I forgot to do this on chapter 1. But I do not and will not ever claim to own any of the fabulous characters or plot of GWTW, I just play with them to satisfy my imagination.

Ashley and Scarlett returned to the house after their short walk. They stopped just inside the main entranceway. Ashley broke his hold on her and spoke. "I think now that the ladies are beginning to awaken, I will go find Melanie and talk to her. But do me a favor dear; do not mention our little arrangement to anyone yet, alright? I just couldn't bear to hurt her any more then I already am going to."

"Oh fiddle de de." Scarlett moaned in exasperation. "She'll be fine. Such a sweet little thing will surely get over this easily. But ok Ashley, I'll keep quiet. Meet me back in the library afterwards." She flashed him a dazzling smile and he couldn't help but agree.

With that, Ashley left in search of his soon-to-be ex-fiancé. Scarlett was floating on a cloud. With a slight grin on her face, she whirled and she twirled there in the entrance hall, imagining how wonderful life would be with her beloved. She stopped when she heard a man clear his throat.

"Ahem.." Rhett began, "My dear Miss O'Hara, how lovely to see you again in such a short span of time."

"You!" she cried out. "Why is it that you seem to ruin the happiest moments of my day today? Oh nevermind, you cannot ruin this one." And with that she approached a mirror hanging on the wall and began to adjust her dress and hair, smiling at her reflection.

Rhett approached her quickly and soon was standing behind her, staring into her reflection's eyes. "You may not know it yet, but I will be the one you will be fantasizing about in the future, mark my words." His words held no sarcasm, but they were dripping with playfulness.

Scarlett closed her eyes momentarily to gather her thoughts. How can I make this wretched man go away? She turned to face him with nothing but innocence on her face. "Why Captain Butler, how do you know I don't already?"

But Rhett had been expecting something like this. "Because my dear, if you were, you would have been throwing yourself at me in the library instead of the honorable Mr. Wilkes, who is at this very moment breaking the unfortunate news to Miss Hamilton." He knew he had quieted her when her face lit back up at the thought of Ashley breaking things off with Melanie.

This may be tougher than I thought. Rhett thought to himself. Just then, Melanie Hamilton walked out of a nearby room slowly, and then went to sit on a window seat on the far side of the main hall. "If you'll excuse me Miss O'Hara, I feel it is my duty as a gentleman, or a scoundrel perhaps, to go feign ignorance and comfort Miss Hamilton. Good day to you." And with a curt nod, he strode across the room.

"Good day to you too." Scarlett mumbled as she watched the scene. On the one hand, she couldn't help but feel a little sorry for Melly, she really was a sweet lady. But on the other hand…. Ashley was really and truly hers! At this, she clamped her hands together and went back to the library. She lay on the couch and awaited Ashley's return; he should be there any second.

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Melanie Hamilton had never been more heartbroken in her life. She had never been the most popular girl with the gentlemen, so having the affection of one as remarkable as Ashley had made her feel heavenly. And now… now he was breaking things off with her? Had they not been talking jut the previous night about their announcement to be made at the dance tonight? And had he not seemed just as enthusiastic about it as she had? Now with all of this war talk, he had decided to back out on her; but promised to return to her after the war. He 'didn't want to leave a wife at home knowing that he may never return.' Melanie was a very understanding woman though, so she couldn't fault her love for this outlook. But she also couldn't pretend she didn't feel this torment ravishing her heart. She covered her face with her hands and leaned on the window.

"Miss…Hamilton I believe?" She sat up startledly.

"Why… Mr. Butler, how nice to see you." She said as she quickly wiped the tears from her face and offered him a faint smile.

What a strong woman. Rhett thought. He approached her and knelt on the ground at her feet. "Whatever is the matter? What could have distraught you so as to have you crying into the windowpane?"

"Oh… it's Ashley!" she said heavily. She didn't know why she was telling him this, she barely knew this Butler man. But she desperately needed someone to talk to about it…. "He just broke things off with me, and we were supposed to announce our engagement tonight!" and she then went on to relate the details of the break-up.

Rhett pretended to be shocked. "There, there, dear." He said as he patted her arm and pulled her into a surprisingly un-awkward brotherly embrace. "It's alright. Maybe he was just looking out for your best interest." He said the last bit half-heartedly. Secretly, he was wondering just why Ashley had buttered the break up this way. Wait till Scarlett finds out…. But he shook that thought out of his mind. He had to concentrate on cheering Melly up.

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The door to the library opened hesitantly. Scarlett immediately sat up. "Ashley there you are, I've been wondering what was taking so long!" She got up and kissed him quickly.

Ashley however didn't respond; he just sat down in a nearby chair. "Scarlett we need to talk." He continued when he saw he had her attention. "I…. I told Melly that we were just postponing our marriage; that I would come back to her after the war."

Scarlett fiery Irish temper exploded. "Why the sam hill would you tell her that?"

"Because, I just couldn't stand to break her heart by telling her that I didn't love her... that I love you."

"Well, you're going to march right back in there and straighten things out. Do you realize that as long as she thinks that she's waiting on you, we can't be together?"

"Yes Scarlett I realize that we cannot be together… in public." He said this slowly as if judging what her response would be.

"Oh I get it. We can be together secretly, like this." And with that she sat in his lap in the chair and placed her hands on his chest.

"Exactly."

Scarlett couldn't believe what she was hearing! Not only had Ashley not been honest with Melly, but he was suggesting that he wasn't even going to properly court her! So, she did what felt natural in the moment. She slapped him with all of the fervor she could muster. Then she jumped up from his lap. She was about to yell at him some more, when she heard a familiar voice outside the room.

"Why Miss Melly, I heard rumor you were engaged, but I never would have thought it was to him!" Frank Kennedy said in wonder.

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"Why Miss Melly, I heard rumor you were engaged, but I never would have thought it was to him!"

Rhett looked up from where he was still kneeling at Melanie's feet, holding her hand to his lips. It took a couple of seconds for what Frank was implying to dawn on them. But just as Melanie did realize it, she saw the door to the library open and a very disgruntled Scarlett stormed out, followed by a heartbroken looking Ashley. Melanie suddenly became very jealous, something that wasn't in her nature. And in feeling this way, she did something completely rash and unthinkable, making sure that Ashley could hear her.

"Why yes, Mr. Kennedy, we are. Though I am more then surprised that you figured it out." She laughed in a way that she hoped would come across as carefree.

In the meantime, Rhett was staring at Melanie in complete shock. Did she just say what I think she just said? "Miss Melanie, I must insist we go somewhere to talk… privately." And with that, he stood and firmly pulled her to her feet as well.

"Oh Rhett, how you do carry on. Well if we must darling, come right this way." And with that she led him out of the room.

Scarlett had watched the whole scene with interest, and didn't miss the look on Rhett's face. She knew what kind of game Melly was playing at; she'd done things like that her entire life. Ashley, however, looked more confused than he had the entire day. This was going to be an interesting night to say the least.

A/N: Ok so hopefully this story will interest some of you. The plot has been running around in my mind for a while now, and I just finally decided it must be written. Well, please R&R, I cannot read your minds! Ch3 coming soon.