Disclaimer: I own nothing regarding GWTW

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

I had planned on using mostly Ms. Mitchell's words in this scene, but they didn't work in my opinion. I had to cut a lot of her writing and rewrite it to give it a more modern air. Some of the words are Ms. Mitchell's words but I honestly don't remember which was her work and which was mine. So, that being said if you recognized the words as Ms. Mitchell's words, they are hers. If you don't, they are mine.

Chapter Thirteen

As soon as PittyPat was through the door, Rhett had shut it. Scarlett looked at Rhett. He was so handsome as he had always been, but today he was so youthful, so energetic, and she could see it below the surface so optimistic. Scarlett asked, "What business did you and Frank have?"

Rhett came closer and whispered, "None at all. I just wanted to get Miss PittyPat out of the way," Rhett led her to the sofa, and she sat down in silence. He sat down beside her, his eyes searching her face. He said, "Are you alright Honey?" She raised her eyes to his face and found comfort there. He took her hand. He said, "Do you need money?"

"No. I'm in good shape financially and I'm not sorry to be rid of Frank. I'm certainly not feeling guilty about his death. After you told me he was in the clan I asked him about it. He lied to me and swore he wasn't in the clan. He and those other fools went on an ill-conceived raid to allegedly defend my honor. Although none of those men care that much about me. No, the attack on me was just an excuse for them to inflict pain on people less fortunate than them. Rhett, they are living in a place called Shantytown. I am so grateful that you are so smart and were able to think of a plan to save their lives and my property, mostly my property. It makes me giggle inside that those good men had to accept the help of a …. Well, you know what she is."

Rhett was surprised by Scarlett's insight. She could add one and one together, but she usually couldn't make the leap required to see the big picture.

Rhett smiled a big smile and said, "Yes, I know what she is. I'm sure you don't care about Old Frank's demise except how it will inconvenience you."

"True. I will have to wear black, and the matrons will talk badly about me for not staying home the required year. They will ignore the fact that I have three businesses to run. Thank you for stopping by but why did you?"

"To tell you that I am going away."

"Where are you going?"

"To England and I may be gone for months," Rhett smiled at her and said, "I still want you more than any woman I've ever seen and now that Old Frank is gone, I thought you'd be interested to know it."

Scarlett knew what Rhett was offering but she had to pretend otherwise because of the last time she thought he was asking her to marry him. He had been proposing but a look of triumph on her face had made him change his mind at the last minute. So instead, he insulted her. That was her adorable nincompoop. She had to give him outrage instead of triumph. She was so happy that nothing came with her but her memories from her time with Ashley. She would not have been able to explain her busted lip.

She jerked her hands away from his grasp and sprang to her feet. 'You are the most ill-bred man in the world, coming here at this time of all times with your filthy—I should have known you'd never change. Just as I was beginning to feel better. And Frank hardly cold! If you had any decency….."

"Do be quiet or you'll have Miss Pittypat down here in a minute," He didn't stand up but reached up and took both her fists. He continued, "I'm afraid you have misunderstood my intentions."

"Misunderstood your intentions? I didn't misunderstand anything," She pulled against his grip.

"Hush," he said. "I am asking you to marry me."

"Is this one of your nasty jokes?"

Rhett smiled and said, "Would you be convinced if I knelt down?"

She sat down hard on the sofa. She stared at him.

Rhett said, "I've always intended having you, Scarlett, since that first day I saw you at Twelve Oaks when you threw that vase and swore and proved that you weren't a lady. I always intended having you, one way or another. As you have made a little money, I know you'll never be driven to me again with any interesting propositions of loans and collaterals. So, I see I'll have to marry you."

"You are marrying me to have access to my body?" Scarlett had to play this just right. She wondered, 'Why had she ever accepted his marriage proposal.' She had forgotten how insulting his words had been. She continued, "This is one of your vile jokes."

"I bare my soul and you are suspicious!"

"Because it is you. I need to be suspicious of you always."

"No, Scarlett, this is a genuine offer. I admit that it's not in the best of taste, coming at this time, but I have a very good excuse for my lack of breeding. I'm going away tomorrow for a long time, and I fear that if I wait until I return, you'll have married someone else with a little money. So, I thought, why not me and my money?"

Scarlett looked into his eyes, trying to find some clue that she had missed last time. They were full of laughter but there was something else, deep in them, which she had never seen before, a gleam of hopefulness and anxiety. He was anxious despite the fact that he sat easily and carelessly. There was that look that he had always been giving her at the beginning of their marriage. The look of a cat watching a mouse-hole. He truly did love her but was afraid of exposing his feelings for fear what she would do to him.

She could not accept too quickly. She said, "I shall never marry again."

"Oh, yes, you will. You were born to be married,"

"What Malarkey!"

Rhett ignored her remark and said, "Why not me?"

"Because you don't want to be married. You are only marrying me so you can…. Once you have then I'm afraid that you will be very unhappy being married to me. I don't want you to be unhappy because then you will make me unhappy."

Rhett looked a little shock but quickly covered it up. He said, "I think being married to you would be a lot of fun."

"It's fun for men but all a woman gets out of it is something to eat and a lot of work and having to put up with a man's foolishness and a baby every year," He laughed so loudly that the sound echoed in the stillness. "Hush! It isn't decent to laugh so soon after….. You know it's true. Fun! Saints alive."

"I said you'd had bad luck and what you've just said proves it. You've been married to a boy and to an old man. And into the bargain I'll bet your mother told you that women must bear "these things" because of the compensating joys of motherhood."

"I don't want children."

Rhett went on like she hadn't even spoken. He said, "Well, that's all wrong. Why not try marrying a fine young man who has a bad reputation and a way with women?"

"Young man?! How you flatter yourself. You are not young."

Again, he went on like she hadn't spoken. He said, "It'll be fun. Name the day, Scarlett. I'm not urging instant matrimony because of your reputation. We'll wait the decent interval. By the way, just how long is a "decent interval"?"

"Do you promise it," Scarlett stressed the word it and Rhett knew what she meant, she continued, "will be fun? For it certainly wasn't with Frank or Charlie."

Rhett's voice turned solemn, and he said, "I will do everything in my power to make it as fun for you as it is for me. In fact, if you are not having fun, we won't have to do it again. Name the date."

Scarlett was stunned at Rhett's statement. He certainly had a lot of confidence in his ability to please women. She would definitely think about that later in regard to their first timeline. She said, "I haven't said I'd marry you."

"I can sweeten the pot and remind you that once we are married you would have access to my checkbook."

Scarlett looked at Rhett with an earnest face and said, "All the money in the world would not make it worth it, if you were miserable for then you would make my life a living hell."

Rhett was shocked at Scarlett's statement and her earnestness. He had never known her to honestly think things out. She had always just considered what she could see at the moment.

"If you marry me, I promise I will not make you miserable. In fact, I hope to make you incredibly happy. Think about it and you can give me your answer when I come back."

"No, we need to resolve this today. I think I am going to have to say no. You are just too much of a wild card."

"Perhaps I didn't ask the question in the right way. This is the first time I have ever asked anyone to marry me." With a suddenness that pleased her, he slid off the sofa on to his knees and with one hand placed over his heart, he said, "Forgive me for startling you with the impetuosity of my sentiments, my dear Scarlett—I mean, my dear Mrs. Kennedy. It cannot have escaped your notice that for some time past the friendship I have had in my heart for you has ripened into a deeper feeling, a feeling more beautiful, more pure, more sacred. Dare I name it? Ah! It is love which makes me so bold."

She had wanted him to get on his knees and ask her again. This was a beautiful memory she had. It was even more beautiful because the words were the truth. She knew now that Rhett often told the truth in a joking way. She had wanted to hear the words from his mouth again. She said, "Kiss me and if I like your kisses I will say yes."

Rhett got on the sofa and took her in his arms. He kissed her, softly at first, and then with an intensity that made her cling to him as the only solid thing in a spinning world. He parted her lips and slipped his tongue inside her mouth. He was evoking sensations in her that reminded her of their passionate night together. She was certainly kissing him back. There had not been this much fervor on their honeymoon and certainly not since they had gotten back from New Orleans except for that one night.

Scarlett had a glimpse of his face. There was so much passion and longing on his face. He said, "None of the fools you've known have kissed you like this—have they? Your stupid Charles or your old Frank or your precious Ashley—"

Scarlett stared at Rhett in utter amazement. There was so much emotion displayed on his face. There was love, desire, jealousy, and anger at the situation. If she had not been drunk the first time, would she have seen it. No, because she was in such a sensuous storm of passion. And also, because she was pretty obtuse.

"I said your precious Ashley. Gentlemen all of them. What do they know about women? What do they know about you? I know you," His mouth was on hers again and she surrendered without a struggle. He broke off the kiss and said, "Say Yes!" His mouth was poised above hers. He said, "Say Yes, damn you, or—"

"Yes."

Rhett drew a quick breath as she spoke and bent as if to kiss her again and she closed her eyes. He moved away from her a little and looked down at her. She opened her eyes and put her hand on the back of his neck and drew him to her. Rhett did not resist. When they broke the kiss, Rhett looked entirely unmoved by what had just happened, but she knew better.

When Rhett spoke, his voice was very calm. He said, "You meant it? You don't want to take it back?"

"Definitely not."

"It's not just because I've—what is the phrase? —'swept you off your feet' by my—passion?"

"Well, yes, but that is a good thing. I think I like all that passion."

Rhett smiled and said, "Did you say yes because of my money?"

"Well, yes, but not the way you mean. Your money is part of your success story. Didn't you once say you were like Ishmael when you were thrown out on the street? What you have accomplished is amazing. One of my big fears is not having enough food or enough money. But because of your past history I know that you will never let me starve and there will always be a roof over my head."

Rhett seemed pleased with her statement like a small boy that had received praised from someone he very much wanted to receive praise from. He drew a swift breath and with an effort wiped from his eyes the eagerness her words had brought. She was happy to see that eagerness. Rhett was far too jaded. He was too much of a cynic who the world had never fail to meet his expectations.