Hey everyone! I'm back... okay, I'm back but not completely. This chapter is short and sweet, but at this point, I'll take it, lol! It seems that some people haven't forgotten me and I've even gotten new reviewers although I haven't updated in so long. So, thanks to you all and thanks for the encouragement. I need it, believe me I need it!

Chapter Thirty Three

Unexpected News

Scarlett knew something was wrong when she came to herself. For one, she was lying down on some sort of hard table and the acrid smells of antiseptic filtered through her senses. She lifted her hand and heard the rustle of movement.

"Dr. Meade, she's coming to," a light feminine voice said that she recognized as Darcy's.

She opened her eyes and focused on her surroundings and that was when she realized she was in Dr. Meade's examination room. She pushed herself up quickly and grabbed her head when it began to swim.

"Scarlett, don't move too fast, dear." Darcy was immediately by her side.

"What in blue blazes am I doing here?" she demanded still trying to clear her head.

"You fainted. Mr. Barrett brought you here."

"I fainted! That's ridiculous. I'm as healthy as a horse. I do NOT faint like Aunt Pitty!"

"I'm afraid you did," she reminded her softly.

At that time Dr. Meade came in, gruffly clearing his throat. "What's all the ruckus in here? Scarlett, are you being quarrelsome as usual?"

Ignoring his tone, she pinned him with her eyes. "I want to know why I was brought here. I'm perfectly fine."

"Perfectly fine people don't usually faint in the middle of the day," he responded dryly and pulled his stool forward. "Young woman, please leave Scarlett to my care," he said turning to Darcy. After she nodded and left the room, Scarlett stared at him. Dr. Meade wouldn't have sent her out if everything was alright with her.

"Scarlett, how have you been feeling the last week or so?" he lowered his old bones on the stool as he asked her the question.

Guardedly, she replied. "Just fine... perhaps a little tired. Why?"

He glanced at her warily and released a deep sigh. "I'm going to get personal with you and you may or may not answer me, but it's best if you do. When is the last time you were intimate with a man?"

"Intimate?" she repeated and felt an alarm go off in her head. Rhett... Tara... that one night... "Oh..." she covered her mouth.

"Then you know where I'm going with this? I can assume, or hope at the very least, that this isn't an unwelcome surprise."

"You mean I'm..." she paused and closed her eyes. "I'm having a baby?" she whispered.

"Yes, you are," he gruffly responded. "And, with your history you know this will not be easy. Carrying a child with what you've been through will be extremely hard for you."

"Dr. Meade... you must tell me. Is there any danger I could lose this baby?" she asked, alarmed at his precaution although she kept herself as calm as she manage.

"If you don't take any unnecessary chances, stop carting yourself around town and get plenty of rest, well... only time will tell. But, you're young yet and as you pointed out, healthy. Will you tell the father?" he abruptly asked and looked at her coolly with his wizened old eyes.

"My husband is the father," she replied, shocked at his implication.

"I should hope so," he nodded and seemed almost relieved.

"What are you implying, Dr. Meade?" she asked hotly, her senses back in full alert. She stood from the table and faced him. "I thought I could at least count on you not to listen to OR believe idle gossip, even gossip that comes from your wife."

"Now listen here, young woman. I am not accusing you of anything. I've known you most of your life but the fact is your husband left here and declared he was divorcing you. Since you've come home you've been alone and now Ashley has returned. I'm only asking you because a scandal such as this would mark you and your baby from here on out," he finished with a resounding huff.

"Ashley is not the father of this baby, that I can assure you," she retorted tartly.

"It will not prevent rumor from saying that he is, especially since Captain Butler is not here to refute it."

"But it's not true!"

"It doesn't matter. You can't keep the gossip from happening. People always believe what they want to believe, you of all people should know that."

"Then you must promise to keep this to yourself for now," she demanded. "No one must know yet."

"It's only a matter of time, Scarlett," he said, simultaneously shaking his head and crossing his arms. "You can't hide your condition for very long."

"I don't want to hide it for very long, just until I find Rhett and tell him."

"It would be in your best interest to do just that. As soon as your condition becomes obvious, unless Captain Butler is here to stand by you… well, you and I both know what the outcome will be."

"Do you think I care what they say about me?" she huffed and turned away from him. "They'll always think the worst of me no matter what I do."

"Because you've only given them the worst to talk about," he told her unceremoniously. "Chasing after Ashley hasn't helped that cause."

"Dr. Meade, I don't wish to discuss this with you any further," she cut him off with a swipe of her hand. She didn't want to be reminded of her own stupidity right then. "As my doctor you must promise me to keep this information to yourself."

"Of course, I promise," he gruffed. "I'll not say word. As for Captain Butler, I would say the best course of action is to locate him and quickly. Do you even know where he is?"

"I'll find him," she declared with renewed determination. Once Rhett heard the news, he wouldn't stay away. Rhett loved his babies too much to do that.

"Could be you'll give Captain Butler a son to carry on his name," and for a moment a slight look of sadness filtered across his face and Scarlett knew he was remembering his own sons killed in the war.

"I know Rhett would be pleased about that," she smiled. A son to carry on the Butler name, or a daughter that he could love as much as Bonnie… either way, she had him now.