Somebody to know
Somebody to have
Somebody to hold

Edging forward with the crowd, she stared straight ahead, concentrating on the swept-up hair of the woman standing in front of her. Trying to ignore the people and the noise around her, she'd been trying to distract herself with the woman's intricate hairstyle. But it really wasn't working. Perhaps if she started counting the many pins holding it in place, that may help. But she doubted it.

She hadn't missed the gasps from a group of women they'd just passed. She could still feel their eyes on her, could hear their whispering. Now they were laughing amongst themselves. That cruel kind of sniggering, which quickly follows a spiteful comment. Why they were being so unkind? She didn't know them, and they didn't know her. She'd never seen them before. In fact, she'd be happy if she never saw any of them again.

Tightening her jaw, she wondered why they were being so spiteful and hurtful. Had she done something wrong? Committed some major faux pas? Was something out of place? She felt the panic starting to rise. Maybe it wasn't too late to leave. She could explain how it had all been a terrible mistake, a silly idea. She could tell them she thought she could do it, but now realised how wrong she'd been. Who was she fooling?

If she just slipped out into the night, hopefully they could all forget she was ever here. That's what she'd do. Run away. Her eyes darted sideways, searching for an opportunity, a reason, something. But it quickly became clear, it was far too late to plot an escape. Realising it wouldn't be that easy, she reluctantly let go of the idea.

She had to stop doubting and second guessing herself. After all, that's what these women wanted. But then, it's all she'd ever done, it's what she'd been doing all her life. From a small child, the doubts had never really gone away. That feeling of never quite belonging, of never feeling worthy.

Governess. Nun. That girl from the mountains...

She could only imagine what they were saying. Head high, shoulders back. She bit down on the tightness in her chest, hoping it wouldn't find its way to her throat. Trying to pretend their spiteful remarks and laughter weren't having an effect, she lifted her chin a little higher. A tiny show of defiance.

Trying her best to ignore the gossiping women, and everything else for that matter, she forced her mind back to the hairstyle in front of her. It must have taken hours or a team of stylists to get every lock, every strand perfectly in place. But the longer she admired the woman's hairstyle, the less of a distraction it was becoming. It was just another stark reminder of her own hair, its simplicity and lack of style. Is that what the women were laughing at? She'd promised herself not to think about those things. Not tonight. But they'd barely stepped inside, and already she was feeling horribly out of place.

She didn't belong here. She knew it, and the women still sniggering behind them in the distance, knew it too. Tonight, everyone would see what an imposter she was. She wasn't fooling anyone. So much for all her bravado. Her eyes stole a glance sideways. Without him by her side, without his constant encouragement, she wouldn't be strong enough to do this. Not on her own. Perhaps not with anyone else. Probably only with him.

Even through the countless layers of silk and satin, she could feel his warmth. She wondered if he realised how comforting she found his hand resting on the small of her back. Did he have any idea how much she needed him? He moved his thumb. Such a tiny movement that would have gone unnoticed by everyone else. To her, it said more than any words. She needed his reassurance. He must have heard the women too. She felt her throat tighten.

He'd already told her countless times she had no reason to question herself, let people say what they liked. He was right. Even when there was precious little to gossip about, they'd just go and make up their own stories. His thumb moved again. He was standing a little too close, but she didn't care. Reminding herself to push her shoulders back, she was grateful to feel his chest against her. She needed every ounce of his strength and misplaced confidence tonight.

As the sniggering drifted into the background, she wondered how she'd even ended up here. Her life had taken such a wild, dramatic turn these past weeks and months. For most of the time, it had seemed like a wonderful dream. But tonight, it was starting to feel like a nightmare. She reminded herself the room full of strangers would eventually find something else to talk about. Surely, their lives couldn't be so boring.

As the dark-haired woman and the officer holding her arm started stepping down the stairs, she forgot herself for a moment. Standing on the top landing of the marble staircase, her eyes danced around the room. For a magical moment, she forgot all the doubts, forgot all her fears. She felt like a princess. A hand had flown up to her chest, before she quickly remembered herself. She must have let out a gasp. His hand moved again. This time to her waist.

"It's beautiful…" she whispered. She glanced sideways and saw the tiniest smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

From the top of the grand staircase, they had a perfect view of the vast ballroom below. It was the largest, most opulent room she'd ever seen. Flanked by columns of marble, gilded walls glistened under elaborate chandeliers, as guests milled around below. Her eyes travelled up the ornate walls at the far end of the room to the ceiling that seemed storeys above them. She wanted to stop and study the detail of the intricately painted figures clinging to the ceiling, looking down over the ballroom and its guests. It was stunning, breathtaking and she couldn't believe she was here.

She felt his hand tighten on her waist. She was getting distracted! Tearing her eyes away from the ceiling, she stole a glance sideways. He nodded and smiled at her. She'd often wondered how he always appeared so calm and distinguished. But then, he always looked handsome and confident, especially in his tailcoat and medals. As they started making their way down the long staircase, her eyes dropped to her feet, praying they wouldn't trip her up.

From the moment she first saw the ballroom at the villa, she'd decided nothing could ever compare to its splendour or majesty. Even under all the cobwebs and dust, it had been the most breathtaking room she'd ever seen. But the scale and grandeur of this ballroom was overwhelming. Feeling a mixture of guilty betrayal and homesickness, her thoughts turned fondly to the ballroom at home. After all, it was where they'd first met. In the early days, it had been one of the many things they'd argued over. In that room, his children had made him laugh, made him proud. Their first dance had been in the nearby courtyard to the strains of the orchestra streaming through its French doors. And, as he'd proven the other night, he could still steal her breath away within those ornate walls, weeks after he'd stolen her heart.

The Hofburg Palace was grand and regal. But, as they stepped off the last step of the enormous staircase onto the ballroom's marble floor, it could only ever come second. Her cherished memories would always come first.

As they edged their way from the bottom of the stairs into the ballroom, she wanted to turn and say something. With a head full of questions, there were so many things she wanted to ask and point out. Instead, she bit the side of her mouth and turned her eyes back to the dark-haired woman still in front of her. The last thing she wanted was to embarrass him. Although, judging by the reaction when they'd first walked in, she'd already done that. They'd barely given their coats to the attendant at the cloak room before the looks and whispering had started.

Drawn by more laughter, she glanced sideways at a group of couples. The women, standing off to the side together, were nudging each other and whispering. For an awkward moment her eyes met theirs, before she quickly glanced back at the woman's hair in front of her. It was obvious they'd been laughing about her. She tried not to blush, but she could feel her cheeks growing hot. The last thing she wanted was for them to see that she cared about their silly gossiping. Despite trying her best to ignore them, their laughter was ringing loudly in her ears.

As the opening strains of a Strauss waltz filled the grand ballroom, she tried to concentrate on anything but them. 'Tales From The Vienna Woods', the hairstyle in front of her, the warm hand on her back, the beauty of the ballroom. But it was difficult to keep her head high, especially when it was obvious all the eyes in the room were on her. Just as it seemed much of the conversation and laughter was directed at her. She prayed it wouldn't be like this all night.

The hand on her back had slipped to her waist again, pulling her up gently. She hadn't realised the couple in front of them had stopped and turned suddenly.

"You alright?"

She nodded, not daring to turn and look at him. He'd see through her. She didn't want that. She didn't want anyone to see how she was really feeling. Especially not him. He'd say something kind or would start apologising again. She didn't want that. That's all it would take for her shaky façade to crumble. And she wasn't going to let the horrible, gossiping women see her falling apart because of them. She could still feel his eyes on her. He didn't believe her.

"Are you sure?"

She nodded again, still not trusting herself to look at him. It was difficult enough hearing the concern in his voice. Head high, shoulders back. Already convinced she wouldn't be able to pull this off, she didn't want to see his eyes filled with doubt, or worse, pity.

As the couple in front of them moved on, they took a few small steps. Stopping, they turned towards a line of men wearing full dress uniforms and their wives standing beside them in elegant dresses and glistening jewels.

"Colonel and Baroness Laber, Captain von Trapp and Fraulein Maria Rainer." She wondered how his voice could switch so quickly from soft and tender, to clipped and formal. Still not brave enough to look at him, she stared ahead, nodding at the man wearing the military suit adorned with medals.

"Georg, please, we've known each other far too long to stand on ceremony," the man replied as he took Georg's hand and shook it enthusiastically. "Fraulein Rainer, it's a pleasure to meet you," he took the gloved hand she offered him and placed a kiss on the back of her hand. "I'm Karl and this is my wife Anna," he turned towards the blonde-haired woman beside him. "And may we offer our congratulations?" He took Georg's hand again and slapped him jovially on the shoulder. "I see you've finally found a woman brave enough to..."

"Karl!" His wife gave him a nudge and a sharp look before he could finish.

"Oh no, Anna, Karl's right," Georg laughed, "it takes a brave woman to take on me and the children."

"Don't pay any attention to them," Colonel Laber's wife smiled warmly as she took Maria's hand. "They have no idea what any of us women have to put up with," she gave her hand a conspiratorial squeeze. "Congratulations, we were delighted to hear the news."

"Thank you, it's lovely to meet you," Maria answered carefully, trying her best not to blush or trip over her words. She felt Georg's hand move encouragingly on her back.

"We'll talk later, after all this pomp and ceremony is over," the Colonel's wife rolled her eyes as she let go of Maria's hand. "It will give the men a chance to catch up," she added, nodding towards her husband.

"I'd like that," Maria smiled back, relieved to find at least one friendly woman in the room. Hopefully, she wasn't the only one. She felt the hand press on her back, a sign to move to the second couple standing in line greeting the guests.

"Georg, who is this delightful young lady?"

Maria took hold of the hand offered to her by an older man with ruddy cheeks. He was also wearing a dress uniform and even more medals than the first. She nodded at him as he bent down to kiss the back of her hand.

"General and Baroness Schwartz," Georg nodded, "Fraulein Maria Rainer."

"A pleasure," the General smiled at Maria, still holding her hand.

"Thank you, General Schwartz," Maria smiled at him before turning towards his wife. "Baroness," she nodded, trying to ignore the cold look the middle-aged woman gave her. It couldn't be more different than Colonel Laber's wife. Head high, shoulders back. She could feel Georg's thumb move on her back.

"I wasn't sure we'd see you, Captain von Trapp," the General's wife directed her comment towards Georg, but her eyes were still firmly stuck on Maria.

"Oh-ho, Baroness, you know we wouldn't miss tonight for anything," Georg tried to laugh off the awkwardness, but Maria sensed his body tightening beside her.

"Ah, yes, that's what I told Mathilde," the General had finally let go of Maria's hand. "The evening would hardly be the same without you, Georg."

"Thank you, Sir," Georg nodded. He moved his hand on Maria's back. A sign to keep moving.

"Please accept our congratulations," the General shook Georg's hand warmly. "And enjoy yourselves," he called out with a wink in Maria's direction.

Even as they moved away towards the final couple standing in line, she could still feel Baroness Schwartz's eyes glaring at her. Head high, shoulders back. She didn't hear the names of the third officer and his wife, she was far too busy forcing herself to smile, offering her hand, avoiding any embarrassing mistakes, shaking off that cold glare.

"You alright?" Georg whispered as they stepped away from the line of dignitaries.

Maria nodded, determined not to let Baroness Schwartz dint her already shaky confidence. Even as they kept walking, she was sure she could still feel the woman's glare on her back.

Finding their own small space amongst the growing crowd, they turned their backs to the wall and stared out at the couples waltzing around the floor. She stole a glance back towards the officers and their wives. Hede and Max must have fallen behind them somewhere back in the foyer. They were only now being greeted by Colonel Laber and his wife.

"I wish we weren't here," Georg muttered beside her as they both stared out at the couples circling around the middle of the ballroom.

"That makes two of us," Maria whispered back, her eyes moving between the dancing couples. The women looked so glamorous in their elegant, colourful dresses, the men handsome in their suits and bowties. She'd much rather be spending the evening at home. These past weeks, they'd fallen into such a relaxed, comfortable routine. It seemed a world away from tonight. "I wonder what the children are doing," she added, hoping they were on their best behaviour for Frau Schmidt.

Earlier, they'd telephoned home from Hede's flat and spoke to each of the children. "I miss them terribly," she whispered, half to herself. It was hard to believe they'd only arrived in Vienna yesterday, they seemed to have been away from home much longer.

"I know…" he answered softly. "Not long to go. We'll be home tomorrow." With their backs to the wall, his hand moved lower. Anything to distract her. And him.

Maria glanced towards the line of military men and their wives. Hede and Max were now talking to the General and his wife. If anyone could charm Baroness Schwartz, it would be Max. Smiling to herself, she watched Hede. It was uncanny how much alike her and Georg were. Dark with strong features, they carried themselves with a similar air, even sharing some of the same mannerisms. But that's where the similarities ended.

Unlike her brother, Hede was unconventional, something of a Bohemian, artistic type. Her flat was part chaotic art studio and part halfway house for fellow artists drifting around Europe from one exhibition to another. After the first few steps inside Hede's flat, she'd realised it was far too cluttered and disorganised for Georg.

Originally, he'd booked them all into separate suites at the Hotel Imperial, just around the corner from his sister. But Hede had insisted he let her stay in the oversized flat looking across Resselpark. He'd eventually relented, reluctantly agreeing it would give the future sisters-in-law a chance to get to know each other. Although, he'd seemed more concerned it would give Hede a chance to reveal too many embarrassing stories from his past. As he was leaving last night with Max, he'd reminded her not to believe a word his sister said about him. She smiled. He'd been right. Last night, Hede had been only too happy to…

Laughter from a nearby group of women interrupted her thoughts, dragging them back to the ballroom. Before she could stop herself, she turned to look in their direction. They were looking straight at her, their laughter barely concealed behind their hands. Head high, shoulders back. In case Georg's warnings hadn't been enough, Hede had told her to expect the worst. Having spent her entire life blissfully unaware of the intricacies of high society, she had to admit she was clueless about how any of this worked. It was a complete mystery.

According to Hede, Baroness Schraeder was something of a central figure in Viennese society. Her group of friends so powerful and influential, they alone could decide whether you were part of the elite inner circle, or merely some hopeful making up numbers in the crowd. Do the wrong thing, or sometimes nothing at all, and they could cast you adrift. A small indiscretion might be all it took to be ostracised and frozen out. More than anyone else, she was sure she'd be in Baroness Schraeder's sights. It was something she didn't want to think about. Thankfully, tonight, she wouldn't have to. Not after Max told them the Baroness wouldn't be attending.

The last time she saw the Baroness was the night she'd returned to the villa. She could still see the looks of annoyance and thinly veiled resentment. The children had clung to her the entire evening, so it had been easy to stay out of her way. After she'd ushered the children out of the drawing room and upstairs to bed, they'd never crossed paths. She smiled as she recalled how quickly the rest of the evening had slipped away in the gazebo. Thankfully, they still hadn't…

"Dance with me…" Georg whispered, pulling up her thoughts.

She'd been staring blankly towards the middle of the ballroom and hadn't even realised the last waltz had finished. "I'd like that," she turned to him, nodding. He stared at her, pulling on his white gloves impatiently. She was already missing his hand on her back, but it quickly returned as he led her to a nearby space on the dance floor.

"I haven't had a chance to tell you yet," he murmured, as he turned to face her, "you look beautiful." Taking her gloved hand in his much larger one, he bowed, holding onto her eyes as she curtseyed.

She recalled his look when he'd arrived at Hede's with Max. It was a look that could still tear the air from her lungs, send her heart fluttering and leave her struggling to think of anything sensible. She wondered if she'd ever get used to that look. She wondered if he'd always look at her that way.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"What for?" he frowned at her.

Grateful for his kind words, she smiled up at him as he held up her hand and placed his other hand on her waist, as the orchestra began. "I wanted to surprise you, but…"

"Oh, you certainly surprised me," his voice took on an edge. "It was such a lovely surprise when I opened Hede's door. When I first saw you tonight, you took my breath away…" his voice was low and serious, his breath hot as he moved a little closer. "Don't blush, darling," his words were soft and tender, his eyes never leaving hers. "It's true…"

Despite Hede's assurances, she'd been worried until she saw his reaction. As much as she loved the dark blue fabric of her dress, the way it shimmered as she moved, its full-length fitted skirt was much straighter than anything she'd worn before. She could feel her cheeks growing warm as she recalled Hede telling her it would put an end to the worst of the rumours. Sleeveless with a dipping neckline and back, she'd been worried it revealed far too much. Even with her white gloves covering her arms just above the elbow, she felt far too exposed. "I'm glad," she answered softly as they started waltzing, "I wasn't sure..."

"Maria, you worry too much!" He threw his head back, laughing. "Never forget, you caught my eye wearing that grey sack." She was so adorably unaware. She really had no idea how captivated he was. He glanced around them and realised that some of the couples waltzing nearby had turned at the sound of his laughter. "Tonight, darling…" suddenly serious again, he dropped his voice to a low drawl, "especially tonight, you're the most beautiful woman."

Forgetting herself for a moment, she smiled up at him. She always felt like she was floating when she was dancing in his arms. Even the night of the party, those magical moments when they'd danced the Laendler. He'd made her forget about everything and everyone, except him. Although, tonight that might not be quite as easy. "Is it just me or is everyone staring at us?" she asked quietly.

"Oh no, they're all looking at us," he muttered under his breath. "And no doubt talking about us as well," his eyes softened. "But then, we knew they would," he pulled her a little closer. "They'll soon find something else to gossip about."

"I hope so," Maria whispered. "I really hope so."

"I'm sorry..."

"Don't…" she quickly cut him off her voice still soft. "Don't apologise. There was no choice."

"Hmmm, still," he murmured, his voice low, his eyes still clinging to hers, "I know where I'd much rather be." A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, his heart surging as he drew an adorable blush.

She looked away, her eyes falling on two women standing alongside the dance floor, staring at her and whispering. She quickly looked back, her eyes finding the Maria Theresa medal hanging around his neck from its ribbon in the colours of his beloved homeland.

"Look at me, Maria," Georg whispered, wrapping his arm tighter around her waist, pulling her as close as he dared. "Keep looking at me," his words brought her eyes up to his. "Imagine we're home. We're in the ballroom, all alone. There's no one else," his warm baritone was soothing, mesmerising. "It's just you and me, darling."

She nodded, wide-eyed. His hot breath, his heady scent, that searing look in his eyes, taking her away to another place, another time.

"You and me, alone," she nodded, as they continued waltzing, moving as one.

"Remember Sunday night?" he arched a brow.

"How could I ever forget…" her breathless words and thoughts drifted off, getting lost in the memory of those precious, stolen moments alone in the ballroom.

"I wish I could kiss you now," he stared at her, his eyes heavy and dark. "I want to kiss you…" his eyes dropped to her lips, recalling those desperate kisses filled with hunger and desire. "I wish I could take you away from here… from these people." Suddenly remembering himself, where they were, his eyes found hers again.

"Sshhh," Maria soothed. "It's just a few hours," she whispered, reminding him that they'd both agreed to be here tonight.

"We wouldn't be at this ball if it wasn't for all this damn madness," he cursed under his breath.

"It's alright…" she whispered softly. Her hand moved higher up his shoulder, her fingertips finding the collar of his shirt, brushing the back of his neck for a brief, tender moment. Tonight, was far too important. Much more important than either of them. Because of her, he'd been reluctant to accept the invitation. But she'd insisted. Tonight, it was critical for him to be here. Critical for them.

The Officer's Ball.

The most influential current and former officers from the military in the one place. Where else would he get the opportunity to speak to them without drawing unwanted attention? It made perfect sense to be here. Tonight, was much bigger than her being upset over some cruel gossip. This was about the future of Austria, the future of the children.

As the orchestra played the final bars, the waltzing couples came to a stop. Georg's hand fell from her waist, but quickly found her hand. He ran his thumb across the back of her hand, wishing neither of them were wearing gloves. "Let's dance this next one," he smiled at her. "I wish…"

"So, Georg, this is the mystery lady we've all heard so much about?"

They both turned to see a grey-haired man wearing a tailcoat with an impressive set of medals coming towards them. "Heinrich, how are you?" Georg let go of Maria's hand and shook the other man's hand warmly. "Let me introduce Fraulein Maria Rainer," he placed a hand on Maria's back. "Maria, this is Heinrich, my first commanding officer."

"Delighted to meet you, Fraulein Rainer," the man took Maria's hand and kissed the back of it. "But you flatter me," he turned back to Georg. "In record time you outranked me!"

"What can I say?" Georg laughed enthusiastically. "You taught me everything I know."

"I wish that were true," he turned to Maria and smiled as the orchestra played the opening, familiar bars of 'The Blue Danube'. "Please, don't let me distract you from this delightful lady. We'll catch up later, Georg."

Georg took Maria's hand, his other hand moving to claim her around the waist again.

"I wish we could dance all night," he whispered tenderly.

"I'll be fine," she forced a smile. "Max and Hede will look after me."

"Still…"

"Just think of the children," she tried reassuring him with her soft words.

"I'll be thinking of you as well," he murmured tenderly as they moved around the floor. "You and the children," he whispered. "My family…" the words caught in his throat.

She could see his jaw tighten just before he pulled her closer. "I love you so much, Maria," his words were almost lost in her hair, his breath hot against the shell of her ear.

She tightened her hold on his shoulder, clinging to him. Trusting him with their futures was easy. After all, she already trusted him with her heart.

"What the Hell…?"

Surprised, she looked up at him. "What is…"

"Don't look now… no, no, don't turn around," he hissed under his breath.

"What's wrong?" Maria was fighting the urge to turn around and follow where he was looking.

"What did Max tell us about Elsa?"

"Please, don't tell me…" But he didn't have to. Looking at the way his jaw was set, she already knew the answer. "She's here…" feeling her stomach lurch, she could barely get the words out.

Her heart was pounding hard, her mind was blank. She couldn't think, couldn't breathe. Feeling ill, she felt her throat tighten. Holy Mary, Mother of God…

Just when she thought this evening couldn't get any worse...

Thank you everyone for reading the next instalment of this story.

Apologies, I've had to mangle a little piece of history and its timing in this chapter. The Officer's Ball has been part of Vienna's annual ball season for years. Organised by the Theresian Military Academy (founded in 1751), it was held at Hofburg Palace until the Anschluss in 1938. The ball wasn't held again until 1956, after Austria regained military sovereignty. The Officer's Ball is held in mid-January, but to fit in with the timing in the movie and my story, I've shuffled it back to September 1937, before the Anschluss on 12 March 1938.

I still don't own TSOM, just having a little lend.

"Immerse your soul in love"