Author Note: I am so sorry readers I totally messed up in labling my chapters when I was editing and saving them on my laptop and I posted them inccortctly. So this is the missing chapter, hopefully this will make more sense to the story. Again thank you all for reading :)

Disclaimer: I don't own anything it all goes to Margret Mitchell.

Chapter 3

Scarlett made her way down the grand stair case. She was feeling better now, feeling warmer and somewhat more relaxed, she made her way towards the parlour were she could see the lamp light glowing through the crack of the doorway. She knew Rhett was in there waiting for her there.

She had sat in her bath and thought about their situation and what possible outcome there could be. She loved him deeply, she knew this absolutely, but she also knew that he didn't love her anymore. This made her heart ache with a sharp pain when she thought about this too long.

She also knew he would leave again. But before he left her, she decided she wanted something. She wanted a memory of him, of them together that wasn't surrounded by bad feeling, insults or worse Ashley Wilkes! She wanted a memory that she could carry with her while he was gone. A memory that she could cherish during the night, when she was alone in bed craving the security and safety of his arms. She wanted a memory she could visit during the day that would fill her up and make her stronger.

Taking a deep breath she bracing herself for what she was going to ask, she pushed the door open. The room was cosy and warm. Rhett had a fire going and the lights around the room were dimmed casting an intimate feel to the usually large space. He sat in a winged back chair in front of the fire with a book resting in his lap. She observed that he wasn't reading it; he was looking into the flames of the fire his chin resting in his hand in a thoughtful pose. It was nice to observe him candidly like this. She drank in the sight of him adding this to the memory she was hoping to create this night. She might not get this chance again she mused.

He must have heard her. He turned to face the doorway where she still stood in her nightgown and wrapper. A small smile appeared on his face as his eyebrows rose as he raking his eyes from the top of her head to the tips of her slippered toes.

She knew he liked what he saw. She never had to wonder when he was feeling lustful towards her. It was one of the emotions she didn't need to be told. This is what she hoped he would feel, it could only help her cause. She stepped further into the room and approached the other wingback chair opposite Rhett's.

"You look more relaxed my pet," He gestured towards her wrapper and nightgown combination.

"It didn't make sense to dress again after my bath and besides you are my husband," she replied with a small smile and a raised eyebrow.

He chuckled and stood. "Would you care for a brandy?" He made his way to the decanter on the side table and picked up two glasses and brought them back to the fire place. Setting them on the small occasion table he poured two healthy measures of the amber liquid.

He handed one to Scarlett who took it in her two hands. She wrapped her slender fingers around the tumbler and took a sip. "Thank you," she watched him over the rim of the glass waiting for a comment about her drinking but nothing came and he sat back down in the opposite chair nursing his brandy. His posture was relaxed; he crossed one leg over the other resting his leather boot across his knee, watching her with a quizzical tilt of the head.

She had second thoughts about her outfit now, she felt a little exposed sat here under his gaze in her nightgown and wrapper. Her slippered feet just touching the floor and her hair loose, with only two combs holding the hair back from her face, which allowed the heavy waves of dark locks to trail down her back.

"I asked Mammy to put a tray together for you," He gestured to a small tray to the side of her chair with a mixture of breads and jams on. "If you hadn't come down I would have come to search you out. I don't think you've been eating all that regularly?"

"I guess I lose track of time and forget to eat," She shrugged as she placed the tumbler of brandy on the tray and reached for a seeded bread roll. She ripped it apart with her fingers and dipped one end into the preservative. She brought it to her lips and took a bite.

Rhett watched her eat knowing that she used to have a healthy appetite before he left. She looked so young and fragile sat there in her night attire. Nothing like the lioness he saw when he first met her in the Wilkes library. She was all passion and fight back then. He remembered her throwing that vase across the room and chuckled to himself.

"What's so funny?" she asked.

"I'm just remembering our first meeting and you throwing that vase. Such a temper for such a small woman," He grinned.

She gave him a smile. Its' not how most couple met she supposed.

Scarlett observed Rhett, he seemed in a pensive mood and he had just brought up the memory of their first meeting. Perhaps, now would be a good time to propose her suggestion that they share a night together? Her nerves were putting her on edge though. How did you go about asking your estranged husband for one night together before he disappeared again?

Scarlett placed the roll she had been nibbling down on the tray and picked up her tumbler of brandy again and took a long drink. She needed all the courage she could get. She had never once initiated any form of intimacy with Rhett. Her heart was pounding so hard she could feel it thudding in her chest. She swore Rhett could hear across the room.

It was now or never before she lost her nerve. "Rhett I have something to ask you,"

"Oh, and what pray tell me what is that?" He sat up straighter and moved to the edge of the seat his arms braced on his thighs, his interest peaked.

Scarlett took another long sip of her brandy; her hand shook as she placed the glassware down with a clink. She then stood and made her way to Rhett. She knelt down in front of him. Where he was sat, his face was now only inches from hers as she looked up at him. Reaching up she placed her hand on his wrist. She could feel the warmth of his skin and the steady pulse of his heartbeat.

"I...I want you to stay with me tonight Rhett," she rushed the words out of her mouth, afraid that she would not get them out otherwise.

Rhett was surprised; his eyebrows had shot up in shock. He had expected her to ask for money or some sort of investment but never this. He started to speak but she cut him off before he could get out a single word.

"I know you don't love me Rhett and I know you will leave me again but I want this one night with you. Something I can remember once you're gone again. Everything I can recall from our nightmare of a marriage feels tainted and sad. I just want something that is new and fresh," she rushed out her words. It would still be sad after he leaves, her traitorous mind whispered but she pushed that away. I will think about that tomorrow she promised herself.

"Scarlett...," he sighed.

"Please Rhett, I promise not to get too attached and I promise that I won't hold it over you. I just need this night with you. Can you give me that?" Her eyes implored him.

He looked into her emerald depths that glittered with unleashed moisture. Here she was asking for one night with him. His heart sang at the prospect of her asking this of him and not Ashley Wilkes. She didn't want to share this night with anyone else but him!

"I just want to feel loved for one night. You said you loved me once, can you pretend again for one night?" she pleaded.

His heart stalled in his chest. She only wants to feel loved, and wanted him to pretend for one night?! But he did love her, he was just so damn afraid to show her or tell her. He believed what he said when he left; she was cruel to those that love her. Melanie was testament to that. Scarlett only realised that she loved her when she was gone. He was afraid the same had happened here with him. Because he left, she then realised she loved him. He wanted to be loved by her of his own merit. But he found he couldn't deny her this request. He couldn't promise that he would stay with her after this and that he wouldn't leave again, but he too wanted a night that wasn't tainted by Ashley Wilkes. The idea that her sole focus would be on him did wonders for his pride at the very least.

He reached up to cup the side of her cheek as she still sat on her knees below him. His thumb caressed her cheek bone. Her skin was chilled to touch. No wonder, she was sitting on the floor in a thin cotton nightdress and wrapper.

He placed his brandy on the occasion table next to him and reached for her to stand. "Come up here, your cold,"

He bundled her up into his lap and wrapped his arms around her. Her feet came up to rest against the arm of the chair.

"Better?" He whispered.

"Yes," she sat on his lap waiting for his response to her plea.

"I think we should set some ground rules first," He said.

Scarlett nearly sagged with relief that he hadn't rejected her. "Go on,"

"Well...," he ran his hand across his chin. "There will be no promise that I will stay after, I don't want you to get your hopes up. As far as I'm aware this is a one off night Scarlett. Do you understand that?"

"Yes," She nodded eagerly but her heart broke a little more inside. She didn't think she would ever get used to the idea that he wouldn't stay.

"I also have no wish to be a father again. So we will be taking precautions," He continued.

She turned her head away and blushed deep red. It hurt to hear that he didn't want to be a father again but she didn't think she was ready to be a mother again either.

Rhett placed his fingers under her chin and turned her face back to his. "Do you understand?"

"Yes I do. I just want tonight, I don't ask for more than that. I won't ask anything more of you," she was lying to herself and she knew it. But option did she have? One night with him? Or no nights at all?

"Then I think we have a deal," he gave her a bittersweet smile. One night, it echoed in his mind. Would one night be enough?

Scarlett's eyes dropped to his mouth. Sucking her lower lip into her mouth she wet it with the tip of her tongue. She took a deep breath and leaned forwards and touched her lips to his lightly. Opening her mouth slightly and encouraged Rhett to do the same. As their tongues met she raised her hand to the side of his neck and caressed the nape as she ran her fingers through the ends of his thick hair.

His thinly clipped moustache tickled her lip as they kissed and she revelled in the feel of him. Rhett's hand came up and held her waist tightly clutching her to him; his hand then travelled up her back pressing her body to his. Scarlett moaned through their kiss and held him tighter, both her arms going around his neck.

Rhett broke their kiss and leaned back so he could see her face. "Shall we move somewhere a bit more comfortable?",