Hello all and I want to thank everyone who reviewed my last chapter, you all are awesome and I appreciate every kind word I revceived. I could name names and then I'd be in trouble, but believe me, every review I got was greatly and most happily appreciated. I'm just glad you like the story and what I'm doing with our hero and heroine... not exactly easy to write them sometimes, lol. Anyway, on we go to the next chapter... hope you enjoy!

The Journey Home

Standing on the Edge

Scarlett sighed as Rhett wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her back close to him. He kissed the back of her neck and then nuzzled her ear, letting his hand wander lazily over her hip.

"I can't believe this happened," she said with a satisfied sigh.

"It is a rather surprising turn of events," he chuckled as he propped himself on his elbow and then leaned forward to kiss her shoulder, "but not an unpleasant one."

"You don't regret it, Rhett?" she asked hopefully and turned to lie on her back.

"No, my pet, I don't… although, I'm not sure what this may mean for us. Too much has been said and done between us to lay it all aside after one night of passion."

"But, there is so much we can do and learn now, Rhett, now that we both want the same thing. There is nothing that can come between us."

"Nothing?" he shook his head. "Don't be so quick to assume, Scarlett. Please, don't misunderstand me," he started when he saw the look of alarm in her eyes. "I am quite happy to be back in your bed, but there a great many things we must overcome. I accept that Ashley Wilkes is no longer an issue in your life, but what of Eli Barrett? It seems one suitor has been swapped for another."

"No, it isn't like that between us. Eli is my friend," she protested his charge, but Rhett was not to be deterred.

"You may see it that way, but I assure you he does not. Eli Barrett wants you, Scarlett. Furthermore, he wants to be where I am right now, I have no doubt of that."

"And what of Belle?" she asked boldly. "Do you think I don't know what she's been to you? I can hardly stand the thought of you with her, Rhett, it's-"

"It's nothing you should be concerned about any longer, Scarlett." he cut her off. "I haven't been to see Belle since my return, at least not in that way."

"But you have been to see her?" she pushed for an answer.

"Yes, but only to settle a few business matters. We are business partners, Scarlett. Belle is a shrewd woman of business, much like yourself."

Scarlett gasped and glared at him, "Don't say I'm like that woman, I'm nothing like her."

"In your own way, you're very much alike," he replied teasingly, "but there is only one Scarlett O'Hara and I don't plan on sharing her with anyone."

"By anyone, you mean Eli."

"Yes, that's exactly what I mean. He's done nothing to warrant my feelings that I will concede to you, but there is just something I don't trust about him."

"You're wrong about Eli, Rhett," she replied, but she could see that no amount of argument was going to sway Rhett's opinion of Eli. He saw their relationship one way while she saw it another.

"We shall see about that," he said cryptically, to which Scarlett did not reply. She was torn about her feelings for Eli because she had come to depend on him, but if it meant that remaining friends with him would threaten her bond with Rhett, then she would have to no choice but to end the friendship. She would not risk losing him again.

"What are you thinking?" he traced his finger slowly down the jaw line of her face. "Do you think I'm a jealous fool?"
"Jealous - yes, fool - never," she grinned. "But I like that you're jealous… it means you care."

"Yes, I care, damn you," he laughed low in his throat and lifted her so that she was lying atop of him. "You little witch, you've cast your spell on me."

"Have I?" she purred huskily as she moved to settle on top of him. He ran his hands over her expanding middle and then their eyes connected and for an instance she saw those eyes cloud over in contradiction at the thought of their child.

She didn't want him to be afraid to love again but she knew Rhett well enough to let it alone for the time being. He would come to love this child as much as Bonnie, but it would be in his own time and nothing she could do could change that for him.

"Why is it I never can get you out of my system? Why do you haunt me to the point of my own sanity?" he questioned her almost in agony.
"If I knew that Rhett Butler, I would have used it to my advantage a long time ago."

He laughed louder at her response and twisted a piece of her long hair around his finger. "You really have no shame and yet that is the reason I've always been fascinated with you. You go after what you want and the rest of the world be damned."

"As long as I have you the rest of the world can be damned," she declared and then she ran her hands up the course roughness of his chest. She let her mouth follow her movements and was pleased when she heard his breathing deepen at her ministrations.

"Scarlett, you are witch… a beautiful, seductive, very alluring witch," he nearly moaned his words. "And I've never wanted you more than I do at this moment."

Overwhelmed by her own feelings of love for him, her mouth came to his and he quickly met her in a passionate kiss that consumed them both. He then lifted her dark hair from her face giving him access to the smooth expanse of her neck. His mustache bristled against her skin sending shivers down her arms.

"Rhett," she moaned his name softly, "there is no other man for me, no other… only you."

In one swift move Rhett reversed their positions and came over her, raising her arms above her head as he continued to plunder her mouth sweetly. Their bodies joined in an erotic dance of tangled limbs until they became one. They lost all track of time, neither one caring about the outside world. The only thing that mattered was right there in that room with them and for the present, it was all they needed.

Eli slid up to the bar and tossed down a coin, "Whiskey," he stated flatly. The bartender eyed him for a moment before placing a tumbler and a bottle in front of him.

"You look like a man who could use the whole bottle," the bartender noted.

"I'll take it," Eli answered and went to lift the bottle from the bar. The bartender gave a gravelly laugh as he did. "I'd say a woman is to blame."

"I'd rather not talk about it," Eli replied and made his way over to a table. As he sat down a dark haired young woman slid in the chair in front of him and propped her hand under her chin.

"Hello there," she grinned. "Don't I know you?"

"I don't think so," he said, frowning toward her. "I don't recall asking for company."

"No, you didn't, but you look like you could use some just the same," she dipped her index finger in the amber liquid in his glass and then slowly circled it with her lips seductively.

"Look Miss, I don't want to offend you, but I really don't want company. I'd rather be left alone."

"Dora Mae, I believe the man said he wanted to be left alone, so why don't you do just that," a voice said behind them. In unison they turned to see Belle standing there with her arms crossed imperiously. Dora Mae immediately stood.

"Miss Belle, I wasn't doing anything wrong," she said in defense of herself.

"No my dear, I'm sure there are plenty of men in here who would be more than happy to have your company."

"Yes Ma'am," she nodded and moved away leaving Belle and Eli alone.

"I hope my company isn't unwanted," she said with a raised brow before occupying the seat Dora Mae had left.

"Suit yourself," he said and tossed back a drink. The whiskey was strong and burned his throat, but it was what he needed to wash the bitter taste out of his mouth.

"Eli, I don't have to tell you what a fool you are, do I?" Belle stated knowingly.

"Belle, just don't."

"Did you think anything would come of your infatuation? Of course, that's assuming it's over the woman we discussed earlier."

He didn't say anything at first but then he gave a short nod. "It's over, she's made her choice."

"Did you believe it would be otherwise?"

"I had hoped," he admitted and tossed back another drink.

"I've seen this before and it never comes to no good. It's one reason I've never had the desire to marry myself."

"I could make her happy," he said bitterly. "Her husband only wants her because he thought I would take her away. He doesn't see her as I do."

"Oh? And how do you see her? Have you made her this fantasy woman that is larger than life and would probably be more trouble than she's worth?"

"You couldn't possibly know so don't even try. She's more than her husband gives her credit for being. I see her for what she is, I know her and…"

"And, you love her," Belle finished for him. She sighed and placed a comforting hand on his arm. "Do you think you're the only one who has this happen to him? There is a man I happen to care about but he uses me to replace his wife when he wants to force her out of his mind. I know this and yet, I can't resist him when he wants me."

"Two peas of a pod, eh Belle?" he replied sardonically. "Both of us wanting what we can't have."

"I'm satisfied with it, but you will never be. She'll never be yours, not in the way you want her to be. And you'll break yourself over her. Take my advice, Eli leave now while you can. While you still have your self respect."

"I can't," he declared miserably. "I can't leave her. I have to know she'll be alright."

"But, it's not your place, honey," Belle pointed out to him. "She's chose her husband, so let it be."

"I can't," he shook his head. "I have to stay."

Belle realized that no matter what she said, Eli was going to stick it out even if it eventually ruined him. Shaking her head with disgust, she stood and lifted the bottle. "Well, in that case at least do your drinking upstairs in one of my rooms. When you pass out, you'll be close to the bed and I won't have to have you hauled up there later."

Eli lifted the tumbler and tossed back the drink again. "You have a point, Belle." He stood and swayed to one side as the whiskey was having its desired effect. It didn't take long for Belle to deposit him in one of the rooms. She left him there to drink himself into oblivion if he wanted.

He drank into the night and by the next morning he was nursing a headache that matched any cannon that had been burned off. Placing an arm over his eyes to block out the rising sun, he groaned when the door to his room exploded in a loud knock. He didn't move to open it since he wasn't exactly sure his legs would hold him to do so. When he didn't respond, the knock grew louder.

"Shut up," he said thickly and rolled over on his side. He heard the door open and the scuff of boots let him know someone had entered. "What do you want?" he muttered the question.

"Why, little brother, is that any way to greet me?"

It took a minute for the voice to register in his mind and with a quick motion that rattled the inside of his head, he sat straight up and found himself looking straight into the face of his brother. He was leaner and looker rougher, but for all that, he saw an older version of himself standing there.

"Cain," his voice strangled on the name.

"The one and the same," Cain Barrett smiled grittily. "You didn't think I was going to let them lock me up for good did you?"

"What in the-" he started but his head splintered violently and he clutched it in his hands to relieve the pressure.

"No, little brother, I have unfinished business and since that business is in Atlanta, well where else would go to settle it?"

"What are you talking about? You can't be here… I can't let you be here," he growled roughly as he glared at him. "I'm still the law, Cain."

"Blood is thicker than any law," he rebutted and threw his hat aside.

"You have to get out of here."

"Not until I get what I came after."

"You have no business here," Eli stated irritably. "You leave now or I'll be forced to turn you in."

"No, I don't think so," Cain shook his head. "You see, you're the person who's going to help me get what I came here for because you're the one person who can."

Eli gritted his teeth toward his brother. "You're out of your mind, Cain. I can't help you, I won't help you, brother or not."

"Oh, but you will," Cain smiled confidently. "Because it's not what I want as much as who I want."

"Who you want?" Eli repeated in confusion.

"Yep… a little gal that you know. Goes by the name Butler… Scarlett Butler to be exact."