Due to some heavy begging from a few of my readers I have decided to post this chapter as well. This means you'll have to wait a little longer for the next chapter but since a few of you are going on a holiday now I guess I have some time to rewrite it on my computer. Have fun: )

Chapter 5

Maria lay in her bed, listening to the thunderstorm outside. It was dark but lightnings lit up her room, making her put the comforter over her eyes with a sigh. Suddenly someone tapped the door and Maria lit her lamp to go find out who it could be.

"Come in." Gretl and Marta quickly entered and ran to her bed, their eyes wide with horror.

"Are you afraid again?" They nodded and pressed their faces to Marias bed as another lightning was visible through the pouring rain.

"Please fräulein Maria, I don't think we can sleep in our own room tonight."

"Are you sure?" The girls nodded again and looked at Maria with pleading eyes.

"Oh alright. Let's just hope your father didn't see you come in here, remember how he reacted the last time?"

"He wont be mad at us." Marta courageously stated and then crept down beside Maria and Gretl.

"Is that better?"

"Much." Maria quietly hummed to soothe them and soon the girls were fast asleep. She put the light out and closed her eyes but as soon as she started to drift off she heard another knock on her door. Careful not to wake the children up she climbed out of bed, puzzled by who it might be this time, and opened the door. Outside was Georg, looking very weary until he realized Maria only had her thin gown to reveal her exquisite body. His eyes focused on her and his mind raced at the thought of having her near him.

"Georg? What are you doing here in the middle of the night?"

"May I come in Maria?"

"Yes, of course, but Marta and Gretl are in there sleeping so we'll have to be quiet."

"I promise." Maria motioned for Georg to step inside the dark room and closed the door behind them. She took one step forward but was stopped by Georg, his hand reaching for hers.

"Maria?" he whispered, making her gulp.

"Ye... Yes?" He took her hands and kissed them, both outside and inside. Maria felt the butterflies she had been trying to suffocate returning to her stomach and her heart began beating faster. Georg kissed her all the way from her hand to her elbow and then continued to her collarbone where he lingered, making Maria close her eyes. He continued up her throat and a moan escaped her when he reached her earlobe. The strong hands of his cupped her cheeks and he leaned in closer, their lips meeting in a gentle first kiss. When they broke apart they were both breathing heavily, thoroughly enjoying this sudden display of emotions. They looked into each others eyes, hungry with lust, and Maria put her arms around Georgs waist to hug him lightly. Georgs self control left his body and he pressed her against the door, kissing her full force. She parted her lips, inviting him to the sweetness of her mouth, and let her tongue meet his while their hands started roaming each others bodies. Georg had to use all of his willpower not o ravage her right there in front of his sleeping children. Several minutes later they broke apart, both exhausted and panting from all the snogging. Maria couldn't help but giggle softly, feeling like a schoolgirl all over again.

"You need to go Georg. What if we wake the children or if one of your nosy daughters wakes up and finds you in my bedroom?" Georg felt his face fall.

"I guess you have a point." He smiled sheepishly at her.

"How about one last kiss?"

"Oh. Ok." This kiss was slower and definitely more passionate than the previous ones. When they broke apart Georg opened the door and silently sneaked out, winking at Maria before he disappeared down the hallway.

During breakfast the following morning both Maria and Georg seemed rather quiet and nervous and could barely look at each other. The oldest girls could tell that something was going on and watched the adults closely, not missing a move. When Maria and Georg raised at the same time to go get some more food they smiled at each other and walked to the other table. Maria felt Georg right next to her and when he reached for something at her side of the table he deliberately let his hand and arm touch hers, making Maria hold her breath not to gasp. Georg slowly went to sit down again and Maria followed suit, picking up her fork to continue eating.

"Why are you so quiet fräulein Maria?" Marta asked, making Maria drop her fork at the sudden sound. She blushed profoundly but politely answered the question.

"I suppose I'm a bit tired."

"And a bit jumpy..." Louisa mumbled.

"But you went to bed really early yesterday fräulein. You couldn't sleep?"

"Or was there something occupying your mind?" Liesl asked, making Marias face even redder.

"I.. er.. just couldn't sleep, that's all. Now children, what should we do today?"

"I want to stay at home and play with the puppeteer. Is that ok fräulein Maria?"

"Maybe you should ask your father what he thinks Gretl?" Georg looked up at the mention of him.

"Well, since it's raining I think it's quite alright for you to stay inside today. Beside, that will give fräulein Maria some time off as well. That is, if you'd like it."

"We'll see about that Captain. Now children, let's go and prepare for today."

"Oh Mar.. fräulein?" Maria looked up at the Captain.

"May I see you in my study right away?" Marias heart fell at his words, thinking he might fire her because of what happened between them last night.

"Of course Captain. You go ahead children, I'll be up in no time." Maria and Georg walked into the study and he closed the door behind them.

"What did you want to... mmph..." The Captain practically jumped at Maria and crushed his lips to hers before she could finish her sentence. Their hands were all over each others bodies, making them both moan with pleasure. When they broke apart they looked into each others eyes, gasping for air to fill their lungs yet again.

"That was rather unexpected, although very nice indeed..." Maria smiled shyly.

"Much enjoyable, I agree."

"I don't want to keep the children waiting though, they are already suspecting something is going on and I can only imagine what this will add to the gossiping." Georg laughed out loud and Maria stroke his back with a grin, preparing to leave the room. Her clothes were wrinkled and her face flushed but hopefully the children wouldn't notice. When she was about to open the door to the study Georg turned her around and applied a gentle, yet passionate, kiss on her mouth. She smiled lovingly at him and then left, walking as if on clouds.

While reaching for the slightly ajar door into the childrens room she could hear the discussion going on wildly inside with such words as "Maria", "Father" and "love" in the same phrase and began to wonder exactly how much the children had really snapped up. Maybe her and Georg hadn't been as subtle as presumpted? When she walked into the room the children went dead silent and Maria couldn't help but blush as she watched Liesl and Louisa having huge smirks on their faces, giving each other meaning glances.

"What are you up to?" Maria asked with a glint in her eye.

"Nothing." the children said in chorus.

"Hmm... Well, are you ready to go play with the puppets?"

"Yeah!" they exclaimed and ran downstairs, leaving Liesl, Louisa and a slightly puzzled Maria in the room. Liesl nodded discretely to Louisa and, with a knowing look as a reply, they started to walk slowly towards Maria, cornering her to prevent her from running off. Marias eyes grew large as the two girls approached her.

"Can I help you?" They stopped and watched Maria closely.

"How come you and father call each other by your first names all of a sudden and only when you think no one else can hear you?" Marias face took the nice, healthy color of a mature tomato and she spoke, stuttering.

"Well, you see... we have... just been getting to know each other better and therefore we automatically started doing it. It's not quite appropriate though and I would appreciate if neither of you told anyone about it."

"Why are you blushing in his company and why did he hold your hand on the way back from our picnic?"

"You never give up, do you?" Maria sighed, making the girls grin.

"No, of course we don't. We're teenagers, remember? This is what we live for."

"Eh... well... the blushing is because I'm warm I guess and, as you probably remember, I hurt my hand and your father just wanted to make it feel better so he took it."

"Did he really have to hold it all the way home?" They were all too occupied with the interrogation that neither of them noticed the Captain coming in with a smirk on his face. He had heard all of the questions and was quite amused by the way his fräulein had managed to explain it all. At last he made his presence known to them.

"What if I did?" They jumped at his voice and turned to face him.

"Does it really matter to you why I held her hand?"

"No, not really but..."

"But?"

"You're supposed to be marrying the Baroness, don't you think it's a bit odd that you never want to hold her hand in public?" Marias heart fell at Brigittas words. What was she doing with the Captain anyway? They could never be together as more than lovers, and as a member of the church she didn't want to take it one step further before their marriage and since that was never going to happen maybe she ought to end this silly fling at once.

"Maria?" She looked up when the Captain spoke and saw the worried looks on his and his daughters faces.

"I was just thinking. You know me, always lost in thought." she said while laughing a bit to ease the tension. The Captain let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding and the children looked at him awkwardly. He shrugged and then locked eyes with Maria.

"Were they bothering you?"

"No, it's ok. They were just putting me through the Spanish inquisition." She smiled at him.

"Liesl, Louisa. Maybe you two should see how the other siblings of yours are doing with the puppeteer? It did cost me half a fortune, thanks to Max, so I would prefer if we could keep it in a good condition." They hesitated a little but their father looked at them sternly.

"Go along. We'll be right down." Louisa and Liesl left with big eyes, wondering what was going to happen between the two adults. With Georg and Maria occupied with each other they probably wouldn't notice if the door never closed properly or if the girls lingered outside for awhile, spying on them.

When the Captain and fräulein were left alone she threw herself at him and hugged him fiercely.

"What's all this about?" he chuckled.

"Oh Georg..." she whispered, making the girls outside have a hard time being silent. Maria leaned into him and they kissed. It started rather innocent but soon their feelings took overhand and the kiss deepened while their hands started roaming each others bodies, as usual.

"Oh. My. God." Liesl mouthed to Louisa, their faces flushed at seeing this display of passion but unable to tare their eyes away. Suddenly Maria bounced back, leaving Georg looking at her with concern in his eyes.

"What's the matter? Maria? I didn't hurt or scare you, did I?" Tears welled up in her eyes and she turned her back to him.

"No, you didn't hurt me." she whispered.

"Rather the opposite actually... Georg?" She turned around again to face him with tears streaming down her cheeks.

"We can't do this. I can't do this. I'm only the governess and I have begun to harbor feelings that are quite inappropriate. I don't know what you want but the fact that you are engaged to the Baroness remains. I'm sorry Captain but I cannot give you what you seek." Maria ran towards the door and didn't even notice the girls hidden behind it. She sprinted to her room and started packing her things. She knew what she needed to do and it certainly didn't involve staying here. If the Captain had some wit he would realize that she had just cryptically told him she loved him. Yes, now she even admitted it to herself.

The Captain stood dumbfounded for a couple of minutes, contemplating what just happened. Did she reject him? Had she told him what he thought she had or was it just his imagination going overdrive? Could she actually be in love with him? 'Do I love her back?' The questions were spinning in his head when he finally made up his mind to try talking to Maria again although he had no idea what to say. Suddenly Louisa shrieked, making Georg leap up from bed to see what it was all about.

"Father, come quick! Maria is leaving!" He darted towards the front door and saw Maria running down the stairs, holding her bags.

"Maria, wait!" He started down the stairs as he watched her open the door and leave. 'No, it's too late, I've lost her forever. I love you, come back!' Suddenly a loud noise could be heard from outside and everybody gathered to see what was causing the commotion. Maria and the Baroness had crashed together and fallen into a heap on the gravel. Maria had not been able to see anything because her eyes were blinded with tears. She quickly assembled her belongings, helped the Baroness to her feet and then disappeared through the front gate.

"Oh Georg, how nice of you to come and help me carry all of..."

"Maria, wait!" He stopped in front of Elsa.

"...my things. Why are you calling after her?"

"Because I need my governess. The children need her."

"Don't you think I will be a sufficient substitute for her?"

"Well..."

"Don't answer that dear." she said with an ice filled voice. Georg gave up and helped Elsa inside.

Maria ran all the way to the abbey, not looking back even once. She bumped into the reverend Mother on her way to her old room and stopped dead in her tracks.

"Maria! What on earth are you doing here? You still have one more month to spend with the von Trapps."

"I know Mother, but I can't go back."

"Were they mean to you?" Maria shook her head no.

"Well then, what happened child?"

"I can't face him again."

"Him? Captain von Trapp? Are you in love with him Maria?"

"Oh I don't know! I'm not supposed to feel like this, I'm their governess for crying out loud!"

"Maria, the love between a man and a woman is holy too." Maria started sobbing again and put her head in hear hands to hide the tears from her friend.

"I don't know what to do." she whispered desperately.

"Well, I do. You'll have to return to the von Trapp family."

"But..."

"It's the Lords will Maria. Just go back there and tell the Captain how you feel about him, then you can truly decide whether you want to leave or not."

"Ok, I'll go back. May I at least stay here for a week to confess my sins?"

"Sins?" the reverend Mother asked, wide eyed.

"Yes, sins. Not what I see you have in mind though." She smiled at the pink color that showed on the Mothers cheeks.

"Of course Maria, you are always welcome here, my child." They hugged and Maria felt relief flood her system because of this simple gesture. 'Just you wait, Georg von Trapp, just you wait.' she thought with a grin and then wandered off with renewed confidence towards the confessional.