Disclaimer: I own nothing in regard to GWTW. I am not making any money on this writing.

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

This is the last chapter then the Epilogue

Chapter Twenty-Nine

It was October of seventy-one and all everyone could talk about was Rufus Bullock. There were rumors that he had stolen money, blocked Georgia from returning to the union, convinced Washington to leave Georgia under martial law longer, and that he had defrauded a lot of his fellow politicians and businessmen. Because he had been afraid for his life Bullock had resigned as governor and left the state. There were rumors that he had been threaten by the Ku Klux Klan.

Bullock was succeeded by the State Senate president, Benjamin Conley. Mr. Conley was also a Republican. Mr. Conley had chosen not to run for re-election. Therefore, he would only serve as governor for two months. A special election was being called to elect the next governor.

Rhett had heard that James M. Smith was running for the position. He was currently the Speaker of the House of Georgia Representatives. Rhett had heard that he would probably be running unopposed by either Democrats or Republicans. Rhett knew he would be successful. Smith was a Democrat.

Rhett went to see James Smith at his office in Atlanta. When the secretary asked Rhett, "How can I help you?"

Rhett said, "I would like to see Mr. Smith. I have a campaign donation."

"I can take it."

"No, I want to give it to Mr. Smith himself. Just tell him Rhett Butler is here to see him."

Rhett knew he had a certain amount of infamy around the political world of Atlanta if not Georgia. He also knew that his name had been linked with Bullocks' name on many of occasions. Rhett had always managed to keep his hands clean so there would be no legal charges against him.

James greeted Rhett and welcomed him into his office. He said, "Homer says you want to give me a campaign donation."

"Yes."

"I thought you were a Republican."

"No, I am not a Republican. In fact, I would not declare allegiance to any political party. Although in the future I will probably claim to be a Democrat."

James smiled at the way the man had made his last statement. The man wasn't claiming he would become a Democrat. No, all the man was stating was that he would claim to be a Democrat. James smiled, "How much of a donation were you wanting to give?"

"I think a thousand dollars should be enough."

James smiled again. He said, "What are you wanting in return?"

"An invitation to the inaugural ball."

"I can certainly arrange that."

"And for you to tell people I donated to your campaign."

"You are asking a lot for your thousand dollars. I don't even need the money. I am running unopposed by anyone."

"Things can change in a matter of days."

"True."

Rhett waved a check in the air and said, "And this thousand dollars can make a difference."

"Yes, it can. I will do both of those things, but I will not endorse you if other men ask me about you."

"All you have to tell them is that I gave a thousand dollars to your campaign."

"Very well. We have a deal."

The men stood up and shook hands. As James watched Rhett walk out of the office, he thought, 'He will not be the only shrewd business man to switch allegiances.'

That night Rhett kissed his wife goodbye and left the mansion. As he rode to The Painted Lady he thought of Scarlet's last remark. She had said, "Remember you promised to quit doing business deals after the Democrats were back in power."

He had replied, "Dear, actually what I said was that I would quit when we left the South, but in the spirit of my intent, I will stop doing shady business deals in the shadows."

Scarlett had not been happy with his statement. He would buy her something expensive and she would be mollified for a while. He couldn't get mad. She wanted him to spend time with her and also for him to live a long time.

Later that night as Rhett lit a cigar, he thought, 'I probably should quit smoking also. When I finish this box I will quit.'

Rhett had met up with some businessmen and gotten his profits. With Bullock having left office there weren't going to be any new deals being made. Everyone was hurrying to get their deals concluded before the election. Once the election was over the deals would go bust.

At the end of the evening, Rhett walked over to get his profits from Belle. He had no guilt in regard to the gaming and liquor. He did have a twinge of guilt now about the prostitution part of the business. He wasn't happy about profiting over young women selling their bodies, but on the other hand they were getting paid for their services. They got to live in the house for free and they were provided three meals a day. All these women had no other way to make money.

Before Rhett had spent time in Scarlett's mind, it had never bothered him in the least bit. After all, he had made a living selling his body. After spending time in Scarlett's mind, he knew that men and women saw sex totally differently. He knew it was a definite need for men while for most women it was a chore and wasn't any fun. He certainly was glad he had been able to coax Scarlett into having fun in bed with him.

Admittedly Rhett had earned his keep while living with Mrs. Taylor by providing her with sexual pleasure, but it had been a lot of work. All the other old bats had been just as bad. He had earned his money. In the years between when he got knifed and when he married Scarlett, he had not done anything to make a whore's sexual experience pleasurable for her. He had once, but the whore had said, "Just get it over with." And so, he had from them on. Even with Belle.

That made Rhett think about Belle giving Scarlett his handkerchief filled with gold coins. He understood the purpose of her act. That was to make Scarlett stop seeing him. He smiled when he thought, 'She was very fond of me even then.'

What Rhett didn't understand was what was Belle's purpose? They had never had anything but a business relationship. He thought they had a friendship of sorts, but truly what could a former gentleman and an illiterate whore have in common.

Belle who was behind the bar, walked up to Rhett and said, "Do you want a whiskey?"

"Sure. Do you have my profits?"

"Yes, would you like to step into my office."

Belle's office was also her bedroom so he had not entered the room since he and Scarlett had gotten married. Before his mind had been returned to his body, he had often angrily wondered why he was being so circumspect when Scarlett was still mooning over Ashley. As he recalled his memories of that time, he knew she hadn't been overtly mooning over Ashley. He had just been so mad, he couldn't see anything, but what he thought was happening. He certainly had been blind. He laughed when he recalled how many times he had thought, 'If only Scarlett would wake up and see what was going on.' He now knew he was the one who had needed to wake up and see what was going on.

Rhett replied to Belle, "No, just bring everything out here."

As Rhett looked over the books, Belle laid some money down. He closed the book and said, "We have done well this month. I am going to sell my half of this establishment. I want five hundred dollars."

"I will buy it. Give me a couple of days to get my money together."

"I will get my attorney to draw up the papers. I will sign them. When you get your money together, just drop by his office. Give him the money and sign the papers."

"Great, Rhett."

"I have one last question. Why did you give Scarlett three hundred dollars wrapped in my handkerchief?"

Belle did not look surprised at the question. Without any embarrassment, she said, "I wanted Miss High and Mighty to know that you had paid three hundred dollars to be with me. Too."

Rhett was startled and blurted out, "You dumb, ignorant, fucking cunt. My relationship with you was nothing like my relationship with Scarlett. First off, I never paid you three hundred dollars for your nether regions much less for you to dance with me. Second, you and Scarlett are light years apart from one another. She is a lady and she is my wife." Belle stared at Rhett. He smiled cruelly and said, "Go to Mr. Powe's office with your money by next Friday or the deal is off and I will sell this establishment to someone else. Don't worry it will not be awkward between us. I will never speak to you again, much less enter this establishment. I am going to become a man of leisure. A gentleman."

Rhett picked up his money and walked out of the bar. He never looked back. He was glad to be finished with the business.

Belle didn't say anything because she was afraid Rhett would call the deal off. She certainly didn't want another partner. Partners were a pain in the ass. Even Rhett had been a pain in the ass. Especially with his superior attitude and mocking comments.

A week later, Belle was the sole owner of The Painted Lady. She had the money, but it had been in savings bonds. She had cashed them all out and given the money to Mr. Powe. She hadn't been this happy since before her father had kicked her out of the house for being with child. She had claimed to be a widow and had made a living from being a seamstress. That is until a man offered her money for access to her body. The money had been amazing. Soon she was no longer sewing up dresses. She put her son up for adoption and became a whore. She had no regrets now. Her only regret is that she would never know what happened to her son.

James Smith was elected governor in November of seventy-one. He was sworn in on January 12th 1872. At the inaugural ball two of the guests were Rhett and Scarlett Butler. Rumor had it that Mr. Butler was a large donator to Mr. Smith's campaign. Rhett met many men at the ball who would be happy to do business with him. Smith had gone the extra mile for Rhett. Smith had managed to get the couple invited to all the festivities that weekend. Smith figured it never hurt a politician to have a rich man in debt to him.

In the following months, Rhett and Scarlett were invited into the houses of very rich and powerful people. Amusingly to Rhett he was making more money now than he had when the state was being controlled by Republicans.

Rhett and Scarlett were persona non grata as far as the gentry of Atlanta were concerned, but it didn't matter to Rhett and Scarlett. All those people were dirt poor.

There was a new socially prominent social society in Atlanta. There were a lot of Northerners who had transplanted, but there were also a lot of Southerners who just wanted to get on with their lives.

In the summer of seventy-two when Rhett and Scarlett were invited to a barbecue at the governor's mansion, they happily accepted. On the way back to the mansion, she said, "Our mansion is bigger than the governor's."

"And much uglier too. The décor of the mansion and Ashley were the only two things I had no influence on you while I was in your mind."

"That isn't true. You convinced me that Ashley was not an honorable man."

"Only because his honor was a thorn in your paw."

Scarlett scowled at Rhett and said, "I think our mansion is beautiful. Inside and out."

"That is why we are still living in it. Although I will admit I was looking forward to living in something more tasteful when we moved North, but somehow, I stupidly got us received in Atlanta."

"Thank you, Rhett, for working a small miracle. You getting us received in Atlanta."

"Maybe not in the rest of the South but definitely in Atlanta."

"How can I say thank you."

"You just did. I did it because I love you."

"I love you, too. I always will."

"Of course, if you wanted to give me a physical demonstration of your gratitude I wouldn't stop you."

Scarlett laughed, but didn't reply. That was her Rhett. The man would always push the barriers. Despite the man being the most aggravating person on the planet, she hoped they had many more years together.

Author's Notes: Rufus Bullock returned to Georgia in 1876 and stood trial for corruption, conspiracy to defraud the state, and malfeasance. He was found not guilty. He remained in Atlanta and became one of its prominent citizens.