I thought I'd never get this posted! Took me all day to figure it out since the site is being STUPID. Anyway, here is the next installment. I hope you like it...

The Journey Home

Chapter Forty One

Old Flame… New Flame

Scarlett searched for Rhett among the guests after she returned from the kitchen but he had disappeared. She couldn't imagine where he would have gone to when he knew very well she was about to burst from apprehension. Why, Darcy and Ashley had barely spoken to each other all night, but she had taken care of that by arranging them to sit next to each other at the dining table.

She was very pleased with herself the more she thought of it and decided that she would do well to bring these two people together. It was as if fate were helping her along to make right the many wrongs she had done in her life. She wasn't ready to accept her angel wings by any stretch but she had begun to make amends in her own way.

"You look mighty smug, Mrs. Butler," Eli said behind her. "What is going on in that beautiful head of yours?"

"Eli," she smiled brightly. "You haven't spoken to me all night."

"It's been hard to find you alone for one minute. You're quite the hostess."

"It is going well, isn't it?" she nodded.

"I'm glad to see you enjoying yourself. I have a feeling that's something that's been very rare in your life."

Scarlett gave pause at Eli's words, for the truth in them was more obvious than she cared to admit. And yet, Eli knew this about her when so many did not.

"Did I say something wrong?" he asked when he saw the look come across her face.

"No, it's just that… well, you seem to know me so well and yet you've known me for so little time. I'm not sure what to make of you when you say things like that."

"Is it so wrong that I care about you and your happiness, even if I haven't known you for as long as most people in this room? Most people don't take the time to see past the wall you erect, Mrs. Butler. I happen to find you very fascinating… or haven't you noticed?"

"Why is that?" Scarlett blurted before she realized how it sounded. "What I mean is, you shouldn't say such things to me. I'm sure there are plenty of women whose attention is far more suitable than mine."

"Maybe more suitable, but certainly not as beautiful, head strong or as smart when it comes to business. You, Scarlett, are one of a kind and the fact is I'm afraid I will never meet another like you if I live to be a hundred years old."

"Eli," she placed a hand on his forearm and grinned skeptically at him. "You are a good friend and you are wonderful for my ego especially when I'm beginning to look as big as a horse."

"You've never looked more beautiful."

"And you are a marvelous liar."

"Never," he placed his hand over hers. "Scarlett, I've tried to walk away, but," he stopped and released a long breath. "If you weren't married-"

"Which she is," Rhett cut in at that moment and came around to stand beside Scarlett. He stared hard at Eli, but still kept his demeanor cool and composed. "As my wife pointed out, I'm sure there are plenty of other more interesting and unmarried women you could choose from. I suggest that you do so." Rhett turned to Scarlett, who was stiff with surprise and embarrassment at Rhett's behavior. "Come Scarlett, your guests are waiting."

Scarlett gave a mute nod and let Rhett lead her away. But, once they were away from Eli she turned on him, her face flushed and red. "How dare you!" she whispered harshly to him. "You had no right-"

"I had every right, Mrs. Butler. You're still my wife in public and you're carrying my child. I will not have this situation blown out control by your lack of good sense."

"How many times do I have to tell you Eli is my friend? He cares about me. He cares about what happens to me, which is more than I can say about you."

"You are a fool, Scarlett. You believe anything that charlatan tells you."

"He is not a charlatan and mind your own business!" she ground out while trying to walk away from him, but Rhett grabbed her arm and pulled her close to him, lowering his mouth to her ear.

"Don't Scarlett, not now. We're supposed to be the united front. Our guests are waiting, let's not disappoint them."

Glancing around, Scarlett saw several people watching them with interest. She smiled even though her jaw was breaking to do so. She lifted her eyes to Rhett and relaxed her position to lean against him. "I will not let you bully me, but this time you've won."

Rhett smiled slid his arm around her waist. "That's one thing I admire about you, Scarlett, every battle with you is just like fighting the Yankees… unpredictable and challenging."

Biting back a tart retort, Scarlett plastered a smile on her face and managed to make it through the rest of the evening. Eli had disappeared and as the night wore on, so did her energy. Darcy had enjoyed herself, which was the goal Scarlett had set for the party. After the last guest left and they all were going upstairs, Darcy stopped her on the landing and hugged her tightly.

"Thank you, Scarlett. No one has ever been so good to me. You're the best friend I've ever had."

Scarlett patted her back lightly and nodded. "You're welcome, Darcy."

"I will never forget this or what you've done for me," she pulled back from her and smiled. "You are a good person and don't ever let anyone tell you differently."

With a kiss on her cheek, Darcy left Scarlett and Rhett and made her way to her room. Standing for a moment, Scarlett felt awkward and strange in front of Rhett. She didn't know why, but she always felt as if he were mocking her even when he didn't say a word. Crossing her arms, she half turned to him. "Goodnight, Rhett."

"Scarlett," he stopped her. "What you've done for her is…. well, it's more than I thought possible from you. Don't get me wrong, it's not an insult. You've shown her more caring than anyone in your position would have done."

Not knowing what to say to him, she only nodded slightly and turned to the stairs that led to her rooms. "Thank you."

"As for Eli Barrett," he started, but she stiffened and faced him. "Don't say a word about Eli, Rhett. I just don't want to talk about him."

"This is one time you're going to listen to me," he shook his head darkly. "He's not what he appears and I don't trust him."

"You don't trust anyone," she snapped. "He's never done anything but be my friend and be there for me. Why he even helped you in Jonesboro against those men."

Rhett stared coolly at her for a moment and then he stepped closer to her. "Is this another repeat of Ashley Wilkes, because if it is by God, I'll leave tonight and you'll be on your own from here on out."

"This is NOT Ashley Wilkes, this has nothing to do with him! Stop acting like a jealous fool, Rhett. You've made your intentions toward me plain and clear and so who I choose as my friends is none of your concern."

"You little idiot, it's not that simple and you know it."

"Oh really? And just why should you care? I know you still see Belle Watling, I know you have a room there. I know lots of things, Rhett. You made the rules for this marriage when you decided to stay and so both of us will play that game."

"A game is it?" he growled and pulled her closer to him. "You can't play this game, Scarlett. You'll never win."

"And neither will you," she challenged.

They stared hard at each other, the silence only broken by their heavily drawn breaths. Each second passed, keeping time with the rhythm of her pounding heartbeat. Rhett scowled down at her, his hand gripping her arm.

"You can't have it both ways, Rhett," she replied tautly.

A war of wills was being fought and still neither one gave in as the silence grew stronger and thicker with the building tension between them. She trembled once from the strain of holding back. Her eyes fell on his flushed neck above the collar of his shirt and she saw the strain on him as well.

She felt herself drawn to him almost against her will. He suddenly wrapped his arm around her waist bringing her body intimately against his. Without thinking or even wanting to, she slid her hands up his chest feeling the cool material of his jacket under her fingers before making contact with the contrasting hotness of his flesh. His pulse quickened beneath her fingers and she finally lifted her eyes to meet his.

Time stood still for an excruciating moment and she thought she would explode if Rhett didn't kiss her or touch her. She wanted to throw caution to the wind but this time, it would be he who gave in. It would be he who gave and she who took. It could be no other way for her. In her frustration, she captured her bottom lip between her even, white teeth. This movement seemed to stir him and slowly he lowered his mouth down to hers.

At first, the kiss was tentative and strained, but when she gave a little moan the dam broke. Rhett lifted his head for a moment and saw the look in her eyes, the tumult of conflicting emotions that she knew was there for him to see. His breathing deepened and finally when neither of them could take any more, he growled, swooped down and captured her mouth with his own. He kissed her hungrily, his hands moving over her body and tangling in her hair.

Scarlett whimpered and threw her arms around him as he passionately assaulted her mouth. It had never been this way before. She had never felt this between them, this need that was nearly tangible. She raised herself up on her tiptoes and kissed him back in an almost desperate way, moving her arms to latch around his neck.

He deepened the kiss by pulling her head back by her hair and nearly lifting her off her feet. It went on and on and until she thought she would faint from it. He finally broke away from her and rained kisses down her neck and face. "Scarlett, Scarlett…" he groaned her name. "This is insane."

His mouth moved hotly over hers again and she opened under him letting him explore her sweetness. She gripped him tightly wishing she could feel all of him. Remnants of another night, of another time swept through her as he lifted her and carried her up the remaining stairs to the doors of her room. Only this time, he wasn't drunk and she wasn't pining after another man. No, this time their desire was for each other.

Time stood still when he shut the door and stood her in front of him. They stared at each other for a moment and then Rhett reached for her. Without hesitation she came to him and gave herself to him willingly. Their movements were rushed and desperate as they undressed each other, as if what was happening would suddenly stop. They fell to the floor in a tumbled heap, unaware they had not made it to the bed.

Over and over again she cried out his name until finally they passed the point of no return and she felt her body break into a million pieces beneath him. She had never experienced anything like it in her life and for a breathless moment she couldn't move, nor breathe, nor barely even think clearly as she slowly came back to earth.

She didn't know how long they had lain there, but she didn't care. Rhett, however, had a different opinion. He propped himself on his elbow and traced her jaw line. "My pet, I suggest we take this to the bed. I'm not exactly as young as I used to be and this floor is entirely too hard."

"I don't want to move," she sighed wrapping her arms around his neck and kissed him. Their passion was quickly ignited again but Rhett pulled away from her. Scarlett gave a groan of frustration and gripped his back, inadvertently scratching him with her nails.

Rhett laughed deep in his throat and captured her hands. "Wildcat," he whispered roughly and lifted her from the floor to the bed.

"Oh, Rhett," she groan and reached for him. "I've waited for this, for it to be like this. Like it was in the beginning when we first started out."

"Scarlett, you talk entirely too much," he growled and covered her mouth with his to silence anything else she might say.