A/N Thank you for all the reviews and positive feedback, hope you like this next chapter. Big thank you to Bellarsam Chrisjulittle for beta'ing this chapter.
Enjoy!
A First Time for Everything
Georg met Maria in front of her building. She was already waiting when Georg pulled up in a car that he was able to acquire. Georg was able to secure a limited leave for the night. While he was not responsible to perform official duties, he needed to return to the base by midnight. Georg stepped around the car in a camel-colored woolen coat and dark green fedora. He approached Maria as she came down the steps; they met near the car and smiled widely at each other.
Georg held out his gloved hand to her which she took, as he helped her climb into the jeep. He held her hand a moment longer than necessary. Though both their hands were covered, there was an electricity that seemed to permeate through the leather gloves they each wore. He finally let go and walked around to his end.
As the car roared to life, Maria tightened her scarf around her head.
Georg glanced at her as he began to drive. "I'm sorry for only being able to get a car without a roof."
"It's alright, Captain, I really don't mind."
"It's Georg," he reminded her. He glanced at her again as she blushed.
The drive was quick and quiet as they reached Bremen, the city adjacent to the naval base. Maria had been there a couple of times to buy some personal items. They arrived at a small restaurant; Georg parked the car and helped Maria dismount. The Matridee showed them to the table that Georg had reserved for them.
The table was covered in white linen, and small tea lights sat on it providing a soft glow. Like the gentleman he was, Georg pulled out Maria's chair and waited for her to sit. Maria blushed deeply when she realized what Georg was doing. She was not used to this type of attention. She sat and murmured a soft "thank you" as he sat down opposite her.
They looked at each at other while Maria tried to calm her nerves.
Georg sat back with ease and a content smile on his face. He guessed that this was Maria's first date ever, and he promised himself that he would make it as pleasant as possible for her. Georg was confident in his ability to woo a lady, but Maria was not a typical lady, and Georg knew he would have to move along the relationship slowly.
The waiter came with menus and Georg asked for a bottle of wine with their entrée as they decided what to order. Maria did not know what to order and at the end settled for a snitzle with potato salad on the side. She would have preferred noodles but she did not see it on the menu. Georg ordered a steak with roasted vegetables.
The waiter poured them wine and took their menus from them. Georg raised his glass and clinked it with Maria's glass. Maria smiled as Georg gave her an adorable grin, his blue eyes shining. Georg sipped the wine and closed his eyes enjoying the taste of the expensive wine on his palette. It was a long time since he tasted fine wine.
With a content sigh Georg took another sip. "My old friend, where have you been all my life?" he said dramatically, with a bit of a French accent, while holding up his glass of wine near his face. Maria giggled and felt her remaining nerves wash away with the help of Georg's humor and good mood.
"Well, do you like it?"
Maria took a small sip. "It's alright," she said shyly.
"My dear, you don't need to like it for my behalf," Georg said with a deep laugh. Maria cheeks burned at the term of endearment Georg dropped. Georg did not seem to notice and if he did, he did not comment.
The first course was eaten in a comfortable manner. Maria spoke about her work as a nurse and Georg spoke of his work on submarines. The topics then continued on to happier times in Austria. It was then that Maria admitted to him that she missed the freedom she had there. She missed her mountains, she missed the hills, the grass, and the smell of edelweiss.
"I just wish I had a place that I could run to," she said.
"What do you mean?" He asked
"I suppose…" she hesitated. "I suppose I just need a place where I could escape to. A place where I could be myself. I know it sounds silly," she quickly added.
"I could understand that," Georg said.
"You can?"
"I used to run to my study. After Agathe died, I just would never leave it. My study was my sanctuary when I needed quiet, or when I needed to run from memories."
They ordered dessert and continued talking well into the night, long after the apple strudel was finished and the last of drop of tea was gone. The restaurant was now practically empty when Georg glanced at his watch.
"It is eleven thirty" Georg muttered. "I am afraid we need to head back or my car may turn into a giant pumpkin."
"Fairy godmother waiting up for you?" Maria teased.
"No, more like an evil stepmother."
Maria nodded in understanding as Georg rose and left money on the table. He helped her get on her coat and the two left the restaurant. They were hit by a cold breeze. The temperature had dropped and Maria relished the cool air hitting her burning cheeks.
The two drove in silence to the naval base. They minds were filled with thoughts of each other. When they returned to camp, Georg walked Maria back to her building and the two lingered outside for a few moments more. They spoke softly to each other and Georg asked that they meet again; Maria agreed. It was time to say to say good-bye and the two awkwardly stood next to each other. For the first time that night Georg was unsure what to do. Was Maria expecting a kiss? Was she ready? It was their first date, but they've known each other for a while, and neither could deny the attraction they felt for each other.
Finally, Georg took Maria's hand and kissed her cheek. He looked deeply into her blue eyes and held on to her hand. They finally said good bye, and Maria closed the door to the building and leaned against it. After clasping her hands once with glee, her fingers touched the place on her cheek where Georg had kissed her.
A few days later, Maria received a note from Georg asking her when was the next time they could meet during the day. In three days, Maria would need to work a night shift; she would have the sleep for a few hours during the day, but them she would be free. She wrote back to Georg and he responded with a simple instruction: Dress warmly.
The next three days passed slowly for Maria as she waited for her next date with Georg. After finishing her night shift, Maria tried in vain to sleep. Georg insisted that they meet at two in the afternoon so that Maria would have time to sleep, but she was too excited to see Georg again that she struggled to settle down. After six hours of tossing and turning, Maria finally gave up on sleep and started to get ready, and as Georg requested, she dressed warmly.
At precisely two o'clock, she met Georg outside. He offered her his arm and she placed her hand in the crook of it as he guided her away from her building. Maria was surprised to that he did not have a car with him, but she didn't say anything. They walked out of the quad-like structure and towards the water. They walked past the ships bopping up and down in the gray waters; they walked past the piers, and past all the buildings and warehouses to a desolate road that was surrounded by trees. They walked in silence and Maria did not ask or question where they were going to. She simply trusted Georg. They did not walk much longer when Georg stopped at the edge of a cliff. Wordlessly, Georg went his knees and took out a rope ladder from the backpack he was carrying. He flung the rope ladder around a sturdy oak tree and tied it with expert skill that only any seaman could possess. Georg tugged on the rope to ensure that it was safe and with a raised eyebrow and an open hand he beckoned Maria to follow. Georg went carefully down the rope first and stood ready to help Maria. Maria easily climb down the rope ladder and joined Georg where he stood.
Maria gasped at the sight before her. They stood in an indentation on the side of the cliff, the ground was flat and smooth and below Maria could see dozens of jagged rocks and boulders that stretched out to sea. Massive waves forcefully hit the rocks and in the distance Maria could see the sea stretch out farther and farther from where she stood.
Maria felt Georg's presence as he silently stood beside her.
"How did you find this place?" she asked breathlessly.
"I have a map detailing the landscape around the base. I searched around the other areas and found this one to be the most charming. All I needed was a way to get down from the cliff," he explained. "When I was a cadet I was taught how to tie virtually anything with a thick rope. I haven't needed that skill in a while, but luckily I remembered a thing a two from those days. Do you like it?"
"It's magnificent."
"I'm glad you like it. It is not like your mountains of Austria, but I hoped to bring you something close." He stood even closer to her, so close that if she leaned backwards only a little her back would touch his chest.
Suddenly, he produced a boundle of flowers.
"Edelweiss," she said softly as she fingered the delicate petals as his arm went aroud her. "You did this for me?" she whispered.
"Of course," he replied gently, as she turned to face him. "Do you like it?"
Maria soft reply was lost in the sounds of the winds and the sea hitting the rocks below. She stared out to the endless sea, unable to look into his eyes, which glowed a bright blue. Maria hesitantly rested her head against his chest, and Georg's strongs arms instantly went around her and held her tight. She hardly dared to breathe as she felt him holding her close. Georg... Georg Von Trapp...her former employer...a Captain...a naval hero…a man...holding her, a simple orphan, she thought. He gave her place to run to, a place where she could escape to her thoughts and be herself. No one had ever given her anything since her parents died. She was always an after-thought and was never important enough to get a gift, even a birthday present. His gift was more precious to her than any jewel or any dinner in a fancy restaurant. He knew her, and that thought filled her with joy and yet it overwhelmed her.
Maria did not relize that she was shaking, she did not realize that she was crying. She felt Georg hold her closer still, and he began to sway as he softly sang to her. The sound of his voice, his embrace, and steady beating of his heart calmed her as she slowly felt her tears subside.
When he felt Maria's body calm, Georg let go her enough so that he could see her. Her face was pale and her cheeks were stained with tears that were drying rapidly in the cold air. He cupped her face with his hands and gently guided her lips to his. The kiss was soft and quick, as he let her get aquainted with the sensation. He continued to hold her face as he said the words she never thought any man would say to her.
"I love you."
Her heart was caught to her throat, but her eyes spoke to him of the love she felt for him. He captured her lips once more for a more powerful kiss, then grazed his lips softly across her face before settling his chin above the crown of head.
The stood in a each other's embrace till Georg led her to sit on a smooth hard surface. He opened his bag and took out sandwiches for them to eat and pulled out a blanket which he threw over both their shoulders. They sat in a comfortable silence as they ate. Their bodies close and the blanket they shared provided warmth, and very slowly Maria felt more and more comfortable with having Georg near. By the time the sun was beginning to set, their food was gone, and Maria finally found her voice.
The sky was streaked with the colors of red, pink, and blue as the sun disappeared into the deep dark sea.
"I love you," Maria said softly, and tentatively she kissed him. He responded ardently, and poured all he could into their third kiss as the sun sank below the horizon.
