Disclaimer: Nothing.

Author's Note: I just realized that everything I need to say I can say at the end, so without further ado I give you Chapter 11!


Chapter Eleven

Maria was sitting in the chair by her window, absently mindedly twirling the small white flower the Captain had given her in her hand. This day could not get any better. The sun was bright, the weather perfect, and she had spent the entire day with the family she loved to call her own.

As she looked out the window she could see all of the children in the garden, laughing about one thing or another. Suddenly Gretl rushed towards the house to be picked up and swung around by Him. Maria smiled as she watched the sight and didn't see Leisl disappear from the group. Maria wished so badly that she could be standing at his side when little Gretl ran to him. To walk towards their children arm and arm.

She had lied to herself, this day could get better. That day, the day she was considered part of this family, would certainly top this one. But sadly, it could never be.

"Fraulein Maria?"

"Wha? Oh, yes, is there something you wanted Leisl?"

"Dinner's ready."

Maria stood, put the flower back behind her ear and walked down to dinner with Leisl.


"Fraulein Maria?" Kurt asked, breaking the silence of the sitting room where they had just finished singing a few songs before the children went to bed.

"Yes Kurt?"

"Can we go on a boat ride tomorrow?"

"We just went on a boat ride yesterday. We should go bike riding tomorrow." Louisa said before Maria could answer.

"I think we should go on a picnic," piped up Gretl.

"We just went on a picnic today." Frederick answered her.

"Well, we should go on another one because I don't know how to ride a bike." Gretl said with as much authority as she could, but still crossing her arms in front of her.

"Why don't we just stay home and play around the villa tomorrow? It looks like it's going to rain anyways, did you see the clouds approaching?" Leisl said, trying her best to stop the argument.

"Children, really now."

"A boat ride."

"Children, we can-"

"Picnic."

"Ride bikes."

"Children, I think-"

"Stay home."

Chaos erupted. Each of the children had a different idea of what to do the following day and none of them were willing to give up their cause.

Maria looked around the room with wide eyes before turning towards the Captain, silently asking for help. Georg smiled, shook his head, and then shrugged before taking a sip of his wine.

"CHILDREN!" Maria nearly had to scream to get their attention. "We can discuss this tomorrow, but now I think it is time that you all get ready for bed. Come on now." She said standing up and ushering them out the door.


All Maria had to do was get the children to bed, and sneak back to her room and she could avoid her meeting the Captain.

"Leisl?" How could her luck be doing this to her, how?

"Yes Father?"

"Would you mind taking over for Fraulein Maria, I have something I need to discuss with her."

Leisl stared at her father suspiciously. But was reassured when Maria gave her a smile and a squeeze of the shoulder, telling her everything was all right. But there was something about the smile, it was if it didn't reach her eyes.


Thunder roared in the close, yet distant sky as Maria and Georg entered his study. So much for the nice, bright, sunny day that it had been.

"Please, sit." The Captain said motioning towards the couch.

Maria nodded and felt her stomach tighten and the butterflies rise. "Thank you Captain."

"Would you, er..like something to drink."

Even though her throat was extremely dry Maria shook her head. There was nothing in this world that could calm her nerves.

She had made a point to sit as far away from the Captain as she could. So she sat with her back against the arm of the couch, her feet crossed underneath it, and her hands clasped tightly together, resting on her legs.

As lighting flashed the Captain could see the state she was in. Her body sitting rigidly together, her eyes bearing into the fire, filled with worry. She seemed almost frightened to be here. He wished with all he might that he was able to wash away her fear. Take her into his arms and never let go, but….

"Er, well, Fraulein. As you know, I was, was uh…" he cleared his throat as another wave of thunder and lightning filled the sky, the storm getting closer. "Wondering why it is that you left us, the night of the party."

"Well…I…" she replied barely above a whisper, still staring into the fire.

"Yes?"

"I…I.." He moved closer to hear her better.

A flash of thunder, then lighting. The storm was nearly above the house now.

"I…"

Thunder struck again.

He moved closer, but this time because he needed to be near her.

"I.."

There was no escaping it this time. She couldn't escape.

"You see…I…"

He moved closer.

Another flash of lighting immediately followed by thunder. The storm had reached the villa.

Maria turned her head to look at the Captain for the first time since they had entered the study. But when she did she found her face unprofessionally close to his, oh God why was he so close. She met his eyes and tried to run. He could surely see the tears threatening to fall, and the fear and love that lingered in her eyes. How could he not? Sitting so close like he was now.

He moved closer.

She sat up straighter, also closing the gap. What am I doing?

"I….I…" Dear God please give me the feeling back in my legs so I can run, please allow me to run away…she begged.

Closer.

Another strike of lighting and thunder.

Closer.

"I…"

Lightning and Thunder filled the sky louder than every before.

"AAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!" Maria and Georg's heads shot towards the ceiling. Without sayinganother wordthey both sprinted from the couch and towards screaming Gretl's room.


Author's Note: He he he he he. This turned out to be another one of my favorite chapters. (sigh) Don't you just love the ending?

Megankatherine: fal-di-ral and fiddle-ly-dee is from Cinderella. I just really like that line and use it when ever I can. Thank you for the wonderful review and I'm glad you like the story! Thanks again!

Ok, so I might night update for a week maybe two. Why? Because my school band is going on our Spring Tour! I'm so excited. But I'll get the next chapter up as soon as I can.

The Lonely Goatherd