Disclaimer: I own nothing regarding GWTW

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

This is the last chapter. There is no Epilogue this time.

I enjoyed writing this story. A story where Scarlett was a step or two in front of Rhett.

The Maltese Falcon is a novel by Dashiell Hammett. Scarlett description of that statue is from that novel.

Chapter Fifteen

In April, Scarlett learned that Betsy, her friend who was with child, had died. When Scarlett had asked, "How?"

"From a miscarriage."

Scarlett knew it wasn't from a miscarriage but from the procedure Betsy had done to rid her of the child. She decided right then and there that if Rhett got her pregnant, she must have the baby. She couldn't risk killing herself to rid herself of a child. She wouldn't even kill Rhett. She loved him too much for that. She might tell him someday when he did something that especially pleased her.

Later that month, Rhett suggested they go to Europe for the summer. Scarlett agreed. Rhett had contacts all over but mostly in Paris and London. They had fun in Europe seeing all the sights. They went to Riga and were invited to several parties. At these parties there was a Count Michael Romanov who claimed to be related to the Tsar of Russia. Rhett let Scarlett be flattered by the Count and wandered around speaking with several people he knew. He also flirted with a few of the women. He kept an eye on Scarlett also.

That night after they had been intimate, Scarlett said, "Do you know about the Maltese Falcon?"

"Vaguely. Refresh my memory."

"The Count told me about it. It is a golden statue encrusted with gemstones that was made in the 1530s by the Knights of Rhodes as a gift for the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V to thank him for giving them the island of Malta."

"I remember now. It was lost at sea when the ship that was carrying it went down in a storm."

"Allegedly lost at sea. The Count says he has it in his home and would be happy to show it to me."

"I wonder what else he wants to show you."

"You know what he wants to show me. Let's steal it."

"Why would we want to steal anything? I can buy anything we want."

"You can't buy this."

"You really don't need it."

"It would be so thrilling to steal it."

"You know if we get caught, we wouldn't go to jail. The Count will just kill us right then and there. Well, he will kill me right then and there. You, he would have his way with you then kill you."

"Rhett, we could do it. Here is my plan. Get him to invite us over for supper with him and his wife."

"That Miss Melly look alike?"

"Yes. Then I get him to show me the Falcon by promising a reward. As soon as he gets the Falcon out of its case. You break into the room and knock him out. I run away with the Falcon. You run after me. Nobody will know the Falcon is missing until the Count is revived but by that time we will be in Stockholm."

Over the next two days Scarlett kept trying to get Rhett to agree. He would never know why he had finally agreed. He guessed when he found out that Scarlett had already accepted a supper invitation at the Romanovs, he knew she was going to try to do it with or without his help.

As Rhett and Scarlett arrived at the Romanovs that night for supper, they found that there were at least fifty other people at the Romanovs home. They had supper which was many courses. According to the custom, Rhett and Scarlett were not seated next to each other. Scarlett was seated next to Mr. Romanov while Rhett had been seated next to two rather mature women.

After supper was over the men enjoyed cigars and whiskey but they had quickly joined the women. Within ten minutes, Rhett saw Scarlett and Romanov leaving the parlor. Rhett followed them down the hallway. Rhett was liking this plan less and less with each passing minute. Scarlett and Michael went into a room. After ten minutes, Rhett tried the door. As he had suspected it was locked. He kicked the door in and found Scarlett in Michael's arms. Scarlett had the Falcon in her arms. Michael jerked away from Scarlett. Scarlett ran out of the room. Rhett hit Michael in the stomach then in the jaw. He hoped it was enough. He had to get to the carriage before Scarlett drove away. He knew that if she thought she might get caught she would leave him behind.

Rhett ran down the hallway and out the open front door. He saw Scarlett running quite fast in front of him. She hurried into the carriage. She was saying something to the driver and motioning with her hand for them to leave.

Rhett knew that he would not get to the carriage in time, and Scarlett would drive away without him. She would leave him behind. He kept running anyway. He saw her turn to him with a triumphant look on her face. She shouted out, "Hurry Rhett. Run faster."

Rhett jumped through the open door and before he had landed on the floor the carriage was moving. Rhett knew then what she had been telling the driver. For them to leave as soon as Mr. Butler was in the carriage.

She kissed him and said, "Where to now, my love?"

"Anywhere but here."

They laughed into the night.

Later that night in a Stockholm hotel, Rhett said, "We are never doing that again."

"Of course not, Dear."

Unfortunately, Rhett didn't believe her.

While they were being intimate, Rhett had been punishing in his kisses and his caresses.

When he had entered her there had been no gentleness in the thrust. Scarlett knew he was punishing her for letting another man touch her, yet the savagery of the situation actually aroused her to new heights.

After he was inside her, he had held her face between his hands and said, "Don't ever let anyone but me ever kiss you or caress you again." He had punctuated his words with strong thrusts.

"No, Rhett. I won't."

Their relations had been a little bit on the dark side, but Scarlett reveled in Rhett's possessiveness.

Later Rhett decided that they would have to steal something again. The sex afterwards had been so exciting.

They returned to Atlanta soon after the night of their thievery. Scarlett proudly displayed the Falcon in their hotel room. Since they rarely had visitors, Rhett was alright with Scarlett being so brazen about their theft of the statue.

Upon their return, Scarlett had found her businesses in shambles. She had sold all of them. She was no longer interested in running a business. She just didn't want to work that hard anymore. She had too much of a social life with the Republicans and Scallawags. Rhett had lots of money and he was making lots more every day.

Scarlett had visited Tara to look the books over. It seemed Suellen was doing the books now. They had actually made a small profit which meant things were looking up for Tara.

Will said to Scarlett, "I know that Tara belongs to you completely."

"Yes."

"And for the last several years we have barely been able to keep the plantation solvent."

"Yes."

"Now that Tara is making a profit, I believe that I should be rewarded for my efforts."

"Yes, you should. What do you think would be fair?"

Scarlett didn't want to pay Will anything, but she could not expect him to continue just working for room and board now that they were making a profit. She certainly didn't want to live in the country. She would never find anyone to run Tara that loved it as much as Will did.

Will said, "Half of the profits."

"I agree but we need to keep this a secret. If the household staff finds out you are getting paid, they will expect to get paid also."

"Agreed."

They shook hands and arranged for the next time Will came into Atlanta for supplies they would set him up a bank account at Rhett's bank.

While at Tara, Scarlett in a rare act of kindness agreed to give Careen the money for a dowry but she had to enter a convent in Atlanta. Scarlett found she didn't want her sister that far away from her.

As Scarlett left Careen at the Convent of St. Bethany, she was hoping she wasn't falling prey to tender feelings again. She decided that tender feelings for family must be part of being Irish also. Or maybe she was having tender feelings because she was so happy with her life. Either way she would have to keep an eye on the matter to make sure she didn't become a marshmallow.

When Scarlett found out she was with child in the summer, she was not happy, but it was to be expected with all the activities she and Rhett were involved in.

That evening in the parlor, Scarlett said, "I'm so fond of you that I have decided to not kill you for getting me with child."

Rhett warily said, "Thank you. Are you telling me we are going to have a child?"

"Yes. We will need to go to London where medical care is so much better than it is here in the South."

"Of course, I have some business deals I need to finish up then we can go. When should we expect the arrival of the child?"

"Sometime in early February."

Rhett was ecstatic. Not just because he was going to be a father for, he certainly did want children, but that Scarlett wasn't mad or angry about her being with child. Rhett knew that meant she loved him. That made him extremely happy.

They left in August of sixty-nine to spend the next six months in London. They had a lovely time in London. Going to parties, soirees, lectures, dances, and live performances. Even though his wife was nine-months pregnant there were still too many men hovering around her for Rhett's happiness. As she stood there in the circle of men, Rhett was reminded of the barbecue they had met at. He smiled to himself and thought, 'I wanted her so badly that day. When I saw her again at the Hospital Bazaar, I was so confident that she would be my mistress in a matter of months if not weeks. I couldn't have been more wrong. For a man who had always been in control of the relationship she has certainly never been easy nor while she ever be despite the fact, she loves me.'

As he was thinking this Scarlett turned and smiled at him and he knew no matter what hell she put him through she would be worth it. No matter the cost, she would be worth it.

In February of seventy, Rhett was happily sleeping next to his wife. He was dreaming about them resuming their marital relations and everything he would do to her. Everything she would do to him. It was a happy dream and an erotic dream. He would wake up with an erection but that wasn't unusual. When a man was sleeping next to Scarlett O'Hara it was to be expected.

This morning was going to be different. Scarlett woke him up which was unusual in itself for he was always awake before she was. When Rhett had cleared his head, he said, "Is it the baby?"

"I think I am in labor."

"What does it feel like?"

"Excruciating pain."

"Do you want me to call for the doctor?"

"Yes. No."

"What is it?"

"I want you to call for the doctor, but I don't want you to leave me. Rhett, I'm so scared."

Rhett smiled at her with what he hoped was a confident smile. He could not believe his ultra-confident Scarlett could be scared of anything. He said, "Let me go pull the bell pull and put my robe on. Then I will be right back to your side as long as you need me."

"I don't know what to expect."

"Didn't you deliver Melly's baby?" Scarlett nodded. He said, "Then you know what to expect."

"Hopefully, it will go faster and better than hers did. She was so damaged by having Beau she can't have any more children. She and Ashley cannot be intimate. I don't want that to happen to us."

"It won't. Honey, let me pull the bell pull. The sooner I get the doctor here the less likely anything can go wrong."

"Alright."

Although despite her words she did not loosen her grip. Rhett gently pulled his body out of her grasp and went to the bell pull. Once he pulled the bell pull, he put on his robe and got back in the bed with her. Soon the footman was at their door. Rhett sent him to get the doctor. While they waited, Rhett knew every time she had a contraction. They were coming one on top of the other. They laid there on the bed and Rhett felt the pain of each contraction.

Soon Dr. Watson had arrived with his assistant, Mrs. Holmes. They shooed Rhett out of the room. Not thirty minutes later Rhett was holding his daughter in his arms. She was beautiful. She looked just like Scarlett. He quickly looked at the midwife and said, "Is my wife alright?"

"Yes, your wife was made for having babies. Give us a few minutes to clean up the room and I will come get you."

Thirty minutes later when Rhett joined Scarlett in their bedroom, he said, "Thank you for doing this for me."

"You're welcome. I don't want any more."

"I will do my best to make sure we don't have anymore."

"What shall we call her?"

"I thought we had agreed on Victoria Eugenia."

"Since we have been here in England, I have heard far too many little girls being called Victoria. I want our daughter to be unique."

"Our daughter will be unique but if you want to give her a unique name, I am alright with that. What do you suggest?"

"Eugenia Victoria."

"Perfect. Shall we call her Genie or Gena."

"Genie."

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

Rhett smiled. He had known she had loved him for a long time, but he certainly enjoyed hearing the words. When Rhett leaned forward and kissed her. She kissed him back. When she pulled away, she said, "Six weeks."

"Six weeks? You are killing me."

"Not yet. You are still too useful to me."

Rhett laughed like she had made the funniest joke. His wife had just smiled at him.

Several Years Later

Rhett Butler woke up. He knew it was going to be a good day. Every day he woke up was going to be a good day. His wife, the former Scarlett O'Hara, would kill him as easily as she would smile at him. He thought she loved him, but he also knew she was a selfish, self-centered bitch that would get rid of him if he was an inconvenience to her. Despite that he loved her so much. Maybe because he was a selfish, self-centered bastard who would get rid of her if she became an inconvenience to him.

Scarlett still made him so incredibly happy. That morning she was awake when he started to get out of the bed. She stopped him and said, "Do you have to go so soon?"

No, he never had to go when she wanted him to stay. Rhett marveled that despite the fact they had several children she still wanted him so very much. The same woman that had told him on their wedding day that if he got her pregnant, she would kill him.

Rhett had never considered cheating on Scarlett for two reasons. She was still so sexually attractive to him and if he did and she found out about it, she would literally kill him.

They had stolen jewelry and precious statutes all over Europe. They had the chance to steal the Hope diamond but decided against it for some reason. What they stole had already been stolen by the current owner so the current owner could not complain because they weren't even supposed to have it. Scarlett always displayed in a place of prominence the stolen objects when they got back to their home in Atlanta. It no longer made Rhett uncomfortable. If someone ever recognized the stolen object, he would worry about it then. He knew his wife found it sexually exciting to see the objects of her thievery. Rhett was alright with anything that excited his wife sexually.

Their intimate time for the next week was always so amazing. Rhett had never gotten over punishing Scarlett for letting another man kiss her or caress her but when he punished her, she seemed to revel in it. He just couldn't help himself. It always drove him into an insane fury when he knew she had let another man touch her or kiss her.

He knew he was living on borrowed time, but he didn't care. The lifestyle he had lived for the twenty years before they married or the arsenic she was going to put in his coffee when she was tired of him, eventually one of them was going to kill him. Yet he was going to enjoy his life until he died.

He had once said, "I want to die in my sleep just like Old Frank or your aunts. Just die from natural causes."

She had laughed and said, "You just might, Dear."

Rhett had said, "What do you mean?"

"You don't need to worry about that. I need you to satisfy me in the bedroom."

That statement had made him definitely worry. He decided that his wife had killed Old Frank and her old aunts by putting poison in their food or drink. Rat poison probably. It was certainly easy to purchase. He remembered his wife buying her aunts the special tea after they had spent the day berating her. He had thought that was out of character for her and now he knew it was right in character for her. She was cold-blooded enough to eliminate anyone or anything that was an inconvenience to her. Once he had come to that conclusion, he had been concerned about arsenic being put in his food. No, she would not put it in his food. She would put it in his whiskey. Something that only he consumed. He had been so concerned that he had stopped drinking and smoking cigars.

One day when she had been reading a book on the Borgias of Italy she had said, "Oh, that's interesting. I would never have thought of that."

When she turned and smiled at him, he broke out in a cold sweat. After she made that statement, he started never eating or drinking anything that she hadn't first eaten or drunk.

He knew his wife was as arrogant as the Borgias and she would easily poison him then she would happily watch him die just like the Borgias did.