Disclaimer: I own nothing except Lukas and Stefan.
A/N: I feel like this story is going to be a long one and I've got it all pretty much planned out in my head. Sadly, I have nothing written down besides this chapter. I'm going to warn you now that there may be long waits in between chapters. Sorry, I know I hate that too. Also, the rating may change depending on future chapters, this one is clearly only K.
This is definitely going to be an AU story. Historical events will be changed. Although I am keeping the Anschluss it may come sooner than expected, that's all I'll give away now.
It had been about two weeks since the infamous fight between the Captain and Fraulein Maria and things had improved considerably. Uniforms were no longer required in the Von Trapp Villa and singing was to be heard often throughout the day. Many rules were still in place. One could not expect someone who had been as distant and strict as Captain Von Trapp to immediately change his ways and allow all forms of gaiety to commence so soon. Therefore, the Captain still insisted that his children, and their governess, try to be punctual for meals and bedtimes. However, there was constant talking and laughter during meals and sometimes exceptions for bedtimes were made. Every once in a while the children and Fraulein Maria would be allowed an extra song or two before bed or the little ones might have nightmares and need consoling. There was always at least an hour of study every day. The children were happy not only because this was less time than before but also because it was spent with their Fraulein who seemed to find a way to make schoolwork much more interesting. Currently, the children and Fraulein Maria were in the study room while the Captain and his other guests lounged on the terrace.
Georg Von Trapp was not a man to be confused easily. This was all the more reason for him to be annoyed with himself. Ever since that dreadful argument with the children's governess nothing seemed clear to him any more. He knew now how not to treat his children but he was having a more difficult time reconnecting with them. Of course, they spent a lot more time together and he loved them very much. It hadn't been too hard to become accustomed to a livelier household again. In fact, he rather enjoyed it. That was probably one of the reasons why he had invited two of his friends to come soon and stay for the evening. But he still felt out of touch with his children. At least Fraulein Maria had stopped it from getting any worse. He really wouldn't have recognized Liesl if it had been a few more years!
Laughter erupted from one of the windows upstairs and the Captain smiled. Elsa didn't have quite the same reaction.
"I wouldn't have thought children of yours to be quite so boisterous Georg," she said in a false slightly amused tone.
"Now why is that?" Max cut in before the Captain could reply, "You know as well as I do that Georg can also be quite loud when necessary," referring to Georg's temper. He watched as the Captain gave him a pointed look before replying.
"Well it does seem to be the only way to keep you from speaking all the time Max."
Max feigned a hurt expression, "Oh you imply as if I've nothing good to say."
"That is exactly what I am implying."
The Captain heard footsteps behind him and turned to see his butler coming through the doorway.
"Sir, Herr Lukas Rauffenburg and Herr Stefan Kirchmann have arrived," Franz announced politely as usual and two men followed through the doorway behind him.
The first was almost as tall as the Captain but had strikingly blond hair and a pair of mischievous blue eyes. He had sharp features and although a slight air of arrogance seemed to follow him he gave the appearance of being nothing but pleasant.
The second man, Herr Kirchmann, was just as tall as Herr Rauffenburg but his features were quite different. His features were more rounded although he was not plump, making him look very boyish, especially because he almost always wore a grin. His hair was a deep brown that matched his soft eyes which mirrored his sympathetic character.
The Captain dismissed Franz with a thank you while standing to great his friends. "Lukas, Stefan," he shook each of their hands firmly and felt a genuine smile on his face at seeing such good friends after many years.
"Georg. It really has been too long," Lukas Rauffenburg replied. He missed the shadow that passed over Georg's eyes as he said this and plowed on. "What have you been doing with yourself all these years?" Georg's smile was certainly no longer genuine as this seemingly simple question conjured up painful memories. Lukas never had an eye for those subtleties so he didn't notice the change in the Captain's countenance. Luckily, Max did and decided to step in.
"He's been reduced to spending his time in my company of course. And complaining dreadfully I might add." At this the Captain shot him a cautionary glance, but there was also a thankfulness in it that kept Max's eyes twinkling.
"Max Detweiler," Stefan walked over and shook his hand, "it's good to see you again. And this must be the lovely Baroness Elsa Schraeder I presume?" He took her hand briefly before starting up a conversation with Max about new talents in Salzburg.
"Please sit down Lukas," Georg motioned to a chair around the table on the terrace somewhat absentmindedly putting Herr Rauffenburg between himself and Baroness Schraeder.
Lukas took the seat and addressed the Baroness, "I'm not surprised to see you here Elsa. There's been talk in Vienna about the two of you for quite some time now."
Elsa smiled and noted the Captain's warning half smile at the comment. Even she had known early on not to pry into Georg's social life. But she paid it no mind at this moment. She was happy to be engaging in a conversation with a fellow Viennese member of society. She had noticed that Georg was different ever since their arrival to the villa. More specifically ever since his argument with the governess. "Well, I'm afraid you'll have to wait a little longer for proof of whatever ghastly rumors you are hearing about us Lukas. In the meantime, have you been able to find anyone for yourself? I recall you dancing with quite a few high class women at Herr Meisener's New Year's ball last year."
"Yes, but sadly none of them were able to hold my interest for more than one waltz." Lukas feigned frustration. In reality he had no plan of settling down any time soon.
The Captain's focus strayed from the conversation before him as it continued. He didn't really care for his friend's outlook towards women and at times like these wondered why they had become friends. Then a moment later he would be reminded. Lukas was almost always able to keep him laughing and, when stationed near each other in their naval days, they would often get into scads of trouble at a local bar. It was never anything serious but it never ceased to lift Georg's spirits. Lukas was one of the only people who had known exactly how to cheer him up. Only Max's ability to do so rivaled his now. However, whereas Georg could also be responsible and down to earth, Lukas had found that aspect of the navy of much less interest. It was probably the reason he never moved up in ranking as Georg did.
The Captain was once again brought back to the present as he noticed Friedrich and Louisa running out of the doors and down onto the lawn. He observed his other children hot at their heels even Gretl and Marta enjoying the game for now. They usually got frustrated at not being able to keep up with the pace of their older siblings. Not a moment later Fraulein Maria came walking out of the villa after them, a slight skip in her step and a brilliant smile lighting her face. He cleared his throat to get her attention and she reluctantly tore her gaze from the children's game of tag.
"Yes Captain?"
"Are the children finished with their studies so soon Fraulein?"
"Yes Captain. It's been just over an hour and I hadn't the heart to keep them inside any longer on such a beautiful day." She continued with a laugh in her voice, "Besides, they could hardly sit still at their desks. They were coming up with the silliest questions for me as an excuse to get up and walk around."
The Captain smiled at her last comment easily seeing the scene play out in his head when Lukas interrupted his train of thought. "You are going to introduce us to this lovely lady aren't you Georg? I must admit you've become a terrible host since I last saw you."
Herr Kirchmann looked up at Herr Rauffenburg's comment and Maria blushed at the compliment. The Captain shot Lukas another glance that he ignored and made introductions.
"This is Maria Rainer, my children's governess. Fraulein, these are old friends of mine Lukas Rauffenburg and Stefan Kirchmann."
"Please don't introduce me as old Georg. I'm younger than you remember," Lukas then returned his attention to Maria and stood to greet her. He took her hand and squeezed it gently but didn't let go causing the color of her cheeks to deepen even if only slightly. "It's a pleasure to meet you," he looked into her eyes and paused for a moment before continuing. "May I call you Maria?"
After retrieving her hand from his gentle grasp and glancing quickly at the Captain who was eyeing Lukas she replied, "If you like Herr Rauffenburg," and made a move to leave but before she could even turn away completely he continued.
"Then I insist that you call me Lukas."
She smiled, "Thank you, you're very kind," she glanced at the Captain again. "But considering my position I would feel more comfortable calling you Herr Rauffenburg. It was nice meeting both of you. Now, I must find out where the children have gone to." With that Maria turned and walked briskly toward the cacophony of voices heard amongst a grove of trees and leaving behind a bewildered Lukas.
Stefan noted his friend's countenance and laughed. "It seems you've lost your charm Lukas."
Lukas unhappily sat in his chair. He was attracted to this woman and he wanted to find a way to be near her. He had hardly ever experienced a woman who refused him and he found the challenge exciting.
The Captain had been happily amused at the way Fraulein Maria avoided Lukas's flirting but could see his friend's line of thought now, as could the Baroness. Georg wasn't sure if he should mention that she was going to be a nun, positive that it would just add to the challenge.
Elsa, however, had no problem with that point. Perhaps it would keep the little Fraulein busy. Apparently it took more than seven children to achieve that feat. Besides it would be a very amusing game to watch from her point of view. She decided to speak up, "Don't even think about it Lukas."
"Think about what?" he replied in mock innocence.
"You know exactly what I mean. That girl's going to be a nun and it wouldn't do for you to go cavorting around trying to deter her from her goal."
Lukas smiled at first at Elsa's attempt and then the reality hit him. He sat forward suddenly with wide eyes, "A nun!"
Stefan and Max who had been watching the display with interest chuckled. "I can testify to that fact myself," Max confirmed.
"Well a person can always change their mind can't they?" Lukas asked mysteriously.
Georg began to seriously regret inviting Lukas for the evening. He knew he shouldn't take much of an interest in Fraulein Maria's choices after she left his family but for some reason he did and Lukas's current endeavor seemed to bother him more than the previous ones.