Disclaimer: I own nothing regarding GWTW

Author's Notes: Thank you for all the reviews and feedback.

Chapter Sixty

During dinner the Sunday after Clarence ask Rhett to get Ashley a job, Rhett said, "Mr. Wilkes, how do you feel about becoming a teacher?"

"I would like that very much."

"I know a man who has opened a boy's school. He is looking for a teacher to teach some English Literature, some philosophy, and some mythology."

"Yes."

Both Scarlett and Rhett could see Ashley's hopeful expression. Scarlett was waiting for Rhett to shoot the man down somehow. Rhett continued, "I will let my friend, who is the owner, know that you are interested in the job. Before I do though, do you have a copy of your curriculum vitae?"

"Yes, I will get it for you after we finish eating."

"Does your curriculum vitae have all your education on it?"

"No, I didn't want to appear overqualified."

"Write up a new one with all your education on it. Drop it by to me at the hotel."

"Certainly, Captain Butler. I will drop it off tomorrow morning."

"That will be fine."

"Thank you."

"I have to do what I can to help Miss Melly's husband."

Melanie blushed and smiled at Rhett. Scarlett thought, 'I guess now Melly doesn't think he is such a bad guy. Actually, Melly has always thought he was a misunderstood man, yet she has always known he was not received. I guess that was her objection to me marrying Rhett. The fact he was unreceived. No, it was because Melly knows Rhett will not let me continue helping Ashley.'

After Rhett and Scarlett were in their bedroom at the hotel, she said, "What is the joke?"

"No joke."

"No joke? What happened to you not letting your money be used to help Ashley?"

"I'm not spending any money. All I am going to do is set up the interview. It is up to Mr. Wilkes to obtain the job."

"Thank you for that. I wouldn't want the Wilkeses to starve."

"Even India."

"I wish India would go for a long walk on a short pier, but I don't want her to starve to death. That would be a horrible way to die. Even after all these years, I can still remember how it felt to not get enough to eat day after day."

In a hard voice, Rhett said, "I can too, Baby. I think the worse feeling was not knowing if the next day was going to be any better."

Scarlett knew Rhett wasn't talking about his time in the Confederate army, but his first year of disownment, but she said, "Luckily you had the money to get on a ship to Europe."

Rhett flashed her a smile and said, "Where I spent my time worrying about a green-eyed beauty."

"She was cursing you almost as much as she was cursing the Yankees."

Rhett laughed. Scarlett laughed. He knew she knew he hadn't been talking about the Confederate army. He thought, 'Maybe someday I will tell her about my time right after I was disowned. Probably not. Most of the things I did to survive are just too embarrassing to admit to anyone.'

Within that week everything was arranged. Ashley did quite well during his interview. One of the few things he was passionate about was good literature. The owner, Stuart Townsend, took an instant liking to Ashley. On his resume Ashley had stated that he spoke French fluently.

During the interview Stuart switched to French and Ashley kept up his side of the conversation. Stuart noted that while his French was rusty, it was clear that Ashley was familiar with the French language. Stuart hired Ashley. He would start work in the fall. Ashley was going to teach English Literature and French.

Nobody knew it that day in May, but Ashley was finally going to have found his niche in their new world. Ashley was going to love his job. He was a natural teacher. With him being so good at his job he would have a lot more confidence and optimism.

After Stuart told Ashley he had the job, Ashley knew he needed to find a way to bring in money until school started in the fall. He went to visit with Henry Hamilton. He was able to convince the older man to give him a job as a law clerk for the summer. Henry was happy to employ Ashley for the summer because if the younger man didn't work out, Henry would just not ever hire Ashley again. As it turned out, Henry would hire Ashley every summer from then on.

Clarence had learned his lesson in regard to leaving Rhett alone. He couldn't. He really couldn't leave Scarlett alone, but he had to stick to Rhett. None the less, Clarence knew that if Rhett ever found out that Clarence was there it would destroy the trust Rhett had in the angel. Clarence had promised to leave Rhett and Scarlett alone. Clarence's mentor, Sam Winchester, had come down to check out his situation. Sam had asked, "Are you having any problems?"

"Not exactly."

"Clarence, I'm here to help you."

"I probably should already know the answer, but…"

"Spit it out, Odbody."

"My charge is uncomfortable with me being in the room when he and his wife are being intimate."

"Why did you not dematerialize?"

"I did, but then Marvin came….."

"Marvin Zindler?"

"Yes, sir."

"That arrogant, egotistical b….. I am not allowed to say that word, but he is one."

"Yes, sir."

"Go on what happened with Marvin."

"My charge was using the services of one of the sex trade workers."

"How awkward."

"Yes, but I remained with him. The only good part is for some reason he forgot when I told him I was with him always."

"A lot of humans only believe in what they can see. Your charge, what is his name again?"

"Rhett Butler."

"I remember now. So, Rhett was unaware he had an audience until Marvin showed up."

"Yes, Marvin and I got into a conversation. That is when Rhett heard us talking. After that he refrained from using those women until he married Scarlett. Rhett wanted to be alone with Scarlett therefore, I got permission to leave Rhett unguarded for an hour at a time."

"While you were gone Marvin came upon him and found him alone. Well, except for his partner."

"His wife."

"Marvin caused trouble?"

"Yes. He whispered things into Scarlett's ear. She is extremely insecure because Rhett cheated on her before. However, Rhett calmed her down and soothed the waters."

"Good work on Rhett's part."

"Yes."

"So, what is the problem?"

"Rhett has a quick temper where Scarlett is concerned. Probably others, but definitely where she is concerned. She doesn't trust him completely and that is why the contract is still in limbo. I am afraid he will say something to destroy the fragile trust she has in him. I am afraid if I am not there to protect them while they are being intimate, Marvin will come back and cause some severe damage."

"Yes, I have read his history. You have cause to be concerned. Although, the latest data shows that they are both more mature and more reasonable."

"What should I do?"

"Ah, Clarence, I can't tell you what to do any more than you can tell Rhett what to do. You have to study the facts and make the best decision."

"I'm not very good at that. After someone else points it out I can see what the right path should have been."

"I can't tell you anymore. No, wait. I can tell you one more thing. At the end of this if you are unsuccessful, you are going to go over everything you did or didn't do. You don't want to have any regrets. You don't want to be saying if only I had."

"You are right, Sam. Thanks."

"One last thing, Clarence, the humans we help are the lost causes. You are his last-ditch effort to save him. If you fail, it isn't your fault. He got himself in this situation."

"Yes, Sir."

"And one more thing."

"Yes."

"You must remember that the humans whose soul is in jeopardy are never good, church going people. They usually are the dregs of society even if they are rich, handsome, and charismatic. This is not the last time you will have to witness the sleazier side of humans' lives.

As Sam disappeared, he was thinking, 'Poor Clarence he cares so much about the humans. He has to remember that these last-ditch efforts often end in failure, at least seventy-five percent of the time. Yet the ones we save are our staunchest allies from then on. Rhett Butler has control of his own destiny. There is only so much Clarence can do to help.'

As Clarence sat there, he knew what he had to do whether he liked it or not. Saving souls was not for the faint hearted. He just wouldn't tell Rhett about it. Hopefully, he would never find out. Rhett had real trust issues.

Rhett and Scarlett were at the governor's mansion for Mr. Bullock's inaugural ball on July fourth. There was quite the buffet, there was alcohol, there was dancing, and there were shady deals being made. Rhett and Scarlett arrived at the event at around nine o'clock. It had started at eight, but they had other priorities.

Rhett and Scarlett had eaten supper with the children then gone upstairs to get dressed for the event. Since they were already undressed, they decided to be physical in a sexual way.

Rhett had recently introduced Scarlett to two new positions. One she liked a lot, the other one not really. Rhett suspected that the name put Scarlett off the most. She had said, "I'm not a dog."

"No, you aren't. You are a beautiful woman."

"I do like sitting in your lap."

"Good because I like you sitting there."

"Is there a position you don't like?"

"Several. I will never tell you about them."

Scarlett pouted, but it did no good. Rhett just kissed her pout away until she was once again smiling at him. As he held her close, he thought, 'Why would I tell her about a position I would never want to engage in.'

As Rhett and Scarlett were riding home from the governor's ball, she said, "Who was that woman I saw you talking to?"

Rhett was flattered. There was a sharpness in Scarlett's tone that he was sure she was not aware of. She was jealous. She had paid enough attention to him to notice he was talking to another woman. For once Rhett's temper was nowhere to be found. In fact, he was loving every moment of her behavior.

Rhett put his arm around his wife and said, "The wife of a business associate."

"She was very attractive."

Rhett heard his cue. In their last timeline, he would have agreed with Scarlett just to rile her up, but he was much smarter now. He said, "Maybe, but I wouldn't know. I only have eyes for you. I only stopped to talk to her to find out where her husband was."

Scarlett preened. Rhett's mission was accomplished. He did wonder how many times he would have to reassure her about his fidelity, but he would do it as many times as he needed to do it. Fortuitously, Rhett had been warned by Clarence that Peggy was at the Governor's ball also.

Peggy had been there to visit with one of her assignments, Emily Blunt. Peggy knew that Emily was insecure about her weight so Peggy whispered some cruel comments in Emily's ear about her dress making her look fat. A person's vanity was always an effortless way into their mind.

While Peggy was there, she had seen Scarlett. Scarlett had been flirting with some young man and having an enjoyable time. Peggy had noticed that Scarlett was constantly checking on Rhett. When Peggy saw Rhett talking to a young woman, she whispered in Scarlett's ear, 'I wonder if he has known her carnally also.'

Although Scarlett was beginning to trust Rhett to never be unfaithful to her again, there was still a slither of doubt in her mind. She shook it off by telling herself, 'Rhett doesn't need to use another woman. He has me to make love to.'

Scarlett had turned her attentions back to the young man she had been flirting with. The young man for his part was enjoying Mrs. Butler flirting with him, but he was not going to ever forget that Mr. Butler was one of the finest marksmen in the South, if not the finest.