This story came to me after reading several others; I really wasn't interested in a new story but these ideas complicated my mind and I could not concentrate on anything else. At first I wrote it just for me but then it developed into something worth publishing. Any similarity to other stories is purely coincidental and of course inspiring. I know most of my readers do not leave comments; I just hope that my stories are enjoyable; maybe a laugh, a smile or even teary eyes.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything about the Sound of Music. I just love to fantasize about these two wonderful main characters and the others.

At the party

Max quietly came up to Georg and asked, "Shouldn't Maria be ready by now?"

"Yes, it has been awhile, let me find Frau Schmidt."

"Please check on Maria, she was supposed to join Max for dinner; I'll be in my study."

"Captain, I met Elsa coming down the steps, she told me Maria wasn't going to join Max for dinner after all."

Not thinking any more about it, he simply told Max Maria wasn't joining him for dinner.

After the last guest had left, he noticed an envelope on the hall table addressed to him. He recognized the exquisite handwriting. Why did Maria leave me a note? he asked himself. Opening it and what he read, made him get in his car and drive to the Abbey. Yes, it was late – he needed to be sure she was safe.

A sister was always on call for the poor or the injured; he explained, "I'm Captain von Trapp and I'm inquiring about Fräulein Maria; is she here?" The sister left him to ask. "Yes, Captain, she's in her room."

"Is she alright?"

"Yes, Captain."

"Thank you sister, that will do for now. I'll return in the morning."

Returning to his car, he almost lost his composure, he drove home very slowly. Max was waiting for him.

"She's at the Abbey, Max, they said she was alright."

"Georg, I need to tell you. One of the extra staff mentioned to Frau Schmidt that she had been upstairs checking on the guest bathroom and she heard Elsa in Maria's room."

"And…Max….what?"

"It seems that Elsa told her things that scared Maria – something about a dance. Did you dance with her?"

"Yes, Max, the Laendler – in the courtyard with the children and Elsa saw us."

"How could she Max? It was just a dance."

"Was it Georg? It must have been something more."

"It's difficult to explain Max, I felt something I haven't felt since before Agathe died." With those words he and Max said goodnight. It was after midnight; Elsa had retired for the night and probably would not be up until lunch time.

After a restless night's sleep, he woke at daybreak and drove back to the Abbey – to inquire once again about Maria. He was told she was in seclusion – "maybe in a few days she might allow herself to speak – please do check back again." He was terribly confused. What was wrong, that she didn't want to talk to anyone?

That afternoon he confronted Elsa. "Georg, I was just helping the poor girl maintain her good standing at the Abbey."

"Elsa, I'm sorry. Maria was my responsibility. I think it is best for us to remain only friends. My heart is very heavy right now."

"I sensed that Georg. I don't think either of us felt love for the other; we were just two people who wanted companionship. I hold no grudges. I'll ask Max to take me to the train station. I wish you only the best."

Nobody in the von Trapp villa was happy. Even the housestaff had been elated when Maria came – she had brought the villa back to life.

Georg tried to keep Maria's spirit alive in his house, but it was very hard. He had even bought a piano; renewing his skill he played simple songs for the children. They tried to be happy when he asked them to sing along. He stayed away from the songs Maria had taught them; instead he played other simple songs that he was sure they knew.

Sometimes he would hear Liesl playing simple melodies and would hear the singing of the others. They somehow managed to smile occasionally. He knew they prayed constantly that she would return.

The Reverend Mother had only allowed Maria to stay in seclusion two days. She had been informed of the Captain's two visits – she was interested in his concern.

So she confronted Maria, "the Captain came late that night to check on you and then again in the morning. Why, Maria, what happened?"

"Mother, we danced a simple folk dance for the children – in the dance he held me at my waist – I could hardly breathe. I've never had feelings like that before. Later the Baroness came to my room and told me I was in love with him and he with me. I was so frightened."

"Maria, you must be important to him for him to check on you not once but twice. Maria did you enjoy the children?"

"Oh yes Mother, I love them, we played and sang. The Captain was angry with me because I took them to town not dressed in their uniforms but then he heard them sing; his heart melted and he thanked me. Reverend Mother, he's a very nice man; I'm so confused."

"My child, I think you need time to discover your true feelings; you're free to leave the Abbey – go to your mountain; go into town for us – think about your future – examine your heart. I want you to move into the guest house, for now. That way you can come and go as you wish. Please take your meals and pray with us."

"Thank you Reverend Mother, I will do as you ask."

And so wearing the only dress she had, the simple grey one, the one the poor didn't want, Maria found herself in the Market Place of Salzburg.