Summary: I enjoyed writing this chapter! Not sure why that's really important in the summary, but I wanted to mention it. All right. So: Maria leaves the Von Trapp villa and heads home with Darren. She and Darren begin to rekindle their friendship. Darren and Georg have a rather harsh discussion, and Maria finds herself in an interesting predicament.

Disclaimer: I do not own TSOM or any of the characters.

Chapter Twenty-One: Damn It, Maria!

Maria looked up when she heard the gates of the villa close behind her. Looking into the side view mirror she couldn't help but feel nostalgic. It felt eerily similar to the day she left her home and headed to the Von Trapp's; however now she was leaving the Von Trapp's, and heading home. Georg stood, with his seven children in tow as they looked through the black metal gates and watched Maria being driven off into the sunset. Marta and Gretl did little to hold back the tears that fell, and the rest of them stood in silence, speechless from the knowledge that once again, Maria was gone.

Darren had agreed to allow them to attend weekly dinners on Sunday's. It was a compromise that he wasn't thrilled about, but he knew that Maria wasn't going to give up her relationship with the children. If he was in there, he knew that Georg would keep his distance, so he reluctantly agreed. There were more important matters that he needed to attend to anyway. The wedding needed to be planned and he had been trying to convince Maria to agree with a small ceremony instead of an elopement. Darren was all too aware that she wasn't happy with the setup but he knew what needed to be done. They had made a mistake and it was his place to correct it.

"Most everything is as you've left it," Darren said trying to start some sort of conversation between them. Looking at how sad she was to leave was painful for him. It was easier to forget that she wasn't in love with him, it was easier to forget that she was in love with his superior when he didn't have to see them together. Perhaps he had even lied to himself, about how deep their love for one another was. At least that is what he told himself, until he heard the cries of Kurt and Brigitta flowing through the windows of the car, mother, mother! They sobbed, as he continued to drive away from the gates. It was like Maria, he thought, to attach herself to people so quickly. She had a way of reaching in and touching your heart, changing you forever.

"Thanks." Maria offered weakly. She had nothing else to add. She knew that Darren was a good man but she couldn't help but feel so much resentment towards him. None of this was really his fault, but somehow it seemed so much easier to place the blame on him. "Have you made any other arrangements?" she asked.

"I've found a small location near Vienna where we could hold a small ceremony, or of course there's always Paris if you still feel we should elope." He said plainly.

It seemed so formal, how they spoke about the day that would mark the rest of their lives. A business discussion of sorts, no emotion and no passion to be heard of as they bantered back and forth on the idea of elopement. Maria knew that even if Darren did agree to elope it wouldn't have eased her suffering in the slightest. Though, the idea of his family and friends standing in the church, watching them marry, watching them witness such a lie, made her anxious.

The ride was too quick as they pulled into the driveway towards her abandoned home. Maria went to get out of the car but hesitated when she felt Darren's hand on her arm.

"Maria, I know this isn't what you wanted, I know that. I know you aren't in love with me Maria, that you're in love with him, but I want you to remember that I am in love with you, and I promise I will spend the rest of my life trying to make you happy." He said giving her a warm reassuring smile, hoping to break some of the tension. They never had a hard time talking before, and he wanted desperately to break down some of the walls she had built up. He knew if she could just give an inch, they could find a way to do this together and to be happy.

She didn't know what to say as she sat there in silence. She considered saying thank you again, though it didn't seem appropriate. Clearly he was going to try and make this as painless for her as possible, he had even agreed to the weekly dinner she requested, so she knew she needed to at least try. She looked into his eyes, gave a small smile and nodded. He had been her best friend for almost her entire life. If there was anyone besides Georg that she would have had to pick to be in this situation with, it would have been Darren. Perhaps there could be a way she could learn to be happy? This was the life that not long ago she had thought she wanted for herself.

[The First Sunday Dinner]

Maria was more anxious than she had felt in a long time. As she brushed her hair over and over again she stared into the mirror wondering what it would be like to see Georg again. It had only been a few days, but it felt like weeks and she could barely contain her enthusiasm. "It's going to fall out you know," she heard Darren tease as he walked into the room behind her. The past few days alone they had spent catching up on everything that had missed and it seemed like their friendship was back on track.

"Well I can always grow more!" she laughed back softly.

Darren knew that she was excited to see Georg. Even though they had taken up separate bedrooms for the time being he could hear her pacing in the room next door all night. The knowledge that she was carrying his child, that she was marrying him, it helped to curb his jealously. He was no longer native to think that she would love him the way he loved her, but he was hopeful that their friendship was coming back to what it used to be and with a baby on the way, he knew that was the most important thing.

As he walked back downstairs to wait for her he sat at the window and wondered how he was ever going to fit in with the Von Trapp's. If he really wanted a happy life with Maria, he knew he had to find a way to get along with the children and with the Captain.

"Ready?" she said energetically, rushing into the room. His breath was taken back as he took in her appearance. She wore a beautiful knee length pastel yellow dress, the chiffon fabric swaying around her because she couldn't keep still.

"You look marvelous Maria," he said honestly.

"Why thank you kind sir," she joked taking his arm to head out.

When they pulled up towards the gates he could feel the energy radiating off of her he couldn't help but laugh.

"What?" she asked sheepishly, barely staying in her seat.

"Oh nothing, somebody is just extremely excited today that's all," he joked.

She gave him a sympathetic smile feeling bad for being so happy to see them. She knew it was inconsiderate of his feelings but she couldn't help it. Part of her hoped that when she had shown up for the first dinner, it would show the children how serious she was about being a part of their lives, even if it couldn't be in the way they wanted. Also, she was already forgetting Georg's eyes, each time she'd close hers to imagine them it would take her just a little bit longer to remember. The warm blue, piercing into her heart, saying everything, while saying nothing at all. She shifted anxiously again and Darren laughed.

"It's nice to see you so happy" he said. The closer they came to seeing Georg the harder it became to mean that, but he pushed the feelings of jealousy back down and thought to himself, my wife, my child.

When they walked up to the door Maria went to open it, but Darren stopped her and put his hand up to ring the doorbell. She looked at him confused for a moment and then realized. This wasn't her house anymore. A wave of sadness crashed over her, was she now demoted to the person who had to ring the bell to enter? It seemed so, odd.

"Maria?" Frau Schmidt asked, swinging the door open and hugging her. "You know you never have to ring here!" she chimed, ushering them both into the house. "Hello Lieutenant! It's wonderful to see you." She said half-heartedly.

"Well, it is not my house anymore, so I felt it proper to do." Maria said.

After giving her arm a small squeeze, accompanied with a slight frown, Frau Schmidt guided Maria towards the sitting room where Georg was waiting for them.

"Not the dining room?" Maria asked in a whisper, confused.

"Drinks before dinner, than you'll be meeting the children in the dining room," Frau Schmidt whispered back, motioning for them to continue on without her.

Georg was reading a book, clearly one that was interesting because at first he didn't even look up when Maria and Darren entered the room. She looked at Darren wondering which one of them should say something but he just shrugged his shoulders uncomfortably. This was Maria's idea, so it was her responsibility to take the lead.

"Uh HUM" she said, clearing her throat a little uncomfortably. For a minute she wondered if he would be Captain or Georg when he looked up. What if this was his way of showing disrespect and setting the tone for the evening? She looked at the book in his hands and knew she had her weapon of choice if he was going to make things difficult.

"Maria," Georg said breathlessly, standing at once and shutting the book.

His eyes couldn't stop studying her, the beautiful dress she wore, the brightness in her eyes, the slight smile that played across her lips. She looked positively happy? It's not that he didn't want her to be happy, but he thought she would at least look, well, different. She traced her fingers through her hair nervously, he had been staring at her for a little too long and she knew that Darren must have been uncomfortable. He wanted to walk up to her and kiss her, to take her hand into his and just feel her touch, but he knew he couldn't.

"Captain," Darren said, breaking them both from their trance. Georg immediately realized his mistake, and turned to salute the man.

"Lieutenant, Good to see you. Can I offer you a drink?" Georg replied.

Maria rolled her eyes at their formality and walked past them to take a seat on the sofa. If she was going to be stuck with their banter she was going to need a drink. "Georg, tea please." She called

Maria nodded to Georg and looked down anxiously. And so it begins, she thought. When the drinks were poured Darren and Georg strolled across the sitting room towards Maria. She watched as both of them, still rambling on, were heading right towards her. As Georg took the seat next to her, right before Darren could sit down, there was a long silence that fell over the room.

"Oh yes, of course, my apologizes," Georg said, getting up and offering Darren the spot. He hadn't done it to be spiteful, being around Maria was second nature to him. Maria let out a sigh of relief, thankful that Georg had apologized instead of starting an argument. But when she felt his warmth leave the side of her, she instantly frowned, glancing down at her tea. Was this how it was always going to be then? She couldn't even sit next to him; Perhaps it was better that way. The closer he was the harder she found it not to touch him.

The next hour was spent with Maria staring out the window as the two of them talked effortlessly about the navy. She knew that Darren had agreed to make an effort with Georg, and she assumed that Georg was being a good host, but the banter was driving her mad. She wanted to see Georg to catch up on how he was actually doing. When she would speak with him their talks would become so in depth; they'd speak about everything from the world, to their dreams. It registered to Maria that say wasn't privy to that side of him anymore, and that hurt her most of all. She needed air, to just break away from them.

"Excuse me," she said pushing past Darren and heading out of the room.

Georg placed his hand catching hers just before she could exit, "Are you all right Maria?" he asked. Darren's eyes were staring him down ready to pounce, but he hadn't even realized that he'd done it. The way he responded to Maria was so subconscious, his body just reacting to her movements. Maria smiled at the contact and looked at him cheerfully, trying to mask her feelings.

"I'm all right, just need some air," she said, gently releasing her hand from his grasp, and turning to walk out.

"Captain, that is not your right anymore," Darren spoke angrily.

Georg looked at him confused as to what he was talking about. Was he never supposed to ask Maria if she was okay again? Surely he couldn't have meant the touch, the small touch on her hand?

"I apologize Lieutenant, I was simply stopping her to see if she was all right." Georg said.

"Stop apologizing, just back off. She's going to be my wife, she's carrying my child, so stop sitting next to her, and speaking to her so intimately, and touching her like you're together. She is with me now." He yelled, shocked at his boldness. He was really trying, for Maria, to get along. But it seemed the more he tried the more Georg was pushing him. He felt baited, and he was going to break. Maybe he wasn't going to be able to do this after all.

Georg was honestly stunned, Darren had never spoken to him in such a manner. On top of being his subordinate, he was just generally a respectful man. Even when Maria had chosen to come back to the villa he never once spoke to him in a harsh tone. He knew that he was wrong, so all he could do was be honest.

"This is harder for me than it is for you, you know." Georg offered peacefully, shaking his head.

"How do you figure that?" Darren sneered, not lowering his tone.

"Because she's marrying you, she's having your child. I'm so in love with her it's painful. Yet here I am, sitting across making small talk with you. I don't want you here, probably as much as you don't want to be here, but I'm trying to find a way to still just even know her." Georg finished, standing and turning his back.

"Yeah, I get to marry the woman in love with someone else, which is much easier." Darren said sarcastically, not ready to feel sympathy for the man causing his jealousy.

"You should consider yourself damned lucky to be the one marrying Maria, regardless of your circumstances. I would have given anything for that with her." Georg yelled annoyed. How could this man not see what a gift he had in front of him? "I do apologize that you felt disrespected, but I will never stop loving her. You can ask me to adjust my actions, but the feelings are mine to bare. Now if you don't mind…" Georg said as he started to walk out of the room.

"You already had your chance at a wife, and a family! So just because you lost it, stop trying to take mine!" Darren said.

Georg turned around ready to pounce. No one had ever been cold enough to throw Agathe in his face. Who the hell did he think he was? He didn't know her, he didn't know anything!

Maria walked back into the room and paused. Something was different, there was a change in energy and she wasn't sure what she had missed. Darren and Georg were now standing, hunched forward slightly as if they were both ready to attack.

"I think it's time for you both to leave, you can see the children another time" Georg instructed coldly, turning past Maria and walking out of the room.

"What happened? What did you do?" Maria asked, turning and running after Georg.

She heard the door to his study slam and didn't hesitate to follow him. She knew she should have checked on Darren first, that was her supposed role, but something in Georg's voice made her follow him. She opened the door and shut it quickly behind her, turning to face him. His eyes were beginning to well up with tears, and when he saw it was her he turned from her quickly. "Maria, you both should go," he said gently, not turning around.

"Georg, please, what is it?" she asked sweetly, placing her arm on his shoulder. She could feel her heart break at the thought that he was hurting so deeply, he was almost crying.

He moved the chair behind his desk to the left, and turned around slightly to look at her. She was so beautiful, her eyebrows scrunched together as her eyes looked into his longingly, trying to figure out what was wrong. Her lips were slightly open as she took her hand and traced it across his cheek, as she always did, and he felt his heart rip in two. He couldn't break his eyes from her mouth, he couldn't stop his mind from racing, he just couldn't think with her touching him.

"Maria, stop" he said softly, gazing at her, willing her to understand. Her touch was too much, it was too powerful. There was only so much he could take.

"I may have agreed to marriage but I never agreed to stop loving you Georg. I can't control how I feel," she said annoyed. She knew she shouldn't have been there, she knew that she needed to go back to Darren, but she couldn't will her feet to move. Their hearts were connected, and she felt constantly pulled to him. Of course she shouldn't have been touching him, but she loved him and she just needed some way to convey that.

"You need to leave Maria," he said loud and authoritatively. He took in a deep breath before saying the words, knowing that it was going to take all of his strength to reject her. There was nothing he wanted more than her hand across his cheek, to hold her in his arms, but he didn't have that right anymore.

However, after ordering her to leave, the look in her eyes formed a lump in his throat, tightening like a noose, making it hard to breathe. He had never hurt her quite like he knew he had in that moment. Perhaps it was because he never rejected her before, but more likely it was because she had followed him, she had made herself vulnerable for him, and in every way she was still able too, she had chosen him. He could see the tears begin to rise against the beautiful blue in her eyes, as she blinked to try and stop them from falling.

"Okay," she whispered. But when she turned to walk out the door he knew he couldn't let her leave.

"Damnit it Maria," he said as he grabbed her hand, pulled her in to his chest, and began kissing her passionately. His heart racing a mile a minute as she pulled her arms around his neck, tilting her head and pulling him in tighter. He knew it was wrong, but the joy rushed through his veins like fire and he couldn't will himself to stop. Every minute, of every hour, of every day since she had left, he had spent missing her.

Note: All right! Please, let me know what you think (as always). I love those of you that review. I'm hoping to get the next chapter up this evening, but we'll see. Thank you for all of your support and dedication thus far!