I don't own anything that already belongs to MM's estate

This is a new story I'm working on, first it will follow the book closely, and you will see I've borrow from the book as well. It's a 'what if' story. How would the curse of Scarlett O'Hara Butler's life had turned out, if Rhett had offered his help after the rendezvous at the mill.

I wish I was a time traveller. I go back to the moment when we were together. I hide all of your weapons the minute before you opened the front door. I wish I was a time traveller. I go back to the time when we were better // I'm travelling through time with a mind that's filled with you and every beat of my heart is beating me back to you. I wish you knew. For even if I moved fast forward. Fast forward. I still run back towards you. Back and towards you. Julie Bertelsen, Timetraveller, DK

Chapter One

Amends

How she got out of the office she never remembered. But she went instantly, swiftly, by Ashley's order. Shame and fear speed her homeward. Fortunately the house was empty and still in the April sunset. Scarlett hasted inside. They would cast all the blame on her. The woman. It was always the woman, whom society cast before the lions in those matters. Always, society only shrug at the man's guilt; those poor creatures couldn't be blamed. No, it was always the woman who tempted the man! And she was guilty! She had gone into his arms.

Adultery! It had been so dull and innocent, but they would call it adultery, never the less. How had she gotten into this? Adultery, she despised the very thought. Giving her body to someone other than her husband. Never! But she had gone into Ashley's arms, too weak from hunting memories to think. Too hurt to know what she did. She had been back in the county, carefree and admired. Her parents had been alive. Oh, the memories had hurt. Ashley had offered comfort as only a friend, who knew her beginnings and her present could offer. They had been back in a time when he was a dear friend, a protective friend. To a time less complicated, a time with innocence and youth. A time before any of them had married.

Melanie! Dear God, news travelled so fast and Melanie would hear of it. India would by no doubt have told her by now, what she believed had happened. It would break Melanie's heart; if she thought her husband and Scarlett had betrayed her. The mere thought scared Scarlett; Melanie should be kept out of this. If only the old saying: 'the wife is always the last to find out' was true. Tears were steaming down her face, she could stand the cuts if she had to stand them, and she wouldn't mind, if only Melanie could be spared.

Suddenly her tears stopped short as a deadly fear went through her heart. What of Rhett? What would he do? Rhett was so proud; he wouldn't take it lightly, not because he cared, but because it was Ashley, of all men. Ashley had said; he believed she would never grow old. He could be more right than he cared to be, Rhett would be furious enough to punish her. Surely, he wouldn't kill her, would he? Of course not! But the though sent pure fright through her heart and she couldn't deny it. Oh, what was she to do?

With her heart beating violently in her throat and her body shaking as badly, Scarlett only wanted to lock herself in her room for protection, but before she reached the stairs, she changed her mind. It would be the first place Rhett would look for her, she always hide in her room, when things had gone wrong for her. And wrong they had gone! Perhaps he would never know. But Archie had said he would tell Rhett. Archie who hated her and, whom hated loose women with all his heart. Rhett would come for her!

Where could she hide? With eyes clouded with fear and guilt she searched the Hall for a way out, fear blinded her eyes and mind and she panicked. Suddenly, the small table to lay hats and gloves upon seemed like the best option, taking a small step towards the longed for refugee, she froze. Someone was approaching the front door, someone with heavy and purposeful strides. Rhett! So soon! She wasn't ready; she had to come up with a story yet.

Without thinking Scarlett bolted for the first door she saw. Shutting it quickly behind her, her knees threatened to give away underneath her. Leaning heavily against the door, she felt cold sweat forming in her palms and felt the pain in her chest from her abrupt breathing. Her swimming eyes took in the room, she was in the parlour.

A few steps to her left, was her desk, where she spent most nights working on the ledges. Stepping away from the door she looked for a hiding place, with a child's logically mind; she believed she would be safe, as long as she was out of Rhett's sight. Before she could decide what to do the door, behind her, was forcefully opened.

Slowly, so very slowly, she turned. Her eyes wide with fear, they seemed unnaturally large and shinning dully, green against the sickly paleness of her face. Her left hand cluttered her heart and the right hand covered her mouth, as to stop her for screaming.

After what seemed like an eternity her eyes met the black depths of her husband's. Never had Scarlett seen such coldness in his eyes, avoid of feelings, they stared back at her, his face was hard and lifeless. The frightening look scared her beyond reason, "Rhett!" she cried.

"Mrs. Butler, I thought, by now, you would be up in your room admiring the new vulgar dress, bought from my money, with the only purpose, to seduce the fancy Mr. Wilkes "

"Oh Rhett, did Archie dare…"

"Archie dared. A very brave man, Archie."

With chattering teeth, she backed away from him, she wanted to get away from the frightening look in his face and the cold glitter in his eyes. She longed for the soft, yet aloof, glance his eyes had held, when they still shared a bed.

"Scared Mrs. Butler?" He watched her, "you should be!"

Still, his voice was emotionless which made her all the more scared. This was the man, who shoots first and asking questions afterwards. This was the untamed wildness in him he controlled to perfection.

"But Rhett"

She couldn't think of what to say. In two large strides he was towering over her, with her eyes transfixed at his, she saw his hands move, then she felt them on her head, under her flowering hair, caressing hard.

"You should be afraid Scarlett, these hands could tear you to pieces with no trouble whatsoever, and they very well might."

"I…I, oh Rhett" she tried again.

"Don't try to explain, Scarlett. It doesn't matter"

She believed him. He could easily hurt her and, suddenly, she was sure he would. He didn't cared about her; she had known that for a long time. She had spent so many hours wondering about his true feelings for her, trying to find the reason, why he had married her. Still, she had to come up with one.

"How could you further ruin Bonnie's chances?"

The pressure on her head became harder. Her legs wouldn't stop shaking underneath her, tiredly, she gave up; she couldn't hold her body up anymore.

Swiftly, Rhett's hands slide from her head to her tiny waist, holding her up. Her head leaning heavily on his chest, knowing it was unwanted but she lacked the energy and strength to stand on her own two feet.

For the third time that day tears steamed down her face.

"I'm so sorry Rhett. Oh, poor, poor Melanie, it will break her heart." She would go to hell for this, she was certain.

She felt an awkward movement of his body. Then one of his hands was moved from her waist and instead of supporting her, tilting her head upward, until he could look fully at her face.

"You're sorry for Mrs. Wilkes?" Surprise flashed his stared, before he hid it behind the former coldness.

TB