Chapter One

It was early one morning in Washington D.C, a young girl with short blond hair was jogging on the sidewalk surrounding the Mall. Agent Maria Augusta paused for a breath and looked around her. The sun was just coming over the town and every thing was beautiful nothing refreshed her than to run around town. Glancing down at her watch "Oh No! She was late to work again sighing she ran the other way. Captain Annie Frost looked down at Agent Augusta's file. She was very fond of Maria really she was but she just did not have that much experience in the field. There was a knock on the door "Yes come in"

Agent Bertha came in with several other agents. " Captain most of us got together and we have decided that Maria well is not right for the agency she is always late and her head is in the clouds all the time said Bertha.

" Sophia tell

Me what do you think about Maria?

She is a bright girl most of the times always caring for others never putting her self-first but she always seems to get in trouble said Sophia.

May I speak a word on her behalf asked Margaret " Go ahead

Maria is a brilliant agent I think we need her on this team she has wit and controls her self very good.

"Ladies I have considered this for awhile I revived a letter from an old friend of mine Senator George Vaughn of New York wrote to me requesting a agent for his seven children and I thought Maria might be a good person for this job said Annie. Maria goes all the way to New York thought Bertha who took in the news. Yes everyone agreed. "Good then when she gets here send her to my office she said sending them away.

Maria knew she was in for it this time when she entered the building. Rushing to the showers she quickly washed off. Changing into her uniform she rushed up to her section of the building and was greeted with a very mad looking Sophia holding the door.

" You are late again Maria she said glaring at her. " Good Morning to you too Sophia she said pushing her back. " The Captain wants to see you boy I hate to be in your shoes she said. Maria smirked and walked past her heading for the Captains office. Taking a breath she slowly knocked and placed her hands be hind her back. " Come in"

Opening the door Maria entered the room. " Ah Maria come in have some coffee Annie offered pouring her a cup. ' Thank you Captain but I figured that is not why you called me in here just for coffee said Maria. ' Yes Please have a seat! Sitting down Maria sat and waited for the moment to come. " Maria for the past few years you have done brilliant work but --- " Oh if it is about me being late I am ---Maria it is not that ---"oh please let me explain she said. " Very well if it will make you feel better said The Captain.

Today I got up early and saw what a beautiful day it was and so I did my morning jog I mean I had to be apart of it said Maria.

" Child I am not going to fire you because of you being late I received a letter from an old friend The Senator of New York saying he needed a agent or undercover agent posing as a governess for his children said The Captain.

" How many children does he have Captain asked Maria?

Seven

" Seven Children why I cannot---" Maria you like children?

" Sort of you see I was an only child and never dealt with children before said Maria. " You will report to New York in one week I have taken the liberty of putting your apartment under my name so you don't have to worry about selling it said The Captain.

" Please don't send me away I promise I will be on time protested Maria.

" Maria " She gave Maria a look that made her feel low. I want your desk cleaned off today is your last day said The Captain standing up she shook Maria's hand and handed her the file. " Captain thank you for giving me this opportunity and I wont let you down said Maria. " You have a year to prove you're self-able to be an agent she said. It felt like a funeral procession on the way to her desk Maria could feel people watching her. Her partner Max Detweiler looked up from his newspaper when she came and sat down. " Why the long face Maria he asked. " Frost ---- " I know I heard about what happened he said placing a hand on her arm.' Max I have lived here all my life my parents are dead I should be happy but at the same time I am a bundle of nerves said Maria. " I know The Senator very well perhaps I can come and see how you are fairing with the kids in the mean time how about I take you out on a surprise trip tonight he asked. ' Oh I can't I have to pack and make --- Maria you have a week for that let me take you on a night you will not forget said Max. " I still don't know Max I don't even have an evening gown if we did go out said Maria. " I will pick you up in two hours so get home and get pretty he said kissing her on the check. Rolling my eyes I grabbed my things that were on the desk, which was very little and grabbed my gym bag. Looking around the office one last time she headed to the parking lot to get her car. Getting in I sighted and leaned her head against the seat before starting the car up. " Oh stop it Maria this is your chance to leave here and adventure I told my self. Opening the door to my apartment I sat my bags down on the table and went into my bedroom. Lying down on the bed I looked up at the ceiling and was about to doze off when something black and white pounced on her. " Hello Mary I said watching my cat Mary Poppins clean her self. " Well girl we are heading to New York what do you think of that she asked the cat. The cat looked up and rubbed me on the cheek. " Well I am glad you like the idea me on the other hand have no idea how to deal with seven children let's hope they are well behaved I said.

By the time Max had gotten there I was all ready dressed and waiting at the door.

There was a knock on the door she took a breath and opened it there was Max with a bunch of roses and a smile " Wow two hours can really change a person he teased. " These are for you he said handing the flowers to her. " They are beautiful Max would you care to come in be sure Mary Poppins does not get out said I heading to the kitchen to find a vase. Max looked around the apartment" Nice place you got here he said. ' Thank you it was my parents it has a breath taking view of the White House see I went over and pulled the curtains back.

" Well Milady are you ready for your first surprise he said his hands were behind his back. ' Max you know I hate surprises said I" Very well then I guess I'll have to find another Maria who loves The Sound Of Music he grinned. " Max you didn't you mean you got tickets to see Julie Andrews in The Sound Of Music I said jumping up and down.

" I knew you would want to see her said Max." Oh Max you are wonderful I said kissing him on the lips. He looked shocked and I blushed" Sorry about that I said. " No its all right Maria really he said. " Well I am ready to go Mary has been fed and I will grab my coat and we will be ready I said still blushing.

We went downstairs to the lobby and the bellboy said good night "Maria your ride said Max opening the door we stepped out side and there was a lemo waiting for us. "Max how did you get this I asked looking from him to the driver who had the door standing open." I got it just for you darling he said. " Really Max this is too much I said getting in the car. " Why cant we arrive in style asked Max? " We don't want to show off now do we Max I said. " Maria you are too shy you never want to do anything fun---" Wait right there who is the one going to New York I asked glaring at him. ' Some one is making you go you did not choose to go on your own he said. "Oh what do you know I said rolling my eyes?

" I know I am going with one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen he said grinning. "Oh Max I think I will just go back in and stay home and read a nice book I said turning to go back in. ' All right you win I'll stop please we will be late get in he said helping me in. During the ride I did not speak but looked out the window and saw the things passing by. " Maria you know this wont be as bad as it seams he said. " What leaving here I said. " Maria this is New York we are talking about you have tons to explore he said. " Max I have never been in charge of taking children in my life I said. " They are not bad children Maria I am their Uncle he said. " When were you going to tell me this I asked looking at him. "Oh