A/N: I finished reading Gone with the Wind about a couple weeks ago, and I haven't been able to get the characters out of my mind. The relationship between Rhett and Scarlett was truly one of the most fascinating I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing, and I honestly didn't want it to end! So that's why, although I know no one will ever outdo Margaret Mitchell, I wanted to try my hand at their reunion. With that said, I hope you enjoy!

"Caged"

Soirées. Oh, how Scarlett had once loved them! But now that she no longer had any hopes, dreams, or even a beloved husband, the very idea of facing the town gossips was unbearable. Although she'd once enjoyed giving them something to talk about, she was now far too ashamed to receive any callers without Rhett at her side. She could never admit he'd abandoned her – her pride was all that she had left!

And yet, in spite of all her reservations, Will and Suellen had managed to convince her to host a ball at Tara. Smart though she was, she'd been seduced by the nostalgia and had given her consent. But now, as she stood amidst the milling party guests, she instantly regretted her rash decision. Without her darling Melly, how could she even pretend to be a gracious hostess?

Muttering to herself, Scarlett was just about to head over to the punch table when a large, masculine hand came down on her bare shoulder. "Unhand me, you…you boorish-!" Trailing off, she gaped up at the sneering visage and felt the very air strip from her lungs. "Rhett!"

"Funny way to greet your darling husband," he acknowledged, giving the resounding laugh that she simultaneously loathed and adored. "Might I interest you in a dance, Mrs. Butler?"

Finally finding her voice, Scarlett narrowed her eyes and hissed, "A dance? God's nightgown! You have an awful lot of nerve showing your face here after all that's happened – you broke your visitation promise!"

Rhett chuckled. "A lot of nerve showing my face where, my own home? Whatever happened to the matrimonial decree of "whatever's mine is also yours"?"

"Oh! How dare you claim Tara is any part of you? You know how much this land means to me!"

"Indeed, I do, yet we're still straying from the subject at hand. Will you or will you not do me the honors of gracing me with your presence on the dance floor?"

Although Scarlett loved Rhett – heaven help her, she truly did! – she was still very hurt by his fifteen month sabbatical. Her stinging pride refused to give him what he so desired, even if that something was what she desired, as well.

With her nose rising proudly into the air, she coolly returned, "Even after all these years, you are a boor and a cad, Rhett Butler, and I would be an absolute fool to dance with you!"

As was customary during their banter, Rhett remained unruffled and gave a hearty laugh. "It pleases me to see that your poor regard of my character hasn't slipped over the years. If I'd been downgraded to a mere rascal in your eyes, I would be very sorry, indeed."

"B-but you are a rascal! And a scalawag!"

"Even better! But I just so happen to be a rascally scalawag who never gives up, so if you would please do me the honors of-"

"Oh, you are insufferable! Have you no shame? You make even the Yankees seem peachy keen!"

With a sly grin, Rhett reached out and touched the slope of her rouged cheek. "Why bother asking questions you already know the answers to, Scarlett? You're still so beautiful, too…before I came over to say hello, the twinkle in your eye almost reminded me of…" Abruptly trailing off, a darkness suddenly overtook his sharp features, and Scarlett felt her chest tighten. She hadn't wanted to think of Bonnie at a moment like this, but the fool had been so fond of the girl that she supposed it was only natural.

And yet…Scarlett had been fond of Bonnie, too. She was by far her favorite child, and it had always irked her that Bonnie noticeably favored Rhett. When it came to the people she loved most, it seemed she was never able to attain their affections – at least, not in the way she truly desired.

With her lashes batting to mask her thin veil of tears, Scarlett tilted her chin and softly declared, "Very well, Captain Butler, you win – I will dance with you, if only for a moment."

Rhett didn't seem bothered that she'd addressed him so formally, for by now he was accustomed to her methods of distancing herself. And yet, once upon a time she had professed her love for him…had it all merely been a drunkard's dream?

With her gloved hand slipping into his, Scarlett raised her green eyes and frowned when Rhett pulled her in close. She could feel everyone staring – well, let them stare! – and it reminded her of their very first dance together. He'd forced her into scandal then, and she was certain he was forcing her into scandal now. The townspeople had long since expected he was seeing other women, and that their frail marriage was nothing but a sham. Scarlett thought they should mind their own business, but she knew better than to cause a scene during an affair she was hosting.

Keeping her gaze focused on anything but Rhett, Scarlett pinched her lips together before venturing, "Have you finally decided to stay, or is it because that Watling creature will no longer have you?"

"Belle has long since stopped being my mistress, if that's what you're referring to. I do have husbandly duties to uphold, you realize."

"Oh! You're mocking me!" Scarlett exclaimed, her cheeks turning a fiery pink. "If we weren't in public, I'd-"

"Please! Don't let our guests interpose on your true feelings. I've mocked you many a time before, but it would seem you have yet to put me in my place."

Scarlett spluttered for words, but as she gazed up into Rhett's eyes, she realized that they no longer retained that same mischievous sparkle. They seemed…empty somehow, and the longer she stared, the more unsettled she became. "Oh, must we fight? I so tire of the constant bickering, and…and truth be told, I just don't have the strength to do this anymore!"

Scarlett was close to tears as she let this sink in, and when she finally dared to return Rhett's brooding gaze, he surprised her by whispering a defeated, "Neither do I."

A/N: It's admittedly short, but it seemed an appropriate place to stop. I love these characters so much, so if enough people ask for it, I truly won't mind attempting a continuation. I adore writing for another era! It's somehow more entertaining than the present.