Disclaimer: I own nothing regarding GWTW

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

Chapter Twelve

At one of Rhett and Scarlett's meetings in November, she had worn the gold shawl he had given her. After they were seated in the restaurant, he said, "That is a lovely shawl you have on."

"Thank you. And thank you for all your gifts."

"Gifts?"

"Someone is leaving packages on our swing on our porch. They are lovely gifts."

"Why do you think the presents are from me?"

"Because they are lovely gifts, and you are the only person I know who can afford to shower me with presents."

"You deserve to be showered with presents."

"About that deal you spoke to me about last time we met, can I ask you some more questions."

Rhett let her change the subject. He was just glad she was liking the gifts.

At the end of one their meetings, Scarlett got an envelope out of her purse. She handed it to Rhett and said, "I don't remember the exact day, but I do remember you said your birthday was in November. I don't think it would be appropriate for your business partner to buy you a gift, but I do think a birthday card would be alright."

"Thank you. I agree. It is the sixteenth."

"I will see you in a couple of weeks."

"Alright. Are you ready to leave?"

"No, but it is time for me to leave."

"Let's go."

The couple walked out of the restaurant making sure there was plenty of distance between them.

At Rhett and Scarlett's meeting in the middle of December, she said, "Are you going home for Christmas?"

"No."

"But your family…."

"My only family is you."

Scarlett gave Rhett a sad smile. She said, "Rhett…"

Rhett sighed. He said, "Miranda and I had two sons. They are both dead. Lee from lockjaw and Grant from Yellow Fever."

"How strange that you named your sons Lee and Grant. Did they fight a lot."

"Strangely no. They rarely fought."

"Do you miss them? I don't know what I would do if something happened to Wade or Ella."

"Yes, I miss them. But listen, I could return to Charleston and pretend that Miranda and I were a happily married couple, but I refuse to pretend anymore. I will remain in Atlanta waiting for stolen moments with you."

"Then you must come to Christmas dinner with us."

"Scarlett…"

"No, it is the only charitable thing to do. Invite my business colleague to Christmas dinner when I find out he will be alone on the special day."

Scarlett did invite Rhett to Christmas dinner. He attended. Most of the people there were uncomfortable, but Rhett and Scarlett didn't let it bother them. Scarlett because most of the people eating at her table were accepting her monetary gifts. Rhett because other people's discomfort had never bothered him.

The people at the table were Rhett, Scarlett, Wade, Ella, Beau, Melly, Ashley, India, PittyPat, and Henry. Scarlett made sure Rhett sat where she could easily make eye contact with him. The conversation at first was force, but Rhett brought up the Confederate Veterans getting the right to vote back and a lively conversation ensued from the men.

As dessert was being served it was pecan pie and buttermilk pie. As everyone was enjoying their dessert, Rhett said, "Pecan pie is my favorite pie."

With a smile, Scarlett said, "I know."

As Scarlett walked Rhett to the door, he whispered, "There is a hat box on the swing."

"Thank you."

"I love you."

"Me too."

Because Scarlett knew they were alone she pulled Rhett's head down to hers. It was a quick kiss. They didn't know who would come upon them. After everyone had left and PittyPat was busy, Scarlett hurried out to the swing and got the hat box. She hurried it to her room. When she opened it, inside was the most beautiful green hat that she had ever seen.

A few days later, Ashley came to see Scarlett. He said, "I will need to find another job."

"Why?"

"Mr. Greene told me that after the first of the year he was going to fire me. It is probably because he is a Yankee."

"No, Ashley, it is because you are incompetent at your job. I had hoped you would do better once you were afraid of being fired, but I guess not."

Ashley blushed. He said, "Can you give me a job at your store?"

"There isn't a position available. I will ask Rhett to give you a job as a Teller at his bank. He is a part owner of First Atlantic Bank."

Ashley stuffed down all his indignation of having to accept a job from Rhett Butler, but he swallowed his pride and said, "Thank you, Scarlett. I would appreciate it."

"Of course. I will send him a note asking him this afternoon."

When Rhett received the note from Scarlett it said: Ashley has lost his job. Can you get him a job at your bank?

Rhett wanted to send a note back saying: Hell no! I will not help that leech. Instead, he sent a note that said: Let me see what is available.

Rhett went to First Atlantic Bank. He spoke to the Assistant Manager, Ollie Hardy. Rhett said, "I have a friend of a friend who needs a job. What have we got available?"

"We could always use another Teller. We also have a job in records for a File Clerk."

"Which one pays the most?"

"The file clerk. It is a very boring job."

"Why?"

"The man is alone all day and all he does is file records of transactions. He has to file them in three separate locations. Just in case a record gets lost."

"I think he would like that one best. I will have him come by tomorrow and talk to you. His name is Ashley Wilkes."

Once Rhett was back at the National Hotel he wrote Scarlett a note. It said: The only opening is as a File Clerk. Have Ashley go talk to Ollie Hardy at the First Atlanta sometime tomorrow.

Scarlett's return note said: Thank you. You are the best.

Ashley was at the bank the next morning when it opened up. He spoke to Mr. Hardy and was hired right then and there. He rode out to his sawmill. When Mr. Greene arrived, Ashley said, "I'm quitting. Today is my last day. Can you have my final check ready this afternoon?"

"I can do better than that. I can write it out right now."

Mr. Greene went out to his buggy and brought his checkbook in. He wrote Ashley a check. As he handed the check to Ashley he said, "I paid you through the end of the month. You are a nice and proper man which is probably why you can't sell."

"I don't know, but I can't."

"What are you going to do now?"

"Working in a bank as a File Clerk."

"Do you want to sell your half of the sawmill?"

"Not yet. I will let you know if I do."

"Until then I will mail you your share of the profits. Good luck, Mr. Wilkes. Now let me find someone to take your place. Give me your key."

"Here you go."

Ashley left the office and felt better than he had in a long time. After Mr. Hardy told Ashley about the job, he had thought, 'Sounds perfect for me.'

Scarlett had a birthday party for Wade in late January. She had been tempted to invite Rhett to the party, but she knew that would be pushing the believability of him just being her business contact.

As everyone was eating their cake, Scarlett said, "Ashley, how is the new job going?"

"Amazing. I have stacks and stacks of transactions to file every day."

"Do you like your coworkers?"

"I don't know. I rarely talk to anyone. I even stay in the file room to eat my dinner so I can read my book in peace and quiet."

"I'm glad you like it."

"I am making a little bit more than I did at the sawmill. I am going to keep my part of the sawmills. We will use that money for special things."

"Good idea."

At the beginning of February, Scarlett took Melanie to dinner at the Holly Bolly Tea Room. The ladies were chatting quite nicely. Melly said, "Ashley just loves his new job."

"Rhett got it for him. He is a part owner of the bank. Wasn't that nice of him."

Melly's face turned pink. She said, "Darling, it is obvious that you and Captain Butler have feelings for each other. Nothing can come from that relationship. He can't marry you."

"I know. Not until his wife dies."

"By continuing to have contact with him, you are just hurting yourself."

Scarlett looked Melly in the eyes and said, "I love him, and he loves me. I will continue seeing him until he runs me off. We haven't done anything wrong. I need his advice. I don't have anyone to give me financial advice."

"Ashley or Uncle Henry could."

"I think I will stick with the man who is making money hand over fist."

"Darling…"

"No more Melly. We are not going to talk about it anymore. What are you and Ashley going to do for St. Valentine's Day?"

"Ashley is getting everyone tickets to the ball the Monument Committee is hosting."

"That sounds like fun. Are you taking Aunt PittyPat."

"If she wants to go. Do you want to go?"

"No, thank you."

Scarlett certainly didn't want to go to an event for lovers without her love. Even more because there was going to be dancing. It would make her miss Rhett even more because he was an excellent dancer.

It was February fourteenth and Rhett was in his suite at the hotel. He wanted to be with Scarlett completely.

Rhett had seen Scarlett earlier in the day. They had dinner together and discussed a business deal she was part of. He hadn't given her anything at the time because she was just his business partner. He had hated watching her walk away.

Later when Rhett had been leaving a present on her porch, Scarlett had caught him. She had smiled. She said, "Nobody else is home but Wade and Ella. They are in bed. Come in."

"No, the temptation is too great."

"Alright. Watch me open the present so you can see the pleasure on my face."

"Sure."

Rhett enjoyed watching Scarlett open the present. He always had. She got a childlike joy on her face when she opened presents.

Scarlett opened the ring box. It was a beautiful ring. The center stone was an emerald in a square cut with a diamond on either side. Rhett watched her put the ring on her left hand. He said, "For now wear it on the other hand."

"I will, starting tomorrow."

Rhett kissed Scarlett and forced himself to walk away. If he got her with child, he couldn't do the right thing. He couldn't do anything.

An hour later Rhett was drinking a whiskey in his suite and thinking about his situation. Ten months after seeing Scarlett at the train depot, he was no closer to figuring out how he could marry her.

Rhett could not think of any way to escape his current predicament. Rhett couldn't divorce Miranda, he just couldn't bring himself to kill her, and he wouldn't run away with Scarlett.

Rhett wished he had just stayed on the train. When that woman had offered to send him to a place of charm and beauty, he should have said no. In truth, he didn't think she could do it. He had been bored so he had just prolonged the conversation. It had been her promise of a money back guarantee that had made him give her the money.

Rhett jumped up. He shouted, "Money back guarantee."

Rhett didn't want his money back, but he wanted the gypsy to reverse the deal. He would tell her he was dissatisfied. Perfect. What was her name? She had told him to remember her name. Somehow, he remembered it. It was Roma. He had remembered it because it had made him think of Rome. A place he had been planning on visiting.

Rhett called out, "Roma! Roma!"

Roma suddenly appeared. Rhett was flustered by the woman just appearing in his suite. He said, "How did you do that?"

"It would take too long to explain, and you wouldn't understand anyway."

"I want my money back. Put me back on the train."

"No, I did what I promised you I would do. Let's review the facts. You wanted me to send you to a time of gentle beauty. A place of honor. Is that not right?"

"Yes,…"

"I did that."

"Yes, but I don't want that now. I want to be on the train again."

"No, Mr. Butler the guarantee was that if I didn't send you to such a place, I would give you your money back. I did my part. I am sorry you are dissatisfied with your bargain. Besides, I never promised to return you to the train. I just promised to give you your money back."

"Grant me another wish."

"No, Mr. Butler. It is one to each person."

In his frustration, Rhett said, "Get the hell out of here then."