A/N Thank you to lemacd for the prompt!

Chapter One

Thump.

His hand hovering over the pages of a tedious contract, Georg looked up at the ceiling and waited. There was nothing but silence and so he returned his eyes to his work.

Thud.

Dropping his pen with a resigned sigh, Georg lent back in his chair, the worn leather creaking, and once more stared up at the ceiling and waited. A few moments of baited breath before the muffled sounds above coalesced into one loud heavy rhythmic thud as a pair of feet came running down the stairs, skidded across the marble tiles and then-

Bang!

His study door flew open as Louisa came running into the room. Her face was red with exertion and her hair was sticking to her face.

"Father!" she yelled.

Georg regarded her as she took a deep breath and made an attempt to smooth her dress – which he noted was covered in dust and dirt – before she spoke again.

"Father," she said in a calmer tone of voice. "You will never guess what we just found!" She was clutching something in her hand and she waved it excitedly.

"Well, let's see then," Georg said, extending a hand towards her.

Louisa passed her father the yellowing envelope and watched as he looked at both sides before sliding his fingers underneath the already prised opened wax seal. He pulled the sheet of paper out of the envelope and read the first line aloud:

"If you are reading this letter, it probably means that I am dead."

Her father rolled his eyes and glanced once more down at the parchment before he fixed her with a raised eyebrow.

"And where exactly did you find this?"

"It was in-" Louisa stopped and looked guiltily to the side.

While her father had certainly become more like the person she once remembered, she knew that there were still certain boundaries that shouldn't be crossed. And telling him that she, and her siblings, had found the letter up in the attic would probably be a bad idea. After all, they were not supposed to go into the attic. It was where every single memory of their mother was kept and it was strictly forbidden.

That didn't stop them, though. It had all started when she'd begun to have nightmares. In her dreams, she could never remember her mother's face; and as the days turned into months and the months turned into years, Louisa had struggled to recall her mother's face while awake. And so, she'd snuck off into the attic and before long, all seven children would sneak in there when their father was in Vienna. In there they clung to the memories of their mother, so scared to forget – or in the case of the little ones, trying so desperately to paint a picture of a woman they'd barely known except by name.

The last few years had been spent pretending Agathe von Trapp never existed. And sometimes, it really felt like that was true.

But that had all changed. Fraulein Maria encouraged them to talk of their mother! At first, they'd been hesitant but eventually it had become obvious that their governess was as curious as them about their mother.

This afternoon, all they had wanted to show their Fraulein was a photo. Just a photo. And they had only meant to be quick. But, it could never be quick. Memories couldn't be rushed and before long they'd been showing their governess photos and trinkets as they rummaged through boxes. It was then that they had found the letter, hidden in one of the drawers of her mother's dressing table.

Louisa had been far too excited about what they had found and hadn't even thought to think of a better place to have found it.

"Er," she said again. "We just found it, you know… around."

Georg, who'd been watching Louisa try and think of a lie, let his other eyebrow join the first in feigned amazement. "O-ho, around you say? Goodness, imagine that."

His daughter just glared petulantly back at him as the sound of footsteps – more measured than his daughter's - announced Fraulein Maria before she entered the study.

"Afternoon, Captain," the governess said with a lopsided smile. "Did Louisa show you what we found?"

Georg dropped the letter on the top of his desk and leant back in his chair, slowly steepling his hands in front of his chest so that his chin rested on the tips of his fingers.

"She did," he said slowly.

Maria watched the Captain; he looked like a handsome tyrant sitting in his chair as he watched them with that slightly unnerving expression – it reminded her of a tiger. It wasn't a grin, but a sort of calculated expression of smugness that seemed to express just through eyes alone that whatever she had to say better be important or else she was lunch. It was slightly off-putting, in more than one way.

Unable to help herself, Maria stared a little too long at the Captain's hands as he moved his index fingers to rest just in front of his lips. Her mind had been playing some cruel, yet delightful, tricks lately in regards to those hands – and if she was honest – those lips too. Trying to ignore whatever demon had obviously taken over mind, she gave an awkward shrug and then met his gaze.

"And what is it you expect me to do with this information?" the Captain asked.

"Well," Maria said, her eyes flicking back to his mouth as he tapped his fingers idly against his chin. "We thought we could go in search of clues and so on."

"There could be a huge treasure chest of jewels and gold buried somewhere!" Louisa interjected, her eyes shining with excitement. "Please, Father? We will keep out of your way, we promise!"

"And what would you do with jewels and gold, Louisa?" asked Georg.

"What couldn't I do, more like?" Louisa said with a grin.

Dropping his hands, Georg picked up the letter again and read the contents again:

If you are reading this letter, it probably means that I am dead.

I shall never know if this reaches you and if it does, it may be too late all ready. I must let you know that I feel the end is coming. Our time together has been wonderful but everything ends, as is the nature of things. If something wonderful begins, that something must have an end for how can it have a beginning?

I apologise. But I feel that I must let you know that when our end comes, you will always be with me, even when you are gone. You have managed to steal a part of me, or maybe I gave it to you without even knowing. All I ask is that you keep that part of me safe with you. Whatever good I am, it is because of you.

Kept on this estate are all my most treasured possessions – I want you, I ask you, to keep them safe. May good fortune find your doorway. May the bluebird sing your song. May no trouble travel your way. May no worry stay too long.

I hope that this letter finds you, just as you have found me. And may you always live with laughter for a smile becomes you so.

"Father," Louisa said sternly. "Please? We just want to have a look around and Fraulein Maria said you'd be all right with it."

"Did she now?" Georg said, his eyes sliding over towards the governess who was staring at him with that frank, unabashed expression on her face.

Maria turned to Louisa. "Darling, why don't you go get cleaned up and I'll meet you and the other children in the nursery?"

Looking between the two adults, Louisa nodded and then hurried out the room. She knew Fraulein Maria would talk to Father and that she'd win. She always did.

Once Louisa had left, Maria seated herself in front of the Captain.

"Well, Captain," Maria begun, "I thought it'd be fun for the children, you know? It'd keep them entertained."

The Captain regarded her with an eyebrow. "I pay you to look after my children, not to take them on idiotic treasure hunts. Shouldn't they be focusing on their lessons?"

Maria frowned at him. He could really be such a stick in the mud.

"Of course they try but they've been so excited with the party coming up in a few days they can hardly concentrate," said Maria generously. "Besides, it is still their summer holidays. It'll be fun." She gave him a smile. "You could help us, I'm sure your navigation skills would be highly valued."

"I was a naval submarine captain, Fraulein," Georg said, leaning forward as he spoke. "Not a high seas pirate searching for booty." Georg grinned. "Although-" He cleared his throat awkwardly, remembering to whom he was speaking with. "Never mind."

"Well, yes, I know," said Fraulein Maria, the double entendre going over her head completely. "But you'd still know more than me. And the children would love it."

She gave him another smile. While the way she smiled was lovely, seeming to express such pure and delighted joy, there was still something about it that managed to get under his skin and irritate him. It was that small fleck of irritation - much like a grain of sand caught in an oyster- that made him want to push her buttons, to tease her, to remind her countless times that he was the father and she was the governess. And maybe that was how he'd managed to turn that irritation into his own pearl. He'd managed to find some enjoyment in it all. Somewhere along the way, she had succeeded in becoming something valuable that he found himself unable to part with. Which just made him even more irritated than before.

Of course, she still did things that drove him up the wall. And he was sure the housemaids had heard enough arguing between master and governess to last them a lifetime. But sometimes, it wasn't even an argument, as there were times when he would have an issue he wanted to discuss and so he'd make a point of writing it down in his journal so at their nightly meeting he would have it in front of him so he couldn't forget.

He always felt like he made his point and got through to her during these meetings. It wouldn't be until after she'd gone that he'd realised he hadn't got her to agree to anything and somehow she would have left with his permission to do something ridiculous. For example, the other day he'd requested the children focus more on history – such as important battles and so on. Diplomacy was important, unfortunately, in Georg's world and he wanted his children to at least have an inkling about how these things worked (or didn't in most cases). So, Fraulein Maria had agreed with him and somehow by the end of the night he had agreed to let her turn the ballroom into two giant blanket forts.

All it took was one look from her and any sense he had just upped and vanished. And if she smiled, it was even worse. Lately, all he wanted to do was grab that stupidly pretty face of hers and bring her lips to his. The thought gave him a delicious little shiver.

"Captain?"

Oh, right, yes. Georg cleared is throat importantly. "I am far too busy today, Fraulein."

"Oh," Maria said, feeling slightly disappointed for reasons she did not want to think about. "Well, I'm sure we can do our best without you!" she said brightly.

The Captain gave her another amused look, his lips quirking into a sly grin. "I'm sure you will all have a marvellous time."


"We looked everywhere!"

"Why couldn't he just say where the treasure was-"

"In the barn!"

"In the gardens!"

"-full of stupid lovey-dovey stuff-"

"I found a caterpillar."

"Well, I think it's romantic-"

"Nobody cares, Liesl!"

"Children," said the Captain, raising a hand. "Please, one at a time."

Marta tugged on the sleeve of his jacket. "Papa, if we find the treasure can I get a kitten?"

Kurt scoffed. "A kitten? If you found treasure you'd waste it on a cat?"

Marta scowled at her brother. "It wouldn't be a waste. And I'd get two. So, they aren't lonely." She turned her face back towards her father. "What would you get, Papa?"

"I don't need anything, Marta," Georg said dismissively.

Elsa laughed. "Nothing, Georg? Not even a sleek boat for the Mediterranean?"

"I can already buy one of those if I wish," Georg muttered.

"Oh, yes, but you could buy two boats!" Elsa said, taking a sip of wine. "You could get a little one for your bath too."

Maria snorted into her dessert at the thought of the Captain sitting in his bathtub with a little toy boat. Then her face immediately reddened at the thought of him in a bath at all. She cleared her throat, trying to dislodge the awkward lump that seemed to have formed there.

"What about you, Fraulein?" asked Georg, who had noticed her reaction to Elsa's little comment.

"Oh," said Maria. "Well, I'm not – er, well, the treasure would be yours, not mine."

"Come on, tell me," Georg insisted, leaning forward a little and fixing her in place with his stare.

"Er," Maria hesitated, "I would of course donate it to charity."

The rest of the table groaned and one of the children said, "that's boring!" before the Captain held up at hand once more for silence.

"Indulge me, Fraulein," he said, his eyes still fixed on her. "Let's pretend for a moment you aren't going to be a nun-" Georg's sanity instantly went on holiday at that thought. "And so, what would you do with a chest full of gold and jewels? Hmm?"

Maria blushed. She didn't like the way he was looking at her; well she did but because she did like it was why she didn't like it – or more accurately, why she felt she shouldn't like it. Oh, help!

What did he just ask me? Oh yes, treasure.

"Umm, probably new shoes for the orphans," she said finally and was once more met with a chorus of boo's from the children.

Baroness Schraeder turned her attention towards Maria and said, "Come on, dear, surely you must want something?"

"No." Yes, Maria thought, her eyes flicking towards the Captain before hurriedly darting back to the Baroness. Sensing that the woman was about to ask again, Maria added, "I am a postulant and I will be taking a vow of poverty, I think it's best I not entertain thoughts of gold and jewels."

"Don't you also take a vow of obedience?" came the shot of a question from the Captain.

"Yes," said Maria carefully.

He gave her a look that clearly said, "good luck with that".

Before anyone could comment further, she hastily turned her attention to Gretl. And it was true, she would be taking a vow of poverty so why should she entertain the idea of things she can never have? And as for obedience – she was trying! It wasn't her fault he was a stubborn and infuriating man.

But that was always the way, Maria thought. The Captain seemed eager to push her buttons – or at least strive for a way to bring her vocation into question. She knew on some level he did it to annoy her and to get a reaction. Gosh, how she wished she had a better handle on her emotions. She always reacted. It was just a game with him, except she had no idea what the rules were – though, she had sneaking suspicion there were none.


After settling the younger children to bed, Maria headed back downstairs and walked towards the Captain's study. She knocked on the door and after his instruction to enter; she pushed on the handle and stepped inside.

Even though she entered this room nearly every day, it always managed to steal a little bit of her breath away. And it wasn't just because the room was so lavishly decorated with its plush carpet, leather armchairs, deep mahogany furniture and numerous shelves lined with impressive looking books. No, it was also the smell of it all. It was oddly comforting yet… exciting? It must have been the hint of brandy and cigar that seemed to cling to the air, mixing with the scent of worn leather. It was such a masculine smell, so incredibly different to anything Maria knew.

And of course, there was also the man currently seated behind the large desk. She wondered if it would be the same if it were some other man and her mind quickly answered that no, it wouldn't be. It was because it was him.

Walking towards his desk, she took her usual seat and tapped her fingers in her lap as he finished writing something. Never one for waiting around, Maria opened her mouth.

"What are you writing?" she asked.

His pen paused, and he looked up at her, staring at her for a moment before he spoke. "A letter to the children's grandparents."

Maria smiled. "Oh, how lovely!" Unable to help herself, she leant forward, trying to see what he had written.

Georg signed his name with a flourish and then leant back slightly. With an air of deliberate care, he turned the page around and sent it across the desk towards the governess after the ink had dried. He watched, amused, as she hesitated briefly, her large blue eyes flicking up to meet his, before she picked it up with a smile.

The smile faded instantly. "I can't read this," she said, her gaze fixing back on him. "It's in English."

"Well, yes, Fraulein," he said smoothly.

Maria glared at him. Of course she wouldn't be able to read it! He wouldn't let her read a personal letter. She glanced back down at the words, trying to recognise anything. It was then that she did see something she could read – it was her name.

"My name is on here," she said.

"Hmm?" said the Captain, who was watching her. Maria wished he would stop doing that. She resisted the urge to squirm in her chair. "Yes, I told them about their new governess." He gave her a smile, and it was a proper smile – not the usual smirk he tend to have in place at all times. It was the same kind of smile he'd given her the evening of the puppet show and she felt her heart skip a beat at the sight.

You need to stop this, her mind whispered. You are being a silly girl!

"Good things, I hope?" Maria asked.

He inclined his head and the smile spread. "Mostly." He raised his hands at her affronted look. "Don't worry, I've told them only good things. So, how did the children go today on their little hunt?"

The governess smiled again. "Well, you heard them, Captain, they had a great time. I doubt we will find anything. Besides, it wasn't meant for us."

She paused a moment as if hesitating to speak her mind – which was surprising in itself.

"Something wrong?" he asked.

She shook her head. "No, not wrong. I just find it hard to believe it's real. I mean why was it in the house? Surely it would have been found earlier."

"Things get misplaced."

"Yes, but still…" said Maria. There had just been something about it that had been vying for her attention but every time she tried to focus, it slipped further out of reach. "It just sounds like something out of a story – not something real."

"Why?" asked Georg, genuinely curious to hear what she had to say.

"I don't know," Maria sighed, she gave him a sheepish grin. "I guess I find it hard to believe someone would actually speak like that."

There was a pause as both sat in silence, their thoughts running away with them.

Georg decided to break the silence. "You never told us what you would do though, if you found it."

She gave him a rueful smile and tilted her head to the side as she regarded him.

"I told you, Captain," she said. "I don't want anything."

"Everybody wants something. Whether or not you should."

Maria considered this. "Yes, I suppose. But not everything has a price. I…" she trailed off, breaking eye contact with him before she spoke again. "I suppose the things I would like most aren't something you can buy."

"Such as?"

"I want…." Maria began, feeling the blush rise up her neck. "I want to go dancing. I want adventure. I want…" Somewhere to come back to, somewhere to call home.

He was looking at her again, in that same way that made her feel like he could see right into her soul and so she instantly looked at her hands in her lap. Ever since the puppet show, Maria had been unable to forget his face, his voice. They had reached out and touched her, infiltrating her senses. She both feared and eagerly anticipated her dreams. They were mostly innocent, at most he kissed her – or maybe she kissed him, it was hard to recall. But she felt that kiss everywhere.

She was frightened that if he looked too closely at her, he'd know. Be able to see it in her eyes. She knew she was bad at lying, at concealing her feelings. So, she tried to not make eye contact. But it was so hard! It was difficult to tear her gaze from his sometimes; it felt like something inside her ripped every time she did.

"There is nothing wrong with wanting those things," came the low voice.

Despite herself, Maria looked back up at him, swallowing audibly when her eyes locked with his.

"Remember," he said, in that same low voice. It made her lean forward so she could catch every intoxicating syllable. "I am hosting a party in a few days, Fraulein. You can have your dance then."

Maria wrinkled her nose at that, trying not to let the blush return to her face. "Me? Dance at your party? Ah, Captain, I don't think so. I'll be looking after the children – of course. But I guess it's all right to dream."

Georg regarded her as she sent him one of her irritatingly lovely smiles.

"May you always be a dreamer, Fraulein, and may your wildest dream come true."

Because I'm damn well going to make it happen.


A/N A few lyrics taken from the song "May You Always" by The McGuire Sisters – basically anything that began with "may".

I own nothing.