Disclaimer: As I watched Julie Andrews in Cinderella I realized that I could never own anything created by Rodgers and Hammerstein…

So the ending scenes of this chapter are the ones that started this entire story….uh, yeah.

I Trust In My Heart-
-Chapter Eighteen: The Trust in Another

"Hurry! Quickly!" Max whispered at a yell as the family made their way down the hall and towards the streets. "The train leaves in twenty minutes!" Georg urged the children on at his friends words.

"Father, I'm scared." he heard Marta say from his side. He grabbed her hand in comfort as they ran.

"It will be alright darling, I promise."

They were at the edge of the street, Max was just on the other side. He quickly ran over to them. "Let's go, or we'll miss the train."

"Going somewhere, Captain?" a voice asked from the shadows.

The eight froze and turned to see a young Nazi soldier emerging from the shadow of the building.

Georg and the young soldier made eye contact, and a staring contest began. The soldier stepped forward. "You're not supposed to leave, Captain, you know that." he had a smug air about him, and it was not rightful.

Georg's mind raced. They could run to the car, the soldier was still a good ways away and wouldn't be able to stop them. By the time they were in the car he would just reach them, but they would be gone. It might work, it had to work, they had to leave now or they never would be able to.

Georg made a step back, glancing at Max and telling him what to do without words, Max understood and urged the children to do the same. The group took another step back.

"I wouldn't do that, Captain." the soldier said, taking out a gun and pointing it at Georg. There was an intake of sharp breath from somewhere in the shadows, Georg couldn't tell who made it. "You were offered a commission, it's only fair you accept." the boy darlingly took a step forward.

"Max," Georg spoke. "Take the children to the place we were going. Now."

"But, Georg!-"

"Now, Max." Max knew that tone he quickly grabbed Gretl and with the rest of the children ran to the car.

"Uncle Max!" Liesl yelled as Max pushed her into the car, "But Father."

"Don't worry Liesl, he'll be alright." Georg heard Max reassure her. He then heard the car pulling away and into the night.

The soldier laughed. "It's not them we want Captain, it's you."

"I'm flattered." Georg said, sarcastically.

The boy was to confident to catch the sarcasm. "As you should be."

An eerie silence filled the air. Georg had to leave, and he had to leave now. But this damned boy stood before him. Despite the warm summer night a icy wind blew through the air. Georg's mind was racing, he had to think a plan up, and quick.

"Tell me boy," he said, going on his instincts. "What's your name."

"Waren…?" he said, looking at the Captain questioningly, not understand why this famous sea captain would be interested in his name.

"Tell me, Waren." Georg continued on, taking a small step forward. "Why is it that you're a Nazi?" he asked, Georg knew he was stepping in to dangerous territory, but it was the only thing he could think of.

"Because it's an honor." Waren said, holding his head high.

"An honor?" Georg took another step, Waren didn't notice, he was too preoccupied with the Captain's words. "An honor to be treated like a puppet?" he asked, his voice close o venomous, Georg took another step closer.

"It is an HONOR!" Waren yelled, filled with rage. He suddenly realized that the Captain was advancing. "D-d-don't take another s-s-step, or I'll shoot." Waren said, the gun in his hands shaking slightly.

"You're just a boy." Georg took another step, "You don't belong to them." his voice was calm, but it was close to cracking. "Come away with me, Waren, before it's to late, before they've sucked you in to far."

Waren shook his head, the Captain was standing very near him now. Without Waren realizing what happened, Georg grabbed hold of the boy's wrist and the gun. Waren met the Captain's gaze and tried to pull his hand free, but the Captain was too strong. With one swift move Georg took the gun from Waren.

Waren cast his eyes down. How could he have let this Captain take sudden control?

"You'll never be one of them." Georg spat.

How dare he! Waren snapped his head up, anger filling his body. Georg stepped away, but Warn lunged himself forward. He made to punch Georg, but Georg was quick and pushed the boy away just as Waren's right fist came into contact with his right cheek.

The force of the punch and the force of the push sent both Georg and Waren flying in the opposite directions. Waren's body slammed into the wall, hitting his head before he slid down and once again hit his head on the floor, knocking him out cold.

Georg was sent into the opposite wall, his head hitting the brick with a small crack.

"CAPTAIN!" Maria yelled, rushing from the shadows. She had witnessed it all. The children and the Captain being stopped by the young Nazi boy, Max's fleeing with the children and the Captain's attempted escape. She had stood in the shadows, motionless and scared. She had willed her feet to move, or her voice to call out, anything, but it hadn't happened. It wasn't until she heard the Captain's head come into contact with the thick brick that she was snapped from her trance.

"Georg," she whispered, kneeling before him. His eyes were closed, and he moaned in pain. He slowly opened his eyes.

"Maria?" he asked, hardly able to believe it was her. He wasn't sure if he was imagining things or not.

"Yes." was all she could say. They stared at each other, not knowing what to do.

"We will start with the naming of third prize. For this honor the judges have awarded the soloist of the choir of St. Agathe's church in Murbach, Fraulein Schweiger!" the announcers voice filled the air.

"We have to get you out of here." Maria said.

"No, you go, I won't drag you into this."

Maria rolled her eyes, too stubborn. "Shush, you can barely think straight. Come on." she said, putting her arm under his around his back to help him into a standing position. He was heavy then she thought he would be. "ooof." she said, as they finally stood.

"Second prize to -- the Toby Reiser Quintet"

"Come on." Maria said, and she and Georg started to walk. It was a slow process as he found his footing after the blow to his head. After a few steps his mind cleared and he was able to walk on his own. They pace quickened and just as they reached Maria's car they were sprinting.

"Get in." Maria said.

"Who's car."

"It's mine, now get in!" she said, and he didn't need telling twice. Just as Maria started the engine they heard "They're gone!" from the auditorium. There was no telling her twice as Maria stepped on the gas.

They drove in silence as Maria quickly drove from the Festival, taking as many side roads as possible. Once she felt they were a safe distance from the commotion and fairly hidden she slowed. "Where were you going?" she asked, chancing a quick glance at the Captain.

He was lightly rubbing the spot where his head came into contact with the wall, he winced slightly. "The train station."

"What time does your train leave?" she asked, as she started for the station.

Georg looked at his watch, and could barely make out the time with the dim light. "Damn." he swore.

"What?"

"Five minutes."

There was silence. "How is the station from here?" Georg asked, he looked around and noticed they were by the abbey. He smiled slightly at the thought the Maria would head towards the abbey in a time of trouble, she probably had done so unconsciously.

"Oh, ten minutes," Maria estimated, "And that's if I speed."

"Damn." he swore again. "Well, try."

"I don't think it will be wise for you to go there." Maria said, after a while, her foot gradually putting speed on the gas peddle.

"And why not?" his voice was irritated.

"Well," Maria said, trying to keep her voice calm, not liking his tone. "For one thing, you'll barely make it, I'm sure the children and Max will just be able to get one-"

"How did you-" he began to ask, but she cut him off.

"-And besides, by the time we get there it will probably be swarming with Nazi's, it wouldn't surprise me if they're already there. The news of your flee will spread fast." she said, thoughtfully and truthfully.

"And since when did you become an expert in Nazi ways?" he snapped, out of exhaustion. He immediately regretted snapping, but the stress of the day was beginning to catch up with his sore and tired body. Besides, she was right.

How dare he! Maria fumed in her mind. She couldn't believe him! He had so willingly destroyed her heart and now she was offering her help, selflessly to him, and he had the audacity to snap at her. "I was only offering my two cents." she snapped back, even more rough. "I'm not as naïve as you may think."

Georg sighed, "I'm sorry. I'm just tired." Maria huffed. Georg sighed angrily. "I don't know what to do." he said, leaning forward and rubbing his temples.

Maria sat in silence. "I have an idea." her voice was hasty.

"What?"

"You'll see." was all she said.

"Maria-" he warned.

"Just shut up and slouch down in case someone sees you. We have to drive through the town." she was brisk and detached.

He looked at his watch, the train was pulling out of the station right now. He sighed, and slid down in his seat, the only thing he could do was trust her. Besides, she was driving.

Maria turned sharply down a street. He could tell she was mad, he had been rude when she was offering to help. "Are the children with Max?" she asked. She was talking as if she didn't know him, like he was some stranger just trying to make conversation.

He nodded. "Yes. Max can be helpful at times, I trust that he will take good care of them."

Maria snorted.

"What?" he asked.

"Oh, nothing." she seemed to think of whether she should say what was on her mind or not. She chose the former, "I just find it odd that you can trust anyone, even Max, but you couldn't trust the own woman you were going to marry." she bit at him.

Georg winced at his words. How wonder how long she's been wanting to say that? He had forgotten just how much her anger bit and her outspokenness stung.

"Maria-" he started, wearily.

"Don't Maria me."

There was an icy silence. Maria couldn't believe how mad she was. But then again, over the past weeks her hurt had been changed and formed in anger, and now, being in his presence again, she felt it boil, especially after his little out burst.

"So, when did you get this car?" Georg asked.

"Just today."

"How exciting." he tried to sound conversational.

"Not really." she answered.

"Oh?"

"No, I only bought it to get me out of the country."

"You were leaving tonight?" he asked, sorry that he was now ruining her plans.

She shook her head, her sad eyes focused on the road, "No, tomorrow morning." they pulled up to a building. "Well, here we are." she said, parking the car and turning the engine off.

"Where are we exactly?"

"My apartment."

"Here, put this on your eye." she said, throwing down a small handkerchief filled with ice in front of Georg as he sat at her table. He picked up the ice and put to his face, wincing as the cold came into contact with bruise.

"Now, this may sting." she said, from behind him. She lightly dabbed a cloth with rubbing alcohol on his cut, cleaning it. He moved slightly, it stung. "Well, if you're going to keep moving, I won't be able to clean it." she said, grabbing his head with one hand and cleaning the cut with another.

She examined it, once it was clean, tilting his head in the light to see better. "It's not deep." she said. "You're lucky, that wall could have cause some damage." She applied more alcohol, and dried it clean.

Georg was amazed at how light and caring her touch was as she tenderly took care of his wounds. "Thank you." he whispered, when she was done.

"You're welcome." she said, disappearing behind a door to put her supplies away.

"Would you like to tell me what I'm doing here?" Georg asked, when she came back into the room, leaning back into his chair, the ice firmly held to his face.

"I was thinking." she said, walking into the kitchen, and talking at the same time. "That you were trying to escape tonight, and I in the morning, so why not go together. It would be heartless of me to just leave you stranded in the night with the Nazi's after you." she said, nonchalantly. "And besides, we could get you cleaned up and rested before thinking of something to do, and you didn't have a plan or anywhere else to go." she said,

"They could come here looking for me, you know. Especially after out relationship, they may think you know where I am." he said, referring to the Nazis.

Maria laughed lightly. "Oh, think about it Captain. Everyone knows our story, for all they know we haven't seen each other in a month. Which, might I had, is true" she said, coming back into the main room, caring two bowls of some soup and two mugs of tea.

It was the first time Georg was able to look at her properly since they had met in the hall. He examined her features and was surprised to find how much she had changed since leaving the villa, hell, since he had seen her in the dress shop.

The lines of her face were more defined, and she no longer had a childish look to her. She looked older, no not older, mature. In weeks she had gone from a young lady/governess to a fully grown mature woman. He supposed that living on her own and the events of the past would do that to her. She was even more entrancing and beautiful than ever before.

"That's very wise of you." he said, in complete awe. She blushed slightly as he took a bowl and mug from her. "So, what do we do?" he asked, as she sat opposite from him.

"Well, I hadn't exactly gotten that far yet." she said, blushing more and taking a bite of soup.

Georg laughed lightly. "Then why don't we think?" she merely nodded.

"Well, where will the children and Max be?"

They began to devise a plan. They would wake early in the morning, before the sun rose. After eating a quick breakfast they would get into Maria's car and drive towards the Swiss border. Once they were close to it, they would pull off to the side of the road and Georg would climb into the back. There was a compartment under the back seat that Maria insured him he would fit in. It was very unnoticeable, and no one would think twice about it. Once Georg was safe and secure Maria would continue the short drive to the border and if all went well they would be over the border in three days.

They sat in silence once they both agreed on the plan. Neither knowing what to do. "That was very good." Georg said, referring to the soup.

"It was nothing, just some leftovers." Marie replied.

"Still, it was delicious. I didn't know you were such a good cook."

Maria shrugged as she stood and began to gather the dishes. "I never got a chance to at your villa." she began to move towards the kitchen, but Georg stopped her, grabbing a hold of her wrist.

"Maria, why are you doing this?" he was looking deep into her soul, and she quickly averted her eyes. She wouldn't allow herself to go back into the bliss that she had once found looking into his eyes.

"What?"

"All of this." he gestured around. "Taking me into your home, helping me escape, risking your life. And after everything I did…" his voice trailed off.

Maria sighed, and set the dishes down again, removing her wrist from his grasp. "Georg," she began. She felt herself filling with emotion she had long since refused and was willing it to go back. "That night. I-I didn't know what to think. I was confused, angry, sad, and above all hurt. But, but that didn't mean that I never stopped loving you."

Georg looked at her. She wasn't looking at him, and she was beginning to shake. Her words seemed to register slowly in his mind.

Maria quickly picked up the dishes and went into the kitchen, not waiting for him to respond.

'That I never stopped loving you.' the words rang in his ears like bells at a church. How could he have been so stupid! He quickly stood and went into the kitchen.

Maria stood, hunched over the sink. She was willing the tears not to come, willing them to go away. But it didn't work. Her shoulders fell as she broke into tears. She couldn't believe she had said that. But she had, and meant every word, which she seemed to hate even more. She had told him what she had been thinking all along. Every night as she had desperately tried to sleep.

She sobbed again.

Georg watched her from the door of the kitchen. Her back wasn't too him, no, he could see the side of her face and still make out the pain that was there. But she didn't seem to hear him. Quietly, his shoes not even making a sound on the tile, he walked over to her, placing his hands on her shoulders.

Maria felt his warm hands on her and gave another sob. She didn't protest when he turned her around and his arms encircled her. She felt the all too familiar warmth rush over her body. The beating of his heart, the calming rhythm of his breath. She held her hands to her eyes, crying into them as her face rested in his chest, his arms securely around her.

"Oh, Maria." he said, into her hair after her crying had lessened. "My Maria. If I could take back what I did, all the pain I caused you. I would, in a heart beat. Quicker than a heart beat. I was so dumb, so stupid, I wish I could change it. Go back, stop you before you left. Take it all away. I wish."

She listened to his quiet voice as it spoke into her ear, his warm breath so close. She suddenly felt safe, she suddenly felt secure again. That feeling, warm and enchanting, entrancing. It was back.

Realizing this she began to shake her head. "No," she muttered, into her hands. "No, no, no, no, no." she pulled away from him and backed up, still shaking her head. "Georg, I can't do this. Not again. I shouldn't-we shouldn't."

Georg took her hands in his before she got out of his reach. "Yes, Maria we can. I've longed to hold you in my arms again. Every night I would ask myself why I didn't go searching for you, and I was too damn stubborn too. But now, the chance is here, and I'm not letting you out of my life again." he reached up, and lightly stroked her cheek with his palm. "Maria, I beg of you, give me another chance."

Maria leaned into the touch and closed her eyes, savoring it's feel. But the lean was soon turned into her head shaking once more. "I don't want to get hurt again" she said, eyes still closed.

"You won't, Maria I promise you, you won't." was all Georg could say.

Maria opened her eyes, and looked at him, a sad smile on her face. "I'm sorry Georg, but I can't."

"But-"

She rose her finger to his lips, silencing him. "Georg, you had given me so much. Things I had never had before. Somewhere I belonged, a life, a home, a family….love." she paused slightly, seeming to back in time, remembering the feeling. "But, in that one single night. In an instant, you took it all away from me." her eyes turned sad and she looked like she was going to cry again. "And along with it you took my hope in you….and my trust."

Georg winced at her words and the hold he had on her one hand tightened. "I'm sorry Georg," she said, stroking his cheek momentarily. "But I can't trust you anymore, nor can I trust myself to." her eyes were sad, and it pained her to say those words. The words that were unfortunately true. "I'm sorry." she said, looking down.

She straightened up, and pulled away from him. "Now, we should be getting sleep, we have to get up early tomorrow." she began to walk towards the kitchen doorway. "I'll set up a bed for you on the couch. I'm afraid I don't have any proper sleeping garments for you, but I'm sure you'll make yourself comfortable." she reached the doorway and turned around. "Goodnight, Captain." she said, before disappearing into the other room.

Author's Note: PLEASE don't kill me for not getting them back together just yet, but I have a few more things up my sleeve before we reach that point. Hope you liked it! Tell me what you think!

Thank you to all my wonderful reviewers! You guys fuel me to write more and more and I thank you whole heartily for it! You're the best!

I don't know when I'll be updating again. Today marked the first day of finals…so…we'll see.

Until next time!
Your humble author,
The Lonely Goatherd