Disclaimer: I own nothing in regard to GWTW

Author's Notes: Thank you for all the reviews and feedback.

I have never understood why Scarlett and Rhett were almost immediately on a first name bases, but Rhett and Melanie never were. It falls in the same category as why Ellen O'Hara always called her husband Mr. O'Hara, even in their bedroom.

Chapter Four

Once the town of Atlanta heard about the battle of Gettysburg, there was no more socializing for the next week. Starting July second, Scarlett went with Melanie to the town square every day just like everybody else. They sat there in the hot July sun with only their parasols to protect them from the sun. Yet they would continue to wait on the lists. Day after day Melanie was relieved that Ashley's name was not on the list.

On the first day, once Melly knew Ashley's name was not on the list, she left the buggy to offer comfort to Mrs. Meade who had lost her son, Darcy. On that same day, Scarlett had pretended to be worried about Ashley's name or any of her friends' names being on the list. She really wasn't. Other people, especially men, were just objects for her to use. Scarlett was disappointed to see the three Tarleton boys' names on the list especially Stuart's and Brent's. She had always been able to manipulate the twins like they were her puppets. Alas, she would have to find some more men to use.

Scarlett saw Rhett riding up on a magnificent black stallion, she thought, 'Speaking of finding another man to use, here comes my next victim.'

Scarlett put an incredibly sad expression on her face. Rhett said, "Was Mr. Wilkes' name on the list?"

"Fortunately, no but I recognized far too many of the names."

"At least, your true love is safe."

Scarlett gave him a sad smile. She said, "I do have that to buoy my spirits."

Rhett told Scarlett about some of the things he saw while being in France. He made a few jokes, but Scarlett didn't laugh although she had wanted to many times. That would have been incredibly inappropriate which she knew was why the man was trying to get her to laugh. Soon Melly was back to the buggy. Melly greeted Rhett and they exchanged a few pleasantries. At last, Scarlett said in way of goodbye, "We will be here tomorrow waiting for the list once again, Mr. Butler."

"Rhett."

"Scarlett"

"Melanie."

"Goodbye ladies."

With that Scarlett drove away. The ladies were at the town square every day for the rest of the week until they were convinced there would be no more list of casualties. Rhett did come by the house a week later. The conversation in the parlor of the Hamilton House was depressing. All Melanie and PittyPat wanted to talk about was the men that were dead that they had known. No matter how many times Rhett tried to change the subject the two ladies brought it back to the dead of Atlanta. Scarlett would have been happy to talk about anything but the dead, but she had to pretend to be grief stricken also.

Rhett was cheered by the looks of frustration he saw on Scarlett's face every time the subject was changed back to that morose topic. As Scarlett walked Rhett to the door, he said, "I will be leaving tomorrow morning. I can't take any more of all this grieving."

"When do you think you will be back?"

"Probably before Christmas. I have to give you your Christmas present after all."

"Yes, you do, Rhett."

As Rhett rode to The Painted Lady, he decided that if he could be in Atlanta full time then he would quickly get the fair Mrs. Hamilton in his bed. He would have relations with her and finally get her out of his system.

Scarlett decided that if Rhett lived in Atlanta full time, she could have him eating out of her hand in no time.

After Charlie had been dead for two years, it was proper for Scarlett to wear color again. She went home and got all her dresses. She made sure to pack the white dress with the green flowers on it. She knew it would go perfectly with the green hat Rhett had given her. She was finally going to get to wear it. She spent a month with her family, but it was so terribly boring at the plantation that as soon as that month was over, she hurried back to Atlanta supposedly to do her part for the war effort.

All through the fall, working at the hospital got harder and harder. The men were gravely wounded and so many had to have their arms and legs amputated. Sadly, just because they somehow made it through the surgery didn't mean they would survive because infection set-in on too many of the young men. There were far too many of the wounded that the doctors didn't even bother to operate on. The doctors knew there was no point.

One of the young men who was dying had Melly write the boy's mother. The boy told his mother and father about how much he loved them. About how much he missed them and their family farm. Before Melly mailed the letter, she wrote the mother of the boy's final moments. She assured the mother that her son had not been alone when he died.

A few weeks later, Melly got three yards of gray material from the boy's mother. The mother had been planning on making a jacket for the boy. Since he didn't need it anymore hopefully Mrs. Wilkes could use it. Melly was going to make Ashley another jacket out of the material.

Melanie said, "Your yellow shawl would make a perfect sash for Ashley."

Scarlett with a regretful expression on her face said, "I would gladly give up my shawl so Ashley could have a new sash, but if Rhett ever learned I gave away one of his gifts he would be so hurt. Especially to another man, even if that man is my brother-in-law."

Melanie got a remorseful look on her face. She said, "You are so right. That would hurt Rhett's feelings. I certainly don't want to do that. He has been so kind to us."

"He most certainly has. Now, let's forget all about it."

Scarlett wasn't giving up anything so Wimp could have something special and certainly not her new shawl. She loved it with the parrot on the back.

Ashley was getting a leave at Christmas. Scarlett was going to Tara for Christmas. She didn't want to spend Christmas with the Wilkes.

Rhett Butler arrived in Atlanta the first week of December. He called at the Hamilton House and Scarlett gave him a nickel for the purchases he had made for them.

Once Rhett was seated in the parlor, Melly excitedly said, "Ashley is getting a two-week furlough. He is going to be home for Christmas."

"That is wonderful."

"My in-laws are coming up from Twelve Oaks to celebrate Christmas with us therefore everyone is going to get to see Ashley. Scarlett has volunteer to go to Tara so that there will be plenty of room in the house."

With a smirk Rhett said, "How very self-sacrificing of Scarlett."

"Not at all, Rhett. I always spend Christmas with my family."

Scarlett decided that she would marry Rhett. He was a handsome, sometimes charming, often funny man although he was mocking far too often. Nonetheless he was always rich. Once she brought him to heel, he would be an acceptable husband.

The rest of the conversation was pleasant. Rhett called a couple of more times before it was time for him to return to Charleston. Rhett was no longer received at the gentry's social activities therefore he did not escort them to any of these activities.

The night before Scarlett was to leave to go to Tara as she walked him to the door, she said, "Thank you for the green material. It will go perfectly with my hat."

"Yes, it will. I saw you the other day heading into the hospital in the green hat. You did look quite fetching."

"Thank you, Rhett. I'm sorry I don't have a gift for you."

"I understand. There isn't much to purchase these days."

"I don't have much money either."

"I am going to sell my ships and get out of the blockade running business."

"What are you going to do instead?"

"Aah. Something that will make me a lot of money."

"Alright," Scarlett put a hopeful expression on her face. She said, "You will return to Atlanta, won't you?"

"Of course."

"Goodbye now."

"Goodbye for now."

In February, Melanie thought she was with child. Scarlett hoped she survived giving birth to a child. Afterall, she had the body of a twelve-year-old. Scarlett didn't know for sure, but she thought Melly's hips weren't any wider than a twelve-year-old boy's hips which was not a good thing for an expectant mother.

In the middle of February, Melanie found out that Ashley had gone missing. She was beside herself with worry. Rhett found her wandering around by the telegraph office. Rhett brought her home. PittyPat put her to bed. Rhett told Scarlett, "I have a couple of contacts in Washington. I will try to find out more information."

Scarlett put her hand on his arm and said, "Thank you, Rhett. Melanie will appreciate it."

Rhett looked at her hand on his arm and he smiled at her. He said, "I'm sure you will appreciate it also."

"Of course, Rhett. I am worried about my ….. friend. Thank you."

For the rest of the week, Dr. Meade had confined Melanie to the bed. The only thing that kept Melly in the bed was Dr. Meade telling her she could lose the baby. A week later Rhett called at the house. He told Scarlett, "I have news about Mr. Wilkes."

"What is it?"

"He is at Rock Island."

"Rock Island? That is the worst Yankee prison."

"Indeed, it is."

"Thank you, Rhett. I will go tell her now."

"I will call tomorrow."

"Fine but bundle up. We will have to sit on the porch unless Melly is feeling up to joining us in the parlor," Scarlett flashed Rhett a smile and added, "Aunt PittyPat will not join you in the parlor."

Rhett smiled. He said, "Which I am grateful for."

"Ssh. Ssh. She might hear you."

"What do I care if she hears me?"

Scarlett laughed and said, "Get out of here now before you have stayed too long for an innocent visit."

"Do you care so much what the matrons say?"

"Yes, but not in the way you mean. I must toe the line, so I get to stay in Atlanta. If I misbehave my parents will make me return to Tara."

"And that would be awful."

"For both of us."

Scarlett pushed Rhett out the door. He was smiling as he rode his horse to Belle's. Yes, he was making progress with the fair Mrs. Hamilton.

As Belle watched Rhett walking cheerfully into the establishment, she knew he had just seen Mrs. Hamilton. It seemed that the fact that Rhett used whores didn't bother Mrs. Hamilton in the least. Rhett had not visited her bed very often in the last several years. In fact, since the Hospital Bazaar where he had run into Mrs. Hamilton again, Rhett had not used any of the whores in the establishment. She knew he was using them in other cities but not here in Atlanta where Mrs. Hamilton might hear about it. Rhett might be able to fool other people, but she knew he was completely gaga over the woman. He was also very fond of Mrs. Wilkes, but Belle could understand that. Mrs. Wilkes was an extremely nice woman. Strangely when Rhett talked about Mrs. Wilkes, she saw the gentleman he was meant to be. There was nothing more she could do to break up Rhett's relationship with Mrs. Hamilton. Rhett would never quit chasing the woman. He was too egotistical to ever think he could not win the girl. That was why Belle had tried to get Mrs. Hamilton to stop receiving him like every other proper woman in Atlanta. Despite appearances to the contrary, Belle guessed Mrs. Hamilton was more involved with Rhett than Rhett knew.

Melly was better once she found out that Ashley was still alive. She came down to the parlor and thanked Rhett for all his help. Scarlett always laughed inside as Rhett transformed into a gentleman when Melanie entered the room. Melly went back to working at the hospital although Dr. Meade started sending her home more often for her to rest.

In the spring when the weather got warmer the trio would sit on the porch and talk. Often Aunt PittyPat would join them because she was bored and lonely.

Occasionally as they were sitting there, Dr. and Mrs. Meade would walk by on their evening constitutional. They would speak to the ladies and pointedly ignore Rhett. Rhett would not be ignored. He would contribute to the conversation even if the Meades did ignore his comments.

Other people would come by and visit with the ladies. Some ignored Rhett while some included him in the conversation.

In June when Sherman started bombarding the city, Scarlett wanted to go home to Tara, but her father told her not to return there was an epidemic going through Clayton County. Aunt PittyPat left Atlanta on the first train she could get on. Dr. Meade would not let Melanie travel that far. The ladies stayed in Atlanta.