Chapter 13- Scarlett

The convent that housed Careen was respectfully outside the city limits, and as Scarlett and Colum approached, she felt a wave of nerves that she hadn't expected. Colum approached first, and knocked on the door. He'd made sure to wear his vestments, telling Scarlett they held a certain amount of weight that just his collar and title didn't.

A nun opened the door and looked coolly at Colum. "Yes?"

"Father Colum Terrence O'Hara, here to see Sister Evangeline- Careen O'Hara."

Her eyes narrowed. "As I informed the diocese, Sister Evangeline is not seeing anyone. She is observing a time of contemplation and prayer."

"Unfortunately, it's a matter of familiar urgency. I'm afraid I must insist. The Bishop has given the order."

"Who's this?" She directed her eyes at Scarlett.

"Her sister."

"As you know, Father, this is a cloister; not everyone is permitted to enter."

"The Bishop knows she's with me; he's approved it."

"Her eyes narrowed further. I'll bring her to you, and one of the other nuns will stay with you to ensure everything is as it should be."

"There is no need for a chaperone, Sister. I'm sure you don't doubt my intentions, and her sister will be present."

She narrowed her eyes before jerking open the door and stepping aside. "Come in; you can meet in the gardens."

"We'll see her in her chambers, thank you."

"Absolutely not-"

"Sister. You'd do well not to argue the point further. Direct us to her chamber and leave us."

Without further words, she gestured for them to follow her and stormed down a stone corridor to a closed wooden door. She wrapped on the wood with her knuckles and then took a key from a deep pocket within her own vestments.

Scarlett's eyes narrowed as she watched the nun unlock Careen's room. Was she locked inside? She would definitely be asking Careen about that.

The door pushed open, and Scarlett looked at her baby sister for the first time in years. The first thing she noticed was the look of joy that crossed her face and then was quickly masked when she saw the other nun. Then, she registered that her sister was thin-too thin- perhaps even thinner than when they were all starving at Tara during the war.

Thankfully, Colum took over once again and spoke. "Thank you, Sister. You may leave us."

Scarlett didn't miss the way the nun stared at Careen for a prolonged moment- as if she was trying to silently convey something to her. Finally, she left the trio alone and walked back down the hallway.

Colum and Scarlett stepped inside the room, closing the door behind them. As soon as the door shut, Careen launched herself at Scarlett. "Scarlett! You came!"

Scarlett wrapped her arms around her sister. "Careen- what's going on here?"

Careen hugged her for another moment before pulling away. She glanced warily at Colum.

"Careen. Meet Colum, our cousin from Ireland?"

"Our cousin? Really?"

"Yes, indeed," Colum smiled. "We'll tell you all about your family over there later."

She smiled and looked back at Scarlett. "Oh, Scarlett. Can you get me out of here?"

"I'll do whatever you need, Careen; of course, I will, but why not tell us what's going on first."

Careen's face crumpled. "I-I asked to leave. I told them I thought I'd made the choice to hasty- it got worse from there."

Scarlett patted Careen's arm, "We're here now, Careen. I won't let anything else you don't want to happen to you."

A/N: This one is short, but 2 chapters in one day isn't bad, right? The next chapter is Rhett going to speak to the Orphanage. How do you all see that going?

Special thanks to: GuestMaryJ, tutu3791, Truckee Gal, Klenk Eniko, The Southern Bella, Princess Alica, Auroarah, and Guest(s).