I hesitate to write a Sound of Music fic since there really isn't much creative dough to play around with, but I just watched the movie again so I feel the overwhelming urge to splurge upon it.

Let's just pretend that Maria never went back to the villa, shall we? Just to make things a tad bit more interesting.

Disclaimer: Umm...I suppose Fox owns the rights to this? Well, in any case, I certainly don't.

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Chapter 1

"Darling? Darling, did you hear what I just said?"

Georg blinked and turned his gaze to the Baroness. "Oh I'm so sorry dear, what was that?"

"Oh Georg, you're so absent-minded these days. You hardly listen to a word I say." She flung her hands up in desperation and jabbered onward. "As I was just telling you, we should probably have yellow flowers instead of white ones to match the trimming of the invitations, don't you agree? And more ribbons everywhere would make the atmosphere so much more festive. In fact, I think we should arrange a trip into town sometime next week and shop for all these odds and ends. Let's make it next Wednesday, Georg. Would that be alright with you, darling? When shall I tell the car to be ready?"

Georg had only been half-listening. He muttered, "Whenever you wish, dear. That's sounds wonderful to me."

The usually composed captain had been floating about recently in a state of confusion. He excused himself from Elsa's presence and wound his way to the study. Max had offered to take the children to a show so that he and Elsa could go over the final wedding plans. He sank into a chair and kneaded his temples with the tips of his fingers. The wedding was in two weeks, and he still didn't know why he was marrying the Baroness. Well, he thought, she's a wonderful woman, very charming and carefree. Elegant, composed, the perfect hostess; what man wouldn't want her as his wife? He sighed. Don't kid yourself, he thought, the children absolutely hate her. And the children were most important in his life. More than anything, he wanted their happiness, and marrying the Baroness was certainly not a move toward their happiness. Most certainly not. They had been happy, when Ma-... when she was here.

He shook his head, and attempted to clear his thoughts. No, he would not permit his mind to wander in that direction. Still, with all the analytical power Georg possessed, he could not fathom the reasons for her disappearance. To any other employer, her note would have been perfectly sufficient. She had missed her abbey life too much. Simple as that. But there must be something else added into the equation, for that was not the Maria he knew.

If only he could be sure that she had felt something for him that evening when they dance together. But Georg could not permit himself such inclinations, such luxuries. She was a pure and innocent young nun, and he was the father of seven and over 15 years her senior. The mere thought was scandalous. And yet...dancing with her had felt so...right. There was no other word for it. Having Maria in his arms was simply the right feeling. However, now she had left her position, left him, for reasons he could not untangle. Why must women be so bloody complicated, he questioned? Can't they just commit a rational act now and then? Frustrated, he paced back and forth in the quiet solitude of his study.

Next Wednesday came much sooner than he anticipated. Before he knew what was happening, he was sitting in a car with Elsa at his side, with her talking animatedly about the eminent wedding. He had listened to her long list of stores and destinations and groaned inwardly at the prospect of an entire day spent looking over flowers and fabrics. With Elsa, no less.

He turned away from her voice and peered out the window. The sky looked beautiful this late summer morning. What a wonderful day it is for a picnic, he thought, though walking through the open markets wouldn't be so bad. Golden rays of sunlight landed lightly upon his face and he felt a warmth spread throughout his body. He rolled down the window and breathed deeply; this was the Austria he loved so dearly.

"Georg! Please don't open the window, darling. My hair shall be ruined!"

Georg looked at her, surprised, "But Elsa, it's entirely beautiful outside. Don't you want to be a part of it?"

"Oh now be reasonable darling. I shan't go into town with my hair disheveled and looking as though I'd just awaken from bed."

Georg frowned at her pouting face, "Oh alright, if you insist." And he rolled up the window, feeling progressively more miserable. The prospects looked bleak for the remainder of the day.

Georg trailed a few steps behind his fiancé as she led him through store after store. Feigning interest, he agreed with her every decision and seemed to satisfactorily convince her of his sincerity.

"Darling, do you think we've invited enough guests? We wouldn't want to forget anyone, would we? I was thinking we should probably invite a few more of my friends from Vienna. Do you think we could do that? I'm sure they'd be very happy to attend."

"I'm sorry, what? Oh yes, your friends from Vienna...yes of course, why not? The more the merrier." He flashed a smile at her and steered her toward the exit. "Let's get lunch at the marketplace, shall we? I don't much fancy a restaurant today. Just some traditional Austrian fare."

The marketplace was teeming with activity, from children running hither and thither, to vendors haggling prices, to young couples enjoying the beautiful sunshine with ice cream cones in their hands. Georg smiled at the vitality of life he felt around him. Everyone he saw looked so happy, without a care in the world, only drinking in the marrow of life under the watchful eye of a brilliant midday sun. He suddenly thought of Maria. She would've loved a day like this, and he wondered where she was at this very moment. Was she locked away in a dark room in the convent or was she breaking rules again and singing in the hills? He chuckled quietly at the thought of her being punished again for her old habits. Yes, surely she would be outside, feeding her soul with music and nature. Nothing could keep her inside on a day like this. And then he grew wistful, wishing he could be there with her, laughing and singing along. But he was here, surrounded by a happy crowd, himself the only sad face in this mural of joy.

Then he spotted her.

It was her hair that first caught his eye. That golden hair that reflected the light of world. She was sitting by herself at a small table, shopping bags crowded around her chair and she picked at her lunch without interest. He was separated from her table by quite a few other ones; she had not seen him yet.

His first reflex was to shout out her name in joy, but then he hesitated. What if she didn't want to see him, and just got up and slipped away before he could get to her side? And even if they met and talked, what could he possibly ask her? Of course he couldn't ask her why she left, that would be preposterous, and blunt. But he may never see her again, he must speak with her.

"Georg? Are you feeling alright? You seem a bit ill, darling." Elsa had returned.

"No, I'm fine...I'm fine."

"Well good. Let's sit over there by that lovely fountain." And she led him away farther from Maria's table. "I've ordered that new set of fabrics. The salesman told me they'd be delivered tomorrow. After lunch, I think we should head over to the florists and straighten out the business with the flowers."

"Yes, my dear, we'll do that." But he was still staring at her; thankfully, Elsa didn't notice.

"Oh Georg, excuse me, I believe I left my mirror at the tailor's. I'd better go back and ask for it."

He nodded at her and arranged his features into a look of concern.

When she had gone, he returned his gaze to Maria. She seemed sad. Her face did not reflect the beauty of the weather. It was as if a dark cloud was situated directly above her and no one else. It was strange seeing Maria like this. She had always had an effervescent personality, always laughing. Such an optimist. Now she looked as though she were channeling Sartre's spirit.

Georg stood. Here was his chance. He walked slowly, running through things he could say to her, each one more stupid than the last.

"Fraulein."

She leapt up, a look of utter surprise upon her face. "Captain! Oh, how do you do?"

"I'm fine, thank you. Um, how are you?"

She smiled hesitantly at him, "I'm great, sir, great."

"Are you...um...happy to be back at the convent, Fraulein?" He mentally kicked himself. Damn, he wasn't suppose to bring up this subject, it could only lead to bad things.

"Oh, well actually," she look slightly abashed, "I left the convent. I found that I really didn't want...uhh...couldn't be a nun. The Mother Abbess was very good to me and arranged a job for me teaching at a school. And I've been there for quite some time. The children are so wonderful and I really love it there, and..." She trailed off, aware that she had been rambling unnecessarily.

"You left the convent? I see. Well, I'm – I'm glad you're happy now. I'm sure the children at the school love you dearly."

"Thank you, Captain. Oh, good afternoon, Baroness Schraeder."

"Oh Elsa, look who I bumped into here," said Georg, a little too casually. "Remember Fraulein Maria?"

Elsa looked at him and back at the younger woman. "Of course, Fraulein Maria. How do you do? Oh Georg, here's one person we've forgotten. Maria, dear, you are most welcome to attend our wedding. I shall send you a proper invitation. You simply must come, I know it would mean so much to the children."

"Wedding? Oh, congratulations." Maria knew she shouldn't be surprised. This was, after all, the original plan. She knew she had no right to feel anything but happiness for the Captain and Baroness, but somehow, tears threatened to spill from her eyes. "I'm terribly sorry, but I really don't think I'll be able to make it for the wedding, but I wish you both every happiness. Excuse me, please, I really must be going."

She turned suddenly, gathered her bags and prompted disappeared into the crowd.

"Oh well, come darling, we must attend to the florist's."

Leaving the marketplace that day, Georg knew he would be back to find her, and he needed to find her fast.

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Hmm...this was my first SOM fic. It could potentially go somewhere I suppose. Reviews please...pretty please?