Usually the Captain was very relaxed on his vessel, very in control, very in charge.  He knew the boat, he knew the crew, and he knew his job very, very well, yet this time he couldn't relax.  The decision  he would make in the next few days would mean life or death literally for his men as well as himself.  He didn't worry too much over his home situation, Maria and the children were in excellent hands with Max.  He never thought he'd say this, but he was really glad to have a friend like Max Detweiller to rely on.  

The men watched him curiously the next few days, they watched how often he checked their radar, their ammunitions.  Captain von Trapp was nervous, that was obvious, but what was he nervous about.

Maria von Trapp was nervous too.  Max unexpectedly arrived at her doorstep one evening claiming he was invited by Georg while he was home on leave.  Maria was certain that was not true because Georg would have told her, but intuition warned her to be silent and not question, so she welcomed Max and kept her silence.

Max's surprise "visit" delighted the children even Friederich and no one except Liesl really noticed Maria's from or her worry.  When a letter came a few days after Max's arrival Maria read it with as much apprehension as anticipation.  When she read the words that Georg had for her, she couldn't help but cry.

Darling Maria,

I write this with every hope you receive it intact and with fervent prayer this letter will be entirely unnecessary.  Yet, as I am as you so often remind me, forever efficient and prepared, I feel I must live up to that standard.

I've just been made aware my sub will be deployed to the Atlantic to perform tasks related to our new trouble with Great Britain, and I fear it will be among my more dangerous assignments since we are involved in open war with the British.  I feel it essential to say what's required now, in case, I cannot in the future.  The British Royal Navy is a worthy opponent and I all ready bare the scars of their seamanship and determination to victory.  Thus, I must admit that this is a mission I may not return from.

In that event, my love, it is you who will bear the cross of our family, raising and guiding them.  I have every confidence you are equal to this task, but I wouldn't be the household you love if I didn't put in my opinions.

Please realize if I do come home safe this letter and its messages are never to be shared with the children. I don't wish their undo worry.

The letter went on to detail instruction and expectation for each child along with his hopes and dreams for each one. All things Maria knew Georg felt in his heart, but would have difficulty saying out loud.

Maria never even realized that as she read what could be her husband's final words, that she cried.  That is, until she felt Liesl's hand on her back.

"What is it, Mother?" Liesl asked, "Bad news?"

Hastily, Maria shook her head, "No, I just miss your Father sometimes."

Liesl nodded, "It's nice when he's home, but after he goes back, it's even harder."

"After…before I wasn't as worried but after England got involved, it won't be searching anymore, it will be fighting."

"I know, but Father came home from the last war, he'll come home from this one," Liesl reasoned, needing to believe that herself.

"It's just this letter," Maria sniffed, "it's like…" Georg told her never to read the letter to the children unless she received news of his death, "It reminds me of how much I miss him."

Liesl nodded sympathetically and hugged her mother, "He misses you, too."

Liesl left to let Maria calm herself, "If only you knew, Liesl.  If only you knew."

After a week on the submarine, it was obvious to the crew that Captain von Trapp's anticipating an attack.  Their normally fearless Captain was showing his apprehension his fear of what could happen.

The night before the projected date Georg found, after saying a full rosary that he had to give orders to his men.  In the event that injured were incurred it was imperative those left were able to get to friendly port. So, before breakfast the next morning, the Captain addressed a fully assembled crew.

"Gentlemen, last night around 22:00 pm, we entered the north Atlantic Ocean, hostile territory.  Years of submarine experience has taught me that we are at a crucial point now.  If we're going to be attacked, depth charged, and the like, this is when it will happen.  We need preparations in the event we sustain damage and if any of our officers are injured or God forbid killed in combat.  I've posted a chain of command outside my door.  In case, someone in command is injured, myself, or the ex-O, get the sub back to a friendly…"

"Captain, Sir," a sailor named Kendrich called, "Sonar just picked up a destroyer."

"Have they seen us?" Captain von Trapp barked.

"Yes, Sir," the sailor replied as the submarine was shaken by a strong blast.

"Torpedo the ship," the Captain ordered as the back cabin filled with smoke and another blast hit the sub's starboard side and sent the Captain flying into the ship's gun rack.

Two crewmen moved immediately to their fallen leader and other comrades that had been injured by flying debris, while executive officer shouted an order, "Surface," he ordered, "Surface."

"Surface?" a crewmen challenged, "if we do that, we'll be taken prisoner."

"No we won't," the ex-O demanded, "That ship is a friendly."

Life in the von Trapp family would change that day.  Maria felt uneasy all day, since the moment Lucas woke up for his feeding, but she couldn't put her finger on why.  So when she passed the study, that had become an operating system for Dr. Skinner she couldn't believe her ears.

"Well, I want him sent here!" Dr. Skinner barked, "I am the commanding officer of the Austrian medical corp., he is a highly respected HERO and I will be treating him. End of story, so get a plane, a boat, a horse and buggy whatever you need to and get him here to his home, to his family, and to my crew!"

There was silence for a few moments then Dr. Skinner spoke again, "Thank you.  We'll be ready for that tomorrow morning."  With that he hung up the phone.

Damn it!!  How was he going to explain this to Maria?  This was what every wife feared, what he feared as a doctor, that some one he knew would get hurt.  He heard a rustle of a dress and looked up, eyes filled with unreadable emotions, "Maria," he said gentle looking at the terrified woman, "I think you better sit down."