Ok just going to go ahead and apologize for Belle's dialect. I know she's supposed to be illiterate but I might have gone overboard lol. Thanks again for the reviews :)

On the train ride from Jonesboro to Atlanta, Scarlett tried to devise a plan of action. Her first thought was trying to manipulate Rhett into marrying her. She hoped that once married he would feel obligated to take care of her family. Scarlett's shoulders slumped when she remembered he wasn't a marrying man. She also didn't want Rhett to know that she was in love with him. She could only imagine the barbs that would be directed at her if he figured that out. Her next plan was to remind him that she had to agree to be his mistress but he had only actually given her money the first time. Scarlett hated the feeling that had come over her the time he had given her money. She had felt low and common. Scarlett finally decided the truth was going to have to be the way to go. She thought Rhett would actually appreciate honesty from her instead of some silly scheme. Sudden nervousness overcame Scarlett when the train pulled into the Atlanta; she wondered if she had the courage to actually do this.

Rhett lay on the dirty cot that he had been given. He wondered from time to time how many unfortunate soldiers had died on this very cot during the war. Besides the clothes on his back the only possessions he had with him were the engagement ring and Scarlett's hairpin. He knew if the guards caught sight of the hairpin they would surely confiscate it; thinking he would try to use it to escape. He often looked at the engagement ring and wondered if he would ever get the chance to put it on her finger.

Rhett was disappointed that Scarlett hadn't come to see him yet. He knew how fast gossip in Atlanta traveled, so he was sure that she knew he was in jail. He wondered if she could figure out that the only he would return to Atlanta would be to check on her wellbeing. Probably not, understanding people's motivations had never been Scarlett's strong suit. He figured that he had still not been forgiven for leaving her at Rough and Ready. He vowed to himself that he would make it up to her somehow, someday. Then a chilling thought came over Rhett. Maybe she hadn't come to see him because she was in no condition to travel. Perhaps they now shared a newborn baby and she wouldn't be able to travel for some months. He didn't know what he would do if they had a child. If she was now living in shame because of him she would definitely never bring herself to forgive him. Rhett didn't know what had stopped him from proposing at Rough and Ready. An engaged woman having a baby would be just as ruinous as an unwed one, but Scarlett could have lied to people saying they eloped before Atlanta fell. But Rhett knew how fond of gossip Miss Pitty was she would have told Rhett something that scandalous. Unless she was ashamed of her niece having for a bastard child. Rhett put his head in his hands and groaned. He was letting his thoughts get away from him.

Suddenly, there was a commotion outside of the cell he was being held in. It wasn't even a proper jail cell; it was a stall that not to recently had held a horse. Rhett wondered what was happening. He didn't think the Yankees would really hang him; they hadn't gotten what they wanted from him yet. A young officer unlocked the door and stepped inside.

"Captain Butler, your sister is here to see you."

Rhett sighed. He had told them yesterday that he was in no mood to see Belle. He knew he had probably hurt Belle's feelings but there was only one woman he was interested in seeing.

"Please tell her again that I'm not interested in seeing her."

"Oh, no Captain Butler, this ain't Belle. She said her name was Scarlett." Rhett smiled his first genuine smile in months. She had finally come to see him. He hoped that meant he had been forgiven.

"Please, show her to my accommodations," Rhett joked; he couldn't remember when he had ever been happier in his life.

"No you are to come with me the Captain wants me to bring you to the orderly room. He doesn't want the lady to be uncomfortable." Rhett happily followed the young officer into the house that was being used as headquarters. Rhett's breath caught when he saw Scarlett. She was much thinner than the last time he had seen her, but she was dressed as if she still had all the money in the world. Her eyes had changed too. They were still the loveliest shade of green Rhett had ever seen, but there was a hardness that he had never seen before. He wondered what had happened to her while she had been at Tara.

Scarlett took in Rhett's appearance and couldn't believe what she was seeing. He was dirty, unkempt and unshaven. Scarlett had never seen him look anything but impeccable. She didn't care about his appearance; as soon as he entered the room she swiftly wrapped her arms around Rhett.

"Scarlett, my darling sister!" Rhett exclaimed with a laugh. He kissed her on the forehead. The guards dismissed themselves, leaving Rhett and Scarlett alone in the little room.

Rhett didn't bother to ask her if he could kiss her properly once they were alone in the room. His arms tightened around Scarlett drawing her closer. Their lips meet and overwhelming need came over both of them. Scarlett fisted her hands in Rhett's hair and let out tiny whimpers of need. Rhett let his hands roam over Scarlett's body. He was frustrated that just like the last time they were together layers of clothing were between him and Scarlett. Rhett felt like insanity came over him when he began to wonder if he could take her up against the wall with the Yankees standing right outside. If Scarlett wasn't such a hellcat he might have chanced it, but he knew when she was in the throes of passions she couldn't contain her screams. Regrettably, Rhett broke the kiss. He was happy when he heard Scarlett's groan of disappointment. He took her hands and led her to sit in one of the seats in the room.

Scarlett was disappointed when Rhett stopped the kiss. She knew that the Yankees could come back in any moment but she had missed him, missed the afternoons that they had spent together and missed the fire that seemed to burn between the two of them. She had vaguely hoped that he would put her on the small desk that was in the room and have his way with her. She blushed at having such an unladylike thought. Although, if she was honest with herself, she had left ladylike behavior behind the first time she joined him in his hotel room.

Rhett saw the blush blooming on Scarlett's cheeks and he was wondering what she was thinking about exactly. Was she embarrassed at the kiss they had just shared? Or was she remembering those few days of passion they were able to have the week before Atlanta fell? He hoped she was thinking about the week they spent together. He wanted to ask if there had been any consequences of that week. He figured she would be embarrassed, but he decided to be frank about it.

"Scarlett, you didn't have a child while I was gone did you?" Rhett carefully watched her face. He wondered if he had really seen the look of sadness that briefly graced her face or if he had imagined it.

"No, there wasn't a baby." There was a hint of sadness in her reply. He wondered if she had wanted to have his baby or if she had lost their baby. He wanted to ask her more about it, but something in her expression told him that the conversation was closed. He didn't know if there had ever been a child but the thought of her going through something like that alone made him angry with himself.

"You look great, Scarlett, so things are good at Tara?" Rhett was surprised when tears came to Scarlett's eyes.

"No. I just couldn't bear for you to see me wearing rags. So I made Mammy make me a dress out of my mother's curtains." Slowly, Scarlett told Rhett about all of the troubles she has had since she went home. She told him about her mother passing and her father losing his mind. She told him about how the Yankees had destroyed everything at Tara twice. When she told him about the deserter she had had to shoot, he pulled her into his arms into a tight embrace. He kissed her over and over again on the top of the head. The only thing she didn't tell him about was Ashley. Whenever Ashley entered the conversation, they always ended up having an argument. She was also worried that if she mentioned Ashley, she would somehow end up confessing her true feelings for Rhett. Rhett always managed to get her to say things she didn't want to say.

"Rhett, the Yankees want three hundred dollars for taxes on Tara. Could you loan me the money? I'd pay you back once we are producing again." Rhett looked away from Scarlett. It killed him that he had no access to his money. He would gladly give her the money without asking for repayment.

"Scarlett, I can't," he said barely over a whisper. He tried to explain to Scarlett that his money was in London and if he tried to touch it the Yankees would most certainly take it before she got it. Rhett thought for a moment. Belle would probably loan him the money. It made him uneasy to ask one mistress to give him money for his other mistress. He wasn't even sure what state his friendship with Belle was in. He had stopped using her services when he started seeing Scarlett. He figured she was probably upset that he kept refusing to see her whenever she came to the jail to visit him.

Scarlett let out a low moan and started weeping with earnest. It was lost. Everything was lost now. If Rhett couldn't help her there was no one else in the world that could.

"What am I going to do?" Scarlett started mumbling to herself over and over again.

Watching Scarlett fall to pieces was breaking Rhett's heart. It didn't matter if he had to humble himself to Belle he was going to get that money for Scarlett. He put his finger under Scarlett's chin so she had to look up in his eyes. He hated the anguish he was seeing in them.

"Scarlett, there might be someone who would be willing to loan me the money." Scarlett could tell by the tone of Rhett's voice that he didn't want to ask this particular person for help. Scarlett wondered who it could be that he would be so reluctant to ask for help.

"Oh, Rhett, really?!" Scarlett let hope flood back into her heart. Rhett let out a deep sigh.

"I can ask her. But I'm not sure what terms I'm on with her at the moment." At first Scarlett wondered what kind of woman Rhett would know with that kind of money. Then the realization came to her; that Watling woman it could only be her. Scarlett didn't want to be indebted to someone like her. She was about to tell Rhett to forget about it. She would have her family turned out on the streets before accepting help from the town's bad woman. But common sense stopped Scarlett. This was probably going to be the only way to save her families beloved plantation.

Rhett watched the emotions quickly changing on Scarlett's face. He almost wanted to laugh when he could tell that she wanted to refuse the money but her common sense won over her sense of decency.

"I'm not going to have to work for her am I, Rhett?" Scarlett asked softly. Rhett did laugh at this question. He would kill any man that thought they could touch his Scarlett the way he did.

"No, I will make it clear to her that it is my debt not yours. When do you need this money?"

"By the end of the month." That was only three weeks away. He didn't know if Belle would be able to come up with that sum even if she was willing to lend it to him.

"It might take a little time, Scarlett. Please don't do anything rash until you hear from me again." Rhett couldn't fight the feeling she would marry the first man she met that she thought might have three hundred dollars. He didn't know what he was going to do if Belle was unwilling to help him.

Rhett pulled her into a tight embrace. They stood there in the tiny room holding each other until the young guard came in telling Rhett he had to return to his jail cell. Rhett gave her another kiss on the forehead and watched her walk away. It occurred to him after she was gone that she hadn't promised him that she wouldn't do anything until she heard from him again; this didn't sit well with Rhett.

Rhett turned to the young guard. The young man had always been friendly and Rhett wondered if he could convince the man to do him a favor.

"Private Thompson?"

"Yes, Captain Butler?"

"Would you possibly go to Mrs. Watling and ask her to come visit me?" Rhett could see the officer hesitate. "Please, it's very urgent."

The private finally nodded his head and said he would go for Rhett.

Several hours later Belle arrived at the jail. She wasn't shown the same courtesy as Scarlett. She was shown to the barn that Rhett was housed in. She wasn't allowed into the cell with Rhett, she had to stand on the other side of the bars that was his door.

"Well, Mr. high and mighty Butler, finally allows me to grace his presence." Rhett winced at her tone. She was angry and hurt.

"Belle, I've had a lot on my mind. And I haven't exactly been in the mood for company."

"They really gonna hang ya?"

"I don't think so; they are really after my money." Belle snorted.

"They mus' not now ya's very well. Ev'rybody dat knows ya knows ya gots that gold somewhar that no one can touch it." Rhett chuckled at her response. She never could stay mad at him for long.

"Belle, I need a favor."

Belle looked at Rhett with disbelief. He was not one to ask for help from other people. It also hurt Belle that the only reason he had sent for her was that he wanted something from her.

"What?"

"I need three hundred dollars before the end of the month."

"Shit, Rhett! What on Earth ya needs that kinda money fer? Ya's in jail!" Rhett rarely lied to Belle. He rarely felt the need to lie to anyone, except for Scarlett. He only lied to her because he didn't know what she would do with the knowledge that he loved her. He had told her at Rough and Ready but since there had been no reaction he knew she hadn't heard him. This fact made him relieved and sad at the same time. He shook his head to get rid of the thoughts of Scarlett. He decided to just be honest with Belle.

"I need it for Scarlett. She has to pay the taxes on her father's plantation."

It occurred to Belle that Rhett must have allowed that woman to come and see him in jail; even though he had rejected her attempts to visit him. Anger and jealousy overcame Belle. She knew that he was in love with that woman but she thought her and Rhett at least shared something more than friendship. She wanted to tell him to go to hell and take his precious Scarlett with him. But Rhett had helped her start her business. She knew she owed what she had to Rhett Butler.

Rhett could tell that Belle was seething with anger. He didn't know if it would stop her from helping him or not.

"Ya'd really give that cold hearted bitch three hundred dollars? She ain't nothin' but trouble and ya should jus' leave her be."

Rhett balled his hands into fists when she called Scarlett a bitch. He had never struck a woman and he thought Belle was the last woman he would ever think of hitting but if he could have gotten to her in that moment he would have. He knew Belle was jealous but he didn't want her calling Scarlett names.

"Don't talk about her like that, Belle." Belle could hear the warning in Rhett's voice and was happy that the bars separated them.

"Why ya wanna do it fer her?" Rhett sighed; he didn't want to tell her this part. She was already angry and jealous, knowing that he had asked Scarlett to be his mistress too would probably cause her to not help him.

"About a week before Atlanta fell I asked her to be my mistress." Belle laughed.

"What she say no til now? Now that she needs the money?" Belle didn't understand why Rhett couldn't see Scarlett for what she really was. Scarlett would only use Rhett for his money, Scarlett would never love Rhett the way she does.

"It started as a joke. I was only trying to make her angry. She's so beautiful when she's angry." Rhett realized he was probably going into dangerous territory talking about how beautiful Scarlett is. "But for some reason she said yes." Rhett heard Belle's sharp intake of breath.

Belle remembered Rhett had stopped coming to see her right before he had left for the army. But he had been using her less and less since he had met Scarlett. She hadn't known why he had stopped completely; she figured it was because he was in love with Scarlett. She thought that maybe Rhett had found a black haired, green eyed whore to pass the time with; since she didn't think Scarlett was the type to go to bed with a man she wasn't married to. She never considered that someone from the kind of background Scarlett had would become a mistress if there wasn't a need to.

"She's yer mistress?" Belle was fighting back tears. She hoped she could hold them back until she was alone. She knew Rhett wouldn't think less of her if she cried, but suddenly she couldn't bring herself to be vulnerable in front of her.

"Yes. Now you understand why I need to help her."

Belle wanted to scream that she didn't understand anything about this situation, but she held herself together. Belle took a deep breath. Rhett was her friend, no matter what. She knew he was bound to get his heartbroken by Scarlett and she wanted to stay in his good graces so she could be there to pick up the pieces.

"I's do my bes' Rhett. But that's a lot of money."

Rhett admired Belle for her willingness to help even though she was upset with him.

"I know Belle. Thank you." Rhett walked up to the bars and beckoned for Belle to come closer. When she did he placed a simple kiss on her cheek.

Scarlett was walking through the streets of Atlanta almost in a daze. She was worried that Rhett wouldn't be able to get the money from that creature. She was worried that Mammy would be waiting for her at Aunt Pitty's house and she would be in for a world of trouble. Scarlett heard someone calling her name. She turned around and saw Frank Kennedy waving to her from his buggy. Scarlett almost groaned out loud. She was not in the mood to listen to Frank and his endless fussing.

"Miss Scarlett, you shouldn't be out wandering the streets of Atlanta all by yourself! Come get in my buggy. I'll take you to your aunt's house." Scarlett gladly allowed him to help her into the buggy. She was too tired to walk across town to her aunt's house.

"What are you doing here in Atlanta? Anybody come with you?"

"I was hoping to sell some handicrafts that I had made to the soldiers. I came alone." Scarlett figured she wouldn't be alone for long.

"Miss Scarlett, would you like to see my store?"

"You have a store, Mr. Kennedy?" Scarlett could tell that Frank was upset that Suellen hadn't told anyone about his store. Suellen might have told Scarlett about the store; she rarely paid any attention to what her sister had to say.

"I would love to see your store." Frank pulled the buggy in front of a small store. The store was in a good spot in the area known as Five Points. Frank's store was busy and Scarlett could tell he was making a little bit of money. Not as much as Rhett, but surely enough to pay the taxes. Scarlett wondered how quickly she could get Frank and Suellen married. But a sad thought came to Scarlett; her sister was too selfish to share her good fortune with her family. Surely, as soon as Suellen was away from Tara she would not offer any help to the family. Scarlett looked Frank over. He was not an attractive man. She hated the way he made a fuss about everything. She wondered if she would be able to get him to marry her if Rhett was unable to get the tax money for her. Scarlett almost laughed out loud. There were only two men she hadn't been able to get to propose to her and that was Rhett and Ashley. Frank would in no way be a challenge like the other two men had been. She didn't know how long she could tolerate him, but she was desperate. On the way to Aunt Pitty's house, Scarlett started to plant the seeds that Suellen was no longer interested in Frank. Scarlett also started to flirt outrageously with him. She wanted to keep him on the hook in case she didn't get the money. As Frank was busy fussing at her about something that Scarlett wasn't paying attention to she sent a silent prayer to God, Rhett or anyone that was listening for Rhett to please come through for her. She didn't want to sell herself into marriage with Frank.