A/N: Thanks again to everyone who reviewed - I really appriciate it. Sorry it's taken me longer to update this time, but I've been a bit hectic what with going back to school and everything. Also I had a bit of a writer's block, I know what I want to happen later in the story but I was finding it hard to find something to put in this chapter that would link the ones I've already written. Anyway I've had a go – it's not very good, I apologise for that, but I promise that it's going to get better.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Sound of Music or any of its characters
3. Separate Ways
The early morning sun began to peep over the cold dark horizon, waking Georg from a fitful sleep. He rubbed a weary hand across his eyes, what time was it? He glanced at his watch, 5:30 am; he must have been there all night. He felt guilty; this wasn't the first time this had happened, him falling asleep out here in the conservatory. He often stayed up late, watching the sunset, and although he hated to admit it, waiting till Elsa had fallen asleep. I can't continue like this, we can't continue like this.
He stood up and walked to the large window that looked on to a glorious man-made lake that Elsa's first husband had built. It really was quite magnificent, but Georg longed for the mountains and fresh air of Salzburg, and most of all he longed for the company, the laughter, the singing of his children. Why, oh why had he allowed Elsa to talk him into sending them to Boarding School? In fact, why had he allowed Elsa to talk him into marrying her? But you can't blame her for this…this mess you've got yourself into, poor woman, you asked her if she wanted to marry you, she only said yes!
He padded over the thick carpet and into Elsa's room, our room,he corrected himself.
Elsa was curled up in a ball at one side of the bed. The early morning sun ghostly lit her beautiful face, highlighting grey tear marks running from under her dark lashes and down her cheeks. Georg bent down and stroked a stray piece of hair from her brow.
"I'm sorry", he whispered. "I'm so sorry". And then more to himself than anyone else, "What have I done?"
Elsa felt his touch and heard his voice but kept her eyes firmly shut. She didn't want him to have the satisfaction of actually seeing her cry. I hate you She wanted to scream, I hate you, I hate you, I hate you, Why did you marry me if you don't love me - don't want to be with me? But she knew it was partly her fault too, after all, she had married him as well. Oh, it was all such a mess. She let out a sob despite herself.
I've got to make more of an effort Georg decided I'm being unfair to both of us.
He got into bed beside her, still fully clothed and wrapped his arms around her waist. She tried to pull away but his grip was too strong.
He lay awake thinking, long after Elsa's breathing became slow and steady, indicating that she had fallen asleep, trying to decided what he could do that was going to save the rest of their lives from complete and utter misery.
As it happened he needn't have worried – things seemed to sort themselves out without him having to do a thing.
Georg woke to bright sunshine streaming through the open window. Elsa was gone and he could hear girlie laughter and chatter floating up from the terrace. He winced at the thoughts of the night before. Oh what was he going to do? He decided to get up and get dressed and showered – he would feel better if he was fresh and awake. Just try and be positive he told himself, make the best of the situation – try and salvage your life, and hers, while you can.
After freshening up he went to find Elsa. On his way down the broad sweeping main staircase he passed one of the large windows that looked out onto the terrace. Elsa was sat at the large table accompanied by one of her best friends – Baroness Petra Schact. Elsa threw her head back, laughing at something Petra said. How different she seems from last night Georg mused, maybe I imaged how unhappy she was? But then the eerie image of Elsa's moonlit, tear–stained face came back into his head. No, he hadn't imagined it – there was no way of getting out of it, they were both so unhappy and it was up to him to do something about it.
Still deep in thought he continued down the stairs, absentmindedly picking up the morning paper from the hall table. He unfolded it.
AUSTRIAN AUNSLUSS ACHIEVED
The front headline screamed at him.
"Oh no", Georg breathed. "It can't have happened, not yet – not now"
He moved quickly to the terrace.
Elsa had just taken a sip of her drink and was pointing something out to Petra in a magazine. She spotted Georg approaching them from the corner of her eye.
"Darling! Only just surfaced?" She gave him one of her wicked smiles that he hadn't seen for a long time," last night too much for you hmmm?"
Petra sniggered. Really, thought Georg, if only you knew the truth…
"Elsa, we need to talk, now", he cringed at the sound of his own voice, it had that sea-captain tone that he hadn't used for so long. He watched as Elsa's face changed from composed hostess to an angry glare.
"Does it have to be now darling? I'm a little, ah, busy" Her voice contained none of the venom that she was shooting him.
"Yes, its urgent" He tried to be gentler but he still felt his voice snap.
He turned on his heel and made his way back into the house, Elsa following. In the study, he closed the door.
"How dare you! Georg, how dare you do this to me, humiliating me in front of Petra like that!" Elsa's face was white and her eyes strangely alight as though they would start spitting sparks at any minute. "Isn't it bad enough that you detest me so much that you talk to me like that when we are on our own?"
"Elsa!" Georg interrupted, holding up his hand "I don't detest you!" his voice was gentle, he was shocked at the amount of hurt in her eyes. "Perhaps its taken me a little while to get used to our, uh, new situation, but I really care for you".
He reached out a hand to touch hers. She snatched it violently away from him.
"So what was it that you wanted so urgently?" She snapped.
"Oh, yes" Georg had completely forgotten, with all the drama that had been going on. He shook the paper open, showing her the front page.
She scanned it quickly.
"And?" She didn't sound angry anymore, just weary.
"We're going to have to get out of Austria, today. It isn't safe here for us anymore. We'll go and pick the children up and then cross the border into Switzerland" he continued without waiting for her reaction. "So pack a small bag, just the necessities and…"
"Georg" It was Elsa's turn to interrupt. " Are you saying that you are just expecting me to drop everything" she motioned around her at the grand villa and her many expensive possessions "and flee the country with you, just because you're scared of a few men in brown uniforms?" She looked at him incredulously.
"Elsa! You know what these people can do; it's a matter of life and death. We have no choice, can't you see that?"
"Perhaps for you Georg, but as for little old me, I'm a big girl, I can look after myself." She looked up at him almost defiantly.
"So you're not coming with me?" Is that what she meant? Georg wasn't sure anymore, he was so confused.
"No, darling, I'm going to stay here, with my friends and my salons and my parties, I know enough people here to keep me safe, if I am in as much danger as you say. Besides there is no way that I can live without all those things anyway" She gave a rueful smile.
" I've enjoyed every moment we've had together Georg." She continued, giving a small laugh at his puzzled expression. "Yes, even these past few weeks. Butperhaps its time we went our separate ways anyway?"
Georg was surprised to see a small tear glistening in the corner of her eye. "We should never have got married Georg, we're not right for each other, not in that way anyway". It was almost a whisper, "I'm sorry".
Georg reached forward and pulled her into an embrace, "No, I'm sorry, I was just so desperate to have a woman back in my life…" He found the lump forming in his throat made it hard to keep going.
They just stood for a few minutes in each other's arms, not as lovers but friends, until Elsa pulled away.
"I suppose I'd better go and see what Petra's up to." She reached up and kissed him on the cheek, "Auf Wiedersehen darling, and take care."
She left the room. Georg stood for a few minutes, suddenly feeling desperately alone in the world.
"Don't tell me I've lost you too," he whispered," please".
So thats Chapter 3. I also need to appologise for the history and dates and stuff here. I realise that I've made the Anshluss come about six months early. Just as long as my history teachers not reading this lol - actually thats quite a scary thought! Please tell me what you think and until next time
LM xx
