Hello-Hello Dear readers!:)

It just so happens that I planned to start this story very September, for some reason I planned it that way for myself. Today the kids are back to their schoolwork (which I am very happy about!) and in general, the beginning of September has always been special for me, because I am a former teacher and from a family of teachers.

Anyway, here's a new story about what if Rhett could get that three hundred dollars for Scarlett. It takes place right after the jail scene, which I reread today.

The story's planned for, like, 20 chapters.

Yes, yes, I remember about "Half a step to..." but there are a couple of chapters left filled with tenderness and love. And I already want to tickle my nerves (and you too, Dear readers, yes:)).

Anyway, I'll be glad if you find time to read, share your thoughts, and I hope to keep you happy with constant updates!

Enjoy reading!:)

I own nothing in regard to GWTW.

P.S. The highlighted text is the author's text.

Chapter 1.

It was raining when she came out of the building and the sky was a dull putty color. The soldiers on the square had taken shelter in their huts and the streets were deserted. There was no vehicle in sight and she knew she would have to walk the long way home.

The brandy glow faded as she trudged along. The cold wind made her shiver and the chilly needle-like drops drove hard into her face. The rain quickly penetrated Aunt Pitty's thin cloak until it hung in clammy folds about her. She knew the velvet dress was being ruined and as for the tail feathers on the bonnet, they were as drooping and draggled as when their former owner had worn them about the wet barn yard of Tara. The bricks of the sidewalk were broken and, for long stretches, completely gone. In these spots the mud was ankle deep and her slippers stuck in it as if it were glue, even coming completely off her feet. Every time she bent over to retrieve them, the hem of the dress fell in the mud. She did not even try to avoid puddles but stepped dully into them, dragging her heavy skirts after her. She could feel her wet petticoat and pantalets cold about her ankles, but she was beyond caring about the wreck of the costume on which she had gambled so much. She was chilled and disheartened and desperate.

How could she ever go back to Tara and face them after her brave words? How could she tell them they must all go--somewhere? How could she leave it all, the red fields, the tall pines, the dark swampy bottom lands, the quiet burying ground where Ellen lay in the cedars' deep shade?

Hatred of Rhett burned in her heart as she plodded along the slippery way. What a blackguard he was! She hoped they did hang him, so she would never have to face him again with his knowledge of her disgrace and her humiliation. Of course, he could have gotten the money for her if he'd wanted to get it. Oh, hanging was too good for him! Thank God, he couldn't see her now, with her clothes soaking wet and her hair straggling and her teeth chattering. How hideous she must look and how he would laugh!

Scarlett heard someone call out to her, "Miss, Miss... Mrs... Hamilton... Mrs... Wait, wait!"

She turned round and was surprised to see the young Yankee captain who had helped Rhett get her drunk on brandy after she had fainted. Shivering with cold, she asked, looking at him unfriendly and fearing he would approach her, "What do you want? What do you want from me?"

The captain saw her startled look and stopped at a distance, then said with a smile, "Miss, this is Captain Butler, he asked you very much to come back, I think he forgot to ask you something. He said it was important. Will you come back Miss?"

Scarlett looked down at her ruined outfit, she was soaking wet. Why would she see him now, for more humiliation?

"No, I can't, you can see I'm soaked and..."

The young captain remembered Rhett's determined and serious eyes telling him, "Bring her back. It's very important. Very. Tell her that... That... Just tell her that Captain Butler asked to come back and that there's something important to discuss. About mutual relatives. About the house. It's important. Help me out and tonight and from now your drinks at Watling's place will be on me and even more," he finished, winking at him, smiling, but his eyes were serious.

"Miss, Captain Butler says it's some questions about your relatives and the house. Come with me Miss, you're already soaking wet, you'll dry off there, I'll even let you have a talk in the little study with the fireplace..."

The young man would have been very persuasive, as he was very keen for free drinks and adventure in the brothel, and Captain Butler always kept his word. Scarlett hesitated, for there was a chance that Rhett might have changed his mind, or else why would he go to such lengths to send for her? He'd already mocked her, laughed at her, humiliated her in every way imaginable. "God, maybe he's changed his mind... God, so be it," and with a nod, Scarlett turned and followed the captain. She was willing to do anything at this point, out of desperation. She was ready to sell not only her body to Rhett Butler, but her soul to the devil himself if need be.

"Hurry up, Miss, it's raining very hard," the captain tried to hurry her, and she hurried on. Hurried to meet again the man who had laughed so rudely at her, humiliated her. The man she had tried to trick into marrying her half an hour ago. The man she had always lost in arguments with. With the man she didn't trust and didn't think she could ever fully believe after he'd abandoned her that hot September night. She hated him, but right now he was the only one who could do anything about it.

Rhett paced nervously around the room, this place where the horses used to be kept. When Scarlett left, he sighed with resentment and frustration. He'd almost believed her, damn it! Almost confessed to her, he almost started to kiss her hands, but her palms, her palms gave her away. God, he almost got caught, almost gave her his secret that he kept in a secret corner of his heart. He loved this woman.

But now he could feel deceived, fooled! That fool, that idiot thought she could fool him! Him, Rhett Butler!

"She almost did," his inner voice reminded him, but he only brushed the thought away.

"That doesn't count," he thought. "Let that great lady, Scarlett O'Hara now look for another idiot! She's hardly..."

And then the thought struck through his heart with such a sharp knife that it ached in his chest. She would find one! This idiot, this little fool, this desperate girl would find an idiot who would sleep with her for the money. His little fool! There's no way she won't find a way out. "What if it's not just a bed? What if she gets pregnant, Jesus... What if she... If she finds an idiot who'll marry her now and be able to touch her every night..."

Rhett clenched his hands into fists and kicked in fury the nearby chair where she'd recently sat. The thought of her getting married again, sleeping with another man, or even having a baby with him was killing him for real.

"That's not going to happen! I'll sort it out... Belle! She'll be able to help me, and then I'll find a way to repay her..."

His mind was working furiously, a plan forming in his head in a matter of minutes.

"So," she couldn't get far in those barely five minutes... So..."

And Rhett called out loudly, "Captain! Captain!"

The minutes stretched on interminably and he only counted on the fact that the captain had caught up with her in time. "What if she caught the carriage instead of walking," a thought suddenly flashed through his mind, but then the door opened and the young captain smilingly said, "Come along, Captain Butler, I've taken the girl to our colonel's office, there's a fireplace there, and she's soaking wet, it's raining outside..."

Rhett only looked at him gratefully and nodded, "Thank you Captain, give us ten minutes..."

"Okay, but you remember that all of this..."

"I give you my word, you'll have fun at my expense tonight."

The captain smirked and contentedly led the prisoner to a nearby room.

Quietly opening the door, Rhett stepped in and saw her by the fireplace. She was standing with her back to him and it was obvious that she was soaking wet. She had taken off bonnet and put it on the mantelpiece, her hands were fixing her hair, and she was trying to braid it.

Rhett stood silently, mesmerised by her unruly curls, which reached almost to her shoulder blades. Thoughts and fantasies attacked him one after another, but only for a moment. Closing his eyes, he realized once more that he had made the right decision and opening his eyes, he coughed to get her attention.

Her hands, nimbly braiding her hair, froze, then she lowered them and, after a moment, turned to him, looking earnestly into his eyes. Rhett saw the desperate look, the look of an animal caught in a trap. Desperation, pleading, and determination. She was no longer hiding anything and he marvelled at her courage! How strong her love for her land and her home was! She came to him not knowing that she was already the winner. She came to him knowing her defeat.

Rhett cleared his throat once more and noticing that she had moved away from the fireplace and watching her shivering, he only said, "Scarlett, come closer to the fire. You're soaked and shivering. It's amazing how roles change in five minutes, here you were the queen and now..." he reasoned, and seeing her shoulders tense, he interrupted himself, "Oh well, let's not talk about that."

Scarlett moved closer to the fire again and held out her chilled hands to warm them. She looked at her mangled, working hands and his voice came back into her mind, "These are not the hands of a lady. You worked them like a negro..."

Scarlett was suddenly angry with him and a thought flashed through her mind that she had carelessly spoken aloud with her back to him, "Is it shameful to work? To feed loved ones... Is that something to be ashamed of?"

Rhett heard her question and saw her suddenly pull her hands away from the fire, apparently realizing she had said out loud what she didn't want to say.

Rhett stepped close to her, reached out to take her chin and spoke seriously, meeting her gaze, "No, Scarlett, there's no shame in working. I worked all sorts of jobs when I was young myself. And I respect such people. And I'd take my hat off to you, Darling, but you tricked me! Scarlett, you insulted me, my intelligence! You thought I was such a simpleton that I'd buy your speeches..." he said indignantly, not letting go of her chin.

She looked at him like a child caught in a lie who regretted it, but there was nothing she could do about it, and Rhett continued, "Scarlett, is it really that bad? Do you live in Tara with your family?"

She only nodded and he suddenly frowned and asked, "And Miss Melly? She and the baby?"

"They're alive," she replied briefly and gently released herself from his arms, lowering her gaze. She knew what he would ask next.

"Oh," he said with a malicious grin, "so our Honourable Mr Wilkes is living with you now? In your house?" She only nodded and he grinned l, but she didn't notice him clenching his fists with anger.

"Well, dreams do come true, Scarlett, don't they?"

"I don't know what you mean, Rhett," she said quietly and he grinned again at her inattention and emotional stupidity.

"Why on earth did that gentleman let you go out here to town? And to me in that bloody dress, Darling?" he spoke in a deliberately calm tone, but inside he was all burning with anger and rage! To let a woman go off selling herself like a whore! "Bastard..." he thought to himself.

"He didn't know, Rhett... Nobody knew..."

"Nonsense," he suddenly exclaimed, interrupting her, "Jesus, Scarlett, what else does this man have to do to prove to you that he doesn't love and appreciate you?!" he spoke, pacing around the room, raising his voice, and she looked at him in surprise and incomprehension, as if asking why they were having this discussion.

Rhett fell silent, realizing he was giving away his true attitude and it was time to get to the point of their conversation.

"Well, Scarlett... So, you're willing to sell... Hmmm... Yourself? To me?"

His words made her cheeks redden again, and for a moment the image of her mother, so beloved, appeared before her eyes, and she thought bitterly of how she would disappoint her again. But, the image of the starving son, the image of the lost father, the image of the brick white house arose before her, pushing away the face of her mother, and she, straightening her shoulders and looking warily into his black eyes, only said quietly but clearly. "Yes, Rhett."

He looked long, intently into her green and determined eyes and finally said, "All right, Scarlett. Suppose I can find the money for you. Connections are a great thing and a capital asset."

She looked at him surprised but hopeful, and he continued, "and, I'll agree to your terms. To intimacy with you. But, the time and place are set by me. That's my term, do you agree?"

She only nodded and asked quietly, lowering her eyes, "This is... It will be one time...? One... One night?"

Rhett grinned, her red cheeks evoked such tenderness in his soul, that frightened him.

"Scarlett, I'll give you three hundred dollars and we'll make love. When and where, I decide. Simple terms of the deal, all understood?" he said clearly, hiding his true emotions.

She looked up at him and said clearly, "I agree, Rhett." "Tara will be saved," she thought at that.

Rhett smirked and for some reason imagined a mouse that had fallen into the cat's clutches.

"So, Honey," he continued, "now go home to Miss Pitty. You'll have the money tomorrow morning."

Scarlett looked at him with a mixture of suspicion and gratitude, forgetting all the insults he had showered on her recently. She would think about that later.

"And you, Rhett? Aren't you... You're going to get out of here, aren't you?"

Rhett grinned and said meaningfully looking at her, "There's no way I'm staying here now, Honey..."

She flared up and then Yankee captain entered the room without knocking and said in an apologetic tone, "Captain Butler, I've been informed that the Colonel will be here shortly. I must clear the office."

"Thank you, captain, my cousin is just leaving," Rhett took her ruined bonnet from the mantelpiece and held it out to Scarlett, noting that her hands were warm. He took her by the shoulders and reached up to touch her cheek, and all she felt were his soft lips, his moustache that tickled slightly, and a soft whisper, "See you, Scarlett."