Disclaimer: I own nothing regarding GWTW.

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

Thank you to everyone who helped me keep the Clark and Vivian story straight.

Chapter Forty-Eight

The next several weeks, Rhett would catch Scarlett staring off into the distance and knew she once again was thinking of Vivian and Clark. At the end of the month she said, "Their real-life romance was head and shoulders better than what Margaret Mitchell wrote."

"Yes, it was."

"I love reading their story. She would be ranting about him being a horse's behind then three pages later she would be writing about the wonderful thing that he did for her and how much she loved him. He took her and the children to Europe several times, they went to New York, Boston, and San Francisco. He introduced her to the finest people. Once Liz was married, they were going to travel around the world, but he had a mild heart attack, and she wouldn't leave the United States after that. It was plain to tell by her writing that she loved him to the moon and back. It was equally plain to tell she thought he loved her just as much."

"He probably did. I would say he did. He waited for her second husband to die so he could marry her. More likely he helped her second husband to the other side so he could be with her. That is pretty powerful love to kill someone else for her. Do you think she knew before hand?"

"Absolutely not. Furthermore, I am sure she never asked him." Rhett looked at Scarlett questioningly. She said, "Psychological components. It is one thing for her to think he would kill to have her, but an entirely different thing to know the man she was married to a murderer."

"I can see that. It was so sad to me when they tried to stop being intimate with each other after JoJo died so they wouldn't create any more children.

"Clark even started sleeping in another room."

"I did think it was funny that almost every night one or the other one would join the other one in their bed."

"I also thought it was funny that Vivian was baffled by the fact that Clark truly did want daughters over sons."

"In that day and age, almost all men wanted sons. Sons to support them when they got too old to work."

"I guess Clark wasn't worrying about having a son to support him. He had lots of money. I like the real-life version of Leslie better than the way Mitchell portrayed him. Once Vivian showed him how to run the sawmill, he became quite successful. I don't understand why Mitchell portrayed him as weak and ineffectual."

"Probably to make the tragedy that much greater."

"Huh?'

"Clark was obviously the better man, but Vivian couldn't see it thus creating a hostile situation."

"She sees the truth when it is too late. After Olivia dies. In real life Olivia doesn't die. She and Leslie just fed and clothed the homeless children. She would leave food, clothing, and blankets on their back porch at night. In the morning the food and clothing were always gone. It was easy to see that people had slept on the porch. She did it until she passed away. Leslie continued doing it even though he had commented to Vivian that there really wasn't as much need as there had been right after the war."

"Vivian not seeing the truth until it is too late makes it even more tragic. What are you going to do with the diary?"

"Keep it so I can read it again and again."

"Maybe we should get it bound so it doesn't fall apart."

"Not yet. I like holding the diary and knowing she held the same book."

"I did research on SIDS in the nineteenth century. Most doctors and lay people believed that the baby had been accidentally smothered."

"How awful for the parents to have to carry that burden. It is bad enough knowing I didn't do anything wrong."

Rhett changed the subject. He said, "Don't forget we have to attend the banquet for the Cantilever group this evening?"

"I haven't forgotten. Right now, I am going to watch The Hunt for the Red October."

"I'm going to read over my latest research in case they ask me about it."

"Alright, Sweetie."

In November Rhett found out that his Uncle Bruce's wife, Joy was still alive. She, in fact, was still living in Charleston. She was on the government dole. She had nothing. After he told Scarlett about Joy, she said, "Serves her right. She helped kill four people for money."

Rhett said, "The investigator found out Joy's background. She had been born poor and the only asset she had was her looks. She wasn't very smart. She had been working as a waitress when she met my uncle. She was only twenty-one when she married my uncle. Admittedly she was old enough to know better but…"

"Young enough to still have stars in her eyes."

"Exactly. I know it was my uncle's idea to kill my family. Yes, she went with him, but I don't think she killed anyone."

"She may not have known what he was going to do until it was too late. By that time, she was as guilty as he was."

"That's true"

"She saw the golden ring and when for it."

"Unfortunately, for Joy the golden ring was brass."

"Are you feeling compassion for her?"

"No, pity. One hundred percent pity."

Scarlett smiled sadly and said, "Me too. Let's forget all about her."

"Why not? The rest of the world has."

It was sad, but the couple was able to easily dismiss Joy Brubaker completely from their minds. She was not of any importance at all.

Later that week when Scarlett asked Rhett about going to one of her colleague's homes for Thanksgiving, he absolutely refused. When Rosie found out they didn't have any plans for Thanksgiving, she told Scarlett, "I will send Junior over with a care package. All you will have to do is warm it up."

"Thank you, Rosie. You are the best."

Rosie would have happily invited them to spend the day with her family, but she knew that Rhett was not a social man and would not find the event pleasant in the least little bit. The boxed lunch was Rosie's way of inviting the Butlers to Thanksgiving dinner. They got all the good food, but Rhett didn't have to endure anyone's company.

Soon it was Christmas and Scarlett invited the same people again except Karen. Rhett really didn't like her. Emily was in Los Angeles. She and Scarlett occasionally text each other and this was one of those times. They wanted to wish each other Happy Holidays. Emily had texted – Don't worry. I'm not alone for Christmas. Scarlett had texted back – Anyone I know? Emily – Yes. Scarlett- Good. Emily – You were right. Scarlett – I'm glad things are working out between you two. I think you will make a good couple. Emily – Me too. Scarlett – Have fun.

Scarlett had invited Jacob and his wife Imani, but they had declined. They were spending Christmas with their families. Scarlett had not met the young man, yet. She had not had any unusual cases in a while, but she would ask Rhett about the young man every now and then. He would always say, "He isn't as good as Dr. Addy."

"Give him time."

This was a trait that Scarlett thought was endearing but also kind of unfair. Nobody would ever be as good as Miguel in Rhett's mind, nor would anyone ever be as good as Emily in his mind. It spoke of Rhett's loyalty, which was a good trait, but he honestly was not giving the new person a fair chance. Although, she thought he was giving Jacob more of a chance than Karen. Probably because he had been more emotionally involved with Miguel than Emily.

Despite Emily not being there to remind Rhett to call Scarlett when he was going to be late, he did so pretty consistently. Both women would have been surprised to learn that the first time Rhett and Jacob had to work late, Rhett had stopped the experiment and said, "I am going to call my wife and tell her I am going to be late. It is not a sign that I am henpecked or a submissive husband. It is a sign that I am a kind and respectful husband. You should call Mrs. Smith also."

Jacob didn't know all of Rhett and Scarlett's history because Rhett, of course, hadn't told him. Rhett was no longer the subject of office gossip for the most part because he was happy and well-adjusted. At least, he appeared that way to a bunch of scientists who themselves were not socially competent. Jacob also truly didn't have time to socialize with his co-workers. He was working full-time, finishing his masters, and keeping his wife happy. Jacob followed Rhett's advice and called Imani whenever Rhett suggested it. Occasionally he returned the favor to Rhett and reminded him to call Mrs. Butler.

At the Christmas dinner was Dr. Goodman and his family, Marvin and his family, Melly, it was Ashley's year to have Beau for Christmas, Scarlett's colleague Steve, Nick, Jerry, Amber, and Scott.

Scarlett had only invited Scott because she knew he was going through a nasty breakup with his girlfriend. When he asked if he could bring anything. She specifically told him to bring the paper plates and plasticware. She even told him which brand to buy. She didn't want cheap paper plates that would fall apart once the food was on them. The condo was full.

Scarlett cooked a turkey, dressing, gravy, and rolls. Everything was out of a box or a jar except the turkey, of course. Rosie had once again prepared the turkey. Scarlett loved it. Put in the oven take out of the oven. Easy Peasy.

Several people brought dishes. Mashed potatoes, yams, green beans, a salad, a Jello salad and numerous other dishes. The pies that year were apple, pecan, and peach.

There were no spirits. There was no point in tempting Rhett. He was doing better at social gatherings because of her tutelage, but he was never going to be a social butterfly. The only people Scarlett invited from the bureau were people without families.

As people were leaving Scarlett once again gave all the guests a Christmas card and said, "It is just a little something from Rhett and me. Merry Christmas."

Scarlett dropped by the lab a week later to give Jacob a Christmas card. She then forced Rhett out of the lab to take her to lunch at the sandwich shop down the block. On their walk to the sandwich shop, Scarlett said, "I know now why Belle wanted to be his mentor."

Rhett looked at his wife and warily said, "Why?"

"He is a handsome man and that body. He could have been a football star."

"Funny you should say that. He attended UT on a football scholarship."

"Really?"

"Yes. He decided to use his brains to get rich instead of his body."

"Good choice. Of all the men who play professional football only five percent last more than five years. The then retired football players have a lifetime of physical injuries they have to deal with. It really is kind of sad. They think they are set for life, and they run through their money. They end up being has beens at the age of thirty at best."

"How do you know all this?"

"I saw an episode about it on ESPN. I may not be remembering everything quite correctly, but I have gotten the jest of it correct."

"ESPN?"

"A sports channel on TV."

"There is a whole channel devoted to sports?"

"Several of them."

"That isn't going to happen to Mr. Smith. When he gets his PhD, institutes will be vying for his attention."

"Why do you say that?"

With no shame what's so ever, Rhett said, "I am the best in the world, therefore having been my assistant allows him to demand a pretty penny. Because Dr. Addy was my assistant, she got a super offer and was made the head of her department."

With a straight face Scarlett said, "Not to mention her brains and ability."

"There is that."

Scarlett couldn't stop herself. She burst out laughing. Rhett looked at her questioningly. She said, "You wouldn't understand."

Rhett didn't like it when she said that but the times, he had made her explain things to him, she had been right. He didn't understand.

In May Melly, Rhett and Scarlett were having dinner at Rosie's. It was Wednesday which meant Beau was with his father. Every Wednesday Ashley had a visitation with Beau. It was from six to nine. Therefore, every Wednesday, Scarlett took Melly to dinner. If Rhett was available, he came with her, but usually he would run long experiments on Wednesdays while Scarlett was otherwise occupied.