Disclaimer: Nope, nothing.


Chapter Four

Maria never thought she would see the von Trapp children again, yet here she was, standing before them. She wanted to run, but where could she go to? The classroom closet? She slowly stood from her small desk and began to make her way towards the children, who, due to shock, had yet to move. Her hands traced around her desk as she walked, each step made her nervous. What were they going to say? Did they hate her for leaving? Of course they hate you, she told herself,you left their lives with out a good bye. How could they possibly like her.

She finally came to stand before them, just a few feet in front of Gretl and Marta who were in front of the group. "H-h-hello children." she said, her voice threatening to fail her as tears began to form in her eyes.

"Fraulein Maria, is it really you?" Gretl asked, not sure if she should believe her eyes.

Taking a few more steps towards them, Maria knelt down in front of the little girl. "Of course it is darling." she said, reaching out to touch the little girl's cheek.

Without warning Gretl flung herself at Maria. Upon feeling the little girl in her arms Maria stood up hugging the girl as if it were the last time. Suddenly she felt Marta clinging to her legs and the other children beginning to hug her. Maria let her tears fall free, she had them back: the children she longed to call her own were back in her life. "Oh I've missed you all."

"We missed you." Brigitta said, knowing that she would never spend another night wondering if her Fraulein was going to come back, she had her back and she never wanted to let go.

Maria stepped back to take a look at the children as she set Gretl back on the ground. She saw that most of the girls had tear streaked faces, just has herself, while the boys had enormous grins. Maria wiped her face dry with her hand. "Looks like we have a lot of catching up to do. Come in, let's sit down." she said, motioning with her hands towards one of the small tables.

Gretl and Marta had no trouble sitting at the little table, while Brigitta and Kurt found it only a little challenging. But Louisa, Frederick, Leisl, and Maria were having a tough time getting comfortable in their small seats.

"How have you all been?" Maria asked cheerfully, smoothing the creases out in her dress.

"Fine."

"Ok I guess."

"It's been awfully dull without you, Fraulein."

"You mean you haven't fallen into any more lakes since I've been gone?" Maria asked in mock surprise and hurt making everyone laugh. "Leisl, have any telegrams been delivered lately?" Maria asked, a small smile forming on her lips.

"None at all Fraulein, but I'm learning to accept it. I'm happy that school has finally begun." Maria nodded her head yes. She wished that she could tell Leisl that she shouldn't run from her fears and problems, but she had no place to. Maria had in fact done the same thing.

"Fraulein Maria?"

"Yes, Brigitta?" Maria answered, putting her arm around Marta who was sitting next to her.

"I thought you said that you went back abbey. Isn't that what your not said?" Maria smiled, trust Brigitta to be the one to inquire about her being at their school.

"Well, I did but after being there for a while I realized that the abbey was not my place. So now I'm here." she said with a smile.

"Why didn't you come back?" came Louisa's voice.

Maria felt a lump in her throat. What was she to say. "Well, I was going to but I didn't because I saw your Father and the Baroness walking down the stairs hand in hand and upon realizing that your father will never love me in return, soI, once again,ran from all of you."

Seeing the distant look her their Fraulein's face, Leisl decided it was best to change the subject. "Fraulein, how have you been these past months?"

Maria gave Leisl an appreciative look before answering her question. "Oh, me? I've been alright." she looked around at all of the children. Gretl tugged at Maria' sleeve to get her attention, "Yes dear?"

"Are you going to be my teacher Fraulein Maria?"

Maria gave another smile. Even for her age, Gretl was quite perceptive. "Well, it appears to be that way, no doesn't it!" Maria said, as Gretl gave a squeak of happiness and threw herself into Maria's arms once again.

"Does that mean you are going to be the choir teacher too?" Frederick asked.

"Yes. Have you seen the sign up paper?"

"Yes, were the first ones to put our names on it." Kurt said.

"Wonderful! Oh, I'm so excited! Do you still practice singing?"

"Sometimes." Came Louisa's reply, "It's not the same without you, but we sing every once in a while. Somethimes Father sings with us."

Maria was touched by what Louisa had said, and before she could stop herself she asked: "How is your, Father…and the Baroness?" She added, hoping to make her statement seem less odd.

"Father is fine-" Leisl said.

"But we can't tell you how the Baroness is." Frederick finished.

"Why not?"

"She left." Kurt said simply, as if it were the obvious answer.

"But-" there was a knock on the door. "Come in."

Entering the class room came a small, dark haired and brown eyed girl, while her parents stayed in the door way.

"Oh please come in-" she paused waiting for a name to be given.

"Annie." said the little girl's mother.

"Annie." Maria repeated with a smile before checking her watch as little Annie said good bye to her parents. "Gretl, why don't you and Annie put your things in the closet over there. And the rest of you should really be getting to your own classrooms."

"Can we come back at lunch, Fraulein?" Leisl asked, a little hesitantly, not wanting to crowd their former governess. They obviously had done something to drive her away, even if she did say she missed the abbey.

"Of course you can!" Maria said excitedly.

She gave them all hugs as they went trough the door and walked over to help Grelt and Annie, who were already talking and becoming friends, get settled in the room; all the while her head was spinning with thoughts.

The Baroness was gone?


Author's Note: Well there you have it. I don't know when I will get the next chapter up. Next week is finals week and I have some projects, extra credit, and whole bunch more preparation to do. But I'll get it up as soon as possible, promise.

Emnity and Lady Urguentha: thank you for the reviews!

More to come soon!

The Lonely Goatherd