Nominees for "Modern Rhett" Poll: Ed Westwick

Nominees for "Modern Rhett" Poll: David Boreanz

Nominees for "Modern Rhett" Poll: Henry Cavill

Nominees for "Modern Rhett" Poll: Joe Manganiello

Nominees for "Modern Rhett" Poll: Gerard Butler

I had to put this video because Phantom is my other obsession ;)

Nominees for "Modern Rhett" Poll: Eric Dane

Nominees for "Modern Rhett" Poll: David Gandy

Poll Results so far...

David Gandy and Gerard Butler are winning so far...so here is a little something for you guys to enjoy :)

Rhett driving his convertible car in Chapter 11 (even if the top wasn't down)

                                                                              Rhett taking a shower in Chapter 9

Go vote!!!! http://www.fanfiction.net/u/1354596/Kelly_Melly

My Best Friend's Wedding: Chapter 11

Again, thanks so much to Bugsy for her help…she is the greatest of all time! ;)

…………………………………………………………………

Scarlett shifted the seatbelt off of her neck and onto her shoulder before looking over at Rhett. He looked very good today. Very. Sitting in the tiny, enclosed cab of his rental car, she was surrounded by his smell as well. And…wow… She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to calm her insane, out of control thoughts.

The previous evening had consisted of a myriad of unrelated scenarios reminding her of Rhett’s salient speech in front of the elevator. A government commercial on TV about buckling your seat belt had brought to mind: knee-buckling sex…with Rhett…a thought which she had, with mortification, pushed away immediately. Asking her waiter in the lounge to refill her glass had reminded her of how Rhett had mentioned something about filling her up but leaving her empty at the same time…or something equally substantial. She was sure that the man had been confused when she had reddened suddenly before throwing some money at him and telling him to forget about the drink.

In spite of her restless, sporadic evening, she had crawled into bed early and had again attempted to try to forget her earlier conversation with Rhett and again failed. She had avoided him at all costs since that afternoon. She had even eaten dinner by herself that night, so intent was she to stay the hell away from him. And yet, he had been there all the time. Everything going on around her had reminded her of his words…his touch. The smell of the complimentary lotion, still on her hands, brought a vivid image of him to her mind’s eye, bent over her hand, his warm mouth surrounding her swollen finger; the feel of his teeth grazing their way over her knuckles…

She had tossed and turned for an hour or so before finally getting up and pacing back and forth across the room, hoping to tire herself out so that she could get some sleep. She even thought of going to the gym downstairs, and she hated working out. But she needed something strenuous to do. And the only strenuous thing she could think of was…out of the question and was also the reason for her sleeplessness. Finally she had collapsed into a chair, crossed her arms petulantly and had silently cursed Rhett and the day she met him.

“I hate him.” She whispered. And it was true. In so many ways she did hate him. She felt, even, that she hated him just as much as she loved Ashley. Yet, she still felt these things—which made no sense, because she had never had thoughts about Ashley like this. Not to this extent.

Then suddenly, it hit her. And it all made sense.

She loved Ashley. Loved him passionately. And she hated Rhett with equal passion…and that made perfect sense. These things she felt for Rhett weren’t necessarily good, but they were expected. Her problem was that she was constantly denying them and trying not to think about them, which in turn made her think about them twice as much which…was becoming exhausting.  The fact was: it was time to be honest with herself.

She walked over to her bed and lay back down. She looked up at the ceiling. Okay—

“I…want…Rhett.” She mouthed.

“I want Rhett.” She mouthed again.

“I want Rhett.” She whispered. And hearing the words, coming from her own lips, made her shiver slightly.

“I love Ashley.” She said out loud, before smiling. That made so much more sense. Was so much easier to say. She had turned over and had fallen off to sleep just minutes later.

Now, sitting next to Rhett as they drove down the highway towards her house, she felt very tired, yes, but not nearly as conflicted. Yes, she wanted Rhett, but she loved Ashley. So, wanting Rhett wasn’t a problem. Even admitting it, to herself only of course, wasn’t a problem. So long as it wasn’t acted on.

And she could do that. No problem. Not at all…

She drew in another whiff of his marvelous cologne before deciding it would be best to breathe through her mouth for the rest of the trip…

…………………………………………………......................

They pulled into the driveway, and Scarlett scrambled out of the car, already completely exasperated.

“What?” Rhett replied. As if he didn’t know… “All I said was that the new ring you have there is nice. It was thoughtful of me.”

He shut his door. In easy strides, he walked towards the front of the car. She stomped, matching his steps. “You had that tone—“

He cut her off, ignoring her comment. “And very progressive of me, too. Usually diamonds are used for engagement rings because they represent love and eternity. What is that…an emerald?” They met at the front bumper. He grasped her hand and examined the ring. “Now, what do emeralds represent, again? I believe it was mental healing… Good choice.”

“It does not mean that!” She attempted to jerk her hand away, glancing at the ring. She had a great fondness for the ring because the jeweler she had bought it from a few months before had said it matched her eyes perfectly. And with Scarlett, the saying “stroking my vanity will get you nowhere” couldn’t be further from the truth. She had been wearing it ever since and had only taken it off yesterday, when she had tried on Melanie’s ring. As soon as she had gotten back to the room the afternoon before, she had put that god-forsaken ring back in the box that Ashley had given her and had placed the emerald ring back on her finger, prepared to tell people anything to convince them that this ring was, in fact, her engagement ring. Especially since they, not being completely mentally incapable, would undoubtedly notice that it had changed size…and color. She had yet to come up with an explanation for that outside of, “It’s a magic, Technicolor ring!” But, she supposed, that was what Rhett was for…he’d come up with something that they would believe.

 “Fie, future Mrs. Butler! A woman in love doesn’t treat her beloved in that way.” Rhett stated, still holding her hand firmly in his, in spite of her struggle. She gave a large, painful tug on her hand and couldn’t hide a wince. He must have noticed because he softly stroked his thumb over her knuckle before letting go, a smirk still on his face. Her heart skipped at his touch and the look on his face. She fought to keep herself from becoming annoyed at her reaction…

Though she had come to terms with her…attraction to him, she still didn’t understand it. No one else could make her more irate; no one could understand her more clearly.

He was a complete paradox…

And as he stood before her now, her heart continuing to skip as he displayed that infuriatingly attractive smile, she still didn’t know what to think of any of it.

She was about to reply to his absurd comment when she heard, “Katie Scarlett!” She turned, knowing before she saw him who was calling her name, and all thoughts went from her head.

Pa…

His grey hair still barely grazed the top of his square, broad shoulders. He was wearing what he always did; dress shirt tucked into dress pants. It was strange because her father wasn’t the type of man, in personality, who would dress so elegantly all the time. She supposed that the easiest way to describe her father’s wardrobe was to say that he wore those dress shirts and slacks like a redneck wears jeans and a t-shirt. He went fishing in them. Boating. Horse-back riding. Things that normal people just didn’t do in good Sunday clothes. He was always wrinkled and his ties, when he wore them, never seemed to lay quite right on his chest.

The disheveled gentleman was standing on the front porch of the only place she had really ever thought of as home. She had been distracted when she first pulled into the driveway. Now, her heart swelled as she finally fully took in the sight of the house, her Pa, the beautiful hills and grass and trees that surrounded it. It was all she remembered, everything was still there…Every time she came home, she couldn’t help but recognize the irony in her love for her home. She could remember how ready she had been to leave it when she had first left for the city; looking out at the manicured lawns and the heavy woods now, she couldn’t imagine ever having to leave it again…

She ran up the walkway towards her father, uncaring of whether she seemed a foolish little girl or not. “Pa!” She yelled. She leaped up the steps and wrapped her arms tightly around her father’s shoulders as he laughed heartily.

“Surprise, daughter! Ha Ha! This is a surprise party for your welcome home! I suppose you noticed the cars?” He wrapped his sturdy arms around her and she wished that she could cry. Her heart was so full it almost hurt to breathe. But she was too happy to cry. She laughed at his comment. A normal person would wait until you entered the house and allowed everyone to surprise you. Pa hadn’t the patience for that…

“Pa, I’m so happy to see you…” She murmured into his shoulder.

“Ah, daughter…as am I. Those sisters of yours didn’t tell you of the surprise, did they?” He said robustly, giving her a large, smacking kiss on the cheek before releasing her. She began to reply when he caught sight of Rhett, casually walking up the walkway. “And who is this that you have brought with you?” Scarlett looked over her shoulder at him. She quickly pulled away from her father, feeling awkward with him watching her.

Scarlett took a deep breath. “Pa…I…umm. This is Rhett Butler.” She watched as her father amicably extended his hand and Rhett accepted the proffered hand, each giving the other a firm shake. Her father looked slightly wary as he pulled away and Scarlett prepared herself to speak, hoping that her voice wouldn’t shake. However…

“My name is Rhett Butler, Mr. O’Hara. And I have to say, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Scarlett speaks of you often and has nothing but good things to say,” Rhett interjected.

Pa’s expression almost immediately changed to surprise, obviously impressed. And who could blame him? Rhett was as charming as he was cunning. And he was playing the part perfectly…“Well, a pleasure to meet you, as well, Mr. Butler. And where are you visiting us from?”

“Please, call me Rhett.” Rhett gave his most charming smile. “And I’m from Charleston.”

Mr. O’Hara nodded. “Beautiful place…and how is it that you came to make the acquaintance of my daughter, my boy?” Scarlett almost laughed out loud at her father, who was just this side of five feet calling Rhett, who was well over six feet tall, a “boy”.

“We work together in New York. But…” Rhett looked at her as if confused. “She didn’t tell you?” He looked back at Scarlett’s father, before looking at her again. He had the appearance of complete befuddlement. “My love, you didn’t tell him?”

My love? Good God, he sounded like he was from the 19^th century. She just shook her head a little and squeezed his hand. She was nervous. First of all, she had never, ever lied to her father. There was something of understanding between them. And, to be honest, it had nothing to do with their relationship being sacred or special to her, though it was in its way. It’s simply that she couldn’t get away with lying to him…ever. It made for many inconveniences when she was younger.

She was most nervous, however, about Rhett. Though he was always right, he was also always unpredictable. And Scarlett had forgotten how unnerving it could be to allow him any control…over anything. There was never any telling what he was going to do. They should have discussed this more thoroughly so she wouldn’t be so unprepared.

Pa spoke up. “And what is this, daughter?”

“Mr. O’Hara, I came to Atlanta so that I could ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage.”

She watched as her father looked at her, then looked at Rhett, his eyes growing wide before a wide smile stretched across his face. “My daughter, don’t tell me that you are to be married!” He grabbed Scarlett, wrapping his arms around her again, before quickly letting go to say: “And to think this was intended to be a welcome-home surprise party, and now you’re telling me it’s going to be an engagement party. And it would seem that you have been deceivin’ me, puss! And me, your own father…you tell me yesterday that ye haven’t met a man good ‘nough for you and then here you are, your betrothed at yer side!” His Irish brogue had deepened as his excitement had grown.

Scarlett could see people had began to gather at the windows to see what was going on, so she pasted a smile on her face, hoping she looked like a happily engaged woman who had just told her father the good news. To her surprise, it wasn’t difficult at all. Her father’s enthusiasm was contagious. He grabbed her up again, swinging her off her feet this time, and she caught herself laughing out loud. Once he released her, he walked over to Rhett, giving the man a hearty slap on the back before gripping both of their elbows and leading them into the house.

They walked into the foyer and turned to enter the large sitting room that her father had always used to entertain guests and business associates. The room was full of people, all holding glasses of punch and plates of hors d’oeuvres and her father boastfully threw Rhett and her together before pronouncing: “Forget about the yelling and the hooping over her homecoming…my Katie Scarlett is to be married to this young man, Rhett Butler!”

The room was silent for a moment, and it was only then that she realized that her father had, in every sense of the word, invited the entire town. She noticed first the Tarleton twins, who were both beet red and fuming. Then the Monroes. The Whitings. The Elsings. She was pretty sure that her entire graduating class was there with their families. For a moment she panicked, realizing she was lying, not just to her father, but to everyone she had ever known. What would her mother think?

And then her eyes landed on the only one she cared about…

Ashley…

He was standing with Melanie on the far end of the foyer and his face registered complete shock. And maybe a little…hurt? Hurt or jealousy…then again, weren’t they the same thing? She felt slight triumph.

Cathleen Calvert was the first to speak. “Thank God you told everyone today, because I didn’t think that I could hold it in much longer!” Everyone laughed before erupting into applause. And suddenly, they were surrounded. She was receiving hugs from every direction and…it was nice. She had always loved to be the center of attention. She smiled widely at the thought…

Questions were flying from everywhere: When is the wedding going to be? Have you found a dress? Let’s see your ring…Cathleen Calvert was the first to ask, always the most nosey of everyone in Scarlett’s opinion.

Here was the moment of truth…

She held her hand up, already expecting the inevitable questions. Cathleen’s face automatically registered confusion, before Rhett spoke. He grasped Scarlett’s hand, looking back and forth between Scarlett’s hand and the folks in front of them. “Now, let me tell you about this ring…This ring belonged to my great-grandmother. I’ve always wanted my wife to wear it like my mother, and her mother before her. Scarlett’s a little more traditional, but she is always willing to compromise for my sake.” He looked down at her, a mocking glint that only she would recognize there. Several people “awed”. She smiled tightly before nodding.

She felt someone grab her waist from behind and she instantly knew who it was. “Landon…G.T.…Houston!” She turned around.

“You would have to steal the whole show, sis. Here this party was supposed to be for all of us!” G.T. twirled her around effortlessly and gave her a big hug. She saw Landon and Houston over his shoulder. They were all on the shorter side with athletic bodies, dark hair, bold blue eyes and had equally energetic personalities, even though Landon was more on the tame side. G.T. and Houston were the younger equivalent of the Tarleton boys, except…they weren’t bums…

She then hugged Houston, who picked her up off the ground. He gave her a large smack, much like her father had earlier. “We can’t blame anyone for making you the center of attention. You are a heck of a lot prettier than G.T.!” G.T. and Houston started to romp around while Landon walked over and gave her a much gentler hug.

“Congratulations, sis.” He said, before giving her a kiss on her forehead. After releasing her, he went over and pried his two laughing brothers off each other.

Landon was the first to approach Rhett. They exchanged pleasantries and names. “I think I’ll like you…as along as you take good care of my sister.” Landon was smiling, but anyone who know her brother knew it meant business.

“Yeah…take good care of her…she needs a lot of care. Like, mental care…” Houston yelped as G.T. started to crack up. Scarlett rolled her eyes and they hooped and hollered over her.

Rhett laughed. “I got it. I take good care of her, or else.”

“Exactly.” Landon said, sending a wink Scarlett’s way.

“Yeah, and there’s some things that you might need to know before going into this.” G.T. started, reaching up to wrap his arm around Rhett’s shoulders. “Scarlett has a tendency to do this thing at night when she sleeps, it’s like—“

Scarlett grabbed his arm and jerked him away from Rhett. “That is so enough…don’t you have someone else that you need to pester?” She pushed him away.

“Nope, there is only you! Now, Rhett, back to what I was saying—“

“Pa!” Scarlett yelled.

Without looking, as if he knew what that yell meant automatically, he called across the room. “Boys…leave your sis alone. Come over here and get some food…” Scarlett should have thought of the food idea. At the mention of food, they instantly scattered.

“What is it that you do when you go to sleep, my darling?” Rhett asked, leaning down to whisper into her ear.

“Nothing…” she said, rolling her eyes. “They were just trying to embarrass me, as always.” She turned to him, and whispered.

Rhett laughed. “I like them…”

“You would…” She said, before turning and facing the next person who approached.

Ashley.

Melanie caught her first, wrapping tiny arms around Scarlett’s shoulders. “Oh, Scarlett, We are so happy for you.” Melanie looked over at Rhett, her face burning slightly. Scarlett imagined that she was thinking of all the wicked things women had said about him yesterday, and she was embarrassed. Not to mention that Rhett was practically a god compared to most of the men that she had consorted with…with the exception of Ashley, of course.

“It’s nice to meet you.” She reached out her small hand, and Rhett grasped it gently. Scarlett looked up at him and his face was more…respectful than she had ever seen it. It took her aback. She was slightly offended…

“The pleasure is mine. I’ve heard so much about you…” He released her hand and for a moment, she thought she saw a flicker of shame cross his face.

The crap!

“And this must be Ashley.” Rhett glanced down at Ashley; his eyes held their normal mocking glint…but there seemed to be an edge to his words, his expression. “It’s a pleasure…I can’t get Scarlett to stop talking about you.”

Ashley smiled slightly as he extended his hand. “It’s very nice to meet you. I wish that we had known…we might have done something—anything—for the two of you.“

Rhett wrapped an arm around Scarlett’s shoulders. “Well, you know Scarlett. She was adamant when I mentioned telling people…she would never want to rain in on anyone else’s parade. It’s not in her character.” He squeezed her shoulder before turning and placing a peck on her forehead.

“Oh, Scarlett…you are so thoughtful. We wouldn’t have thought you were imposing.” Melanie said.

At a loss for what to say because she, quite frankly, didn’t understand exactly what they were talking about, Scarlett simply shrugged and hoped that by doing that it would also get Rhett to let go of her. His arm felt unusually heavy and hot on her thin shoulders…

“We should get together soon, for dinner…it’s the least we can do to welcome you home and of course welcome you to Atlanta, Mr. Butler.” Melanie wrapped her arm around Ashley’s as she spoke. Scarlett, never wanting to be outdone, did the same to Rhett. She was positive that she saw shock and worry cross Ashley’s face and she tightened her hold on Rhett’s arm, feeling another jolt of triumph.

“That’s very generous of you. I think we are available tomorrow, if that’s alright?” Rhett stated and he turned to Scarlett. “Darling, will that work for you?”

Scarlett’s simply nodded as Gerald’s boisterous voice suddenly echoed through the foyer and study.

“People! People!” The booming voice of her father filled the space in the foyer. “The food is ready now and we will be eating here shortly.” A few yells came from the back of the room from some rambunctious boys. “But before we start, I would like to propose a toast! Of course, to my boys coming home and surviving their first semester of college…” Pa raised his glass to prompt a short applause and the folks in the room obliged. “But I would also like to propose a very unexpected toast: to my daughter and her new fiancé, Rhett Butler…who, I might add, is the luckiest fellow this side of the Mississippi! Cheers…drink up!” Everyone cheered before taking large gulps of wine.

Scarlett was not sure who started it, where it came from, or who in their right mind would have encouraged it, but it started from somewhere in the back, and grew. People chanting…”Kiss…kiss…kiss…Kiss! Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!”

Um…what?

Scarlett looked around, as people continued to chant. She looked at Melanie, who was clapping along as she blushed. Then at Ashley, who was awkwardly clapping out of rhythm with people.

Then at Rhett…

Oh, he thought this was hilarious. She could practically read his mind…We mustn’t disappoint the masses… But…no, she didn’t want this. She had always thought that if she ever kissed Rhett—which she wouldn’t…she was just saying—that it would be in a much less public place, with many cushions…and perhaps some oils…

Not here, in front of all of her childhood friends. The idea of kissing Rhett in front of an audience was akin to her to the idea of stripping in front of an audience. It was…personal. Something that she didn’t want others to witness. And sure, they didn’t know it was their first kiss but…she did. And…it wouldn’t be like she had planned…

Even though, she hadn’t planned it! And it’s not like she would…ever… She was just saying…of course…if she ever did…which she wouldn’t, so it was irrelevant…

They were still chanting and Rhett had inched closer and he had wrapped his large hand around her neck…

“Now! That’s quite enough…I am not ready to be seeing that yet. I haven’t even gotten to have the father/son-in-law talk with him yet! Give us a few months before demanding kisses! Come, let us eat before these adolescent boys take it all!” The chanting stopped and there was laughter throughout the hall as people started towards the dining room where the buffet was located.

Scarlett took a deep breath and exhaled with relief. Her respite was brief when she realized that Rhett hadn’t let go of her neck. With everyone pouring out of the room, they had somewhat faded into the background and Rhett was inching closer again. They stood there for a few moments as people continued to leave the area. Scarlett cleared her throat and went to turn away, but Rhett held fast.

“Rhett, stop fooling around…I’m starving.” Scarlett clasped his wrist, pulling slightly at it.

“It would be the most natural thing in the world to everyone if I were to lean down and kiss you right here.” Rhett leaned in closer. “No one would think it was unusual…they even want it.”

Scarlett swallowed. “No…” she whispered. “It wouldn’t…” There was nothing natural about this. About him. About them.

She pulled away and headed towards the dining room. She paused for a moment before turning around to make sure he was behind her. He was. His face bearing the same Cheshire smile it always did…

……………………………………………………………………………

Dinner went by easily, with a few more acquaintances approaching her and Rhett. She had been surprised by many of the well-wishers. Two in particular…Mrs. Elsing and Mrs. Merriwether. They were Fanny and Maybelle’s mothers. Both had husbands who were very well off and very prominent in the community: one a doctor and the other a lawyer. Because of this, they had been free to be homemakers, which meant that they had been free to be the biggest busybodies on the Easy Coast. They were the chairwoman of every committee…ever. There had never been a school function that they weren’t in the middle of and there was never a division meeting they didn’t attend or a social function they didn’t head up. Mrs. Elsing had always been small and tall and though it was often obvious that her hair was turning white, she kept it colored a dark brown and cut in a large bouffant above her ears. Mrs. Merriwether had always been a large woman…a very large woman. Scarlett had used to make jokes with her friends about how Mrs. Merriwether couldn’t get a job because she was too busy eating. Scarlett wasn’t sure whether she had ever heard about the joke or not. Either way, they hadn’t been too fond of Scarlett in her youth.

They had tried to take her under their wing whenever she had been younger because the two ladies had gone to school with Scarlett’s mother and had considered Ellen a dear friend. However, they had quickly learned that Scarlett was as stubborn as she was talented and she did not want to be told what to do. They had disapproved of her from the minute they realized this and had resented her for blossoming without their help.

This had always bothered her and she supposed it was because her mother had appreciated the women so much. Nevertheless, it did little to slow her down and, try as they might to minimalize her at homecoming events, proms and the like, she had still flourished. She had gotten excellent grades and had still succeeded socially.

So, while she had expected them to say something, she didn’t expect them to have anything good to say…even if she did believe that it was all fake pleasantries.

Raif’s greeting had been the most awkward. He had been the only boy she had ever truly dated in high school; outside of him, she had just fooled around. Had fun… What would have been the point? She was only in love with one man and she had only dated Raif for one reason: she had hoped it would light a fire under Ashley’s butt to get on the ball and ask her out himself. She supposed that because of their association, she found it impossible to relate to him on any level anymore. He reminded her of sloppy kisses on her front porch and uncomfortable caresses behind the school bleachers.

The Tarleton boys never did come up to give their congratulations. She wasn’t surprised…

After a while, the inevitable happened…people went home. And in the end, just a few friends were left with her and her family. They had all congregated in the library around the fireplace, talking politics and national news. She noticed that Rhett stayed pretty quiet throughout, laughing when it was appropriate and nodding in agreement when most seemed to agree. It was just so…not like him. He was the most controversial figure she had ever met and here he was mingling and nodding at things that she knew damn well he didn’t agree with.

After a while, the other inevitable happened…the conversation switched back to them. People were asking questions…lots of questions. And she was wondering why they couldn’t mind their own damn business.

“So, how did the two of you meet?” Landon asked, taking a sip of his totally-not-spiked Coke.

Scarlett was taken off guard by this question. She hadn’t even considered the fact that they might want to know that. She fumbled for a moment. “We met at work…” God, why did I ever put that damn ring on my finger!

Houston laughed. “That’s it? Gosh, sis. That’s really sweet…” His sarcasm was evident. “C’mon Rhett, you tell us.”

Scarlett rolled her eyes.

Rhett smiled. “Well, she is right. We did meet at work.”

G.T. feigned a yawn. “Bo-ring…”

Rhett laughed. “Nothing with your sister is ever boring.” Everyone suddenly became alert, some saying “ohhhh” and “uh-huh” and giggling absurdly. Scarlett felt her face heat and she glanced at Ashley. Melanie was, again, wrapped around his forearm. His eyes were on Scarlett, but he quickly looked away when she looked his way. Her heart gave a jump. Oh, Ashley…

“It was a morning like any other morning. I had heard that there was a new intern coming to work at the paper from Atlanta, but didn’t think anything of it. Until…” He looked at her and grinned, “I saw her. She came through the elevator. Hair tossing about, eyes fixed and determined. As soon as I saw her, I knew that there was no other woman in the world for me.” He was still looking at her, mocking in his eyes and…something… She wriggled in her seat. “I looked into those green eyes and fell in…and I never got out.” She stared at him for a moment. Something…in his eyes…

Then he was laughing. And people were “aww”ing. She huffed. If only their first meeting had been so romantic…Ha! It had been anything but…

She had spent an hour on her make-up that morning…an hour! And she had spent an hour the night before picking out this outfit. For what?!

She looked down at her soaked, muddy skirt and her sullied blouse. God help that cab driver if she ever caught sight of him again. The man had let her out at her new office building and had sped away after she had paid him, spinning his wheels in a puddle. The water that had sat in that puddle now sat on her brand new Pradas. She stomped her way into the office and showed the receptionist her badge before entering, trying to ignore the looks that she was getting from the other people in the foyer of the building. Before getting on the elevator, she went into a nearby restroom to assess the damage.

It was worse than she thought…

And she had no time to fix it before she had to be upstairs, or else she would be late. She wiped the running mascara from her face as best as she could with a wet cloth before running out of the bathroom, into the foyer and onto the ascending elevator. When she reached her floor, she stepped off into a tiny waiting room area in front of the entrance of the paper and was glad to see that no one was to be seen.

The floors had recently been waxed…

Note to self: do not run with wet, squeaky, no-traction Prada shoes on newly polished floor.

She fell.

And so did her stuff. She was lucky enough that all of her portfolios didn’t fall out in a mass of paper chaos. Still, she was frustrated. She scrambled the folders together and shoved them back into the briefcase. A pencil had fallen out as well and she was attempting to shove it back in. For some reason, it kept jamming and refused to go into place. With a growl, she hurled it over her shoulder, before finally closing up the contraption and bouncing to her feet gracelessly.

She was stopped dead in her tracks by a long whistle. “Has a war started?” A deep voice had spoken behind her. She wheeled around and had caught her breath. It was Rhett Butler. Richard, her new boss, had pointed him out briefly at one of her interviews. She had never met him formally, though she had heard much about him. Well, not much really, just that he was a really hot playboy. And damn…hot he was…

He was sitting in one of the waiting room chairs, a cup of coffee in his hand, legs crossed…and he had witnessed her tantrum on her first day. She was pissed and embarrassed.

“Mr. Butler, you should have let me know that you were there.” And maybe helped me out a bit instead of just standing there, watching me…creeper.

“You can call me Rhett, Miss…” She noticed that his grin was malicious and…yep, he was definitely up to no good. Well, Mr. “Rhett”…my Pa told me about men like you. You can bet that you won’t ever get this girl hot.

“O’Hara. Scarlett O’Hara.”

He stood. “Scarlett…interesting name. Well, Scarlett, I can’t say that I regret my choice to remain undisclosed. I was merely enjoying my morning coffee. You can’t exactly blame me for seeking solace here in the quiet, away from the bustle and the noise of the office. But to have missed all that?” He shook his head in reply to his own question, raising his coffee cup to his lips.

“You are an ass!” She shouted, before her brain was able to tell her mouth, No, wait! That’s a bad idea!

He nearly spewed the coffee he was drinking from his mouth. He thankfully swallowed it, saving Scarlett’s clothing from another horrible fate that morning, and laughed loudly. “And I thought all of you Southern women were supposed to be ladies. I guess you Georgia peaches aren’t all that different from Carolina girls, after all…” She didn’t understand his comparison. “Hmm…” He eyed her as if…as if he knew what she looked like with nothing on. “You are the new intern, aren’t you?”

She suddenly froze, realizing that this was a man of power in the company. If she had offended him with her words, all he had to do was snap his fingers and she would be gone just like that before she even started.

He seemed to read her expression and he lifted his eyebrows. “You are worried that I will tell Richard about our little meeting here?” Her eyes widened. Laughing, he leaned over her before whispering in a deep, throaty voice in her ear. “Fear not, fair maiden, your secret is safe with me.” She twisted to face him, surprise coloring her features. He laughed louder as he walked through the door to the office.

She breathed heavily…God, how she hated him…

It had been the beginning of a beautiful hatred…

And she hadn’t gotten out of it, she thought mockingly.

She suddenly realized that she had been zoned out for so long that several people were getting ready to go, including Ashley and Melanie. Ashley wished her father a good night and Melanie followed…like some kind of puppy. Melanie was talking to her Pa and her brothers had grabbed Rhett for…something. She took the opportunity to try to talk to Ashley, alone.

She approached him and he didn’t notice her until she was almost on top of him. It made for an awkward moment between them because he was slightly surprised at her appearance and she was embarrassed because he was surprised. But as it often did, the awkwardness disappeared after only a moment.

“So…you’re getting married too. Who would have thought, huh?” Ashley rubbed the back of his neck, looking up at her through thick eyelashes. God, he was beautiful…

“Yeah…it’s crazy…” He had no idea…

“I mean, I had always kind of envisioned it that way but…not like—“ he cut himself off, as if disturbed by what he was about to say. Scarlett couldn’t breathe. Had he been about to say—

Oh, Ashley…please, she inwardly begged.

He looked up at her, removing his hand from his neck. “So, I was thinking…you wanna hang out some more tomorrow? Before dinner with the fiancés? Maybe meet for lunch and…I don’t know…”

“I thought you had things to do?” she whispered, her heart fluttering in her chest.

He smiled. “I do, but they can wait.” He looked her in the eye.

She smiled widely. “I would love to.”

Their eyes were still locked when Melanie approached them. It was only when she touched Ashley’s arm that he looked away. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” He said, before turning to leave. Melanie waved over his shoulder and gave her a sugar sweet smile. It wasn’t hard to smile back…

Screw finding dirt on the girl…she just needed to keep up this jealousy thing! It was working…it was really working! She was so happy and giddy, she felt like she was floating. She turned to say something to Rhett, but he was gone…along with her brothers and her Pa.

She could hear her father’s voice coming from the porch and Rhett’s laughter. She walked to the front door and leaned against it to listen. It seemed that they were giving him “the talk”. But, from what she could hear, it was all in good fun. They were all laughing anyway…

“I think I like you an awful lot, Rhett. I really do…I just don’t know anythin’ about you.” Gerald’s voice was slightly slurred from drinking. “I jus’ wanna make sure you are doing right by my puss.”

“Yeah…we just wanna make sure you are doing right by our Scarlett. Are you?” It was G.T. He laughed, and they all laughed.

Rhett spoke. “I can assure you, gentlemen, my attentions towards your Scarlett are nothing but honorable.”

Houston snorted in obvious denial of Rhett’s declaration, causing the others to laugh. Great balls of fire…they were completely smashed. Her heart was already so light, it was impossible not to laugh with them.

“Gentlemen, truly…” They all got quiet as Rhett’s voice lowered with seriousness. Scarlett got quiet too. Rhett took a deep breath. “There isn’t anything I would do for your daughter, your sister.” Rhett paused. “She’s wielded her way into me and I couldn’t get away from her if I tried.” She leaned over to look out the window and caught sight of Rhett. His arms were perched on his knees, his brows drawn down though there was a slight, almost contemptuous smile on his face.

Her brothers laughed, “That sounds like, Scarlett.”

Scarlett slumped. Nicely played, Rhett. He was doing a great job. Just great…they were buying every word.

She opened the door and walked out onto the porch.

“Daughter…” Pa gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

She laughed. “Pa, you smell horrible.”

He huffed. “Indeed, do I? And what would you be saying if I was to say that you stink too?”

His face was that of a boy and she had to laugh. “I don’t…but you do. Please Pa, go lie down. Sleep it off and then take a shower in the morning…a nice long one.” She patted his cheek before turning towards her brothers. “And as for you three…you do realize that it’s illegal to drink alcohol of any kind before the age of twenty-one…and you are only eighteen.”

“We haven’t been drinking!” G.T. lied, before bursting into laughter. The other boys followed.

Scarlett laughed at them. “Go to bed!” She pointed at the door that her Pa was attempting to walk through.

“Okay, okay! Goodnight, sis.” As they passed her, they gave her sloppy kisses on the cheek and she tried her hardest to endure the smell.

Once the door was closed and she had locked the deadbolt, sure that they wouldn’t think of it, she turned to Rhett and looked at him before bursting into unexplained laughter. He smiled at her outburst. “What is up with you?” he questioned.

“Nothing. I’m just really happy!” She twirled her way down the stairs of her home before turning towards Rhett. “Oh Rhett, I don’t want to go back to the hotel yet. Do you want to do something fun? Let’s go do something fun…” She turned on the sidewalk to face him, folding her hands as if she were ready to beg on her hands and knees.

Rhett laughed. “Alright…what do you want to do?”

Scarlett looked at him and smiled wickedly. She knew just the thing…

Requiem: Pour le Petit Mort

THIS IS MATURE


Special thanks to Bugsy for betaing :)

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This starts right after the last person has left Scarlett's "crush" for her new house in Atlanta…the first paragraph is taken from the book. I did change one minor detail…let's see if you notice :)

Her elegant "crush"! She had planned it so lovingly, and so few old friends and no old enemies had been there to see how wonderful it was! After the last guest had gone home, she would have cried and stormed had she not been afraid that Rhett would roar with laughter, afraid that she would read "I told you so" in his dancing black eyes, even if he did not speak the words.

She sat in the foyer on a bench just inside the door, willing the tears of anger away. They were the kind of tears that she had given in to so many times before. The tears of a child who had wanted her way and wasn't able to have it, no matter what she did. She crossed her arms furiously, her breathing coming out in quick, staccato pants. She could feel her chin trembling and she was sure, suddenly, that she wouldn't be able to hold back the torrent of frustration and disappointment.

Just then, she heard music coming from the parlor. Piano music. It was beautiful and melancholy, much like she felt at the moment and it soothed her ruffled feathers. She stood and, unable to quench the childlike curiosity she had always possessed, she walked unknowingly towards the parlor, towards the music. The door was cracked open and she wondered if one of the musicians had snuck downstairs before leaving to play her beautiful, dark wood grand piano.

Scarlett had learned to play when she was young and could play with the precision of any other young lady in town, with the exception of a few. In other words, her playing had always been mediocre at best for she had never had the patience to sit for long enough to practice as she should. She had always lacked the interest in learning something that took so long to master. Not that she wasn't fond of music. Music was beauty and fun and parties and she did enjoy it, but had not the attention span necessary for mastering such a skillful art.

She peaked her head in to see who was playing the beautiful song that had so quickly and effortlessly lifted her spirits in light of her ruined "crush"… Scarlett's breath caught and she stopped short at the sight before her. She opened the door wider, watching in awe as her husband, Rhett Butler, played with precise and articulate fingers. She was beyond shocked. Never had she dreamed that Rhett Butler, of all people, could play the piano with such skill. Her shock over the revelation reminded her anew of just how little she knew about this man that she had been acquainted with for so long.

The music! The music was beautiful! She walked slowly towards him. He was facing away from her, bent expertly over the board as he molded the keys into a beautiful melody. She found herself walking in rhythm to the song. She only stopped once when his fingers, the same large fingers that she had once been deemed almost too massive for gentility, moved swiftly up the board only to lithely and nimbly move back down. The movement of his hands was so precise, so agile…Scarlett was mesmerized. During a crescendo in the beautiful harmony, Rhett's hand shot up the keys to play a repetitive, staccato trill. His now seemingly supple fingers floated over the keys with an ease likened to a gentle wind passing through a quiet forest; a grace like that of the soft, slow rustle of a woman's skirts…

Scarlett's breath caught at the thought, for the sight of Rhett's dark hands arched over the black and white keys brought to mind memories that she had seldom deemed worthy of remembrance. Warm and lazy nights in a bridal suite in New Orleans. The strange but thrilling anticipation as Rhett's foreign, dark hands ran smoothly, effortlessly over her soft white skin. For reasons she couldn't explain, the reminiscence of such nights shot an unexpected, yet untamed surge of emotions that left her breathless and light-headed. She would assume later that part of the reason for such unrestrained and unashamed emotion was an over indulgence in alcohol on her part, but tonight explanations for these feelings were far from her mind. Her body was too full of the emotions themselves to feel or warrant excuses for the meaning behind them. She exhaled loudly, allowing all the air to leave her body. Her stomach tingled pleasurably before she inhaled again. Rhett must have heard her for he immediately stopped his ministrations to the piano and turned to look behind him. At the sight of her he merely grinned and turned back around and started to play again.

"Come sit, Scarlett. Have a nightcap with me…" Her hazy brain comprehended his words, bringing her back to the rational world. Nightcap!

"Why, Rhett!" she said, trying to sound shocked at the idea that her husband would ask her to sit and drink a nightcap with him.

Rhett's fingers came down on the keys, causing an array of notes, arranged in an unpleasant sounding chord, to harshly resound through the room. He was laughing at her. "Come now, Scarlett. You do not need to give me your lady-like airs. I know you drink. I know how much you drink. And I don't mind…as long as you take your nightcaps with me." He spun himself around on the piano bench, a decanter and a glass in his hand. He poured her a shot—a nice, large one—and offered it to her. She desperately wanted to decline the drink. However, now that her rational, practical mind had reclaimed her, she was rather uncomfortably focused on the scandalous feelings that had just come over her while her husband played. She reluctantly took the proffered drink, telling herself that it was to calm her nerves. To help her reclaim her senses…

She sipped the bittersweet liquid slowly, allowing its warm, burning fingers to trace a pattern down her throat. Rhett watched her for a moment, a smirk on his face before turning to the piano again, placing the decanter back on the ledge of the piano and beginning to play. He continued the piece she had interrupted and she slowly walked over to sit in the window seat of the large bay window that the piano faced.

"What is that song?" she asked. "I've never heard it before."

"It's Nocturne Op.9 No. 2." As he continued to play the piece, he smirked. Keeping his eyes on the keys, he spoke over the melody. "I am not surprised to hear that you haven't heard this music, my pet. It is rather more refined than your tastes. However, I would expect that you would have heard this." Without the slightest pause, the melody drastically and swiftly changed from that of soft, melancholy to cheerful and joyful. Rhett's fingers were bouncing effortlessly over the keys, settling over grand chords and producing a loud, happy harmony. The rhythms were strange but delightful, mixed and changed to be offset with an opposite rhythm within the song. The music was so delightful Scarlett didn't even acknowledge his earlier jab. She giggled suddenly at the sounds coming out of the instrument and though she had been dancing all night, she desperately wished to dance again. She found herself unconsciously bouncing in time to the music, causing Rhett to laugh. However, his laugh was not mocking, but rather purely amused. And with the joyful music in the background, Scarlett couldn't find it in herself to be annoyed by it.

"That's lovely! Of course I know "The Yellow Rose of Texas"!" she giggled.

"Yes, I assumed you would. This song was introduced to the world in the bars and saloons of Texas and California, my pet. And its lyrics are—er—less than honorable. I assume you have never heard them?" Rhett said as he continued the merry tune.

"Of course I've heard them! Why everyone was singing that song during the war and-"

"No, no, my dear. You have heard some altered, fanciful version of this song, said to have quickened the spirits of brave lads in gray during the most dreadful of days. But I doubt that you have ever heard the real words of this song. It's about a mulatto woman and…well, some things that respectable people would never approve of. So they kept the joyful melody but crucified the wicked words on the altar of propriety, and replaced them with a refrain that good Christian folks everywhere can enjoy."

Scarlett ignored what he said, as she often did when he spoke nonsense, and joyfully said, "But you play it so well! I have never heard anyone play like that before! I didn't even know you could play. When did you learn?"

"My mother gave me lessons from the time that I was a small boy. She is a very talented pianist." He rolled his fingers expertly up the board, before continuing again with the same happy melody. "Now, it's all very ironic and I find it quite amusing." he remarked, chuckling. "You see, when I was first branded the black sheep of my family and blotted out for my blackguard ways, piano playing was one of the single most useful talents I possessed." His face softened slightly before he added, "So it seems that even then, my mother was trying to save me." His lips curved slightly with an amusement that was different than she was used to seeing on his face.

"But how—why do you say that?" Scarlett asked, unable to see how piano playing could be in any way useful, let alone a life saving talent.

"Because, my dear, nothing is more profitable than entertainment," he said, diverting his eyes to her. "Nothing," he added in his usual mocking tone. "And very few things"—he looked her up and down—"are more pleasant…" He showed his animal white teeth to her before turning his attention back to the piano. Scarlett blushed furiously at his suggestion.

This was the first time that Scarlett had ever heard Rhett speak of his childhood, and it was rare that he spoke of the past when it wasn't in some scandalous or adventurous story of his. She was terribly curious and desperately wanted to question him further but her mind went back to a similar conversation in which Rhett had offered the slightest bit of information about himself and had regretted speaking when she questioned him, even to the point of being angry with her. And it was so very rare that he was truly angry with her. She didn't wish to kill the mood between them, and she was definitely not ready for him to stop playing. So she bit her tongue and instead asked, "What else can you play?"

Rhett chuckled. "What would you like to hear?"

Scarlett shrugged and seated herself on the bench next to him as he continued to play "Yellow Rose". "Play something…different. Something you are sure that I would have never heard before…" Rhett laughed but again, without a pause in the music, went swiftly into another tune. One so strange and foreign that Scarlett wasn't quite sure whether she liked it. The melodies were unusual and she felt as if she were in some perverted, warped dream as it played on.

"What…what is that?" she asked.

"It's by a Johann Burgmuller. It's a part of a large work, his Etudes Opus 109. This movement is "Thunderstorm"."

Scarlett crinkled her nose a little. "I don't know if I like that…"

Rhett softly chuckled and instantly started playing something else. This song too was like a dream, but a soft, pure dream. A dream of sweet voices and gentle sounds. It was beautiful. "What is this?" she asked breathlessly.

"Le Cygne…The Swan," he answered as he continued to play. Again, as she watched his agile fingers dance across the keys, her heart skipped and a strange electricity shot through her body. Her treacherous mind couldn't help but think that if he could dominate and handle such a complicated instrument so effortlessly, imagine the countless other things he could handle and dominate…A lump stuck in her throat at the thought. Mortified, she inwardly thrust the thought from her mind.

"Could you teach me to play?"

Rhett laughed loudly at her request. "My pet, I believe that piano playing (and I mean real piano playing, not that ridiculous interpretation of what young ladies deem to be "fittin" and learn in finishing school) is something that neither of us would have the patience for, should you take it up." He turned to see genuine disappointment on her face, and his heart dropped slightly at the sight of it. "However…" he said quickly, noticing how she straightened up when he continued. "Perhaps we can make beautiful music together…" He grinned, hoping that this was going to be amusing.

Scarlett's smile stretched wide across her face and she nodded enthusiastically, all thoughts of her earlier melancholy gone. Rhett scooted back on the piano bench and gestured for her to sit. She placed herself in front of him, between his two strong thighs. Rhett breathed in the smell of her hair, already feeling the beginnings of want at having her warm, delicate body press against him. He scooted forward, allowing his desire to brush against her back. He stifled a moan, trying to concentrate on the task at hand. He placed his hands on her shoulders and slowly ran them down her arms. He thought that he heard her intake a sharp breath, but couldn't be certain. He couldn't be certain of any sound aside from the firm, pounding of his heart. When he reached her wrist, he lifted up one of her hands before both of their faces.

"Show me one finger," he breathed into her ear. She slowly and shakily lifted her pointer finger in the air. "Good," he whispered. "Now, play what I play…do what I do…" Scarlett nodded slightly. Rhett took his pointer finger and plucked out the melody line from Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata". He asked her to repeat. She stumbled several times and even got lost, but Rhett would gently grasp her fingers and guide her back to playing the correct notes. After a few tries, Scarlett had mastered the beginning bars. Rhett stilled her clumsy fingers.

"Alright, now I will play and you will play when I say to start, alright?" he said softly. "Play when I say to play…" She nodded but said nothing. His arousal continued to grow; he was sure that she could feel the evidence of it, and he wondered if she was affected by that knowledge as he began to play the slow, sensual runs. The beginning of the song was long and heavy, deliberate with anticipation for melody to enter. When it was time for Scarlett to play, Rhett whispered listlessly into her ear, "Play." The intensity of the note as she forced the sound from the instrument was shocking and rolled through Rhett's body straight to the center of his desire. His own playing became more intense, the runs of the lyrical music running together with strong and constrained power. The keys that Scarlett was playing were close to the keys that his fingers continued to caress, and her soft, svelte hand continuously brushed his hand. At one point, her entire hand was covering his. At the feel of her soft flesh against his, his body jerked suddenly with uncontained, ungoverned need. He subtly but deliberately nuzzled his nose softly against her ear lobe. She sucked in a sharp breath and faltered in her playing. She stopped for a moment. Rhett nudged her ear lobe with his nose and whispered, "Play."

He watched as her hand shakily attempted to play again. She continued to falter for a moment and almost gave up again when Rhett whispered, "Remember what I said…. Play." He placed a soft, almost non-existent kiss on the shell of her ear and deliberately released a slow breath down her neck. She audibly sighed and faltered again. Rhett attempted to focus on the music once more before, channeling all his passion for her into the song. Scarlett seemed to understand that somehow, and her playing became more intense as well. The intensity of the song continued to build until Rhett felt that he was pounding the ivory of the keys into the framework of the instrument. He couldn't take the sweet agony anymore. The combination of the hypnotic music and her enticing body was too much.

His left hand ceased playing the powerful double octave bass notes and left the board. He reached for his wife, his wife, and touched her waist. She faltered dramatically at the assault, completely distorting the piece and then interrupting her playing altogether. "Play…" he whispered. His right hand continued to wander over the keys even as his left hand claimed Scarlett, his fingers caressing her every curve, playing her more expertly than ever he had played any instrument. She hesitantly began to play again. His fingers traced slow, lazy patterns over her body, leaving no area unmarked. As his caresses continued and advanced, Scarlett began to violently, recklessly play the notes he had required of her. The keys struck violently against the framework of the piano and the secret strings underneath the wide cover of the grand whined in protest of her abusive treatment. Rhett's hand, as well, strained and was becoming less lithe and more clumsy the longer he played.

His hand continued to travel over her body. His fingers were now so reckless that they no longer followed a soft, slow trail as they had moments before, but rather grasped and strained to touch every inch of her all at once. He tumultuously grasped at her ribs, and grazed her breast roughly. Scarlett caught her breath and arched into his hand, in return gripping it with her own. Once she had firmly grasped his hand, she slowly ran her hand up his arm past his elbow to his shoulder, struggling to concentrate on continuing to play her commanded notes. When she reached his shoulder, she kneaded it for a moment before continuing her journey past his jaw and ear to the nape of his neck. She grasped him frantically and tugged him downward, forcing him to bury his face into her shoulder. She held him in place and he wildly wrapped himself around her, for the first time faltering on his own notes as well.

"Play…" she demanded breathlessly, losing her place in the song as well. Both of their hands continued to pound on the piano but nothing came out but jumbled and chaotic notes that made no sense and went nowhere.

Rhett growled, "No…you play." Suddenly, he hoisted her up from the bench and swiftly whipped her around and settled her on the keyboard of the piano with a long, loud bang resounding throughout the large, open room. Scarlett braced herself against his body as he stood up, burying his hands in the thick cloth of her dress. His hands moved quickly, lifting the massive amounts of fabric from her calves, knees, thighs. Without another thought, he firmly gripped her from beneath her knees, bringing their bodies together. Scarlett gasped at the feel of his warm, firm hands on her body; his fingers kneading into the flesh on the inside of her thighs

The music was still in her head, but it was different now. It was urgent and forceful and it spurred her on. She buried her hands in his hair, and brought his face close to hers. His breathing was heavy and she could smell his skin. She clutched his hair tightly before loosening her grip over and over, and with parted lips she grazed his nose, lips, cheeks; over his face, torturing herself with his smell and his skin. She could taste him on her tongue and she hadn't even experienced him yet.

Baser instincts that she hadn't even known existed, that she had never felt before, were beginning to surface and she marveled at her boldness even as she reveled in it, even as she was excited by it. She raked her fingernails down Rhett's still clad body and still lower before gripping him firmly from behind and pushing his hips into hers, as a feeling of power, a surge of dominance spurred her on and on further…he was hers. She made him groan throatily into her hair as he pulled frantically at her dress. She gripped him tightly in her hands with assurance and without reserve because he was hers. And only she could make him feel this way…

The music continued to get louder, and the louder it became, the more powerful feeling of desperation began to replace the urgency she had first felt. The music was dissonant now, made no sense…much like the music that she and Rhett had played.

They had momentarily halted their frantic touches; a slow languidness taking over their movements. She still gripped him firmly and he still roughly molded his fingers into her thighs, but it was as if everything was in slow motion. She slowly traced her cheek across his, feeling his stubble on her sensitive skin. A shock of some strange electricity overtook her abdomen and paved a deep, jarring trail to her most secret place.

Suddenly Rhett's mouth was on hers and his tongue was in her mouth. She groaned wantonly and the electricity that she had felt suddenly ricocheted back up and through her whole body. She grabbed him behind the neck and wrapped her legs tightly around him. She kissed him back, tasting him and noticing that he tasted even better than she had first imagined. She heard nothing but the loud and continually growing music in her head. No, not the harsh moans coming from her throat, nor the hoarse, husky notes coming from deep in Rhett's chest. She had only two senses in those moments: touch and taste. And nothing had ever felt better or satisfied her more.

The music was overpowering now, as Rhett had rid her of her undergarments with a swift and uncouth rip across the seams and had quickly entered her.

Scarlett took in a sharp breath at the feel of her husband's sudden but welcomed assault and instinctively her body moved of its own accord: thrusting towards Rhett before retreating and then doing it all over again. Rhett seemed to pick up her rhythm and both were soon caught up in a dance, a dance to which the music was within their own minds, accented by their cries of ecstasy and the chaotic, disordered chords that they made when they crashed against the white and black keys. The music continued to get louder as heaven rained over their bodies, and then suddenly it reached a crescendo and Scarlett gripped Rhett tighter as it overtook her. At their peak, Rhett leaned forward frantically in an attempt to support himself but only managed to grip the board of the piano, and a greater array of cacophonic chords enveloped them.

Rhett leaned heavily against her as their breathing slowed. She was gripping his back tightly. The notes from the piano surrounded them, but the music in her head was beautiful and soft now…like The Swan. Steady… She could feel Rhett beneath her fingertips…she could even still feel him inside of her, but it was all like a dream. The only thing she truly felt now was peace, and so she gripped him and held him close because he was the only solid thing she was conscious of. The only solid thing she wanted to be conscious of…the source of the peace she felt.

Rhett suddenly whispered, and his voice seemed far away, "When I suggested we make music together, I didn't think we would write our own symphony." He pulled away from her in order to see her face and grinned as he watched her come back to reality. Her eyes widened slightly and first she looked at the door, then at his face and then buried her head in his shoulder. He knew that they were both thinking of the…interesting piece of music they had just composed, though they had both been pretty oblivious to it while it was playing. Rhett was amused by her modesty and continued in a soft voice:

"What do you suppose we should call it?" He caught a tendril of hair between his fingers and tucked it behind her ear, before wrapping his arms around her waist and swinging her into his arms. When she didn't answer he said, "I was thinking…Requiem."

Scarlett's brows furrowed and she looked at him and spoke for the first time, "Like something you play when someone dies?" She didn't know much above the technical aspects of music, but she knew what requiem meant. During the war, there had been too many funerals and too many deaths not to have heard the term and to have known that it was a tune meant to be a eulogy. She didn't know whether she should be insulted by Rhett's suggestion.

Rhett sighed and Scarlett saw the beginnings of his mocking grin. But it bothered her little, though it normally would have. He had swiped her up in his arms and was carrying her towards the stairs. As he walked out of the parlor he replied to her in his same mocking voice, but with something gentler in his tone…and more suggestive. "I see that your finishing school never taught you the finer points of French culture, my baby. Perhaps a lesson is in order…" His words were dripping with possibilities and Scarlett couldn't wait to see what her next lesson would involve…