Chapter 8

It had been decades since Georg von Trapp had been in any physical conflict. Alterations weren't something he was that accustomed to, although he wasn't a stranger to an occasional tavern fight in his youth. And while he was far from helpless should the need arise, the rustiness of his body after the day's events was apparent with every move he made.

But things like age and lack of use had vanished the moment he'd seen Maria with a gun next to her head. It had awakened an energy long-since dormant, and all he had been aware of was an instinctive need to protect her.

Maria and Indiana guided him to a grassy patch, and he sat gingerly. Oddly enough, even though the pain was highly uncomfortable, he was thankful it wasn't as dire as it could have been. Most importantly, Maria appeared to be completely unharmed. That was the only thing he cared about.

She scanned his shoulder, trying to see how badly he'd been hurt. Indiana, seeing that the Captain's injuries weren't severe, turned to the police. Alone, Maria was stricken as she studied Georg's shoulder. He, however, could only register that she was before him.

"Are you unharmed, Fräulein?" he asked. Even though she clearly was, he didn't trust his vision.

She nodded, contrition making her eyebrows furrow. "I am," she said with a weak smile. "But you…"

He took her hands. "It's nothing."

"You're bleeding."

"I've bled before."

"But this…" she gulped, bowing her head. "I insisted we accompany Dr. Jones."

He released a breath. "Maria." His voice was soft, and he waited for her to slowly look up to meet his gaze. "We did the right thing," he said and nodded at the thieves. "The ring is safe."

She blinked, dubious.

Using his good arm, he gently took her hand in his. "And you are safe. I am sorry I let you out of my sight."

"I should have walked faster," she said. A breeze shifted the trees, creating patches of sunlight to fall over her.

Georg's eyes searched her face. "If anything had happened to you…"

Maria's cheeks reddened as she pressed her hands together Georg shifted and then grimaced; he'd forgotten about his shoulder.

Maria frowned, pulling her hand out of his. "How bad does it hurt?"

He hoped he could hide the extent from her. "Not too bad, but I guess we should see the damage."

"Perhaps we should go to a surgeon," she suggested.

"Perhaps, but until then…" Georg started to shrug his injured shoulder, hissing as it protested.

"Let me," Maria insisted and leaned forward. But as she reached for the buttons of his jacket, she paused and slowly looked up.

Georg had fallen very still.

"You...the wound should be tended to," she said. He could only nod.

Maria's blush extended to her neck, and she haltingly reached out for the buttons, her fingers trembling. She quickly looked up at him, and Georg realized this was the closest he'd been to her without being tossed around by a racing car. Her skin was sprinkled with freckles, something he hadn't known before. He found them enchanting.

She gulped and looked away, resuming her mission and working efficiently to finish the task in as little time as possible. Georg somehow couldn't move, nor could he stop watching her, mesmerized by the golden shimmer of her hair and the quick elegance she possessed as she worked.

While he could not take his eyes off of her, she was incapable of meeting his gaze. She became lost in the task, falling behind the mask of care-giver; it helped keep her breathing at a somewhat even pace. Once the buttons were undone, she reached down to tug the jacket from his good shoulder. Georg's own face heated. She leaned closer to him to unwrap the jacket from his back. Inhaling, he wondered if she always wore rosewater perfume. Would a postulant even wear perfume? He immediately stopped that train of thought and stared intently at the building in front of him.

It took him a few moments to realize she had stopped. And that the rosewater had disappeared. He turned to see her looking concerned.

"I cannot remove the jacket from your injured arm, Captain," she said.

"Oh, of course," Georg stammered, blinking. He flexed his left fingers and inhaled sharply. He met her gaze, and he smiled for her sake. "All set." He stretched his arm, failing in his attempt to hide any indication of pain.

Maria swallowed and again scooted closer to him as she quickly, but with the grace he'd expected, rolled the sleeve down his arm. The cool air sharpened the sting in his shoulder, but once accustomed, it was a relief to be somewhat exposed to the fresh air, albeit still covered by his shirt.

From his limited vantage point, Georg could see a fair amount of blood soaking the fabric, but it still didn't seem as bad as he'd feared. He wasn't about to suggest to Maria that she remove the shirt as well, for his sake as well as hers. He reached up with his good arm and gently prodded. A sharp burn made him stop, and he exhaled. There was nothing more they could do at the moment; he'd have to visit a surgeon, before or after they'd spoken to the police. Georg sighed; this was almost as taxing as being chased by the thieves.

He glanced up at Maria and seemed to come to a similar conclusion that she could do no more.

"I think it feels worse than it is," she said.

Nodding, he met her gaze and grinned. "Do you have nursing experience, Fräulein?"

The question seemed to break whatever spell had fallen over them. Her expression relaxed. "I grew up on a farm and I'm watching your children. I know what's serious and what's not."

"You let my children play with knives?"

She grinned. Encouraged, he looked over and saw the police were starting to shove the thieves in the patrol cars. He returned to Maria. "What were you thinking?"

"What?"

"When you doubled over to start the…the…" Georg stammered. "How did you know to do that?"

Maria shrugged. "I got into a few scrapes in school," she said.

Georg's eyes widened. "And are you also teaching my children about these scrapes?" he asked in mock horror.

She laughed before scanning around. "I need to find something to tie your arm," she said.

"Just use my jacket," he suggested.

Her mouth twisted in discontent, but she complied. She guided his left hand to his opposite chest.

"This is a little clumsy," she said, wrapping the jacket around his back and tying it tightly. "But it'll do until we get to a doctor."

She exhaled when she was finished, letting the stress fade as best she could.

"Better me than you," he offered, reaching out with his right hand to clasp her own.

The contrition had returned to her eyes.

"Maria," he said, wondering when he'd dropped her title.

She inhaled sharply. "I still feel guilty."

Georg shook his head. "You are fine, the ring is safe, and we met an American."

She released a sharp laugh. "Are they all like…" She turned and waved at their new friend.

"I sincerely hope not," Georg answered.

Maria studied the professor. "He has a good heart, and he is either brave or foolish."

Georg nodded. "Sometimes there's little difference."

"True," Maria agreed and turned back to him. She inhaled, and her smile was shy. The wind caught her short hair again, shifting it slightly and sending that wonderfully light scent of rose water back to him. Maria had proven once again to be a woman full of surprises. She was resourceful, determined, and passionate, and Georg wondered what else he didn't know about this rather amazing woman.

A shadow descended over them. Looking up, they saw Indiana and a policeman approaching. Georg wasn't sure if he was relieved or disappointed the moment was over as Maria stood and helped him to his feet.

"They'd like to take a few statements," Indiana started. "But that should be all. The police wish we return the ring to Father Gärtner, although I strongly suggested we keep the fake ring in St. Erentrude's tomb."

"It is their decision," Georg said. "Although I agree that it should be kept in a safer place."

Maria looked up at Indiana. "And you'll still come to dinner? That is…" She turned shyly to the Captain. "If…"

Georg smiled. "If you're not tired of our company, Dr. Jones."

Indiana shook his head. "You still want me around? After all this?" He gestured at the scene behind them.

Maria nodded. "The children would want to meet the man who led us on such an adventure."

The American seemed to be debating, but then his shoulders relaxed. "Yeah, you know what, I could go for some peace."

The Captain snorted at that. "I did mention there are seven children."

"Oh, they're angels!" Maria interjected.

Indiana laughed. "After today, seven kids sound rather soothing."

A policeman approached. "Whenever you're ready, Baron von Trapp."

Indiana stepped aside to allow Georg and Maria passage to the remaining police car. The policeman opened the front door, stepping back for Maria to climb inside. She paused before she ducked down, turning to look back at her two companions. Her eyes met Georg's, and she smiled brightly. The soreness of Georg's shoulder was a dim memory as something far more pleasant fluttered inside his chest. She climbed into the car, and the policeman gently closed the door. Indiana and Georg circled the vehicle to the other back door. Before opening it, Indiana paused and turned toward his friend.

"I don't know about you, Captain, but if she was looking at me like that, I'd talk her out of becoming a nun."

To be continued...

A/N: I updated this chapter to my original idea.