Hello, I am writing the greeting I should have written last week when I finally updated this story after such a long period of time. I was just so excited to have it done I posted it quickly without thinking. I realized last week that I have been working on this off and on for going on 10 years, quite amazing. So, I am back to finish up the loose ends and bring a finale to the story of Rhett and Scarlett. One of the guest reviewers said it would have been nice to let you all know when "life got in the way" of my progress. Well, life did indeed get in the way and because of it I wasn't able to update at all. I lost all interest in writing and it was only last week that any glimmer of wanting to write again came back. So, I wrote that chapter and it was hard, but I did it. Now, I'm back with another update and hope you all enjoy and will review if you feel like it's worth your time. It helps tremendously. Anyway, on we go…

Chapter Forty Seven

Vengeance of the Heart

Late into the night a low hush had settled over Pittypat Hamilton's house as everyone waited for word from Dr. Meade about the condition of both Scarlett and Eli Barrett. Rhett, who could barely manage to keep himself from crashing the door down and demanding to see his wife, stalked the parlor floor tensely.

Ashley stood quietly near the window while Pittypat gave an occasional distressed sniff from her seat near the fireplace. India had yet to return but no one seemed to notice her absence.

Rhett's fiery gaze landed on Ashley, whose forlorn face spoke of his concern. "This is your fault, Wilkes," he stopped directly in front of him, staring him down darkly. "You brought him here. Had you not interfered this would have never happened."

Ashley turned to him and shook his head. "Captain Butler… Rhett, I know you're worried, we all are but I assure you Eli did all he could do to keep Scarlett safe. Without him, his brother and his cohorts would still be at large. As it is, Byron has them behind bars. They will pay for their crimes."

"They'll pay in hell before I'm done," Rhett swore harshly.

Ashley understood Rhett's anger, as he himself had similar thoughts concerning the likes of Cain Barrett. Hours before they had received word that Bryon Cagle and the posse he had with him had found and arrested Barrett and his gang. It was all thanks to Eli, who told them where they were hiding out before he lost consciousness, that they were captured. Still, he was convinced there was something more to this scenario and he was determined to find out what and more importantly, who was behind Scarlett's kidnapping.

"Yes, they will pay and pay dearly," Ashley reiterated his position. "but the fact remains that Eli risked his life to save Scarlett's and your unborn child's. He saved her and I, for one, am grateful for his actions."

Rhett's demeanor faltered for a moment. Ashley's words penetrated his angry haze and he realized the truth in them. He was out of his mind with worry and fear. If only Dr. Meade would tell them something.

As if by sheer will of Rhett's desire, Dr. Meade appeared at that moment in the parlor doorway. He was holding his black bag, his face worn and tired. "Captain Butler," he called to Rhett. "Scarlett wants to see you."

"Is she-" his voice stopped, preventing him from asking further.

"She's fine, the baby is fine," he nodded reassuringly. "The bleeding has stopped. She must stay confined for a while and be monitored closely but I expect she'll deliver normally."

"Thank God," he sagged forward in relief. The heavy weight that had lain upon his chest ever since he learned of what happened lifted.

"She's asking for you, you can go up now."

Rhett did not hesitate, but immediately headed for the stairs.

"How's Eli?" Ashley asked Dr. Meade after Rhett had left the room.

"Not well, I'm afraid," the older man shook his head. "It doesn't look good, Ashley. I'm having him moved to my office so I can monitor him there. I removed the bullet but it done extensive damage and he's lost a tremendous amount of blood. The next twenty four hours will be crucial, after that only time will tell."

Ashley was both elated and saddened at the turn of events. He may lose a trusted friend but Scarlett and the baby were safe because of his sacrifice. Turning to Aunt Pitty he smiled an encouraging smile to her. That's when he realized neither Darcy nor India was there, nor had they been. He hadn't expected India to be, but he had expected Darcy to be. Concerned for her well being as well as his friends, he kissed Aunt Pitty and went to search for her.

Rhett rushed to open the door to the room Scarlett was in and immediately he felt his relief deepen upon seeing her. She was slightly propped up, her hair spread around her and her pale face staring at him with expectation. Suddenly, she burst into tears and reached for him.

"Oh, my darling, my darling!" he swooped to the bed and gathered her gently in his arms, kissing her while doing so.

"Rhett, I was so frightened," she cried as she buried her face in the curve of his neck.

"I know darling, I know. It's over now, you're safe."

"I was so afraid for the baby. I just couldn't bear it if we lost another child."

"Dr. Meade says you and the baby are going to be fine," he said soothingly while cupping her face. "There's no reason to be afraid anymore. I'll keep you safe, my darling."

"Oh, Rhett I love you, I love you," she sobbed while pulling him closer to her. She could feel the warmth and comfort of him surround her and it immediately soothed her like nothing else could. Rhett was what she needed, what she wanted more than anything. Knowing that he wanted her as much was worth every moment of despair she had endured and she was so grateful that she was back in arms.

Rhett pulled her to him and kissed her longingly and passionately. All of the pent up emotions he had carried that last twenty four hours spilled over into that kiss. She held on to him tightly, kissing him back with the same fervor. It was life renewing itself and he was never going to let her go again. He knew that now.

"Scarlett," he pulled back from her and stared down into the depths of her green eyes. "I am not an easy man to love nor do I give love easily. I have tormented myself over you for too many years wanting you and yet denying my true feelings. I will tell you now and I will say it until my last breath… I love you."

Scarlett took his face in her hands and laughed and kissed him through her tears at Rhett's declaration. She had waited a very long time to hear those words from him. It wasn't like the night he left her on the road to Tara during the war, this was very different and they were very different. She knew he meant it and she trusted him.

"Rhett, when I thought I might die my only thought was of you," she told him. "I was sure I would never see you again or have the chance to tell you that I love you and I always have. I didn't want to die knowing you didn't know that you were the most important thing in the world to me. I would have died, too if not for Eli. He saved me from his brother and brought me back to you."
Rhett nodded acknowledging Scarlett's declaration. Scarlett immediately sensed something wasn't right when she mentioned Eli's name. "Where is Eli, Rhett?" she searched his face for the answer.

"He's here down the hall," he paused and took her hand, squeezing it gently. "Scarlett, he was shot when you both made your escape."

"Shot?" her eyes widened. "He was shot?"

"Yes," he nodded again. "I'm afraid he's not doing very well."

"What does that mean; he's not doing very well?"

Rhett didn't want to upset her further so he tried to steer the conversation from Eli's condition but Scarlett was having none of it. The more he tried to evade her questions the more upset she became so he saw no other alternative but to be honest with her.

Scarlett listened intently to what Rhett told her as he began to explain the situation as he knew it to be. "From what Dr. Meade told us, he used his body as a shield to protect you and in the process took a bullet in the back. He remained in control of his senses until he brought you here to safety and then he lost consciousness and as far as I know, he's not responded since."

"Oh Rhett," she cried and covered her face with her hands. "this can't be! He can't die because of me. He just can't!"

"We don't know that he's going to die," Rhett said with assertion. "We don't know anything of the kind. Yes, he's hurt badly, but I've known much lesser men to succumb to wounds not as severe as our young Mr. Barrett. He's a fighter from all I know of him and he will fight to get through this."

"I have to see him," she said trying to sit up. "I have to make sure he's okay, Rhett."

"You're not going anywhere," Rhett laid his hands on her shoulders and lightly laid her back against the pillows, hovering over her protectively. "I will find out what is happening but you're not to leave this bed until Dr. Meade says you can."

"But, Rhett…"

"But, Rhett nothing," he cut her off. "If you so much as set a toe out of this bed I'll bring Miss Pitty and Uncle Peter in here to sit with you the rest of the night."

Scarlett could not stand to sit idly by knowing that Eli was hurt because of her, but she also knew Rhett would do as he said and more if she tried to resist his orders.

She was so frightened for Eli and she knew Rhett understood her and there was no misconception of her concern. This was not the same scenario as Ashley in any sense and she knew Rhett knew that. Eli was her friend, her genuine friend, the only friend she'd every really had. Even though she had initially thought he had something to do with his brother's taking of her, she realized that he was caught in a hopeless situation and he really was trying to keep her safe and protect her in spite of how it appeared.

The very fact that he had risked his own life to save hers said everything she needed to know about him. Now, he was shot and wounded and she was caught in a hopeless situation of her own because she couldn't save him as he had her. She could only wait and pray that he would find the strength to recover and fight for it as Rhett had said.

Rhett brought her hands to his mouth gave them a soft kiss, concern marring his features. She knew he was worried about her state of mind so tried to reassure him the best she could. "I will stay right here and I will not try to get up," she told him. "I will do what I must to protect our child and keep him or her safe."

"That's a promise I intend to make sure you keep," his eyes bore into hers. "I was out of my mind with worry and quite frankly, that's not a position I like being in where you're concerned. But, to alleviate your concern over our friend, I will go find out what I can and report back to you."

"Oh yes, please Rhett, please find out for me," she reached for him and gave him fierce hug. "I love you, Rhett Butler, don't you ever forget that."

Ashley's search of Darcy had taken him to the most obvious place, Scarlett's home but to his surprise she wasn't there. No one had seen her for hours. He had also looked for India, although not directly. It was by happenchance that he came upon her walking down the sidewalk heading back to Aunt Pitty's.

India saw him as he approached and seemed to stiffen slightly, which Ashley didn't quite know how to take. Sensing something had happened and that India had been involved he waited for her to reach him.

"Hello Ashley," she said in almost too casual way.

"India," he nodded. "Where have you been?"

India gave a small shrug. "I've done what I was asked to do and sent for Dr. Meade and Rhett Butler to Aunt Pitty's house. I assume they've both gotten there and that Scarlett and Mr. Barrett are being taken care of."

"Yes, on both accounts," he replied. "I've been looking for Darcy. I assumed she would have come considering her devotion to Scarlett but no one seems to know where she could be. You wouldn't know where she is by some chance?"

"Why would I know?" India shot out quickly. "I barely know the girl. You're the one who's been keeping company with her, not me."

"India," Ashley's face darkened. "What do you know of Darcy's whereabouts and don't pretend ignorance with me. I know you far too well to see that you do know something."

India didn't give any indication that Ashley was either right or wrong in his assumptions, she just feigned disinterest. "How you do run on, brother. I have no idea where your latest little doe-eyed conquest could be. It makes little difference to me anyway."

"What have you done, India?" Ashley pushed back against the face of her unpleasant assessment. "If you've hurt Darcy in any way…"

"Hurt her?" she scoffed. "I've already told you, I barely know the girl. If she's run off perhaps it's just as well and is quite telling of the character of the poor creature. Really Ashley, you lose your head over the silliest women and they're pretty faces. I just can't imagine what you saw in her anyway."

"You know nothing of her or the complete and utter heartbreak she's endured," Ashley ground out. "She and I understand that pain all too well, the pain of losing someone you love-"

"Are you saying I don't?" India cut in harshly forgetting her cool composure. "I've lost that, too Ashley. Yes, I've loved but I wasn't allowed to watch it grow or evolve because it was taken from me so cruelly. You know I was promised to Charles and Scarlett married him just to spite you and he died never knowing how much I loved him or waited for him. Scarlett took that from me, just like she's taken everything I've ever loved from me."

"India!" Ashley threw her a disgusted look. "You cannot continue to blame Scarlett for the ills of your life. It's time to took a look yourself and place the blame where it belongs. You and you alone control that but you want to continue in your self pity blaming Scarlett for what you don't have. She's an easy target for your own failures."

"It is her fault!" she flung out hatefully. "I detest her and it's time she lost for once. It's not fair for everyone to care about her when she's been nothing but trash and a whore while I'm pitied and unloved."

"You are mad," Ashley shook his head, horrified that his sister's hatred of Scarlett ran so deep.

"Don't you dare say that to me!" she hissed. "I am not mad. No one seems to understand anything and is willing to overlook Scarlett's immorality as if it's nothing. She deserves every unhappiness that comes her way and if I can help that along I will do it gladly and willingly."

Ashley stared at his sister in silent shame, unwillingly to believe that she had come down to this level of spitefulness. But it was then, in that moment when he also realized that she most likely did have something to do with Darcy's disappearance.

"What did you do to Darcy? What did you say to her?"

For once, India did not feign ignorance. "I told her exactly what she needed to know about her precious Scarlett and what she really is. I told her how she chased you like the trollop she is and how you, my dear brother, chased her after Melanie's death and tried to lure her away from her husband. I told her everything so that she would understand that her feelings for Scarlett and for you are totally misguided and are based on lies."

"Why?" he could only ask in complete shock at her confession.

"Because you both deserve it," she snarled. "Because you both defiled yourselves right in the face Melanie, right under her nose and she never wanted to see it. Well, Melanie is gone so why should you not be punished or pay for your sins now? I hope she's gone and I hope she stays gone."

Ashley stared icily at his sister for moment and then he stepped back from her. "I cannot have you around my son or anyone dear to me any longer. You are from this day forward no longer part of my life. I don't care where you go or what you do, but you will leave and be gone from here by the morning. And by God, you better hope I never see you again or it will be the worst day of your pitiful existence!"

With that, Ashley turned from her and walked away. His heart pounded greatly in his chest but he knew he had to find Darcy and quickly. Whether she knew it or not, they needed her and she needed them. He had to find a way to fix what India had tried so very desperately to destroy for all of them.