This must be what Paradise is like.

That was the most powerful thought in Maria Rainer's mind as she idly wandered through the maze of hedges in the garden of the Von Trapp villa. It was a beautiful midsummer evening, and the music of the orchestra in the ballroom floated in the air like a lovely scent to Maria's ears.

She was happy, but in a different way than she was accustomed to. Usually when happy, Maria could barely control herself. She would run, or skip, or clap, more often than not burst into song not caring who heard. But this time, Maria was very much aware of her surroundings. So she continued to walk, sometimes stepping to the music, humming quietly.

Though she was only the children's governess, this was the first formal party she'd ever attended. The sight of all of those women in gorgeous gowns and men dressed in tuxedos was overwhelming to her. Baroness Schraeder, especially, looked absolutely gorgeous in her shimmering golden gown and perfectly curled golden hair. Looking at her, anyone could see that Elsa Schraeder was born to be the perfect hostess of the first class. This was not a world Maria thought that she would ever see.

The path ended, leading into the courtyard outside the ballroom, looking like something out of Greek mythology with the goddess statues in the corners and the hedges all around it. All of the children were gathered there. Liesl and Frederick were dancing together to the music, with the other children watching.

Maria smiled and spoke, making her presence known. "Well, why didn't you children tell me you could dance?"

The two oldest children stopped in their dance, and Kurt stepped forward to answer. "We were afraid that you'd make us all dance together: the Von Trapp Family Dancers!" He ended on a theatrical twirl, earning a laugh from the rest of the children.

The music playing in the ballroom changed from live and gay to slow and almost mournful. Looking inside, the children could see a new dance being done, with the people walking around each other to the music.

"What's that they're playing?" asked Gretl to her Fraulein.

Maria smiled, the music both distantly and closely familiar to her. "It's the Laendler, it's an Austrian folk dance."

Kurt stepped up to her and pleaded, "Show me?"

Maria chuckled and shook her head. "Oh, Kurt, I haven't danced that since I was a little girl!"

"Oh, you remember," said Kurt, unconcerned. Like his brother and sisters, Kurt believed that his Fraulein could do anything she set out to do. "Please?"

"Well . . ." Maria was still hesitant. It really had been years since she'd last danced the Laendler. Only the first few steps were coming to her mind.

"Please?" Kurt pleaded, his round face and rosy cheeks just impossible to reject.

So, with a pat of his cheeks, Maria consented. "Oh, all right. Come on over here."

She led Kurt to the center of the courtyard and faced him. "Now," she instructed, "you bow, and I curtsied."

"Like this?"

"Fine! Now we'll go for a little walk, this way . . ." Maria took Kurt's hand and proceeded to teach him the steps, counting off as she went to make it easier. When they got to the under-arm turn, the odd pair met some difficulties, due to Kurt's pre-adolescent clumsiness and a major height difference betweent the two. Maria tried it again, but met the same result.

"Kurt, we'll have to practice!" laughed Maria, as they were caught in the awkward position again.

Then a new but very familiar voice spoke from behind her that sent a shiver down her spine. "Son, do allow me, will you?"

Maria turned around in time to see Captain Von Trapp shoo his son away with an affectionate pat on the head, then turn to her with his right hand extended. Maria was astonished. How long had he been watching? She hadn't noticed until now. Yet there he was, standing tall and more handsome than ever in his tuxedo and medals, silently asking for her hand in a dance. That Maria thought him handsome did not bother her – anymore. It seemed just a fact to her too big to deny, especially tonight.

And without questioning why or even if she should, Maria put her bare hand in his gloved one, and their Laendler dance began.

The steps all came back to her mind, which was a great relief to her: Maria did not want to make a misstep in front of the Captain. But Maria needn't have worried: every step went smoothly. The turn that had seemed awkward with Kurt became graceful with the Captain.

As Maria twirled beneath his arm, her skirt flaring out prettily, her smile went from hesitant to full and genuine. For the first time, it really hit Maria where she was: she was actually attending a ball! Never mind that she was only the children's governess and not part of the real party – here she was, dancing with the most handsome man of the party, in a moonlit garden. If nothing else, she would carry this lovely Cinderella memory back with her to the Abbey when her time came to go.

The fact that she would have to leave at the end of the summer was incredibly sad, but she would not think of that now – she was too happy.

Throughout the dance, she and the Captain exchanged shy smiles, and Maria marvelled how far they had come – from being at complete odds to gaining a true respect and as close to a friendship as these two people could come.

The tone of the music and dance changed from merry to intimate, which took both of them a little by surprise. As Maria walked in step behind him, he reached over his shoulder for her hand. Suddenly, she felt as shy as a school girl when she gave him her hand and came up in front of him. And then, after their arms went through the sweeping movements, his arm encircled her waist as they rotated in sync together.

Maria suddenly felt as if she were wearing next to nothing. She could not recall, when dancing the Laendler, her being so close to her partner. Or her face suddenly flushing with color. Or her stomach filling with butterflies. Or her heart beginning to beat faster. Or becoming so entranced in the most beautiful blue eyes she'd ever seen.

All she could see was those burning eyes in that most handsome face.

Both stopped in the dance, as if both were following the same impulse. Maria felt both of their arms drop to their sides, feeling overwhelmed by his presence. They were so close that she could smell his cologne, almost intoxicating in a way. The fear felt cold in her chest, and she backed away from him slowly, feeling she might drown in a way. As she backed away slowly, it felt as if she were ripping herself from him, which only confused her more.

"I don't remember anymore," she said in awe and confusion, almost to herself but still looking at him. His gaze, likewise, had never left hers, and he looked just as astonished and confused as she did.

From it seemed a long way off, she could hear Brigitta telling her, "Your face is all red."

"Is it?" she asked, suddenly extremely embarrassed, and of course she felt a new flood of blood rush to her cheeks. Her hands rose to attempt to cover her rosy cheeks, but she knew that the Captain had now noticed. She felt more like a schoolgirl than ever, and somehow, she managed to find some humor in it. It was the only safe thing she could do – the alternative was to become scared. "I don't suppose I'm used to dancing," she said to both him and herself, the smallest of smiles coming to her lips.

And to her delight, he offered her an small but enchanting smile in return. The butterflies in her stomach and heart seemed to dance for joy.

Then a voice, like an icy cold wind, finally made her and the Captain break eye contact. "Why that was beautifully done! What a lovely couple you make!"

All those butterflies seemed to drop dead inside. Maria saw that Baroness Schraeder had come into the courtyard, stepping up to them as she spoke. Guilt now flooded through her mind. What on earth had shee been doing? What right had she to dance with the man this woman was planning on becoming engaged to? She felt horrible and self-conscious.

"Yes, well," began the Captain, looking as embarrassed and uncomfortable as she had just felt. "I think it's time the, uh, children said good-night."

Knowing that she needed to focus now on her job, Maria replied with each word gaining her old confidence. "Yes, we'll be in the hall in a moment." She turned to the children, her safe zone, where she knew what she was doing. "We've got something very special prepared, right?"

The children all nodded enthusiastically, and she motioned for them to follow her into the maze. Quickly, she ran with them, and she certainly felt as if she were not running to something like the children, but from something.

Maria felt unsettled, unglued, but she would deal with that later. Now, her job was with the children. She could certainly handle that just fine.

But his face still remained present in her mind. Though she had no idea what had happened just now in the courtyard, all she knew was this: something has changed in me tonight.

A/N: As you SOM devotees have undoubtedly noticed, I made this scene fit right into the movie perfectly, as has been my habit. But next chapter, that will change.