Hide and Seek
Chapter 1: Before the Party
The day was hot and wet, something quite typical for that time of year in Salzburg. After the children had completed their morning lessons, they quickly became bored since they couldn't go outside to play. It seemed strange that the children would've become so used to playing outside during the afternoons in the short time that Maria had been their governess, but now every time they couldn't play outside, they became almost unbearable to be around.
So out of desperation, Maria came up with an idea to keep them occupied. Play a game. The children brainstormed ideas for a few minutes before the vote was unanimous. They were to play 'hide and seek'. Friedrich was "it", and the rest of them, including Maria were to hide before he came to find them.
Quickly, everyone scattered across the nursery and surrounding bedrooms to hide while Friedrich counted. When he finished, he started the task of seeking them all out. Without difficult, Gretl was found first, then the other children, with Maria found last. They played a few more rounds with each child taking turns to be "it", but each time it became easier and easier to find everyone as they were running out of new places to hide.
"Fraulein Maria," whined Kurt. "We're bored. It's too easy to find everyone, except for you."
"Well," Maria said with a defeated sigh. "I suppose it is quite easy in this confined space. I'm happy for you children to choose another game, but I do have a suggestion if you want to play 'hide and seek' another time."
All the children gathered around eager to hear her idea. "So for this last time, let's make things interesting. Instead of just hiding in the nursery and bedrooms, let's use the whole house."
There were excited whispers from all the children. "The whole house?" Gretl exclaimed in amazement.
"Hmm mmm," Maria replied, her eyes gleaming in delight that children liked the idea. Kurt was declared "it" and everybody scattered, down the stairs or into the hallway. Maria saw Liesl duck into the ballroom and Marta into the parlor, but the others she lost sight of quickly.
Wanting to find somewhere that Kurt would never think to look, Maria ran down one of the side passageways that led to the kitchens, knowing there was a big hall cupboard in that direction, perfect for hiding in. But as she did so, she bumped into Louisa who had obviously thought of the same idea. The girl grinned at Maria before pushing past her and flinging herself into the large cupboard to hide.
An instant later, Maria heard Kurt coming down the stairs, ready to seek them all out. In a panic, she ran in the opposite direction and opened the first door she came to, slipping inside before shutting the door quietly behind her. Maria closed her eyes and gulped lungful's of air, trying to catch her breath.
"Are you lost Fraulein?" a voice suddenly startled her. Maria jumped and spun around. Captain von Trapp was standing only a meter away from her, giving her a mixed look of part annoyance and part amusement. Maria realized, to her horror, that she'd just run into the Captain's study.
"Oh Captain, you scared me!" Maria breathed, placing her hand on her racing heart. He raised one eyebrow as to question her presence in his study. "I'm so sorry sir, but you see the children and I were playing 'hide and seek' and Kurt almost caught me and I just…"
"Opened the first door you came to?" he finished for her. Maria sheepishly nodded. "Ah, I see," he chuckled. "Quite understandable, Fraulein. Well, you can hide in here if you wish."
Maria's eyes widened in surprise. "You don't mind?"
"Not at all," he replied with a smile. "I've been working away all morning on these reports and I could use a break." He gestured for her to follow him as he made his way back over to his desk. "I'm only pleased you have a legitimate excuse this time for wandering into rooms that are not to be disturbed."
Maria felt relieved. It seemed when she'd first arrived at the villa, every time she encountered the Captain they ended in some sort of argument together. But ever since he'd quarreled on the lakeside with her then apologized afterwards, she'd noticed a change in him. Now she found him pleasant, cheerful, and very different to the Captain she'd met only a month prior.
"And pleased you've stopped snooping," he added cheekily as an afterthought as he sat down.
"I was never snooping," Maria immediately said defensively, thinking back to when the Captain had caught her in the ballroom. "But perhaps you could say I was just curious?" She held her breath in anticipation of his response.
"Curious?" he snorted. "You do know that curiosity killed the cat, don't you?" He threw her a smile that could only be described as mischievous.
His playful expression and sassy reply took her back somewhat. But she laughed and waved her hand dismissing his comment. "That's fine with me. I can't stand cats."
"You don't like animals?" the Captain asked the young governess in surprise.
"Oh I love animals, just not cats. In fact I was constantly getting into trouble at the Abbey for always being in the barn visiting the animals."
"Really Fraulein? Why doesn't that surprise me?"
"I seemed to get into trouble a lot," Maria admitted with a giggle as she lent back on the edge of his desk casually.
"Hmm, I've noticed that." He paused. The more he thought about it, it did seem strange that someone so full of life, so energetic would choose the life of a cloistered nun. "Fraulein," he began carefully, not knowing quite how to approach the subject. "If you don't mind me asking, what drew you to becoming a postulant at the Abbey."
"No Captain, I don't mind you asking me at all," she replied honestly.
She flicked her eyes up to the ceiling and licked her lips tentatively as she tried to work out where to begin. Then taking a deep breath, Maria began to tell the Captain all about her early life, about how she used to come down from the mountain, climb a tree and watch the Sisters at work at the Abbey. Then almost without pausing for breath, she began telling him numerous anecdotes of the Sisters at the Abbey and the many times she used to get in trouble.
As she spoke, the Captain watched Maria's face become animated as she relayed her amusing stories. She was totally engaging, and he felt intrigued by her. He tried to listen intently, occasionally adding in an encouraging "yes" or "hmm, mmm" or "go on", but the fact of the matter was, he felt distracted by the young woman now perched up on the side of his desk.
He tried to work out why. So when he thought about it more, he realized it was the first time since his wife had died, that he was actually enjoying having a conversation with a woman. He didn't deny that Elsa was very pleasant company, no not at all. But he did tend to find her conversation boring and tiresome at times: always gossiping about the latest social event, or in the midst of planning the next one.
But talking with Maria was very different than conversing with the sophisticated socialite he'd been courting for the past year. While Elsa hid behind a façade that was rarely penetrable, there was something real and straightforward about the young governess. She spoke with conviction, and with honesty.
Her eyes lit up as she laughed, her smile gave her face a radiant beauty, the relaxed manner in which she spoke was soothing to his soul, and she looked adorable as her cheeks flushed a very faint pink when she admitted her various failings as a nun. Even the faint smell of her perfume seemed to flood his senses, almost giving him a sensation of euphoria. She was like a breath of fresh air wanting and needing to be breathed in, and every minute he spent with her, he felt like he wanted more.
Maria seemed to lose track of the time as their conversation moved from her time at the Abbey to talking about the Captain's service in the Navy. Maria had initially felt surprised when she'd begun speaking with the Captain to how easy it was to talk with him. Her first impressions of the dashing Naval hero hadn't been good; she'd found him abrasive, stern and generally disagreeable. But now the man in front of her was captivating, and she felt herself practically hanging off every word he said. From the way he patiently listened to her ridiculous stories, to the soft timbre of his voice as he spoke, or the way his deep blue eyes sparkled as he laughed. She felt so entranced by him that the world going on outside his study was quickly forgotten.
The Captain then began telling Maria a thrilling story of a near miss during a battle on his submarine in the war, and as she listened, Maria was struck with awe at his bravery. But then he told her that after celebrating their close call while on shore, one man had gotten so drunk that he completely missed his footing trying to clamber back onto the submarine and fell into the water.
The Captain roared with laughter as he told Maria the story, and she couldn't help but laugh with him. But as Maria laughed, she inadvertently placed her hand on the Captain's arm. As she touched him, he stopped laughing, surprised at the warmth of her hand on his arm. Maria continued to giggle for another second or two before she noticed that the Captain had already stopped. He gave her a small half-smile before his eyes moved from her face to gaze upon her hand still resting on his arm.
As she realized what she'd done, Maria immediately yanked her hand back, like she'd received an electric shock. She jumped down from where she'd been perched on the end of his desk and took a step backwards.
"C-Captain, I'm sorry…" she stammered, embarrassed. He stood straight away and took a step towards her, a half-smile still on his face. He'd found the way she'd touched him with such familiarity quite endearing, also her response and stuttered apology were enchanting. And as she blushed, she looked completely irresistible.
"Fraulein, really, there is no need to apologize," he reassured her. He took her hand in his again, relishing in its warmth and the softness of her skin.
He looked deep into her eyes, trying to find the answer to a question he had yet to ask. Maria found herself frozen to the spot as she gazed back into his blue eyes. Her heart began to thump widely in her chest and she felt so breathless that she could hardly speak.
The Captain beheld her, drinking in her natural beauty. His eyes skimmed down her face from her eyes to her nose and finally resting on her lips. Soft, light pink lips, only marginally parted as she breathed lightly. He suddenly wondered what it would feel like to have his lips upon hers, to taste her, to kiss her.
Almost like a magnet, he took another step towards her, so close now that they were practically touching: Maria could feel his warm breath against her skin. Slowly he lifted his other hand and Maria held her breath as he gently grazed her cheek with the back of his hand, sending shivers down her spine. Her lips parted more as he leant in towards her…
But all of a sudden they heard voices outside the study door, causing them both to jump. The Captain dropped his hand, before taking a step backwards and glancing towards the closed door. As he turned back to Maria, he lifted one finger to his lips, warning her to say quiet.
"Do you think Fraulein Maria's in there?" they heard Kurt ask from outside the door.
"Of course not," they heard Louisa reply. "Even Fraulein Maria's not that stupid to disturb Father while he's working in his study."
"Should we check anyway? I've found everyone else," Kurt said. Louisa's reply couldn't be heard, but instead a soft knock came at the door.
Maria looked at the Captain in alarm. She'd been enjoying being with the Captain so much that she'd lost track of the time and practically forgotten that she was still supposed to be playing 'hide and seek' with the children.
"Quick hide!" he ordered her in hushed tones. She looked around widely for a place to hide. Spying the sofa on the other side of the room, she made to move towards it, but the Captain grabbed her arm.
"No time," he told her swiftly. "Besides, they'll find you straight away if they come in. Quick, under the desk."
"Under the desk?" Maria started to question, her eyes wide with confusion.
"Really, Fraulein," he cried in exasperation. "Do you always need to ask so many questions? Go!"
Without saying anything else, he practically threw her under the desk and sat back down, moving his chair as close to the desk as he could to conceal her hiding place. He took several deep breaths to compose himself, trying not to look as flustered as he felt.
"Come in," he called out. The door opened and two faces peered in.
"We're sorry to disturb you Father," Kurt began. "But we're looking for Fraulein Maria."
"Fraulein Maria?" the Captain replied absently, pretending like he didn't know what the children were talking about. But in reality, all he could think of was the young woman now hiding under his desk.
"Yes, we were playing 'hide and seek' and we can't find her. We wondered whether she came in here."
"Came in here? Why Kurt, do you see her in here?" he replied, somewhat standoffishly, trying not to reveal the presence of their governess. When Kurt opened his mouth to whine, he huffed. "Alright, if you don't believe me come in and search for yourself."
Maria could hear the children enter the room as she crouched awkwardly under the desk. It was quite a tight space between the backboard of the desk and where the Captain currently sat. Her heart thumped wildly in her chest. She was in a panic. While she knew it was partly due to the haste in which she had to hide, the main reason was because of what almost happened between her and the Captain just moments prior. Maria's head swam and she barely noticed the sounds of the two children searching the room: from the sofa to behind the thick curtains hanging at the windows.
The Captain had almost kissed her. That thought kept going round and round in Maria's brain. And what's more: she almost kissed him back. As those thoughts swam around her head, she felt almost sick with confusion. She had come to the family on God's errand, not to find love and romance. She was there to prepare the children for a new mother, and wasn't that going to be Baroness Schraeder? She knew the Captain had been courting the Baroness for the better part of a year, and presumably they were going to announce their engagement at the ball in just over a week's time.
But where did that leave her? She didn't believe the Captain was the type of man to prey on the help; she trusted his integrity and his honor, and so she knew that any intentions he had towards her would be honorable. However, did she want to be the cause of the Captain breaking off his relationship with the Baroness? Maria felt horribly confused. She knew that asking for his love was wrong. But she couldn't deny how handsome the Captain was or how attracted she felt to him. She had wanted him to kiss her. Yet it terrified her.
As he watched Kurt and Louisa systematically search his study, the Captain tried to sit as comfortably as he could in his chair. But he felt anything but comfortable. His mind was racing. He had no idea how he'd found himself in this predicament. He'd planned for so long to marry Elsa by the end of the summer. But while he was very fond of Elsa, he knew that he didn't feel the deep and passionate love for her that he'd felt for his late wife. It had taken him so long just to feel something after Agathe died and Elsa had been instrumental in that. In a way Elsa was his savior, helping him find some meaning in his life when he'd thought there was no meaning left. The Captain knew by marrying Elsa, he would be making the safe choice. Everyone expected it, and they would make the perfect society couple.
But like a whirlwind, Maria had blown into his life. Unexpected, unpredictable, but yet fascinating. From the ugly grey dress she'd worn that first day, to the look of defiance in her eyes as she challenged him, then her natural beauty and charm-everything about her seemed to captivate him. Even minutes after she was in his arms, the faint aroma of her perfume still flooded his senses. For the first time since he'd even considered marrying another since Agathe died, he began to question his impending betrothal to Elsa. All his thoughts now were on the young woman whom he nearly kissed and who was currently squashed up against his legs under his desk.
Kurt and Louisa had practically finished searching the room. But just as they were about to give up and admit defeat, Louisa had an idea as she stood in front of her father sitting at his desk. "Father, what about under your desk? Maybe Fraulein Maria is under there."
Maria had been squirming around under the desk, trying to find a more comfortable position as her legs were beginning to cramp. But upon hearing Louisa's suggestion, she froze and held her breath.
"Under my desk?" the Captain repeated, surprised his daughter had guessed exactly where her governess was hiding. He narrowed his eyes. "Louisa," he replied with a sigh, trying not to give anything away. "I think I would know if your governess was hiding under my desk."
"Oh," replied Louisa. "Of course Father. Silly me, I suppose we'll go and search for her somewhere else now."
"Yes," replied the Captain. "That's a good ide-Ahh!" He yelped and jumped up slightly off his seat.
For just at that moment, Maria had lost her balance and tipped forward. She'd grabbed onto the only thing she could, the Captain's leg. He'd yelped as he felt her fingers grasp then tighten around his calf, her fingernails digging into the small section of bare skin above his sock line startling him.
"Are you alright Father?" Louisa asked in concern.
"Ah, yes. Um… it was ah…" Feeling flustered, he frantically tried to come up with an excuse. Images of Maria yelping in surprise after sitting on a pinecone that first night at dinner flashed through his head. "It's um, um… rheumatism," he declared patting his thigh and sitting back down.
Hearing him use rheumatism as excuse like she had, Maria began to giggle. As a small squeak escaped her lips, she stuffed her free hand into her mouth trying to suppress the sound. The Captain immediately gave her a swift kick under the desk to silence her. She let go of his leg right away. Then Maria closed her eyes and took deep breaths in and out as quietly as she could, trying to calm herself down.
"Um, Father? Are you sure you're all right?" Kurt asked again, not quite convinced. He exchanged a perplexed look with his sister.
"Yes of course," the Captain replied firmly. "I suppose I'm just feeling a bit stiff after sitting here working all day. Perhaps it's time for a break. Would you kindly go and gather the other children and ask cook to serve afternoon tea?" he asked them, hoping they would leave quickly. "I'll join you shortly."
"But what about Fraulein Maria?" Louisa asked. "We can't have afternoon tea without her. You know how much she likes strudel."
"Oh I'm sure she'll turn up in no time at all," the Captain told them with an air of certainty. "Now be off with you." He quickly stood and waved the two children out of the room before they could ask any further questions. The Captain let out a large sigh of relief as the door closed behind them.
He moved his chair out of the way and bent down to look under the desk. Maria lifted her head to see the Captain grinning wickedly at her.
"They're gone," he told her simply. "You can come out now." The Captain put out his hand for her to take. Maria crawled out from under the desk then took his hand. His grip was strong and firm as he pulled her quickly to her feet.
However, Maria hadn't realized that while she was crouched down, her foot had fallen asleep. So when she went to stand, she immediately lost her footing and launched forward, right into the Captain's arms. He caught her effortlessly and steadied her by placing both hands around her waist.
Maria slowly raised her chin to look up from his chest into his eyes, only vaguely aware of the way her arms were wrapped around his neck. Her breath caught in her throat as she gazed into his deep blue eyes. His stare was piercing, questioning yet so intense that she was sure that her body was shaking in anticipation of what was going to happen next. She wanted to look away but she found herself frozen to the spot.
The Captain took a fraction of a moment to relish the sensation of Maria's warm body in his arms. He knew he should let her go, but he couldn't. Instead he found himself pulling her closer towards him with one hand while the other hand moved to her face to tilt it up towards his.
Maria's heart thumped wildly in her chest as the Captain bent his head down towards hers. His lips had scarcely grazed over hers when the sound of a door slamming in the outside hallway brought both of them to their senses. Maria immediately let go of him and jumped backwards, her face flushed with the deepest crimson. Breathing deeply, she placed both of her palms up to her cheeks.
"C-Captain, I'm sorry…." Maria began to splutter.
"Fraulein, I mean Maria, no." The Captain spoke softly, yet tenderly as he took one of her hands in his. "Don't apologize…"
Maria pulled her hand back and took several steps backwards. "I, ah… should probably go and find the children. I mean, they are looking for me."
The Captain knew he couldn't let things end like this. No, not this way. "Maria…" the Captain called out as she turned and began to make her way over to the door. He hurried after her and reached the door at the same time as she did. She placed her hand on the doorknob, about to open the door when he stopped her by placing his hand on hers. Maria looked up at him and saw a genuine sincerity in his eyes.
The Captain opened his mouth to speak. But he didn't know what he was going to say to her, or what he was going to offer her. He was flustered and confused himself. He'd believed for so long that his path in life was to marry Elsa, but now he wasn't so sure. When he was with Maria, he felt things that he hadn't felt in a long time: the stirrings of love in his heart, and the passion and burning desire of wanting to have her in his arms.
But even though he knew this, could he openly declare these feelings to Maria? No, not while he was still committed to Elsa. The Captain knew until he broke his relationship off with Elsa, he wasn't a free man to pursue his feelings towards Maria. But despite this, he knew he couldn't let the young woman leave the room believing their near-kiss was a mistake.
"I…" He took a deep breath. "Please do let me apologize for being too forward in my advances. It was never my intention to make you feel uncomfortable in any respect."
Maria opened her mouth to tell him that he hadn't made her feel uncomfortable at all; on the contrary, he'd made her feel the opposite: warm, alive… desired.
However he cut her off before she had the chance to say anything. "I did, however, enjoy our time together this afternoon." He carefully emphasized his words. He really had enjoyed their time together, and desperately wished to spend more time with her, despite the awkward situation of his relationship with Elsa. But, the Captain reasoned to himself, he'd never shied away from a dangerous situation before, and the idea of the thrill of the chase was alluring.
Maria opened her mouth a second time to interrupt again, but closed it when she saw the look in his eyes that said more than words. It was a fiery look of wanting, longing, and the promise of more to come. Maria felt herself inhale sharply. She was still tingling from the way his lips had brushed against hers only moment before. She felt slightly rattled by everything that had just happened, and so many new emotions flooded her senses. So she didn't answer him, but merely nodded in agreement.
"Good," he said, content that she would have no lingering regrets about what had happened between them. He lifted his hand from hers and allowed her to open the door. As she was leaving the room, he called out after her. "Until next time then?"
Maria stopped in her tracks and turned around just to see him smirking at her. She felt her heart begin to flutter as he looked her, his piecing gaze was like a bolt of electricity pulsing through her.
She nodded and gave him a beaming smile. "I'd like that Captain."
A/N: This story is written as a gift for utility-singer to thank her for writing "Under The Cover Of Darkness" with me (if you haven't read it, please do, it's great!). Also I want to thank lemacd for all her very helpful suggestions and feedback when writing this.
There are two more chapters planned for whenever I time to writing it around the craziness of real life.
Please be kind and send me a review, and as usual, I don't own anything TSOM. Sigh…