"I haven't danced so much in my life!" Maria exclaimed as she and Klauss walked over to the side of the dance space. They had been waltzing for an hour or so after dinner. The Captain had invited the men into the parlor for brandy, while the ladies were invited to saunter about the house. However, unlike most of the other men, Klauss had opted to return to the ballroom and make sure Maria made up for the years of never attending a ball before.

He laughed, and Maria's smile broadened as he searched her breathless face. "I'm so pleased you chose to remain down here instead of retiring with the children," he said.

Her eyes widened. "Oh!" she gasped, looking over to the hallway. "The children! I should go up and check on them!"

She started to take a step forward, but Klauss took her hand, preventing her from escaping. When she turned and opened her mouth to protest, he put a finger to her lips.

"I'm sure they're perfectly fine, Maria," he said. "I have the sinking suspicion that they're somewhere in the house, spying on us all. Led by Louisa, no doubt."

She paled. "You don't really think—"

He laughed and squeezed her hand a little tighter. "Which is why," he began, "I'd like to get some fresh air, away from everyone. Will you accompany me?"

She looked around the room, wondering if anyone would notice one of the Captain's guests disappearing with the governess. Deciding that her need of some fresh air was more prominent that worrying about probity, she nodded. "I would be delighted," she said, accepting his raised arm.

Finding themselves alone in the garden, Maria smiled up at him. In the dull haze of the full moon, he looked so handsome in his tuxedo and collection of medals on his chest. "It really is a wonderful evening," she said, inhaling deeply.

"Yes, it is," he said softly. She turned and felt her heat beat quicken at the look on his face. "I am so happy that I came back to Salzburg this summer."

She nodded. "I am too," she said, offering a nervous laugh. "I'm glad to have met you, Klauss. I really do enjoy our time together."

He nodded, his face still serious. She looked past him for a moment, unsure as to what she was supposed to do. He smiled at her unease and took her hands in his. "I enjoy everything about you, Maria," he said lowly. "Your smile, your laugh, your voice. The way your hair shines in the sun. The way your eyes sparkle when you're with the children. The look on your face when you sing."

"Klauss …" Her voice left her.

He shook his head. "Will you allow me…"

He leaned in closer and pressed his lips to hers. Maria stood stiffly for a moment, shocked. Slowly, a feeling of warmth crept up her body, and she felt herself relax. With instincts she didn't know she possessed, she put her hands around his neck. He moaned slightly and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer. She felt the warmth grow stronger as he deepened their embrace. She felt secure in his arms, something she had felt the moment the von Trapp family had accepted her into their hearts. In Klauss's arms, she felt those feelings of sanctuary increase, and she clutched him tighter.

So this is what it feels like to be loved, was all she could say to herself.

The Captain smiled at the various guests as he walked through the dwindling crowd of party goers. The smile, however, failed to reach his eyes. For all outward appearances, the ball had been a grand success, but Georg had never felt a more jumbled mix of emotions than he had in the six hour span of the night.

Elsa's comments about the political movements disturbed him. While he realized that everyone was entitled to his or her own opinion, and Elsa had a valid point regarding the economic strength of Germany, he was troubled by her careless attitude about something he held very dear. Austria was more than his country; it was his soul. He nearly died defending it; he raised his children in it. He was Austrian not only by heritage but also by disposition. To take that away by force or even by influence would be to ruin a part of who he was. He felt eternally connected to his homeland, and to lose it to an outside force as appalling as the Nazis was something he couldn't bear to even consider.

What bothered him the most about her attitude was the fact he that he had been thinking of marrying her.

Georg shook his head, realizing logically that he could never marry someone who didn't at least share some of the same views and strong feelings as he did. While he knew it wasn't possible for two people to have the same opinion on everything, he felt strongly enough about his homeland to not want to share the rest of his life with someone who felt the opposite, or worse, was indifferent to the subject.

The Captain sighed and walked out to the garden, feeling frustrated. When he had first met Elsa, he was in an emotional wasteland, desperate to be saved. Elsa's charm, engaging smile, light laugh, and gentle company had been a welcome change from the society surrounding him. She wasn't interested in 'catching him;' she was interested in him as a person. He was drawn to her striking feminine beauty, and their mutual attraction made them an ideal couple. He felt as if he had finally found the piece of his life that had been missing since Agathe had died.

It was only when he took her home with him to Salzburg that he began to see things differently. As his eyes were forced open by a certain little governess to the beauties that were around him - his children, his home, and his life – he realized that he had been searching in the wrong place for that missing piece. There was so much he had learned in the last few weeks through his children. He saw that life was to be cherished, and he had been foolish in hiding behind his pain.

As hard as he tried, as much as he wanted to, he couldn't incorporate Elsa into this new world. This new existence, filled with simple pleasures and innocent joie de vivre, was something she couldn't relate to, no matter how hard he willed himself to make her a part of it. She belonged to a different life, a life that looked just like the party he was throwing. A life in which he found himself lost and alone.

If only Elsa could enjoy the simple joys life offered. If only Elsa could be content with going on hikes or reading a book to a child. If only Elsa could possess that a patriotism and faith that would never waiver, despite the trials surrounding them.

Like Maria did.

The Captain stopped short and frowned. Why was Maria continuously popping into his head? When did she suddenly stop being his children's governess and start to become… Why did he never before notice the way her face lit up when she smiled?

Georg shook his head and resumed his walk. He would forever be grateful for Maria showing him how much his children needed him and vice versa. She was a wonderful, giving, sweet, pretty, funny person, who seemed to be such an integral part of his home that he couldn't imagine life before or after her tenure with them. She was exactly what his family needed.

He thought back to earlier that evening when Klauss had taken her hand and whisked her away in a waltz. The Captain frowned again, puzzled as to why he felt his stomach churn at merely the memory of her in Klauss's arms, her charming smile lighting the room. He could hear her laughter as his friend twirled her about echoing faintly in his head. The way his breath caught in his throat as he heard her little speech at dinner, and how that knot in his stomach seemed to tighten even more when he saw Klauss take her hand in his.

The Captain shook his head again, forcing himself to look at the situation logically. The attraction between the two was natural and obvious. He was happy his friend had found someone worthy of his attention after all this time. And Maria's smile was so clear and bright when she was with Klauss. She was so captivating when she smiled like that…

Georg was so lost in his thoughts, that he didn't see the couple in the distance at first. Surprised, he stopped walking and stared at them for a moment, wondering who it was stealing a private moment on the far end of the garden.

He felt his face pale when he realized it was Klauss and Maria. He stared, paralyzed by shock, and to his surprise, anger at the sight of them. They were standing very close, and the Captain could hear Maria's faint laughter for a moment. He watched as Klauss took Maria's hands in his and stood closer to her.

The Captain's blood ran cold as he saw Klauss lean forward and take Maria in his arms, kissing her. As she responded, Georg clenched his fists and drew his mouth in a tight line. He watched for a few more seconds, transfixed by the romantic moment before him.

He should have felt happy for his friend. He should have been happy for his sweet governess. But he was not. He was surprised.

He was surprised because all he felt was fear.

To be continued…