Disclaimer: I'm pretty sure I still don't own The Sound of Music..

I Trust In My Heart-
-Chapter Twenty-One: When In Innsbruck

Maria woke with the sun. As its first rays rose over the top of the trees around the car her eyes fluttered open. She moaned a little. There was a kink in her neck from sleeping the wrong way. Her back ached and her legs were cramped. But most of all she wanted to go back to sleep. And the bumpiness of the road was not helping.

Wait? Bumpiness of the road? WE'RE MOVING! Her mind screamed and she immediately shot into a sitting position. She looked around the car, frantically but felt the pacing of her heart slow. In the drivers seat sat the Captain, effortlessly driving the car. "Wha?" was all she could say.

Georg chuckled a little. "Good morning." he said, smiling.

"Uh, oh, yes. Good morning to you too Captain." she leaned back against the door of the car, letting her legs stretch.

He quickly looked back at her. "I thought I would let you sleep a little longer while I drove. We had to leave now or we would not have been in Tirol by this afternoon."

"Well. Thank you." Was all she could say. "But are you sure you driving is a good idea? Someone could recognize you."

"I'm not worried about that now. We stopped last night just outside of Bischofshofen and just finished passing through it. We won't come upon another city until we get to Innsbruck, where we'll have to stop. But I haven't seen any cars along this road at all this morning, or yesterday for that matter."

Maria just nodded. He had talked rather fast, and since she had just woken it was hard for tired brain to comprehend what he had said. Suddenly her stomach gave a load growl, and she clutched it. There was a laugh from the front seat.

"Hungry?"

"I guess, just a little. We didn't eat anything at all yesterday, except for breakfast."

He nodded. "Here." she said, reaching to his side and then tossing an apple back to her. "Luckily enough we stopped to sleep by quite a few apple trees last night."

Maria looked at the apply, skeptically. "Are you sure it's safe to eat?"

"Positively."

Maria shrugged and bit into the apple. She couldn't remember a time when an apple had ever tasted so delicious. She savored in the sweetness of it, closing her eyes.

"Just be careful of worms." Georg said, from the front.

At his words Maria nearly spit out the apple, causing her to choke on what was in her mouth. "Worms!"

He laughed. "I was just kidding."

Maria huffed. "Of course you were!" she said, sarcastically, making both of them laugh.

It was quite for a minute, the only sound coming from the morning birds song. "How long ago did you wake up?" Maria asked after she had finished off her apple. She carelessly threw it on the floor of the car.

"Not long. Just before the sun rose, I suppose. Almost an hour."

Maria nodded. "And how long have you been driving?"

"oh, I'd say forty-five minutes."

She nodded. There was silence. Maria yawned.

"Why don't you get some more sleep." Georg suggested. "I'll wake you when we get to Innsbruck."

Maria thought about. She was tired. But she didn't think sleep would come to her. Even in the early morning adrenaline was running through, pumping in her veins and coursing through her body. "I would," she said, voicing her thoughts. "But I don't think I would be able to sleep."
Georg nodded.

The voices of birds waking and singing their morning songs filled the air, penetrating the barrier of the car. They were sweet tunes, simple and complex at the same time. Poetic, moving and sharp. Beautiful. Maria smiled. As long as she had that music with her, in her heart and in her soul, she would be alright. She would never find out what compelled her to do it, but she began to hum along with them.

It wasn't an actual song. Just something she was making up on the spot. Her voice twirling and weaving its way in, out, and around the voices of the birds. Mixing beautifully. She closed her eyes, and let the melodies consumer her, not really having to think about what she was humming. It just came to her.

Georg smiled softly at the sound of her voice. It was captivating. It was beautiful. It was….her.

Neither were aware of how long Maria sat there humming, but too suddenly (in Georg's opinion) it ended. He stole a quick glance at Maria in the back seat. She had fallen asleep. She had lulled herself to sleep with her own beautiful voice. Georg smiled, and continued their long treck towards Innsbruck.

"Maria. Maria wake up." a far off voice whispered to Maria as the owner of it began to shake her slightly. She opened her eyes, and braced herself against the strong light. She sat up straighter, stretching her back, feeling the pain that accompanied staying in one position for too long.

She looked at the Captain. "Wha-? Why did we stop?" but she didn't need answering. The minute the words came out of her mouth her eyes focused on their surroundings. The busy hustle and bustle of a near by town square, the laughing of children, the conversation of adults…they had made it to Innsbruck.

Maria smiled at Georg. "Innsbruck." she said.

"Innsbruck" was his reply.

Maria stepped out of the car and stood, stretching her arms into the air. She let the warm summer sun soak into her skin, absorbing the wonderful warm, welcome feeling.

"I thought I could find someone to check and make sure there's nothing wrong with car, and you could go buy some food." he began. Maria made a mental note of how her so comfortably fit into the role of leader. "I'm starved." at that moment, Maria's stomach made a growling noise. The Captain chuckled slightly. Maria blushed. "And I think you are too."

Maria nodded. "The apple didn't seem to cover my hunger. Perhaps a few worms would have been welcomed by my stomach." Maria joked, causing both of them to laugh.

"There's a small market just down the street."

Maria nodded. "Before I go, I think I'll change first." she said, walking to the back of the car, opening it, and removing some clothing for herself. Once she had her new dress Maria looked around for a place to change. Thinking it would be odd, and draw attention to herself if she were to go into a restaurant to change Maria settled for the back seat of the car. The car was parked in a small secluded area, so no one would see inside.

It was a difficult task, changing in the back seat. Maria wasn't exactly the shortest of woman and having to maneuver in the small space in the back was quick a feat. But after moving just the right way Maria was able to change into fresh clothes.

She emerged from the car to find Georg walking towards, she hadn't known he had left.

"I just asked about someone to check on the car, I was told there's a place around the corner. How about I leave you here, and then come back to get you once I'm done."

Maria nodded. "Alright." she said, as the Captain handed her some money.

"I think this will be enough for some decent food. I'll need what ever we have for the car if something's wrong." he said, stepping into the driver's seat of the car. "I'll be back in a bit." he said closing the door.

Maria just nodded, waved and turned around. "MARIA!" she turned back around at the sound of Georg's voice, calling her back.

"Yes?" she asked.

"Just, be careful."

Maria smiled. "You too, Captain." Georg smiled at her, and drove off.

As Maria turned back to the street and made her way towards the small market she was suddenly overcome with a feeling of worry. What if the Captain just drove off and left her here? Alone, with hardly any money, and no place to go or stay? Oh stop it, she scolded herself the Captain would never do that. She shuck her head, ridding herself of such thoughts. Honestly, this lack of sleep was really getting to her.

A chill ran over her body. Even here, where ever she looked remnants of the Anchluss were everywhere. Flags of the Third Reich hanging in every shop window and on homes. Soldiers could be seen in every other spot. Maria made a quick prayer to God, praying that no one would recognize Georg. Hopefully they would leave in an hour or two, before anyone had the time to think about their presence.

Maria spent the better part of the next hour searching for food for herself and the Captain. She picked out a rather large loaf of bread, some cheese, fruits, and quite a bit of water (they wouldn't be running out anytime soon), now all that was left was some meat, to make the sandwiches complete.

Maria found a small shop that sold meat and quickly told the shop keeper what she needed. As the man was gone, a troop of Nazi soldier's passed by the window, Maria silently willed the man to hurry.

"'Ere ya go." the man said, "That'll be ten Euros."

Maria counted the money she had in her hand. "Oh dear," she whispered, "I-er-only have six." behind Maria the shop bell rang indicating that someone had walked in, but Maria paid no attention.

"Sorry, deary, but it's ten."

"Sir-"

"MARIA!" a shrill excited voice interrupted Maria's plea.

"IDA!" Maria yelled, as she saw the person standing behind herself Maria's heart dropped. It's not that she didn't like Ida, no it was quite the opposite. But while working for Ida Maria had never known her side of the present war and Anchluss situation. For all Maria knew Ida could be married to a General of the Third Reich.

Strangely, though, Ida looked just as worried as seeing Maria as Maria did her. "What are you doing here, deary? I thought you were at the shop." Ida asked.

"I well, er-" what was she going to say? She couldn't tell Ida, she Maria didn't know if she could trust her. And then there was the fact that the butcher was possibly listening in on their conversation. The last time Maria had seen Ida, she had told her that she would see her at work the next day. Maria hadn't told anyone she was leaving. Maria remember Ida giving her a nod and saying that she would see her in the morning. But now-wait! What was Ida doing in Innsbruck?

"What am I doing here, what are you doing here?" Maria asked, hoping to take the attention off of herself.

Ida's face fell slightly, she studied Maria for a moment, as if trying to figure a mystery. That was the thing with Ida, she could tell what you were doing, or how you were feeling before you could.

"I think, we may be here for the same reasons." Ida finally said, after what felt like hours of silence.

"Oh?" Maria asked, trying to stay as calm as possible.

"Look, I don't mean to interrupt this obvious reunion, but do you have the ten euros or not?" the man behind the counter asked, sounding very impatient. "cause I've got things to do."

Maria sighed, "Sorry, and no, I don't."

"What's the problem?" Ida asked.

"This pack of meat costs ten euros and I only have six." Maria explained. "Just forget it." she said to the butcher.

The man grunted, angry that he had to wrap up meat for no reason.

"Here," Ida said, rummaging through her purse and taking out four euros. She handed them to Maria.

"Oh, no Ida I couldn-"

"Nonsense, now give the man the money, we need to talk."

Maria did so, and as soon as she had the meat in her hand she was being pulled from the shop by Ida. "Thank you!" she yelled to the shop keeper.

Ida pulled Maria into the busy street and across the way to an extremely busy restaurant. She pushed her way inside until she found a man sitting at a table in the back. The man was just taller than Ida, just the slightest bit overweight, and had big rosy cheeks.

"Hello, darling." Ida said, walking up to the table. The man stood, giving Ida a questioning look. "This is Maria. Maria, may I introduce my husband Aldrik. Maria was an employee at the shop."

"So this is the wonderful dress maker, Maria." Aldrik said, in a deep voice, taking Maria's hand and kissing it in a greeting. "A pleasure to meet you."

"And you too." Maria said, blushing at the compliment.

"Now deary, sit, like I said, we have some talking to do." Ida said, sitting next to her husband, and pointing to the spot opposite her. Maria reluctantly sat down.

"I believe," Ida said, talking to her husband. "That Maria is in Innsbruck for the same reason we are." she explained.

"oh?" Aldrik asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Er-Ida, I'm not exactly sure I know the reason you speak of." Maria said, a little uncomfortable.

"Leaving." Ida whispered, leaning closer to Maria. The restaurant was busy, so no one should over hear them, but one could never take to many chances. "Austria."

Maria felt herself overcome with relief, she could trust Ida. She nodded slightly.

"I can't believe you're making the trip by yourself, deary." Ida said.

By yourself Maria gasped. The Captain! In the sudden twist of seeing Ida Maria had forgotten all about the Captain getting the car checked. For all she knew he could be waiting for her outside. "Oh, but Ida I'm not! Hold on I'll be right back!" she exclaimed, jumping from the table Maria ran into the busy street.

She made here way towards the spot that Georg had originally parked the car when they first arrived. Sure enough, he was standing there, waiting for her.

"Captain!" she exclaimed.

"There you are. You scared me half to death, I've been waiting for twenty minutes." he said, sighing.

Maria inwardly smiled at his concern. "Come on." she said, pulling slightly on his sleeve, indicating that he follow her.

"What?"

"I've found a friend."

Maria returned to the table where Ida and Aldrik sat, ten minutes later to see their puzzled expressions. AT the fact that she had suddenly jumped and left, and that she was returning with a man. "Sorry," she said, as she was within hearing range of the couple. "Ida, Aldrik, may I introduce Captain Georg von Trapp." she said. "My-er-traveling companion." she said awkwardly, not knowing what to call the Captain. "Captain, this is Ida, she ran the dress shop I used to work at, and her husband Aldrik." she said, pointing as they stood to greet their new guest.

"Captain von Trapp?" Ida whispered to Maria as everyone sat down at the table, raising an eyebrow. Ida knew all to well the story of Maria and the Captain.

"Long story." Maria said, whispered back.

"I bet it is" Ida teased. She then turned her attention to Georg. "So, Captain, Maria tells us that you two are fleeing."

Georg shot a glance at Maria, his eyes bore the expression you-told? "They are too." Maria answered, not having to here is question voiced.

"Oh?" he said. Turning his attention across the table where Ida and Aldrik sat.

"Yes, we are."

"Do tell us how you two came to be in Innsbruck." Aldrik said.

Maria and Georg quickly looked at each other before beginning their story.

"…And now we're here. Just stopping to get a few supplies before we head on." Maria said, taking a sip of water. Food had been delivered to their table in the time she and the Captian had been telling their story.

"Our story is similar in some ways." Aldrik said. "We're leaving because we could never stay here under the Third Reich." there were nods of agreement around the table. "Though our journey hasn't been as adventurous as yours." everyone laughed.

"Your bill." the waiter said, coming to their table one last time.

"Here you go." Aldrik said, handing him money to pay for all four meals.

"Oh no, Aldrik." Georg said, as he two began to take money out of his pocket. "Please allow me to pay for our meals." he said, motioning to Maria and himself.

"He will whether or not you want him too." Maria said, smiling making everyone laugh.

"Oh no he won't." Aldrik said. "I insist." Georg was going to protest again, but Aldrik held up his hand. "Really." Looking defeated Georg put the money away.

"We should probably be leaving." Georg said to Maria.

"Yes," Maria said, standing as did everyone else.

The group of four walked outside and into the sun. All shielding their eyes from the sudden abundance of light. Ida whispered something into Aldrik's ear, and he nodded.

"Before we part." Ida said. "Take this." she handed the Captain a good amount of money that Aldrik had just produced from his pocket.

"Oh no, we couldn't!" Maria exclaimed. "You just paid for lunch."

"No, you need it. You said yourself you didn't have much, and you should buy yourself some new clothes, Captain. You said you only had another pair. You need the money you have left for food."

Maria and the Captain looked at each other. "It's a kind gesture, but we can't."

"Well, we're not taking it back." Aldrik said, with a smile.

Maria sighed. "I don't think we'll ever get a chance to repay you."

"Think of it as your last pay check, Maria." Ida said. Everyone laughed.

"You were always too good to me, Ida." Maria said hugging her former employer.

Ida laughed in Maria's ear. "It's the least I could do. You were the one who brought business into my shop!" Maria laughed. "Now," she said as the two pulled out of their embrace. "You behave yourself." she said, referring to the Captain, making Maria blush. "It'll work out, I know it will." Maria would never know if Ida was referring the escaping situation or other things, certain other things that had to do with a certain someone.

The group bade good bye for each other, perhaps for the last time. Maria and the Cpatian made their way back to the car, Maria getting in the driver's seat. They drove out of the town towards the border with more confidence and hope in their endeavors.

Author's Note: SO SORRY THIS TOOK SO LONG TO GET UP! I had the worst writer's block! This chapter ended up being complete different than I had intended, but that's ok, just makes the story longer! I don't know when I'll update again, but I know it won't be tomorrow. Maybe Saturday, maybe Sunday. Who knows.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed!1! Y'all are AWESOME!

Until next time!
Your humble author,
The Lonely Goatherd