A/N Okay, guys, thanks for all the reviews. I'm really sorry for all the errors, I ran my spell check after I originally saved the story, I even added a different sentence, but my computer shut down on me, and I posted without realizing that it wasn't the updated version. As for sounding too much like the book, I have to admit I'm a little perplexed. Rhett was asking Scarlett if he could call on her so that he could visit Melanie and it wouldn't raise eyebrows with the old cats. Now on with the story, I hope this comes down half as good as I see it in my head.

The next afternoon brought Melanie good news, just as lunch was being served. Ashley was being given a furlough over Christmas. Perhaps they could all have a nice Christmas like they once had in the County. Scarlett only wished that they could have all the provisions they once would have enjoyed. The war had brought hard times on everybody and there wasn't anything like a holiday to make that evident.

Melanie and Aunt Pitty postponed their afternoon calling so that they could write letters back to Twelve Oaks and to a few other relatives inviting them to a Christmas celebration. Scarlett bristled a little bit as it occurred to her that times were rough enough without having to worry about extra mouths to feed and the extravagance a celebration like that might require. She loved a celebration as much as anyone, but the hours spent at the hospital taught her that they would never celebrate again like they once would have.

However, Scarlett couldn't complain that they were writing the letters. For the next few days she was taking a brief respite from the hospital, and she was enjoying time she could spend with Beau. Though she wasn't quite maternal with him, she did feel a joy from him. The difference in spending time with men who lay dying, and spending an afternoon with a boy full of life made Scarlett feel as though there was some hope yet.

Late afternoon came all too quickly, and Scarlett begged off calling with the three of them. A certain melancholy had come over her, and though she knew that both Melanie and Aunt Pitty assumed it was for Charles, Scarlett was really upset about Rhett. She had assumed the two of them thought alike, she thought that he would understand her in a way that no one else ever had. She supposed that was why she was so hurt when he asked if he could call upon her. Didn't he understand that she was full of pride, she wondered?

She sighed and looked out the window. It seemed that Atlanta was changing every day and not always for the better. The growth had ceased for the moment, and the tone was vaguely hostile. She turned away from the window. She didn't want to see anymore black or any other reminders of death. She was so deep in her thoughts, that she almost didn't hear Prissy tell her that she had a caller.

She told Prissy she would be right down, and looked in the mirror. She didn't hear Prissy tell her who was at the door and she was confused. She wasn't used to getting unexpected callers and she was ill prepared to receive anyone. Although she wasn't wearing one of her hospital dresses, the dress she was wearing was quite worn. There was no way of making herself much more presentable without Prissy's help, so she went downstairs to receive her visitor.

Before she saw anything but the back of him, she could tell that her visitor was Rhett. The times were hard and no one had any finery to wear, and the suit that he was wearing was new, or almost new. She cursed her heart for palpitating at the sight of him. She paused a moment before walking into the room, to make sure that her breath hadn't quickened. Her body betrayed her as it had every time she saw him, smelled him, or even heard mention of his name. She could smell cigars and whiskey and a hint of cologne and her stomach started to flutter.

A creaky floorboard gave away her location just outside the parlor, and Rhett turned to look at her. He had a vaguely guilty look on his face, and he was holding a small box, which he handed to her as she walked into the room.

"I think that an apology may be in order, Mrs. Hamilton. Please allow these chocolates to be a peace offering. I'm afraid I may have overstepped last night at dinner." His hand brushed hers and her pulsed raced even harder if at all possible.

"Your precious Melanie isn't here. I'm afraid that your trip is wasted," she said bitterly, and instantly regretted it. She didn't need for him to see how vulnerable she could become. "Would you like some tea, I could ring Prissy?"

"No tea, thank you," he said, waving his hand. "I knew that Melanie wouldn't be here. I had it on strictest authority that she'd be out calling this afternoon, I came to see you."

She looked at him skeptically, and laughed. "You must feel awfully desperate, to be so revealing. I'm sure that you hate how I hold the cards now. I would be lying if I told you I didn't enjoy making you grovel."

"Mrs. Hamilton," he started, but she almost immediately cut him off. "I believe that we are past the formalities, Rhett. Please, call me Scarlett."

"Very well, Scarlett," he hissed. "I'll never grovel for you." She laughed, and his face turned a distinct shade of red. She could almost see the steam coming from his ears.

"I'll bet that it's hard for a man like you to stay so gentlemanly. Although I'm sure you understand as well as I do that Melanie wouldn't believe anything anyone said bad about you, but if you love her half as much as you profess you wouldn't really chance that. I bet that you've turned into a proper gentleman, how very boring for you." If possible, his face got even redder.

"Scarlett," he started and she cut him off. "Such a shame to see such a handsome man making such a fool out of himself, chasing after a married woman."

"Mrs. Hamilton, I don't think it's any of your business who I chase after." She laughed lightly and walked towards him.

"I thought we were beyond that pretense, Rhett," she said, placing her hand on his chest and looking into his eyes. She was sufficiently pleased when she noticed his heart was beating as fast as hers. He pulled away from her and walked across the room. She smiled, wickedly and decided to go in for the kill. "Perhaps you're afraid that at your age the chase of a woman with a little spunk might be the death of you."

He crossed the room in a manner of seconds and pulled her into a passionate embrace. Scarlett was in such shock for a few moments, that she couldn't even take pleasure in it.

"Capt. Butler, what are you doing?" Melly asked, from the doorway. She had a very shocked look on her face. "Scarlett, are you alright? Really, Capt. Butler, I don't know what has come over you."

"Melanie, I apologize sincerely."

"Capt. Butler, I am not the one that you need to apologize to." Rhett looked over at a very flushed Scarlett and offered her a weak apology. Scarlett accepted it, and turned towards him once again.

"I think that it would be best if you leave, Capt. Butler, before my reputation is in tatters." He looked at her with what could only be described as fury, as he left the room.

"Good day Mrs. Hamilton. Good day, Mrs. Wilkes." As Rhett walked out of the room, and out of the house, it occurred to her that she never once mentioned Ashley's return. She smiled, evilly. He may be gone, but as long as he still thought he was in love with Melanie there would still be days she could torment him.

"I think I better go lay down before dinner, Melly." She smiled wanly and Melly patted her arm.

"Of course, Scarlett. You look a little peaked. I'll come up for you when dinner is finished." Melanie led Scarlett up the stairs to her room, and Scarlett laid down on her bed. She couldn't believe the Rhett kissed her and she couldn't believe how good it felt. She smiled to herself before closing her eyes. She was hoping that she could relive the kiss in her dreams.