Georg softly says her name. His eyes dart all over her trembling body looking for any signs of injury.

He hears Zeller moan as he regains consciousness. He watches as the man rises.

"Captain this isn't the end of this, you will pay for what you have done to me. And as for you" he says pointing at Maria "I would have been the best you ever had.

"Zeller I am not scared by your empty threats, you are lucky I have not called the police. Now leave my house and if you ever return I will finish the job I started" the Captain says as he steps toward Zeller.

Georg watches as Zeller slowly limps out of the gazebo and heads towards the side gate. His attention returns to Maria. He walks over to her and puts his hands on her shoulders.

" Are you all right" he asks her looking into her eyes. She looks at him and slowly nods yes. Still looking at her he gives her a questioning look. She can no longer hide her true emotions, the yes slowly becomes a no as tears slowly roll down her face. The Captain gently pulls her into a comforting embrace. His hands slowly encircle her back.

" I'm sorry Captain I guess I must have given him the wrong impression of me. I would never want a man like that to give me attention" she says as she holds him tighter.

" No Maria, Zeller is an animal. The thought that he was trying to .. Well I am glad I got here in time to stop him" he says handing her his handkerchief.

" How did you know that I was out here" she says wiping her eyes.

"I was looking for you. I asked Frau Schmidt if she had seen you and she told me you had been on the terrace with Elsa. She also told me you seemed upset and had run off toward the gardens." he says as she slowly steps away from him their bodies still close.

" I went to Elsa to find out what had happened. At first she avoided the real reason you had run off but when I pressed the issue she told me what she had said to you. I'm so sorry Maria, Elsa was way out of line, she was jealous of you. I have called off our engagement. I..

" Oh Captain it is me who should apologize. I will go and pack right now. I should never have come here. I have ruined everything for you and the children" she says as she tries to leave.

Reaching out his hand he gently takes hers "No, Maria if you had not come here I would never have found my children again. Never have found the joy in music. Never have found the joy in life again. Never have found the one woman who could make me whole again. Elsa was never right for me. I realize that now.

" But Captain I thought you wanted to marry the Baroness" she says looking down.

He gently touches her chin lifting it up so that her eyes are looking directly into his " How could I have married her when I am in love with… you"

He slowly leans down to gently touch her lips with his. Closing her eyes she can scarcely breathe. For what seems like hours his lips are on hers. She feels him release her as she slowly opens her eyes. His hands go to her face as he softly whispers " I love you"

His lips go to hers once more, only this time the kiss is longer as the Captain pulls her closer to his body, his arms encircle her back. He deepens the kiss knowing full well he is the first to kiss her this way. Her arms tighten around him. Their bodies so close that nothing could come between them. Her knees go weak as Georg slowly kisses her neck. The growing feeling in her stomach causes a low pitch moan that slowly escapes her throat.

" Maria…. He is cut off as they both hear a voice calling Georgs name.

Looking up Georg sees Max walking towards them.

"There you are Georg" he says as he gets closer. He notices Maria is also there. He also notices the exchange of looks that Maria and Georg give each other. " Fraulein I was beginning to think you were avoiding me. I was hoping for a dance"

" Max, you will get to dance with her tonight" he says smiling at her

" Georg do you know what is going on with Elsa. I saw her leave a few minutes ago, luggage in hand., She mumbled something about you and the Fraulein but I could not hear what she said."

" Elsa is probably going back top Vienna. We called off our engagement. We just didn't want the same things. I wasn't in love with her Max, I realize that now. To marry her would have been a lie"

Maria looks at Georg. He moves closer to her and takes her hand in his. Max watches, not surprised at what he sees.

" You see Max I am in love with Maria. I have been for a while. She loves me too" he says bringing her hand to his lips for a kiss.

" Thank God you both finally realized it . The rest of us were wondering when it would finally happen"

" The rest of you? Georg asks

" Yes the children and myself. They have seen the way you look at each other. Brigitta is the one who mentioned it to me, she notices everything."

" Yes I know, somebody once mentioned that to me" he says smiling at Maria.

They all head toward the house. Georg enters the ballroom, Marias arm tucked firmly under his. All heads turn as they begin to dance. Max looks around the room at the shock and surprise on the faces of the guests. He can only imagine the gossip that will be in the air. All ready he sees the guests whispering to each other. His eyes turn back to his friend and the woman in his arms. He is thrilled to see his friend so happy, so much in love.

The music stops but Maria and Georg are still swaying softly. Suddenly realizing that the music has ended they stop dancing and smile at each other. Looking around the room Georg motions for the orchestra to keep playing as he leads Maria off the ballroom floor.

" Georg they're all staring at us" Maria says as she looks around the room. Georg surveys the room. He laughs a little to himself.

"Indeed they are. I guess they are staring at the same thing I am" he says looking deeply into her eyes.

Her breath catches as she sees the way Georg is looking at her. It takes every ounce of willpower he has not to take her in his arms and kiss her long and deep. Wanting to be alone with her he decides to end the party a little earlier. He asks Maria to go to his study where they can talk in private.

He announces to his guests that the next dance will be the last one of the evening. He thanks them for coming and bids them goodnight. The orchestra begins to play as he makes his way around the room to personally say goodbye. He finishes his goodbyes and heads to his study.

Opening the door his breath catches . He smiles as he sees her. Her head leant to one side leaning on the cushion of his couch. Feet tucked under her. She sleeps. He watches her chest rise and fall with each breath Trying not to wake her he slowly walks toward her. She stirs as if she knows he is there. Her eyes flutter open. She sees him and smiles. He sits beside her as she leans into him. He wraps his arms around her as she puts her head on his chest.

"I didn't realize how tired I was" she says as she feels him kiss the top of her head.

"It's understandable after all that has happened tonight" Georg takes her hand in his. She looks up at him and sees a question forming in his eyes.

" What? She asks as she sits up facing him now.

" It amazes me how well you can read my thoughts" he says caressing her cheek with the back of his hand. He gently kisses her lips as she places her arms around his neck.

Maria protests mildly as he pulls away from her lips.

" Maria"

"Yes"

" I need to ask you something, and before you answer me I want you to think about what it would mean"

" What is it, is something wrong?

" No, I'm sorry this is not how I wanted this to go.

" Maria I want … I love you will you… Please I ask you to….

" Georg what are you trying to ask me.

Taking a deep breath Georg looks into her eyes.

" Maria I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I am asking you to marry me. I love you. I know I am older than you but….

Maria puts her finger on his lips to stop him.