A/N: I know this isn't exactly what some of those who reviewed were asking for, but I hope you still like it.

*****

Georg stood just outside the main gate of the abbey, hesitating. He should not be here.

In the weeks since Maria had left, Georg had tried to continue with life as though nothing had changed. He'd formalized his relationship with the Baroness, though he was reluctant to set a wedding date so soon. He spent more time now with the children, of course, but he'd already begun doing that. Maria had shown him how much he'd missed when he'd kept his distance. She had shown him so many things.

He still didn't quite understand her. She seemed a mass of contradictions: demure yet bold; respectful yet challenging; childlike yet provocative – though he knew that was unconscious. She could never be inappropriate; no, what happened had been entirely his fault. He'd foolishly been unable to control himself.

Which was why he really should not be here. But the children had been so despondent when they'd returned home after having failed to see their beloved Fraulein Maria. And the house was so quiet now. The children rarely sang anymore. He found that, having grown accustomed to the sound of their voices – and hers – he could not bear to live without it.

Georg reached out and rang the bell. Moments later, one of the nuns approached.

"Yes, may I help you?"

"My name is Captain Von Trapp. Fraulein Maria was working for me as governess to my children but has returned to the abbey. I would like to discuss with the Abbess the possibility of her return." He spoke quietly but firmly; he would not accept being left outside the gate.

The nun had been looking at him with a wary eye, but after hearing who he was, Georg saw her visibly relax and nod slightly.

"Captain Von Trapp, I had hoped to make your acquaintance. My name is Sister Margaretta. Please come in; I will take you to Reverend Mother."

Georg was surprised at the ease of his entry, but he was not about to voice the thought. He followed Sister Margaretta to the Abbess's office. He looked around as they walked, hoping to catch a glimpse of Maria. As he passed many of the nuns occupied with their various tasks, he tried but failed to imagine Maria doing the same, dressed in a habit. He could still see her clearly in that charming dress she'd worn the night of the puppet show.

Banishing all such thoughts from his mind with a shake of the head, Georg found himself being announced; they'd reached the Abbess's office without him noticing, lost as he'd been in his own thoughts.

"Thank you, Sister Margaretta. You may leave us now." The Abbess was an imposing figure. Georg had met her only once before, when he'd first requested a governess. The request had seemed so simple then; it was so much more complicated now.

"Captain Von Trapp, please sit down. I must admit, I'm not entirely surprised to see you. Maria returned to us so suddenly, and with no explanation. I trust that there was no inadequacy on her part. She can be quite spirited at times, but the girl has a lovely soul."

Georg was stunned; he had not thought that Maria might in any way be held responsible for not completing the task she'd been assigned. He must not let the Abbess think Maria had done anything wrong.

"Abbess…Reverend Mother. Fraulein Maria was nothing short of brilliant with the children. She brought life and laughter and music back into my home. She has done nothing wrong. I hope you believe that. Do not hold her accountable for anything, I beg of you."

The Abbess sat back, a bit surprised at the fervent tone in Georg's voice. 'Well,' she thought, 'I think I will have to call Maria out of her solitude before long; it seems we have much to discuss.'

"In fact, I've come to ask for your assistance," continued Georg. "I would like…that is, the children and I were hoping that Fraulein Maria might return. They are still in need of a governess, and there is no one they would prefer. Nor would I. To have as a governess."

Georg stopped himself from saying another word. He was making a fool of himself once again, stumbling over his words, unsure of what to say. What was the matter with him? The Abbess must think him a dolt.

But the Abbess was looking at him kindly. He turned from her gaze, suddenly afraid that she'd be able to see too much in his.

"Captain Von Trapp, I thank you for reassuring me about Maria's behavior. I never truly doubted her. But I can make no promises about her return. I will, however, speak with her about the matter. That is the most I can say to you."

"That is more than generous, Reverend Mother. It's all I could ask for." That wasn't quite true; he wanted to ask the Abbess to order Maria to return, counting on the power of command and obedience. But he knew that would be asking too much; that would only make him sound domineering…and perhaps desperate.

"You can find your way out, I trust?" asked the Abbess.

"Yes, and thank you once again for seeing me. I will trouble you no longer." With that, Georg took his leave.

Walking back through the large open courtyard toward the abbey gate, Georg paused, studying the nuns at work. Was this the life meant for Maria? Her faith was central to who she was; he knew that. And he knew that the abbey was a home for her. But would she be as happy here as he'd seen her with the children, playing and singing and talking with them? Would she never dance again?

Georg wondered if she thought of him, as he thought of her so often. Too often; he struggled but often failed to avoid thinking of that final evening, when he'd held her, touched her, ached for her. Even now, even in the middle of an abbey, he could not stop himself from thinking of it.

A sudden movement caught Georg's eye. He turned and his breath caught. Maria stood just yards away, looking staggered at seeing him, her eyes wide, her mouth slightly open, her face flushed, her chest heaving. He took in the sight of her, unable to do anything else. Even dressed in a habit, he could not see a nun; he could only see the woman he had come to know. He longed to approach her, to touch her again. His hand twitched at the memory of holding hers. He felt the blood rushing through his body like a fire. He moved toward her, but as soon as he took his first step, Maria turned and raced away in the direction of the Abbess's office. Georg stopped and stared after her.

Georg agonized over what might happen. Would she agree to return? Did she suspect how difficult it was for him to control his impulses around her? He had to be careful not to scare her, not to offend her. He had to contain himself. If that was the only way to have her back in his life, then he would endure it. He would not rest until she returned.

Georg walked the rest of the way out of the abbey, even more determined that when he'd entered. He would not rest until she returned.