapped up. " What?"

He continued. "We must marry again, when the child is born we shall divorce and you will grant me full custody…"

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To be continued…