From Paris to Salzburg.

The following morning, they woke early. Since Maria had done such an efficient job packing for them both the previous day, they only thing left to do was shower, dress and do a final check of the suite to make sure they had not forgotten anything. Georg tried telephoning the children again, but was still unable to get through. He then called the hotel porter up to the room to collect their luggage. Just as the porter was finishing taking the last of the suitcases from the room, Georg watched Maria looking wistfully around the room.

"Are you ready to go Maria?" He asked.

"Yes, but can you give me a moment please?" She asked.

Maria walked out to the terrace, remembering all the breakfasts they had shared there together. Next, she wandered back through the spacious lounge room, glancing at the elegant sofa in front of the fireplace where they had sat together on many nights, cuddling, talking and laughing while sharing a bottle of wine. Finally she went to the door of the bedroom. She closed her eyes as she recalled the number of hours they had spent together in that room and how they had gotten to know each other in ways that only a husband and wife should. She had arrived in Paris just over a month before, a new bride and naive in so many ways but now she was a wife and a lover, and so certain of her place in life, and that was to be at Georg's side.

Letting out a sigh, she turned back to Georg, who was still standing by the door. Giving him a smile and taking his outstretched hand in hers, they left the suite together.

They had a simple breakfast at the hotel restaurant before Georg left to settle their account with the hotel and organise a taxi to take them to La Gare du Nord.

Arriving at the train station, Georg checked their suitcases into the baggage car before heading over to the newsstand to buy the daily newspaper. Even though the thought of the Anschluss sickened him, he was aware how important it was for him to be up to date with the ongoing political events. They had plenty of time before their train was due to depart which allowed them to find their travel compartment without being in a rush. While it was smaller and not as luxurious as the compartment that they had shared during their journey to Paris, at least it was private, which was something they both were thankful for.

As the train departed, Maria looked out the window, taking in the last views of Paris. Once they had left the city, she rested her head on Georg's shoulder and closed her eyes, and within minutes, she was asleep. Putting down his newspaper, Georg glanced down at his sleeping wife, not particularly surprised that she had fallen asleep. Knowing that their train journey to Zurich would take many hours, Georg decided to take the opportunity to get some rest so he closed his eyes and, like Maria, fell asleep almost instantly.

Later that afternoon, they arrived in Zurich and found their hotel quickly. It was a small but elegant hotel and their room, while it didn't compare to the suite they had had in Paris, was more than adequate.

Glancing at the clock, Georg turned to Maria; "I should really go and exchange some money into local currency. Would you mind terribly if I go out to the bank before they shut for the evening?"

Maria nodded and he left. Georg knew Zurich well, having done business there for several years. He found the bank without any trouble and completed what he had set out to do there, although it had taken much longer than he had thought it would. As Georg made his way back to the hotel, he wondered whether he should have told Maria his true purpose for visiting the bank. He hated keeping secrets from her as they had vowed to always be honest with each other. But on this matter, he hoped he would never have to tell her, although he knew deep down he knew the day would come, probably sooner rather than later.

As he entered their hotel room, Maria stood up and rushed over to embrace him.

Georg chuckled as he held her in his arms, "Well, what have I done to deserve this amount of affection?"

"Oh, I'm just glad you're back. You were gone so long, I started to get worried." She said.

"No need to worry, things just took a little longer than expected." He told her, slightly cringing inside, as he knew he wasn't telling her the full truth.

Changing the subject, Georg suggested going out to dinner and he took Maria to a nearby restaurant that he had been to several times prior that he knew she would enjoy. He listened to her as she chattered away as they ate, talking about everything from her favourite memories of Paris to what things she planned to do with the children once they were home. Maria noticed that Georg didn't speak much and seemed a little distracted, but considering the news that they received yesterday about the Anschluss, she was hardly surprised.

"You seem quiet, darling." She commented. "Everything alright?"

"Yes, of course," Georg replied, "just in thought. Nothing to worry about." He reassured her and for the remainder of their meal together, he tried harder to engage in conversation with her.

But later that night as Maria slept soundly beside him, Georg lay awake, his mind full of worry. He wondered about what would happen once they returned to Salzburg, and if his greatest fears came to pass, what on earth would he tell Maria? He tossed and turned for what seemed hours but finally, just before dawn, exhaustion overcame him and he fell asleep.

In the morning, Georg awoke with the most splitting headache and he insisted upon finding somewhere to buy a strong cup of coffee before their train left for Salzburg. Maria guessed he hadn't had much sleep the night before, but could sense from Georg's brooding mood that it was not the time to mention it. Thankfully after two cups of strong, black coffee, Georg's sullen mood lifted and Maria even convinced him to join her in a small amount of souvenir shopping just prior to boarding the train.

As the train pulled out of the station, Georg started to laugh at Maria who had sneakily swiped one of the Swiss chocolates that she had purchased only minutes before for Kurt.

"Well," she explained laughing, "I did have to make sure that they tasted nice, I mean this is for Kurt, and he does like food! Anyway, also I'm pleased you found a gift for Friedrich. I'm sure he will love the Swiss Army knife you bought him."

"Yes," replied Georg, laughing too, "and I'm also pleased with the matching one I bought for myself! You know, I've always wanted one of these things!"

Georg settled back into his seat, pulling Maria into his arms. He had felt bad that he had been so irritable that morning. He really wanted to enjoy their last few hours of their honeymoon together especially knowing what would most likely be awaiting them once back in Austria. She looked beautiful, dressed in a finely tailored suit, the colour of golden sun that fit her shape perfectly. He gave her a kiss on the top of her head, relishing the feeling of her body in his arms.

The train trip took several hours but they both didn't mind. They sat in silence in each other's arms, entranced by the magnificent scenery that they were travelling through. Maria was also starting to get excited about seeing the children again. She had grown to love them very deeply, and even more so since she and Georg had become engaged and she was eager to commence her role as their new mother.

As the train pulled into the station in Salzburg, almost immediately both Georg and Maria noticed the difference between now and when they were last there. Hanging on several flagpoles was the Nazi flag. In addition, a number of Nazi officers were patrolling the train platform and there were two soldiers stationed at each exit of the station.

Seeing the overwhelming presence of the officers of the Third Reich, Georg stiffened, his anger mounting inside. Maria could only stare, wide eyed at the scene before her as the train came to a complete stop. As they exited the train, there was a certain sense of tension in the air. There was none of the happy hustle and bustle that would normally be seen at the train station. Instead, people walked quickly out of the station, saying very little with their heads down. The entire mood on the platform was tense and uneasy. Quickly, Georg organised the collection of their luggage and ushered Maria from the station, choosing the crowded main exit in order to blend in with the masses also leaving the station.

"Are you going to telephone Franz to come and collect us?" Maria asked once they were outside.

"No," Georg replied, "I think we need to leave as soon as possible for the villa. I don't want to wait around here too much longer. We'll get a taxi."

They didn't speak the entire journey back to the villa, but Maria was aware of Georg's increasing agitation every time the taxi passed a roaming Nazi patrol or they observed a Nazi flag flying. She squeezed his hand, giving him a reassuring smile. While he didn't smile back, he patted her hand in acknowledgement.

As they turned into the lane where the villa was, Maria looked at him and whispered, "Almost home."

Georg gave her a half smile, the first he had managed to give since their arrival in Salzburg. It was short lived, however. As the taxi drove through the gates to the villa and pulled up, Georg immediately let out a curse under his breath. Hanging just over the front door was a large Nazi flag, the black swastika seeming to be almost glaring down upon them, a complete insult to the Austria, as they had known before and everything Georg stood for.

"Oh no..." Maria said, her voice almost a whisper.

Looking at Georg, she could see such anger in his face; she thought he was about to explode. He opened his mouth, just about to speak when the front door to the villa opened and both Franz and Frau Schmidt appeared.

Maria quickly put her hand on Georg's arm.

"Georg," she started, "I know what your thinking and how you feel, I understand darling... I feel the same way. But now isn't the time..." Georg didn't meet her eyes, but continued staring up at the offending flag, the rage he was feeling inside clearly marked on his face.

Maria continued, "The staff, the children... Please Georg... There will be time to deal with this, but just not now."

Closing his eyes for a moment and taking some deep breaths, Georg finally looked down into his wife's eyes as he composed himself, willing the anger to leave him. He then glanced around to watch the driver getting out of the vehicle and start unloading their luggage, before turning back to Maria to speak to her.

"Yes, of course it's not the right time." He told her quietly, his tone serious, "Now Maria, at least for the moment, please tell no one of the true reason for our early return. Just say, I don't know, say that you missed the children too much or something like that. Nothing else, do you understand?"

Maria was a little taken back by his request and was about to question it, but his expression was so serious that she merely nodded in agreement. Seeing the look of confusion and worry on her face, he took her hand and kissed it.

"Also," he said, "do try and look happy, darling. After all, we have just been on our honeymoon."

Reaching up and giving her cheek an affectionate pat, Georg gave her a reassuring smile before letting out a sigh and opened the car door.

As he helped Maria out of the taxi, Frau Schmidt came up to them, almost running.

"Captain, Baroness," she said, "You're back! It's wonderful to see you both, however we weren't expecting you until at least the end of next week!"

"Oh," gasped Maria quickly. "Yes, well... I, I mean we, missed the children too much, and well, we have been away a long time and I'm just so looking forward to seeing them! Please, where are they?"

"They are out with Herr Detweiller, Baroness. But I do expect them shortly, Cook has prepared afternoon tea on the terrace." Frau Schmidt explained.

"Thank you. I can hardly wait to see them all." Maria replied enthusiastically, glancing quickly over to Georg who had just finished paying the taxi driver and was busy organising for Franz to take their luggage inside the house.

"So how was your trip? I take it you enjoyed Paris, Baroness?"

"Yes, it was wonderful. So many things to see and things to do, and of course the food was marvellous, thank you Frau Schmidt," Maria replied, "but please, call me Maria. It was Maria before the wedding and well, I'm not much for titles anyway."

Frau Schmidt laughed and said "Of course, my dear." She paused as she leaned forward, lowering her voice slightly as not to be overheard by Franz who was still quietly talking to Georg.

"But my advice to you, Maria, don't go saying that too loudly to the rest of the staff, that would be the quickest way to lose their respect. Remember, you are the mistress of this house now and not the governess anymore. You do remember the, ah... trouble we had with some of the junior maids?"

Maria nodded, remembering the giggling and gossip that had occurred between two of the young maids shortly after she and Georg had announced their engagement. It was only after a stern talking to by Georg and the threat of being dismissed that they ceased.

"Yes, of course. Thank you for your advice. It seems I still have a lot to learn!" Maria said with a small laugh.

"Don't worry too much about that, my dear." Frau Schmidt continued. "Now it is fortunate that you returned today and not several days ago." Maria's felt like her heart skipped a beat as she thought the woman was about to refer to the Anschluss. "The redecorating of the master suite has just been completed." Frau Schmidt finished.

"Redecorating?" Maria asked, letting out the breath she was holding and feeling relived that this was the only thing Frau Schmidt was referring to.

"Yes, Captain's orders. Really, the previous decor was very dull, lots of dark colours, dreary, masculine. It is vastly improved now, much brighter and more feminine. The Captain chose the new furnishings himself, hoping it would be more to your taste." Frau Schmidt replied.

"Ah, I heard my name." Georg interrupted, coming up behind Maria and smiling pleasantly.

"Yes sir," replied Frau Schmidt, "I was just telling Maria about the redecorating of the master suite."

"Ah, yes. The redecorating. I trust it went all according to plan and all old drapes disposed of?" He asked Frau Schmidt who nodded, before turning to Maria. "No offence, Maria, but I just didn't trust you not to make more play clothes for us all if they had been left around." He gave her a wicked smile. "But I hope you like it, it was supposed to be a surprise."

"It is a surprise, but it sounds wonderful. I can hardly wait to see it!" Maria replied.

"Well, shall we?" Georg asked as he put out his arm for Maria to hold as he escorted her inside.

As they walked inside the house and up the stairs, Maria felt amazed that Georg could look so calm and relaxed. She knew the anguish he was feeling inside and she had been surprised that he had so easily been able to mask his true feelings and adopt such an agreeable persona. Having said that, she also knew that Georg quite often masked his feelings from all around him. However during their time together away on their honeymoon, he had opened up to her in a way that he had never done with anyone before, with the possible exception of Agathe. Maria felt incredibly privileged that Georg loved and trusted her enough to share that side of himself with her.

Getting to the top of the stairs, Georg guided her down the corridor to the master suite, knowing that she had only ever seen it once before during their engagement. He opened the door but put his hand up to signal for her to stop. Maria opened her mouth to question him when suddenly; he scooped her up into his arms and carried her into the room.

"Your new suite, my dear." He said as he put her down.

"Oh Georg, you chose all of this?" Maria asked and he nodded in reply.

Maria looked around the room, taking in all the new furnishings, from the new drapes to the bed linen to the soft rug on the floor, each one carefully chosen by her husband in the hope that she would like them. She reached up and gave him a tender kiss, thanking him. As Maria had only been to the master suite once before, she made a point of taking a tour of the room, observing everything from the ensuite to the attached dressing room where Franz had deposited their luggage from Paris only minutes before.

Returning back to the bedroom, Maria saw Georg standing at the window looking out. His hands clasped behind his back, the fingers on his left hand wiggling slightly, a sign of his agitation. The pleasant demeanour he had portrayed in front of the staff was gone, replaced with worry. Maria walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist, causing him to move his arms. He placed his hands over hers in front of him, giving them a small squeeze. She rested her head against his back and sighed. He said nothing but continued to stare out the window.

Finally, Maria asked, "Georg, are you alright?" He didn't speak, just made a grunting sound in return.

Eventually, he broke away from her arms and started to pace the room. Maria thought it was best not to speak, but just wait until he was ready to talk. Finally he spoke.

"I had thought about all the things that may happen once we were home, but not this. I should have known this would happen. How could I have been so blind?" He stopped and turned to face her, but before she could answer him, he started pacing the room again.

Georg stopped pacing. "It's that damn flag!" He sounded so angry; therefore Maria thought to make no mention of him cursing in front of her again.

"I'm sorry, I know you said it wasn't the time Maria, but I don't think I can stand one more minute with that... thing" he almost spat the last word "hanging up outside this house. I'm going to get it down and get rid of it before the children come home and see it."

Georg stormed out of the room and she could hear his footsteps almost thunder down the stairs. Maria could understand how angry having the Nazi flag flying at the house had made Georg. Deciding to follow him back outside, she left the suite and headed downstairs.

Just as she was nearing the bottom of the stairs, she heard a car pull up outside the house and many excited voices. The children! They were back! Despite the dramas of the last few days, she couldn't wait to see then all again.

Quickly she rushed out the front door to greet them.

Please review and be nice :) I still don't own anything!