A/N: I hit a bit of a second wind- and I felt bad that the last one was so short. This one isn't much longer, but together they're okay, right? So... here ya go.

Ch. 10- Rhett

Rhett Butler would have recognized the walk and silhouette of Scarlett O'Hara Butler from a mile away, and at that very minute, he was no more than a block away. He was close enough to hear her laugh and see the briefest glint of white teeth as she turned her head toward the man walking with her.

What was that? It was certainly no one he could claim to know from their life together, which meant it was someone she'd met since. It wouldn't have grated on him if she'd laughed her southern belle laugh to be found charming. He knew that laugh well. This one, however, was different from that. It was a laugh he'd only rarely received- it was genuine and showed ease and trust that she didn't often let slip from behind her barriers. Moreover, the man held her arm as they walked, and he walked closely- too closely for Rhett to believe her were a mere acquaintance or business associate.

During their brief encounters in Ireland, she had never mentioned finding a new suitor. If he knew Scarlett at all anymore, which sometimes Rhett wondered if he did, she would have let that information slip as soon as she'd found out he was married. If not, then definitely as soon as Anne told her she would have a baby. Scarlett's pride would not have allowed her to feel pain without an attempt at getting him to feel some semblance of what she felt as well.

As Rhett watched from his seated position at the table outside the cafe, he realized that it must be very new if this was indeed a new relationship. Another thought churned within him as he wondered if perhaps that final meeting between them was what had given Scarlett all she needed to move on. He hated the power she still held over him and wondered if she could have possibly realized it.

Anne had, and for that, he would always feel remorse. Anne had deserved better than him- better than to be married to someone who still loved another. The irony was not lost on Rhett. For years, he'd fought against Scarlett, hating that she didn't love him in the same way she'd loved Ashley. Then, he'd turned around and done the same.

His only solace he found was that he did love Anne. He was faithful to her in a way he hadn't been loyal to Scarlett. Even when his thoughts drifted to Scarlett- especially after the bitterness had passed and after he'd seen her again- he would never return to her if it meant leaving Anne. For the entirety of his marriage with Scarlett, she hasn't appeared to hold that same loyalty. There was still no doubt in his mind that up until the end, Scarlett would have gone running if Ashley had asked her to.

He'd consciously made only two plans for his trip to Atlanta. The first was to conclude his business matters, and the second was to speak with Scarlett. He'd refused to allow himself to consider further what the conversation with Scarlett, or the aftermath, might look like. All he knew was that the second Sally had slipped up and told him that Scarlett had arrived in America, he knew he needed to see her. Rhett's insistence on not making a plan also meant he had no idea how to approach her, and he was hesitant to appear as if he had sought her out intentionally. He'd already done that once, in Ireland, and it hadn't ended well.

He'd considered going to Tara, having only ever been there once, before they'd built the house on Peach Tree Street, but he felt strange to intrude on her in a place she valued so much. It felt invasive, and he doubted she would welcome his presence there. The afternoon was waning, which Rhett knew would mean she'd have a room in town for the night rather than drive back to Tara. He decided to inquire after her at the hotels later, much like in Ireland, and request her presence downstairs.

He found that Scarlett O'Hara was booked into one of the central hotels in Atlanta, and he sent a note up to her. He chose to wait in a chair, reading the newspaper and wondered if she would come down this time. A part of him wouldn't be surprised if she didn't. Fifteen minutes later, the rustling of dress fabric behind him stirred his attention, and he turned to see a cautious-looking Scarlett approaching him. There was no smile on her face, but neither was there anger.

"Rhett, how surprising to find you here."

"Scarlett. Thank you for joining me." He gestured to the seat before him, offering it to her without bothering to stand.

Scarlett looked down at it and then back towards the stairs as if considering whether she should sit or flee. She chose to sit. She looked around again. "Will Anne be joining us? I should probably apologize to her for leaving after we last spoke."

Rhett felt a knife slice into his gut at the words, and for a moment, he felt anger rise. Then, he realized Scarlett's words had no malice or pettiness, and it dawned on him that she must not have spoken to Sally recently. Instead, whatever conversation might have occurred faded into nothing, and he found himself having to repeat words he'd been muttering for weeks.

"Anne passed away." He paused for a moment before adding. "My son is gone as well."

Scarlett's face dropped and filled with pity that he couldn't bear to look at. While his face was down-turned, she leaned over and gently placed a hand on the top of his. "Rhett. I'm so sorry. Truly."

Strangely, he found that he believed her. He also found that he could no longer look at her. He cleared his throat. "You'll have to excuse me. I've just recalled something I must attend to. Goodbye, Scarlett." Then, without looking back, Rhett stood and walked past Scarlett and out of the hotel, leaving her stunned and speechless.