She had fallen asleep. Now, she lay on the floor only half awake, appraising the room. It was that time of day when the sun and moon barely meet each other in the sky. The moon was disappearing and the sun was just barely cresting on the horizon. An almost eerie bluish light filled the dining room, making the cut of Rhett's glass, still sitting on the edge of the table, cast motley reflections on the walls. The light the large window emitted over the furnishings and walls of the room shed the polished woods and panels with a curious glow.

Scarlett didn't move for a long time, observing as the glow of soft azure flush ignited into a flourish of colors. Shining, blazing within the room. Uncovering the dark places that had been untouched before. Ignored. She stood when the sun felt too bright and rushed to the window to pull the curtains, blinking furiously against the blaze.

She trudged slowly up to her room, merely wanting to reach her bed and sleep.

She awoke to the sun glaring offensively into the room. Had someone pulled the curtains open? Or perhaps, they had never been closed to begin with. Scarlett shifted, now lying on her back, staring at the ceiling as she tried to wake up. Stretching awkwardly, she causally looked over to the space next to her. She was wondering…wishing—that someone was lying there.

Nothing.

The sheets weren't even rumpled. The other side of the bed looked just as it had the night before. Like no one had been there at all…Scarlett quickly hopped out of bed, trying to put all thoughts out of her head.

He had rejected her and turned her away. She had opened up to him in a way she never had before. She had admitted to needing him! The fool that she was…to think that he was worth trusting. She had thrown herself at him in an effort to show him how she felt, and he had pulled away. He had told her that she wasn't enough…

A hollow ache settled in her chest at the thought, but she ignored it. She wasn't going to sulk around as if she had been denied a reward. He was nothing. He was Rhett. She had always known this…and she wouldn't forget again. He was still the selfish, heartless varmint that he had always been. That was never going to change.

Unbidden, the image of his face the night before came to her mind, making her heart stop momentarily. Even Scarlett couldn't deny that the…she couldn't even describe it. Like when a young child realizes that their cherished stuffed bear isn't in fact alive. Innocence of ignorance lost.

It seemed to be the complete opposite of the look that she was accustomed to catching on his face. In which he would stare at her as a cat would a mouse hole. Searching. Waiting.

The thought tapped at her conscience continually—Did he care? How could a man not care and yet look at her the way he did? How could a man do such beautiful things to her— She must not think of that now!

But how?

As soon as the thought took full form, her anger viciously retorted with the same words that Rhett had spoken the night before. Again and again she would force herself to remember what he had said, constantly dousing her mind with the wounding words and savagely shoving away the growing ache in her chest.

She couldn't think about it anymore! She wouldn't! She would think about it some other time. Just not now! Not now…

She thought of Ashley and forced herself to feel at peace. As she left the house that morning to go run her daily errands at the store and the mills, she vowed that her heart would neither quicken nor die at the thought of Rhett Butler ever again.

Scarlett always noticed that her clerks at the store were ridiculously anxious. And she couldn't help but think, as one of them stumbled over his words and clumsily sorted through the papers, how pathetic he was. Though these were things that a normal person would think rather than say, Scarlett had never been like a normal citizen and showed no hesitation in voicing her opinion of his behavior. It was utterly unprofessional. How could she leave her store in the hands of a fumbling, bumbling idiot? The idea was preposterous.

The clerk apologized, of course, assuring her that he kept the store and all of its requisites in the best order he was able to. She had to admit, grudgingly, that she rarely had to recalculate the books for the store as she so often did for the mills. But she did not voice these thoughts to the man.

During one of his efforts to explain to her the goings-on of the business in her short absence, he had dropped a whole stack of documents, leaving an ocean of papers at Scarlett's feet. Scarlett didn't even make the effort to defame him again; she simply sighed harshly and stepped over the mess. She managed the counter until he retrieved and rearranged the papers.

A woman walked into the store, eyeing the china in the window. Scarlett didn't even have to paste on her smile. She knew it had been a good idea to move the china to the front…

"Hello. Is there something I can help you with?" Scarlett stated in her sweetest voice.

The woman was rather plain in the face, and obviously very backward. She looked down at her pleated hem as she spoke, a little intimidated by Scarlett's forward nature. "Yes," she stated. "Those plates in the window, the ones with the blue bonnets wrapped around the edges, with the golden trim. How much is a set worth?"

Scarlett quoted the price and watched as the woman's face fell. Scarlett could tell by her reaction—and her clothing—that she couldn't afford it. She dropped her façade, now simply wanting to be rid of the woman. If she couldn't afford the things in the store, she didn't need to be here at all.

The woman smiled weakly at Scarlett. "Oh…" She uttered, the sound barely a whisper on her lips.

Scarlett smiled slightly and turned to walk away. The woman started to speak just as Scarlett was about to turn towards the counter. "They look exactly like my mother's used to." Scarlett paused in mid-step as the fresh memories of yesterday assaulted her once again. Her eyes burned with unshed tears, momentarily rendering her speechless. She looked at the young woman; this time she forced herself to notice things about her. Her hair, her eyes…

"I used to live on a plantation a little further south from here. Actually," the girl blushed, "I know who you are. I meet you once, at a Fair just south of Jonesboro. You were with my cousin, Rafe Calvert? If I remember correctly, you were rather close to his sister as well, Cathleen."

Rafe. At the mention of his name, a tear slipped from the corner of her eye. She didn't remember this particular Fair, and she didn't remember this girl. But she remembered many fond things that she hadn't thought about in a long time. Things that she had done with Rafe throughout the years of their childhood. There had been many fairs and many memories. Scarlett couldn't bear the thought of them.

She cleared her throat and nonchalantly wiped the tear from her eye. She forced her mind back to the place that it had been for the past five years, demanding it to stay there as it always had. Where things that hurt didn't creep up on her; where the memories of things that she could never have lie dormant.

"Well…it was nice to see you again." Scarlett said shortly, visibly converting her demeanor to the strict business woman she was. "But I am afraid that former backgrounds matter very little in this establishment and you will find that we do not show prejudice to people who we might or might not have known in the past."

The woman's eyes widened in horror. "I wasn't trying to…I was only…" Scarlett interrupted her.

"It really doesn't matter. Good afternoon." Scarlett turned from the woman.

The shadowy memoirs continued to follow her.

Scarlett immediately headed for Ashley's mill, praying he was there. She had to see him. Seeing him would surely put everything into perspective again. She would no longer feel this hollow emptiness in her chest when her eyes settled on his gently tousled blonde hair, his soft face and warm smile. His smile would fill the hole with liquid tranquility, pouring into the reopened wounds and healing them again. She knew this to be true. He would make her better.

She had been right. As soon as she saw him, her chest eased and she was suddenly in a time when all things had been wonderful and easy. Where everything had been blissfully predictable and everyone had lackadaisically lived their lives among those they had known for what seemed to be ages. She saw the young man that Ashley had been, a fabled remote deity effortlessly sweeping into her life and heart.

Her heart felt as if it had floated miles above her as she walked towards his smiling form. She eagerly reached for him as he politely held her hands in his, gently placing a kiss upon each. She cherished his touch, reveling in the feel of his familiar skin against hers.

"Scarlett, what a pleasant surprise! You are looking as lovely as ever." Ashley said, leading her toward the door. Scarlett simply smiled demurely and looked up at him through her lashes.

"To what do I owe the pleasure, Scarlett?" Ashley asked.

"Oh, I just came by to check on things." I came to see you. Scarlett looked at him meaningfully.

"Of course." Ashley smiled, grabbing a chair before leading her to it. She sat down and looked at Ashley from across the room. "Can I get you anything? I am sure you are thirsty. I will pour you a glass of water."

"Thank you, Ashley." Ashley poured her a glass of water and walked carefully to her side. He handed her the glass, continuing to guide it from underneath until he was sure she had a good hold on it. He had barely touched her again, and it was so gentle. As if she was made of the most fragile glass.

Her mind burst with the memory of the touch of another's hands, rough and eager. Her body unwittingly reacted to the thought before she could stop it, her heart skipping several beats as her skin revealed sudden goose bumps.

"Scarlett darling, what have you been up to?" Ashley sat in a chair across from her. Scarlett sat there for a moment before she realized that Ashley was talking to her. She mentally shoved her unwanted thoughts away as she spoke.

"Oh…" Scarlett paused for a moment before continuing. "…Well, yesterday I went for a ride. A long…ride."

"Ah! That sounds just fine!" Ashley said. "No wonder your…that is Captain Butler. Well, he stopped by yesterday. He asked if you were here."

Scarlett's heart stopped at the mention of him and she cursed it. Curse it to hell! "Rhett stopped by here asking for me?" Scarlett wondered. What was Rhett doing here asking for her? As far as she knew, Rhett never came to the mills, or the store for that matter. They were hers. Rhett had made it clear long ago that she could keep them if they "brought her amusement". He had never expressed interest in them before. He had never come asking around for her at her mills before.

He had never before come looking for her…

"Yes, he stopped for just a moment. He…he seemed to be in a hurry. He didn't dismount his horse." Ashley looked concerned for a moment. "I pray nothing was the matter. No emergencies, I hope?"

"No, of course not." She said. Rhett had come to the mill, looking for her? Why?

For the rest of the time that she was with Ashley, she tried desperately to concentrate on him. And she did. She concentrated on his sparkling eyes and cornflower hair. She focused on the similarities that he still held to the Ashley that she had always known. Her Ashley had been younger; his face free from worry and his world free of trouble.

But the nagging questions in the back of her mind continued to scream at her through her carefully constructed barrier. The same questions she had been asking herself all day. Questions that continued to pile up as the day went on.

And she continued to shove them further behind the barrier, refusing to think of them.

When she left, Ashley bent down and kissed her cheek. It made her feel safe and comfortable. She smiled lazily at him before leaving.

Scarlett entered the house having found a renewed purpose.

She had finally acknowledged the fact that she did want to know the answers to all of her questions. She wanted to know why Rhett was at the mill yesterday and why he acted so ambiguously at times. But it was for intellectual reasons only. She was merely curious. That was all.

She also knew that she needed to prepare herself for her meeting with Rhett. She could try to avoid him, but that would be just be prolonging the inevitable. She would just let it happen. But when it did, she would be ready.

She had allowed herself to think of last night again, but only to berate herself for her idiocy in opening up to him so completely. No doubt, now that he knew of her deepest secrets that included several pertaining to him, he must be plotting ways to hold it against her. So, she would be prepared. She would avert his advances. He would not be allowed to use this against her. She wouldn't let him make an even bigger fool out of her than he already had…

She treaded up the stairs. Only when she reached the landing did she think about the fact that not one servant had greeted her at the door. She rolled her eyes as she thought of her servants, frustrated that they hadn't been doing what was expected of them.

The first person she saw was Mammy, and Scarlett could tell she was fuming. She was walking out of her bedroom and without even looking at her mistress, continued to lumber down the hallway, mumbling under her breath. Scarlett hadn't seen Mammy that put out in ages. She quickly entered the room to investigate the problem, expecting the worst. Perhaps some foolish ninny had broken one of her handcrafted vases that lined the tables and furniture throughout the room! Or perhaps someone had dented or scratched one of her walls!

She entered the room in a flurry, checking everything she saw, but was perplexed to find that nothing was out of place. Nothing was broken. Everything seemed to be in order.

Pork exited Rhett's closet, his hands full of clothing. He froze when he noticed her. After a moment, he quickly ducked his head from her and continued with his task, exiting her bedroom. Scarlett followed him. He led her to the room just down the hall. She heard Rhett's voice before she entered. "Yes Pork, just place them exactly as they were in the other closet."

She came to stand in the doorway of the bedroom. Rhett was sitting facing the window, legs casually crossed. Pork exited the closet a few moments later. "Thank you, Pork. Now if you could…" Rhett stood and turned towards the door. He noticed her and paused. His face took on a cold amusement. "Ah…perhaps you should take a break and go downstairs to help with supper." Pork answered with a "Yessuh" before leaving the room.

"Good evening, Scarlett." Rhett stated. He was still standing with one hand in his pocket, the other one holding a cigar.

"What are you doing?" she asked. He couldn't be doing what she thought he was doing, but it was obvious that he was.

Rhett chuckled at her barely contained anger. "It is really all for you, my dear." He laughed again. "Well, you and your charming dream, Mr. Wilkes." He took a draw from his cigar before continuing. "You could call it a gift if you like."

"What…?" Scarlett couldn't speak. She was finding it hard to breathe as anger and another feeling she was too furious to name exploded within her.

"Ah! Speechless! I knew you would be. It is a kind gesture on my part, to be sure. I am losing quite a lot, I suppose. I always did like the view from that room." His eyes sparkled menacingly.

"Rhett…" She choked. "You can't mean that you…!" This was not what she had planned.

He laughed again. "I see that, as usual, you need it spelled out for you in big bold letters, Scarlett." His mouth accentuated every word as he spoke it. "I decided that our current living arrangements didn't engage well with the circumstances of our relationship." The confusion on her face was evident and Rhett chortled at her ignorance.

"You're…leaving me?" Scarlett murmured.

"Sometimes I wonder if there is hope for you yet, my pet." She seethed. "I suppose that is one way of putting it. But perhaps the best explanation would be that it is a…mutual arrangement between two estranged spouses."

"You can't do this!" Scarlett's voice was shaking from the shock and anger coursing through her. This had not been what she had expected. This was not what she planned.

This was not what she wanted…

Rhett's face hardened. He cast his half smoked cigar to the side after putting it out on the corner of the dresser. "On the contrary, my little wife, I can. And I have."

"I…I am your wife! How can you do this?"

"Easily, Scarlett." He settled in the chair at the window after adjusting it to face her. "And like I stated before, it is more for you and your lover than anything. I am simply trying to make it easier for you to live chaste and faithful lives for each other."

"Don't try to blame this on me! You are the one who—" Rhett leaped from his chair and sprinted across the room before she could finish her sentence. He grabbed her shoulders, his touching again sending tremors of excitement through her veins.

"I will not share a wife with the dream of another man! I told you last night that it wasn't enough, and it still isn't, Scarlett!" He let go of her shoulders and grinned. His words were coated with mockery. "I have never been one who would settle for second place Scarlett. Silver has never been as impressive as gold…I was sure this was a principle in which you firmly believed as well, my darling?"

Scarlett reached out to hit him. He was faster than she was and easily grabbed her wrist as she wrestled him, struggling to attack any part of him she could get her hands on. "You hateful low-down cad! You can't do this! I am your wife!"

"Ah Scarlett! You are proving my point rather vividly, my dear." He heaved a great sigh and shrugged with an insincere look of exasperation on his face. "It isn't going to be hard for me, my dear." He turned away from her and laughed harshly. "Replacing a wife…now, that would be rather difficult. But I still have a wife, just not a body. And bodies are always easily substituted…"

Scarlett looked at him with objective horror. "You wouldn't…you couldn't go to…" All of her anger left her, as a horrific image filled her mind: Rhett passionately stroking and provoking euphoria…in another woman. She felt the bile fill her throat.

Rhett smirked at her. "Ah my dear, you are so very ignorant of what men are really like. What they need. Don't look so surprised! And cheer up…now the horribly inconvenient temptation of your husband can no longer interfere with your dreams of Ashley! We both get what we want!" His laugh was hard and rough.

Her hand came hard across his face before he realized it. He didn't even flinch, but continued leering at her. She turned and walked out to enter her own room, where for the second night in a row she cried herself to sleep.