Chapter four

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One touch can fill a life of longing
Not much is so much more than nothing
Yeah - All you need is
One
An open smile to win you over
One single step will bring you closer
Yeah - All it takes is one

And when you're running for cover
And you feel the sky falling down upon you
And when it feels like forever
Since you've seen the face of someone who loves you

One word to fill a room of silence
A hand to offer you some guidance
Yeah - All you need is
One
A moment long enough to notice
That everything's stepped into focus
Yeah - All it takes is one

(One by Tina Dicow)

Scarlett walked her husband to the door and tiredly climbed the stairs, she needed to lie down, later she would worry about Rhett and where he had gone, now she was simply too tired.

Slowly she enetered their bedroom, she had come to love this room so much, here she had shared such good times with Rhett. Here she had learned the pleasures and passions of love-making, the gentleness and comfort of Rhett's arms, and here she had found her first true friend, a friend who accepted her for who she was and didn't jugde her, but offered a helping hand when he could. In this room she had learned that she could help Rhett as much as he could help her and that he gladly took her business advises.

She had changed so much in this room and in this house, she had been hard hearted when she arrived, but now she was more like she had been before the war, she still had a temper and a strong will, but here she could afford being nice, knowing Tara and her family was taken well care of. The demanding, cold hearted young woman coming to Rhett in jail was almost gone with the wind, she had manage to change and open her heart to life again in the new and more gentle wind, there was around her these days.

Coming back from her thoughts she saw Rhett standing with his back to her, looking out the window, she could tell from the form of his tense shoulders he was in a dark mood.

The rustle of her skirt when she moved closer to him, made him turn around but he didn't move toward her, and she stopped unsure of what to do. He studied her frame for a long moment before he redraw his eyes and turned back to the window.

"Rhett!" She moved up behind his back and placed a hand on the small of his back.

"I can't stand the though of him touching you or you touching him Scarlett." his voice was hoarsh with emotions held back, still, he didn't turn.

Silent she wrapped her arms around him and moved as close as her enlarged abdomen would allow her.

"Why did you touch him Scarlett and allowed him to kiss you?" Finally he turned with hurt in his dark, burning eyes. He was caught in her arms but did nothing to touch her or get away from her, he just watched her with accusing eyes.

"It was a small peek on my cheek, it meant the world to him and nothing to me darling," she assured "Besides that he is my husband and husbands expect to do such things to their wives, you know."

"I know and it disguises me. He had no right touching you."

She laughed quietly, "Why, it depends on who you ask. He is my legal husband."

"That's not funny Scarlett! Why did you go from my arms to his?"

"Great balls of fire Rhett Butler! I didn't go into his arms, I hardly touched the man," she fumed at him "And who am I holding in my arms now. Charles?" She loosened her hold of him and prepared to turn around, but he wouldn't let her, instead he hugged her tightly and his mouth sought her in a hard, ugent kiss. A kiss that left Scarlett breathless.

"I can't erase the picture of him kissing you from my mind Scarlett." Again he kissed her forcefully. His left hand squeezed her breast and he deepened the kiss even more, moaning into her mouth and she felt his desire through her skirt, and she felt her own body reacts to his none to gentle touches.

"You are mine your little devil." His hand went from her breast to the bak of her dress, where it unbuttoned all the buttons in the blink of an eye. As soon as the dress landed in a poodle at her feeds his hands were all over her body, she had given up the corset, so his hands had free access to her body. His touches made her body tremble with desire and she let her own hands wander on his body.

Swiftly he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the big bed.

"God Scarlett I need you so much," he pleaded. Her answer was to unbotton his shirt and caressing his broad, strong chest. Impatiently he removed the remaining of her clothes and his own, his rougue hands started a consuming fire in her and she begged "Please Rhett!"

Afterwards she rested with her head on his chest and her fingers playing with the hair on his chest. She sighed contently, her body was a little sore and one time she had feared for the child, a fear Rhett must have felt too, fore he slowed down and was gentler.

"I'm sorry honey, I hope I didn't hurt you?"

She lifted her head and kissed him fully on the mouth, "You didn't Rhett."

"God Scarlett, my blood boils, when I imagine him on top of you touching you like I just did," his hoars, hateful voice startled her.

"He has never touched me this way, seen me naked or made me feel this way darling," she reassured him while placing small kisses on his chest.

"But he will and you said you would consider coming back to him," he kept going.

"I wanted him to leave Rhett, what was I supposed to do?" She moved away.

"Tell him to go to hell," he got up "Rest now and we will talk later."

"So our lovemaking didn't mean anything to you, I was just a body for you to use?" She cried in anger.

Akwardly he turned "Of course not!" He yelled.

"But still you accuse me of choosing him and leave me in anger. I don't give my body to everyone, you know," her eyes held a dangerous fire.

"No, your body can be bought for money, if I rememeber correctly." He fired back.

"Damn you, you low skunk, you cad. Go to Halifax, see if I care!"

"One should never be afraid of the truth Scarlett." He laughed coldly.

This was a side she hadn't seen of Rhett in a long time, even if she had tasted his mock and disrespect in the past, it hurt beyond words to have his dark side thrown into her face now.

Aprubtly she turned her body and placed her feet on the floor, she wouldn't give him the satifaction of seeing her tears. "I will be the one leaving this house Rhett, as you pointed out, it belongs to you." She stood up and reached for her dress.

"You will not leave this house Scarlett!"

"I most certainly will Rhett Butler!" She stepped into her dress.

"Running to your beloved husband Mrs. Hamilton?" He moved closer, his hands fitted into balls.

"No Rhett, I will go home and face the consequences of my actions. You don't seem to want me around; you've made that plain enough. I'll just never know why you won't believe me." She tiredly retorted while struggling with her dress, it was a rumpled mess.

She felt his arms around her "I don't want you to go love. It's just I've seen how subborn you can be with your feelings of love," he mubled in her hair.

"For God's sake what do you mean by that?"

"Once you thought you loved Ashley, like a child you cried for the moon and I was powerless, you never noticed me long enough to turn to me. Now your stubbornness can turn you into a loveless marriage."

"Ashley" she whispered in wonder, when had she last thought of him? Not since she left Tara and he did nothing to hold her back. In Rhett's arm she never thought of any one but him.

"Ashley was a childhood fantasy Rhett, you can hardly call a husband that. I do wish Charles was an imagination but he's not. He claimed he loved me Rhett."

"Not like I love you honey." He whispered, and sealed his words with a soft kiss on her lips.

She pulled back "You love me Rhett Butler?" she asked in disbelief.

"Why do you think I asked you to marry me love?" He laughed.

"Because of the baby," she looked up at him in her childish manner, he loved so much.

"You little fool," he laughed "If I remember correctly, I couldn't stay away from you before we knew about the baby honey."

He removed a curl from her eye, "Now the question is if you want me honey. Do you Scarlett?"

"Yes! I do want you Rhett. I love you," her voice was soft and loving.

"God, I've waited a long time for those words Scarlett. Please rest now, you need it."

"Only if you'll stay for a while Rhett"

"I will honey, I will"

When Scarlett slept soundly Rhett left the house, he had some things to take care of before tomorrow. When he returned Scarlett was still asleep, she would never know he had left.

Supper was quiet, both were lost in their own thoughts, Scarlett was reflecting over Rhett's declaration of love, and at another time she would have been thrilled, but now she couldn't enjoy it rightfully, she feared she would never be free to remarry. What would happen to her and her unborn baby? No matter what she would never let Charles touch her intimately she swore, she felt sick at the bare thought.

After supper they situated closely on the settee in the parlour with a pot of steaming hot tea, both felt a need to be as close to each other as possible.

"What will happen Rhett?" she asked.

"I will make him a deal he can't say no to. He can't have you." Rhett replied.

"Will you let me speak to him alone first Rhett, perhaps he will listen and understand what I have to say?" She caressed his cheek.

"I don't know Scarlett. I don't like it."

"Don't you trust me? After all I think I owe that much to him."

"It's him I don't trust honey, besides that I'm not a sharing man. But I will accept it if you feel obligated to do so."

"Thank you darling" she smiled and snuggled closer to him.

That night Rhett gently and affectionately made love to Scarlett, he needed her in his arms and each time she woke from her slumber, she was met by his soft eyes and loving caresses. Very late in the night she kissed him and said;

"You won't loose me or my love. Sleep now darling."

Only then did he closed his eyes and let sleep claim him but not before he had whispered "I love you Scarlett O'Hara."

Morning came too soon to Scarlett and the hours disappeared in a rush, before she felt ready, it was 10 o'clock and the sound of the doorbell told them Charles Hamilton was there. This time he was not alone, he had taken Henry Hamilton with him. Faith showed both gentlemen into the parlour where Rhett and Scarlett awaited them.

Charles stepped forward and leaned in to give Scarlett a peek on her cheek, but this time, she slightly turned her body so he couldn't get near enough, from the corner of her eyes she saw Rhett tense and then relax, when she moved away from Charles and closer to him instead.

"Mr. Hamilton do be seated," Rhett greeted the older lawyer, "I believe Scarlett wants a private word with Mr. Hamilton and will use the office. Care for whiskey or brandy?"

Taking his place in an armchair Henry Hamilton replied "Whiskey thanks."

Without a word Scarlett guided Charles to the office, when he tried to take her arm she stepped away, her body was tense and her face pale. She wasn't so proud of the situation or sure of what to say as she had been the night before, but, still, she felt it was the right thing to do.

She took seat behind the desk and offered him a chair on the other side of it; she needed the space between them.

"Scarlett I've come to take you home" he broke the silence.

She blinked, "This is my home Charles and I don't want to leave it. I will not come with you," her voice was quiet but stern.

"But uncle Henry says you can't force me to divorce you and I want you to come with me. I will even accept your child as mine"

"Why would you do that?"

She watched him turn red.

"I…I married you, your place is with me and I understand you were forced to this arrangement. I can't blame you."

"You are wrong Charles, I offred myself to Rhett, I was not forced to anything and I have been happy here."

"I- I- I don't believe you, no lady would do such things," he refused her words.

"I guess not. Do you really love me Charles? We had such a short time together."

His eyes were confused; "Of course I love you, you are my wife!"

She gave him a half smile "That's not reason enough to love me. You see, I love Rhett and he's not my husband. My love has nothing to do with wedding vows or a wedding ring. I love him for who he is, and I know him well. I've spent more time with him than I have with you Charles; all we share is a last name. My bond with Rhett is much deeper and I want to stay with him and raise my child with him. He, not you, is the father of my child."

"He has done this to you- twisted your mind into believing you love him and that it's right to leave your husband. Well it's not! He has hardened you and brutalized you by his contact." He wouldn't listen; all he remembered of Scarlett was sweet smiles, sparkling eyes- and her awful temper. But he couldn't have married some one who wasn't a lady.

"All Rhett has done is giving me his heart and treat me with love. I don't love you Charles. I don't know you so how can I love you? We rushed into marriage and now we are restricted by our foolishness. I remember you were promised to Honey, she would've made you a better wife Charles. I will never understand you, I'm sure you like reading and know of far away places like Melly does. I hate book and know nothing about ancient times or poetry and have no desire to. I would embarrass you in front of your family and friends. Please let me go Charles, I would never make you happy. Honey or India would."

This time she could tell he had listened to her and her words had reached him, now she just had to wait for his decision. She could hear the tikking of the watch and the distant sound of movements from the parlour, neither doors were closed, it had been Rhett's ultimatum and she had obeyed. She was startled when Rhett suddenly appeared in the doorframe:

"Is everything fine in here?" He asked while studying Scarlett and the scene before him.

"Yes Rhett, we will join you in a moment." Her heart was in the smile she gave him.

"Please hurry love." He said before leaving, her eyes followed him and first when she couldn't see him anymore, she turned her eyes and met Charlie's eyes.

"You really love him Scarlett?" He asked.

"Really. I'm sorry." She stated softly.

"I'll will give you your divorce Scarlett, uncle Henry will handle it. You might be right that we hasted marriage to fast. But I would've stayed in that marriage to the end Scarlett, but I'm not sure I could love a child of captain Butler's and that wouldn't be fair would it?"

"Thank you Charles, you are a kind person, you deserve a gentle lady who loves you. I'm sorry I've been so mean to you."

Rhett looked up when they entered the parlour, his eyes alert and worried, he didn't ask of anything, he just stood up and helped Scarlett into the settee where he situated himself as closely to her as it was proper. She reached for his hand and he willingly took it.

"Uncle Henry will you handle the divorce papers?" Charles asked his uncle,

"If that's what you want Charles, but I don't like it or agree" the older man said.

"We both do uncle"

Before long the Hamiltons left, there wasn't really more to be said. Rhett would turn over a sum of money to Charles when the divorce was final, first, Charles had declined but Rhett had convinced him it was the right thing to do, if Charles wanted to start a new life. Urgently, he had asked Henry Hamilton to speed things up so he could marry Scarlett before the baby was due.

Alone in the parlour Rhett took Scarlett into his arms and kissed her passionately, breaking the kiss he looked deeply into her eyes;

"Soon you will be all mine Scarlett O'Hara. I can't wait and I love you, you little vixen."

"I love you too Rhett and I was so scared the whole time, that he would refuse to let me go."

"I would never have allowed him to take you away my love. My one" Rhett whispered.

Luckily they hadn't needed any of the arrangements he had made when Scarlett was asleep, and he was not sure he would ever tell her of his plans.

The End

Scarlett got pregnant in this story because I don't think she would have gotten her divorce from Charles easily, if she wasn't expecting Rhett's child. And I didn't want to write a story where Scarlett had to live with Charles when loving Rhett, I have already read such a story. It was not Charles, Frank or Ashley she was married to, but it would have been the same idea.