Author's Note: I have finished posting the parts of the story that were already written, and I am now writing new parts. Chapter 4 and 5 were new parts and that is why they have been taking longer to get on here. I also had finals this week so that delayed things a little. Writing the new chapters, however, shouldn't effect how often I update too much. It might take an extra day, but I will get these chapters up to you as soon as possible. Sorry for the inconvenience and thanks so much for all of the comments!

Chapter 5

They got back to the room and Scarlett fell on the bed.

"Darling, I think I'm going to rest for a while. Do you mind?"

"Of course not, seeing as you didn't get much sleep last night,"

Rhett laughed to himself and Scarlett blushed a bright red at his forwardness.

"Well my dear, while you are resting I have some business to attend to. I'll be back in about an hour."

Business to attend to… the words gave Scarlett bad memories, but she quickly got over it when she realized he couldn't do much damage if he was only gone an hour.

"Alright, but please hurry back!"

"Now darling why would I want to be away for you for long?" Rhett replied with a smile on his face.

Scarlett laughed. She couldn't help but feel excited after what Rhett had just said.

I've waited so long to hear him say that…

"No! No! Please don't! Rhett!"

It had almost been an hour since Rhett had left. Scarlett had been resting and finally went into a deep slumber, when she started to cry in her sleep.

Rhett just got back and ran into the room when he heard the cries. He rushed over to Scarlett and started to sooth her.

"Scarlett, honey, wake up. You're having a nightmare. I'm here."

"Rhett! Please! Help!"

"Scarlett, wake up!"

He shook her gently and Scarlett's eyes opened suddenly. Still traumatized by her dream, Scarlett grasped Rhett tightly and started to sob uncontrollably. Rhett held her in his strong arms, wondering what she was dreaming of and why she was screaming his name.

After a few minutes, the sobbing started to cease. Rhett pulled away to face her, his curiosity starting to grow deeper.

"Now Scarlett, do you want to tell me what you were dreaming of?"

Scarlett still seemed to be scared.

Out of anyone, I guess I can tell Rhett. He always knows what to say…

"Well, Rhett when we were walking into the lobby, a man seemed to look at me very oddly, and it somewhat frightened me. Ever since what happened at Shantytown, every time a man looks at me that way it makes me nervous. When I went to sleep I had a dream that he…he… took advantage of me. I was so scared Rhett, and I wanted you to come and save me but you didn't…"

Rhett wiped the fresh tears from Scarlett's eyes and took her back in his arms.

"My dear, believe me, I won't let anything happen to you. I don't want you to feel unsafe in any way, do you understand me? As long as I'm here you are going to be the safest that you have ever been in your life. Nothing is going to happen to you, trust me,"

Scarlett let out a sigh of relief as she took in his words.

Out of all the years I've been married to him, how could I have never realized how much he cared?

Rhett kissed her forehead and was going to get up from the bed, but Scarlett grabbed his arm.

"Rhett, I love you," She said with deep warmth in her voice. Rhett smiled as he took her hand in his.

"As I love you my pet," Scarlett put her arms around his waist and embraced him for quite a long time. They finally pulled apart and Scarlett suddenly realized she forgot to ask Rhett something.

"Rhett…" Scarlett started with a nervous smile.

"Yes my love?"

"I've been wondering ever since you've left, what kind of business could you possibly have if we are on a vacation?" She inquired with profound curiosity.

Rhett chuckled.

"Well, I heard a rumor and I simply went out to see if it was true,"

"What was the rumor, Rhett?"

"I heard gossip that there was an upcoming ball, so—"

"Is it true?!" Scarlett couldn't hold in her excitement.

A ball! I haven't been to one in ages!

Rhett tried to hold in his laughter at Scarlett's sudden change of mood, but he failed to do so.

"I'm happy to say; yes it is in fact true,"

"Oh Rhett, we must go! We have to!"

"Of course my dear, we'll go. I'm sure this means we will have another shopping day to get a new dress, is that correct?"

Scarlett smiled at the thought of buying a new dress.

"Well if you're offering…" Scarlett playfully replied.

Rhett laughed, took Scarlett's hand and kissed it. Evening was just starting to set in, and the pair was starting to get hungry.

"Would you like to go to dinner my dear?"

Scarlett had forgotten all about food when the news of the ball came. She realized, however, that her stomach had been growling for quite some time.

"Of course darling. Let me just get ready,"

"Be sure to change into something nice, I have a surprise for you," Rhett smiled.

Scarlett's green eyes twinkled at another surprise.

Surely it can't be any better than the news of a ball!

Scarlett took time to do an intricate hairstyle and picked out an emerald dress to match the green of her eyes. Rhett changed into a black suit, and once they were both ready, Rhett offered Scarlett his arm. She quickly took it, eager to see what surprise was in store for her.

What could it be?! Scarlett thought with elation.

They started on the streets of New Orleans, Scarlett's arm in Rhett's. Rhett tried to make conversation to get Scarlett to stop trying to make him tell his surprise, but the conversation always seemed to go back to where they were going.

"Please tell me Rhett, I'm dying to know!"

"You'll know soon enough, my dear." Rhett smirked at Scarlett's pout. He was right, however, because they were getting very close to their destination.

"Rhett! Are we almost there? My feet are starting to get sore from all of this walking," she said trying to butter Rhett up, wanting to get wherever they were going as quickly as possible.

"Yes my love, actually, its right over there," Rhett pointed to his right.

Scarlett gasped in excitement as she looked over to where Rhett was pointing.

How does he always know what I love? Scarlett thought as she kissed Rhett on the cheek.