Authors note: Alright new story! Right so those of you who are starting to read this and haven't read 'The Woman Behind the Mask' I suggest you do as this is the sequel to it and it would be kind of confusing if you started reading this! Anyway enjoy! :D

There's so much behind this smile…

Maria woke in her husband's arms the sunshine hitting her as they lay on the grass under a tree. She put her head on his chest and breathed in his comforting scent they had been travelling for two days, it had been hard but the grownups had helped, occasionally carrying the little ones for a few hours and the children distracting them by playing eye spy. Food resources were running out her stomach confirming this as it rumbled as she looked over the family. Her heart filled with pride but at the same time with fear, Maria had never felt so scared, if something happened to them she would never forgive her self. Movement caught her eye, Helen was stirring but the rest were asleep. Carefully she detached herself from her husband's arms and went over to a tired Helen.

Maria waved her over and groggily Helen got up following the young girl towards some trees "You wanted me?"

Maria nodded "We are running out of food, we need to look come help me please" she said.

Helen nodded and they searched bushes and trees for edible fruit "Well hopefully I a couple of days we will be there and we can get jobs and food and a place to stay" she said her mind wandering off to a big warm fire place.

Maria chuckled as she watched Helen day dream "Yes and a nice warm shower or bath" she said her mind drifting to Georg.

"Don't you start now!" she said looking at Marias dreamy face.

"Well excuse me this is supposed to be my honey moon, instead I'm trekking across to Switzerland" she said and Helen laughed.

"Mm I do see your point" she smiled.

Maria nodded as she pried at the trees, the hope of finding fruit near impossible. But still they continued, no way were they going to die of starvation Maria refused!

They days seemed to be getting warmer despite the oncoming winter. Maria took of her jacket and put it on floor as she continued her search. Helen did the same.

"Oh and we need water, but I don't where we are going to find that" Maria said sadly.

Helen to was worried but she refused to be sad she had to be positive for hers and the family's "Have faith Maria, we will find a way and this family will be safe, we are half way at least, the car got us along quite a but now we just have to continue on foot, it won't take long my dear" she said taking the girl in her arms.

Maria sighed and held onto Helen "I hope your right" she whispered.

Helen held her and stroked her back "Trust yourself and this family Maria, we will make it if it's the last thing we god damn do!" she said and Maria laughed.

They pulled away and then like god was looking down on them a red apple dropped from the tree above them. Again the women looked at each other and laughed before collecting all the apples they could find.

O0o0o0

Max couldn't believe it. It had been so close. His heart had pounded and ached terribly. He sat in the chair going over and over those minutes where she had slipped away from him, well he thought she had. He had laughed when she looked up at him her eyes tired asking him why he was shouting.

He looked over to her, her fragile sleeping form in the bed. All his love. Oh how easily it could have been lost and he thanked god every minute that he had spared her. Things were still rocky and she could barely move but there was hope and that's all he needed at the moment.

He rested his eyes and his thoughts drifted to his friends. He hoped they had made it but the news of an empty car found near the mountains told him otherwise. God he hoped they were ok. He sighed and looked over to Elsa again barely able to tear his eyes away from her scared that suddenly she would be gone.

The door suddenly opened revealing the mother abbess. She smiled and went over to Elsa "She looks slightly better" she said quietly and max nodded. The mother looked at him "Have you had any sleep?" she asked.

Max shook his head unable to tear his gaze from Elsa's pale flawless face.

The mother smiled sympathetically "Please try, she will be fine I can watch over her, there is a room next door you can sleep there"

Max answered back immediately "No I think I will sta…"

"It will do no good if you become ill as well, now go sleep" she said before looking back at Elsa.

Max knew she would not stop until he agreed so reluctantly he left but not before kissing Elsa on the head.

0o0o00o

Maria and Helen walked back happily, their jackets and pockets filled to the brim with apples as they both ate one themselves, their rumbling stomachs soon satisfied.

By now most of them had woken up apart from Gretl who still slept. Maria went over to Georg and kissed him before handing him an apple and going over to Gretl, stirring her gently.

Maria stroked her head and watched the little girls eyes open "Good morning, come on we need to go In a bit, we have apples so better wake up before they are all eaten by your greedy brothers and sisters" she said and Gretl giggled hugging her new mother. Maria picked her up and took her over to where all the apples were.

Gretl wriggled out of her arms and quickly grabbed two apples putting one in her pocket and eating the other quickly.

Maria smiled watching the family eat the apples in the morning sun. Things went not perfect, they didn't have a home and they were on the run but as she stood there with her family she had never felt so safe and the hope and courage that Helen had talked of seemed possible. Suddenly her head span slightly but before she could make anything of it, it disappeared. She clapped her hands "Alright hurry up! We still have land to cover and no doubt the Captain here wants to move!" she said hugging Georg and kissing him.

Georg smiled "Your mother's right, so come on!" he said before they all set off down the hill again, all of them singing doe, ray, me!

O0o0o0o0

Herr Zeller slammed his hand on the table in his office "Where the hell are they?" he shouted looking at his spies. Everyone stayed silent the air so silent you could hear a pin drop.

"I want them found! You will scour every country, every continent until they are found IS THAT UNDERSTOOD!" he shouted all of them nodding furiously.

"NOW GO!" he shouted all of them rushing out of there immediately.

How could they have escaped so easily? When he found them he swore he was going to rip them limb from limb. He would kill the children in front of the two and then…

"Herr Zeller we have someone to see you" one of his men said.

He groaned but gesture for him to send them in.

The man walked in and Herr Zeller smiled an unpleasant smile "Franz, how nice to see you"

Franz bowed his head "I hear you having problems finding Captain Von Trapp and Agent Maria?" he said his voice showing no emotion.

Herr Zeller Nodded "Yes it seems so" he said reaching inside his drawer.

"I'm sorry I thought the information I gave was correct please let me help you"

Herr Zeller shook his head "I don't think that will be Necessary" he replied.

"No please let m…" BANG!

Franz fell to the floor the bullet from Herr Zellers gun shooting right through his head "No I don't think we will need you at all" he said to himself, putting his gun back in his drawer "Carr, please take him away" he called to one of his men.

Carr dragged him away. He would find them if it was last thing he did! Her Zeller thought leaning back in his chair.

Authors note: I know this chapter isn't brilliant but bear with me it gets better don't worry! there is still lots to come :D anyway please review thank you! :D