A/N: Hello everyone!! Ok, I know it has been far, far too long since I updated, I promise I won't let it happen again. Anyway enough from me – on with the story!! Enjoy…

Disclaimer: I still don't own the Sound of Music, damn it!

7. Almost…

Maria saw so much more of the von Trapp's over the following days, often going round after tea and staying for supper. She soon got used to the children's chatter, laughter and arguments that she had missed so much.

But she never got used to Georg.

She often felt him looking at her from across the room, and it made it hard to concentrate on whatever task she was involved in at the time. After the night he had walked her home, she felt his presence very heavily, and felt almost wary of him. She tried to reason with herself, it had been nothing and had meant nothing. But the amazing range of feelings that swept through her body when she just thought about him began to scare her. It was as though the memories and emotions of the previous summer were coming back to haunt her, and she began to remember the reasons why she had returned to the Abbey. Sometimes the intensity of her feelings made it hard for her to breathe, let alone think straight. She found she could no longer look him I the eye or talk to him in a normal manner, even though it was the thing she wanted to do most – have a normal friendly relationship with the Captain.

It was Saturday evening, and Maria was occupying the children in the lounge, while Georg and Liesl washed the supper dishes. She was playing one last game of "SNAP" with Marta and Gretl.

"Do you remember the picnics we used to go for in the mountains in Austria?" Maria heard the older siblings reminisce.

"Yes! Do you remember that time we played hide and seek and you couldn't find me for hours and hours." Grinned Kurt.

"And that time Brigitta climbed that tree to read her book and couldn't climb back down again!" chuckled Louisa.

"Well," snapped Brigitta. " How about the time Friedrich put a frog in your hat and you ran screaming for miles." Louisa glowered at her younger sister.

Maria thought she should probably intervene before the discussion turned into a full-blown argument.

"I have an idea," she announced, and the children all turned to hear what their beloved Frauline had to say. "How about we all go for a picnic tomorrow?"

Her declaration was greeted with enthusiasm all round. Marta and Gretl jumped up and down in excitement, while the older children exchanged eager looks, then Louisa's face fell,

"But Father will never let us go. He says it's far too dangerous to go up into the mountains in a place we don't know."

"How about I talk to him?" Maria suggested. She felt her heart fall. She wasn't sure if it was caused by the prospect of having to talk to Georg, or because she knew how stubborn he could be. Nevertheless she gave the children a reassuring smile.

"I'm sure I can change his mind."

She left asking him until the last possible moment. Liesl usually walked Maria across the road, to Maria's immense relief, and she had just gone to fetch her jacket, leaving Maria and Georg in the hallway with a slightly uncomfortable silence.

It's now or never, Maria thought to herself, trying to look anywhere but at Georg's face, instead fixing her eyes on a nail in the wall behind his left ear.

"Erm…Captain I was wondering...I was…" She began.

"Yes?" Georg felt like laughing at her confusion and embarrassment - she looked so innocent, but managed to suppress it.

"I was wondering… well the children were wondering if I could take them for a picnic tomorrow?" It came out as a long jumbled rush of words. Georg looked at her inquisitively for a few moments, causing Maria to turn red. Then his face broke into a kind smile,

"Of course the children can go on a picnic with you tomorrow." His expression turned more serious,

"On one condition."

She met his eyes with her own, and immediately wished she hadn't, as she found it extremely hard to pull them away again.

"What is that Captain?" She tried to keep her as level and expressionless as possible, even though her heart was beating hard against her rib cage.

"That you take me with you"

Maria found it hard to sleep that night. She tossed and turned wondering how on earth she would get through the following day. She knew the children would go off exploring, leaving her and Georg. What would they talk about? She felt so exasperated with herself. Why couldn't she control her feelings like most people did? Eventually she fell into an exhausted sleep, her mind still whirring.

Maria woke early, her stomach full of excited butterflies. She stood in front of the wardrobe for ages antagonising over which dress to wear. What is the matter with me, she wondered. She never usually bothered about what she wore. Finally she decided on a new blue dress that she had made herself just the previous week. She also packed a small parcel of food as her contribution to the picnic, although she didn't know how she would ever eat anything.

She heard the children running and shouting down the street. They were all going to go to church together. It and been Maria's idea, she had wanted to go for a few weeks, but had not felt like going on her own, as neither Helga or Frau Schact were regular church goers. She had never in her wildest dreams imaged that Georg would want to go too. He had always made the impression that he no longer wanted anything to do with religion. However when she had suggestion that she take the children he had confine in her that he felt it was time that he brought God back into his life. Maria was surprised, but as a former nun she did not feel that it was a bad idea. On the contrary, she thought it was a very good idea; she was just slightly apprehensive about spending even more time with him, though of course she wouldn't have to think of anything to say. In fact it might be nice just to sit there in the same room as him…

Georg felt the happiest he had in a long time as he shut the door of the flat and followed his children down he steps. In fact it felt as if he was shutting all his fears and worries away and just enjoying the company of his children for one day. He hadn't told Maria, he didn't want to embarrass her, but it was her coming back into their lives that had persuaded him that it was time God did too. True, a lot of bad things had happened in his life, but so, so many good things had too, and it made him think that there must be something to it all.

He felt his breath catch in his throat at his first glimpse of her. She was wearing a dress he didn't remember seeing before, and the colour exactly matched that of her eyes. Her golden hair, now slightly longer than in the summer, seemed to shine around her head like a halo. She smiled timidly at him, and he felt his heart began to beat twice as fast as usual. Why did she make him feel like this? Was it just because of the kindness that she had shown to his family? He really wished he could say it was – life was too complicated already.

Maria finally got the children to quieten down as they approached the church, and they all filed into the pew silently. Somehow Maria found herself sitting next to Georg at the end of the row. A few times their knees bumped slightly, sending shivers up Maria's leg. She felt her face growing hotter and hotter. At one point they both reached for the bible in front of them at the same time, his hand fitting warmly and snugly on top of hers. Maria quickly snatched her hand away, but could not help noticing how comfortable their hands had felt.

The rest of the service passed without incident, but as they left the pew, Maria felt Georg's hand on the small of her back. She turned round slightly but he seemed to be deep in conversation with Freidric. It must have been an accident she decided, annoyed at herself for being so naïve.

On their walk to the picnic the children ran ahead, leaving Maria and Georg to walk behind. Maria's unease soon evaporated, as Georg chatted with her about the weather and other mundane subjects. By the time they reached the "ideal" picnic spot that the children had discovered she even found herself laughing at his little jokes and sarcastic comments.

The rest of the afternoon was spent eating, playing games and talking. Maria forgot all her nervousness of earlier; in fact she forgot about everything except playing with the children and having as much fun as she had during the summer.

As dusk approached, the autumn day that had been quite mind, began to turn chilly, and Georg decided it was time they headed home. The children walked at a slower pace on the return journey, their legs weary from running around the mountains, so by the time they reached the village night had fallen.

"Liesl, will you walk the others home and start preparing the tea while I show Frauline Maria home?" He handed his eldest daughter the key.

"Captain I really don't think that's necessary…" Maria protested, beginning to feel slightly awkward again.

"Necessary it is Frauline" Georg used his no-nonsense voice with her, making it clear she could not change his mind.

They walked in silence for a few moments, the chatter of the children growing more distant. Maria began to feel awkward,

"Well the children all seemed to enjoy themselves today didn't they Captain, it's so good for children to have fresh air…" She knew she was rambling, but did he really have to turn and look at her in such a way? His blue eyes penetrating hers, that lopsided grin again, no, more of a smirk really, but a very sexy one. Then he gave a small chuckle.

"You know, seen as you are no longer my children's governess, and I no longer your employer, I guess you don't need to call me Captain anymore, I'm sure Georg will be sufficient." She saw the twinkles in his eye, the one she loved so much. Oh! How long she had wanted to say that word out loud…

"Georg" they both laughed, "Well I suppose I could manage that. But only if you'll call me Maria, none of this Frauline business"

He smiled,

"Of course, Maria."

The sound of her name, uttered from those lips made her shudder slightly, combined with the fact that their faces seemed to be getting closer, she could feel his breath gently on her cheek. Then she felt his hand slip around her waist, and Maria couldn't help thinking how right it seemed. Their faces came closer still, lips almost touching now. On their own accord she felt her hands move over his shoulders, and drape themselves around his neck. What are you doing? a little voice in her head called. There was a clatter of footsteps on the pavement behind them. The couple flew apart, Maria could feel her cheeks burning as she turned round in horror to see Liesl, out of breath from running.

"Sorry, Father it's just that I couldn't get the key to work in the lock, we all tried, so the others sent me to find you". If the girl had seen anything she covered up well.

"I was just coming" Georg's voice was abrupt, " Goodnight Frauline" He barely glanced at her before striding into the night.

"Goodnight Frauline" Liesl yelled, raising her hand in a wave.

Maria sat down heavily on the steps to her flat. How could I have let my feelings show like that? She wondered, how did I get so carried away? She sat out in the cold, her head playing over and over those small few seconds. She felt so confused; did this mean Georg had feelings for her too? After all he had been the one who asked her to call him by his first name, the one who had put his hands around her waist. Suddenly it all became too much, her head in her hands her shoulders began to shake as she sobbed her heart out – something she hadn't done for a long, long time.

And all she could hear was his final greeting, and all she could see was his dark figure striding fiercely away.

Finally all the children were in bed. Georg stood at the window in his bedroom, staring absently at the stars twinkling above. He thought back to that morning, how long ago it seemed now. He had felt so happy, so carefree. Now he felt wretched, everything seemed wrong. All the problems of money had come crashing down on his shoulders again, the small amount that he had been able to bring with him from Austria was disappearing fast, both Freidric and Gretl had grown enormously in the last month or so, Liesl needed new school books and then there was the rent and food bills.

And of course there was Maria. Maria who had been so kind to his family, through everything. Maria who loved his children like her own. Maria who he loved, and had always loved. Maria who he should have married instead of Elsa. Maria who's innocence he had abused.

And all he could see was the hurt look on her face as he had left so abruptly.