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Chapter 5

Georg stared after her retreating form. No I do not want tea, he thought, I want to take you in my arms and kiss you senseless. Shaking such thoughts from his head, he followed her into the small kitchen, thinking of offering his help.

Maria stood over the sink and turned on the faucet, hoping to sound terribly busy. She sighed deeply. Right, tea, and then what? A talk? Oh bother, that would only crack her up even more. Thankfully she had her class to return to as an excuse. Why must lunch breaks be so bloody long? And why did he have to come looking for her? Can't he just leave her alone, in peace? She didn't have an infinite supply of hearts for him to break, after all. Just the one. And this one was already in quite a sorry state. A solitary tear slid its way down her cheek. She was being silly, that's all. It's not like you actually have a chance with him, she told herself. She turned off the faucet and braced herself against the sink. Oh but it was wonderful to have him near. She felt so safe, like nothing bad could ever happen to her. She cracked small smile, why even this sprained ankle doesn't hurt nearly as much as her heart. And yet it was he who constantly broke that particular organ within her. He was her savior, and her destroyer. She couldn't take this; the tears flowed freely again.

He stood silently behind her, watching her standing over the sink. She was crying again, all thought of tea forgotten. What was she doing to herself, he thought? She was obviously in very much pain, but, over what? The thought of her ankle briefly entered his mind, but he waved it aside immediately. That wasn't it. Could it possibly be...him? He had to know. The thought was like a tumor growing within him, eating him away from the inside. Discarding his remaining shreds of rational thought, he approached her quietly, careful not to make his presence known. Desperate times such as these call for very desperate measures, he repeated to himself. He lifted his arms and placed them on her shaking shoulders, and turned her around to face him. A squeal sounded from Maria's throat, and she leapt up, and forward, straight into him. They were not two inches away from each other. Abandoning all gentlemanly thoughts from his head, Georg bent and searingly placed his mouth upon hers.

Maria felt every nerve in her body relax and closed her eyes. Whatever had just ambushed her, it was definitely welcome to do so again whenever it chooses. Her mouth melted into his as his arms encircled her and embraced her tightly. His lips were soft and searching, his arms held her strongly as though they would never let go. She wanted to remain like this forever. But all too soon, the need for oxygen broke them apart.

Georg looked into her eyes with a searching look. He wasn't quite sure if he'd done the right thing. He didn't stop to think how she'd react.

But she just stood there, still in his arms, and stared up at him with a look of utmost ecstasy on her face.

"I take it you...ahh...didn't mind that."

She finally came to her senses and shook her head. "Not one bit, Captain. Please do that again."

"Gladly." And he leaned in to kiss her again, this time more deeply.

When they broke apart, she looked down and a small frown furrowed her brow. "But, Captain, you're engaged. You're going to be married very soon. I...we shouldn't be doing this." Escaping his arms, she backed away, looking flustered.

"Maria, I love you. I'm going to tell Elsa right away that I simply can't marry her. One can't marry someone one isn't in love with. I'm not going to do that to her or me."

Maria suddenly changed her tone.

"Captain, if I may say so, I believe you're being very dishonorable."

"Dishonorable? For finally realizing that the woman I love is the most perfect being on earth?"

"No, for breaking an engagement to a wonderful and deserving woman."

Georg stepped back and breathed in sharply. "Elsa and I wouldn't be happy. I know we wouldn't." He turned away from her, towards a small window with sunlight streaming in; it had stopped raining. "She's...she's different. I know I seem like I have much in common with her but that was just an escape, it was something I needed to forget my present life. And you, Maria, you've brought me back to my present life, my only life. And I can't just drop it altogether for a promise I made when I wasn't in my right mind." He looked at her imploringly but was surprised to be met with a look of cold determination.

"No, Captain. I won't allow it. The Baroness is very kind. She's...she's in the right...place in society. You make a lovely couple." She laughed slightly, "Your marriage will be accepted and expected. You mustn't...make any mistakes," she added in a whisper. "I would be a mistake, you see."

"You don't understand, Maria. This isn't some off-hand affair. I love you, more than anything. You've changed my life. You don't know what it was like without you. I was always wandering around, not knowing what to do, not knowing what to look for. But now I know. I was searching...searching desperately for perfection. I know now that I've found it, in you."

"Captain, I think you should leave now. Thank you very much for all you've done for me." Her tone was one of finality, her face set defensively.

Georg opened his mouth to retort, to explain, but closed it seeing the look on her face. He would get nowhere with her like this, he knew that much about her. She was stubborn and he would only exacerbate the situation if he talked any more. Bowing respectfully, he backed into the living and collected his now-dried clothing.

"Good afternoon, Fraulein." And he was gone.

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Not to worry, this will end happily, I promise. Sorry for the short chapter but it's 2 AM and I've got school tomorrow. Yawn.