This story is a big what-if, it's also my first attempt at GWTW Fanfiction. My first attempts were with Third Watch and Day of Our Lives. This takes place at the beginning of the book. What if Scarlett never loved Ashley. What if instead Rhett spent years in love with Melanie? (I know this is a real stretch, but I have some pretty innovative ideas on how it should go)

Scarlett O'Hara had never met a man she couldn't charm. There wasn't a man in Clayton County that could resist her, but she had never found quite what she was looking for in a man. Brent and Stuart Tarleton were both a lot of fun to dance with and flirt with, but were much too wild to settle down with. Cade Calvert was fun and he made her laugh, his sister was already her best friend, but she felt nothing for him. Ashley Wilkes was so smart and Twelve Oaks was her favorite place in the world besides Tara, but all that meant nothing to her. Scarlett wanted to fall in love.

She was sitting on her porch talking to Stuart and Brent who wouldn't stop talking about the war. Every boy she knew was excited about the war, but she could barely stifle a yawn. Who could get all worked up about fighting Yankees? She smiled at the boys brightly. "I just can't wait for the Barbeque."

"You're going to save us all the dances, aren't you Scarlett?" asked Brent, grabbing her hand.

"Maybe I promised all of my dances already?"

"Awe, come on honey. We'll tell you a secret." Stuart grabbed the other hand and Scarlett giggled a little.

"A secret? About who?"

"Melanie Hamilton."

"Who wants to hear a secret about that goody goody?"

"It's about Ashley Wilkes too."

"If you're telling me that they're engagement's going to be announced at the barbeque, well that's not a secret. Practically everyone in the county already knows that. Pa told me last night that the Wilkes' always marry their cousins. That's why they're the way they are, weak stock."

"Scarlett, you just have to dance with us, you just have to honey." Stuart got down on his knee. "Now don't make me beg. I've got another secret."

"Oh," she said coyly. "Tell me."

"Frank Kennedy…."

"I don't want to hear a secret about that old maid in britches."

"Just listen. Frank Kennedy is bringing a business associate of his who isn't received, not even by his own family. His name's Rhett Butler." Though she didn't notice it at the time, the moment his name was mentioned her pulse quickened. There was never anything quite as appealing as a genuine bad boy. She let go of the boys hands and started off to the path where she could meet her father on his ride home from the Wilkes' plantation. She vaguely heard Mammy yelling out the window but she paid no attention. She wondered along the path until she heard the thunder of hooves. She heard a yell and watched her Pa jump the fence. She smiled and laughed.

"Katie Scarlett, you've been spying on me, and I suppose you'll be telling your mother on me."

"Of course not Pa. I'm no tattletale like Suellen. I came to ask you how you're visit at the Wilkes went. Are they ready for the Barbeque tomorrow?"

"Aye, they are."

"Were there many people there?"

"Yes. Melanie Hamilton and her brother Charles."

"Frank Kennedy?"

"I thought that Frank Kennedy was your sister's beau?"

"Well, he is."

"You aren't after your sister's beau, are you Katie Scarlett?"

"Of course not Pa. I was just wondering about something the Tarleton boys told me about his business associate."

"The Butler blackguard?"

"Is that who it is?"

"No more questions about him. You stay away from him, do you hear me? He is a very shady man, daughter. He's not gentleman."

"Of course, Pa. I just wanted to hear about the scandal."

"Well, that nothing for your ears I'm afraid. Now let's hurry or Ellen'll be having both our heads." The rest of the night went quickly and in no time Mammy was fighting about the dress she wanted to wear.

"No, you ain'. It ain' fittin' fer mawnin'. You kain show yo'

buzzum befo' three o'clock an' dat dress ain' got no neck an' no

sleeves. An' you'll git freckled sho as you born, an' Ah ain'

figgerin' on you gittin' freckled affer all de buttermilk Ah been

puttin' on you all dis winter, bleachin' dem freckles you got at

Savannah settin' on de beach. Ah sho gwine speak ter yo' Ma 'bout

you."

"Don't you dare. If you tell Mother, I won't eat a bite." She grabbed a biscuit and started eating it as her father started to yell. "I'm coming, Pa." She grabbed her parasol and ran down the stairs, not hearing Mammy grumble behind her.