Chapter Eight: Almost Kind

The sun was filtering through the curtains as birds chirped happily outside. It was another beautiful day in Salzburg.

However, Elsa gave no damns to what the weather was like as she finished pinning her hair. She had missed breakfast – she normally did – as she had no urge to get up early and listen to the boisterous children and their unruly governess.

She had been disappointed that Georg had been unable to join her and Max last night. At least Max was always good company. But still, she was feeling a little neglected, which was something Elsa Schraeder was not used to feeling. After the embarrassment of last week, Elsa had been furious with Georg, but he had managed to make it up to her with a little lavish affair with a few friends. Casting a glance along the dressing table, she picked up the glittering diamond necklace he'd given her and placed it carefully around her neck.

Max had told her that Georg had been indisposed and that he'd make it up to her. Well, it had better be good, she thought, as she rose from her seat and cast one last glance in the mirror before she left the room.

It was frustrating trying to have to compete for Georg's attention. She had never had to do such a thing in Vienna – Georg had barely even mentioned his children! The last thing she'd heard from him about them before they left was him possibly considering sending the brats off to a proper boarding school. But all of a sudden he was now with them all the time and if he wasn't with them, he was talking of them all of time – and it was all because of that little nun. Elsa paused at the bottom of the grand staircase.

That girl was certainly like no governess Elsa had had, or seen, before. It was so undignified! And the way she spoke to Georg was positively beastly.

As she reached Georg's study and knocked on the door and entered, her thoughts were stopped short. The room was empty. With a puzzled frown, she left the room and went about the villa in search of the man. After searching a few usual rooms for Georg, she was left feeling even more frustrated. Where was he? Max had said last night that he would make it up to her and now he was nowhere to be found! With an annoyed huff, she made a beeline for the terrace where she had spotted Max lounging.

"Max," she called out as she approached.

"Mmm?"

"Where is Georg?" she asked, placing a hand on her hip. "I've been searching for him everywhere and I can't find him."

Max hesitated. He had no idea how Elsa would react to the news of last night. True to his word to Georg, he had not informed Elsa as to what had happened with the governess and the attack. He had simply told the elegant woman that the Captain had retired for the evening and would make it up to her.

"Ah…" said Max. "He's a little under the weather."

"He seemed perfectly fine after dinner, Max," said Elsa, recalling the feel of his hands on her waist.

"It was quite a sudden attack," said Max, nodding to himself. It was a true statement. It just wasn't perfectly honest.

Elsa's eyes narrowed. "You're not telling me something, darling."

Max sighed. "I just didn't want you to worry, Elsa."

"Worry?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

Max sat up straighter in his chair. "Georg was attacked last night."

Elsa's hand flew to her chest. "What happened? Is he all right?" Is his face all right?

"He went outside…" Max trailed off as he tried to think of a valid reason Georg would be outside. "For a walk. And he was attacked by some drunken youths. Part of that Nazi group. He was attacked with a knife."

"Oh, my…" said Elsa, collapsing into a chair. "I cannot believe you didn't tell me!"

"He didn't want you to worry," replied Max soothingly.

Elsa let a smile spread across her lips. Of course he wouldn't want her to worry. He was such a gentleman. Her smile faltered as she fully took in what Max had said.

"I have told him not to be so against the political flow," she said. "He never listens."

"I bet he loved that."

"Yes, well…" Elsa cleared her throat and stood up. She wiped a non-existent tear from her eye and sucked in a dramatic breath. "I'm going to go check on him, my poor Georg."

Mathilde Schmidt bustled. She tried to be calm and to take her time. But seeing that poor boy all pale had made her heart ache. She didn't care if he was forty-six, he would always be the same boy who pulled his sister hair and caused his parents to ship him off to the naval academy. Georg von Trapp never looked helpless. She'd only seen him look it once, and that had been when dear Agathe had taken ill and the doctor had told the Captain that she wouldn't have much longer to live. Mathilde would never forget his face. It was the reason she had stuck by, whistles and all.

She fluffed a pillow absentmindedly and ignored the scowl on her employer's face.

"Frau Schmidt, there is no need for all this fuss," said Georg, shifting awkwardly in his bed.

He was sitting upright, slightly propped up by a million pillows as a Doctor Herz finished placing a fresh bandage around Georg's injured arm. The doctor was starting to get on Georg's nerves; he was fairly young and not Georg's usual physician. With his blonde hair and infuriating bubbly attitude, Georg thought he should have been an actor in one of those horrible theatre troupes that came around during the spring and summer festivals.

"Now, Georg," said the doctor with an irritatingly charming grin. "You will need to rest up for a few days – just a few. You lost a fair amount of blood and that wound looked quite nasty. It wasn't very deep but there is a lot of bruising. I've given Frau Schmidt an ideal meal plan for the moment, just to get you back up and running."

The doctor patted Georg on the shoulder. He wished Doctor Folke had been free to see him, but no, he hadn't been and so this overgrown schoolboy had been sent instead.

"I'll make sure it's all done, Doctor," said Frau Schmidt, giving the Captain a smile. "We will get you out of this bed in no time, Captain."

"Thank you," said Georg, hating how pathetic his voice sounded. The doctor had injected him with something, and whatever it was, it was starting to make him feel decidedly sluggish. Though, it was certainly helping with the pain.

"Now, you will need to get that bandage changed twice a day – morning and night," continued the doctor. "I've left cream and antiseptic in the bathroom, Captain, but you will need help. I'm sure Frau Schmidt won't mind."

There was a polite knock on the door before it opened a fraction and Fraulein Maria poked her head in. All three of them turned to look at her.

"Uhh," said Maria. "Sorry, I just wanted to see-"

"Come in, come in!" said Doctor Herz jovially, walking up to Maria and taking her hand. "I was just telling the Captain he will need to have his bandages changed twice a day. I suggested Frau Schmidt help him, but of course you can do it." He beamed at her.

"Me?" asked Maria, slightly bewildered.

"Yes," said the Doctor, his happy smile fading somewhat as he looked between Maria and the Captain. "I'm sorry, aren't you Baroness von Trapp?"

Maria's heart sped up without her permission and she hastily avoided looking at the Captain.

"Oh," said Maria slowly. "I'm not the Baroness, I'm the children's governess." With her eyes fixed on the doctor, she realised that he was fairly attractive. He had such a lovely smile that she couldn't help but return it.

"Yes, our dear Maria was the one that made sure the Captain's arm was cleaned and wrapped last night," interjected Frau Schmidt with a warm smile aimed at Maria. "And I'm sure she wouldn't mind giving me a hand."

"Ahh," said the doctor, not one to be dismayed. "No worries, then. Fraulein, I'm sure you'll continue to be a help and someone can let Baroness von Trapp know too."

"There is no Baroness von Trapp," interjected Georg with a growl, not liking the way Fraulein Maria had smiled at the idiot doctor. "She died." He felt his heart clench as he said the words. "Did Lucas – Doctor Folke - not tell you this?" He was sick of this man, he didn't care if he had the magical drugs with him, Georg just wanted him out of his room. Actually he wanted everyone out of his room. Except the governess, a little voice in his head said. He gripped the sheet in frustration.

The smile on the doctor's face faltered. "Uh, maybe. I'm sorry – so many patients. I apologise, Captain." The happy smile returned. "But this lady did do a marvellous job last night, you're very lucky Captain von Trapp."

Sensing that the Captain was close to exploding, Frau Schmidt hastily ushered the doctor out of the room and downstairs.

Maria just stood awkwardly by the end of the Captain's bed, her eyes darting around the room rapidly. It was such a large room, and she had expected it to be like the study, all dark wood and rich leather. But it was like most of the house. Cheerfully upholstered in shades of cream and yellow, with large windows and even a balcony. There were a few closed doors, two on one side and a third on the other. And she couldn't deny her curiosity about what lay behind them.

Her eyes finally landed back on the Captain, his face was quite pale and he was watching her – though she noted his eyes looked heavy. She was also aware of the fact that he had no shirt on; she fixed her eyes on a spot above his head.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, Captain," Maria began. "But I just wanted to make sure you were all right."

"I'm just fine, Fraulein," Georg managed to say. "You should return to the children." She nodded and turned to leave, but he called out to her and she spun around to face him once more. "Though, you will return here after the children have gone to bed. Just because I am confined to my room does not mean you get to slack off."

Maria just smiled and resisted the urge to roll her eyes; he was certainly going to be fine if he had enough energy to patronize her. In an odd way, it made her happy. "Of course, Captain."

Turning, she made her way back to the door but it swung open dramatically, nearly whacking Maria in the face. It was Baroness Schraeder, her face the perfect picture of concern.

"Georg-!"

Elsa stopped suddenly, a hand pressed to her forehead. The governess was standing in Georg's bedroom. She resisted the urge to narrow her eyes and purse her lips. What the hell was she doing in here?

"Fraulein Maria, what are you doing in here?" she asked sweetly, lowering her hand.

Maria hesitated before rallying with a smile. "I was just leaving – I just wanted to make sure the Captain was all right." With that, she quickly fled out of the room.

Elsa watched her leave before turning her attention to Georg. All thoughts of the governess left as she took in his appearance, he looked awful. Though, she mused, he wasn't wearing very much clothing and it certainly was a lovely view of his chest. At least they hadn't mutilated him, she thought. She walked over to his side and sat carefully on the edge of the bed, careful not to crumple her dress.

"Darling, I just heard from Max about last night," she said, placing a hand on his arm and completely ignoring the wince it elicited from him. "Oh, I can't believe it!"

"Elsa," said Georg gently, removing her hand from his injured arm. "I will be just fine, there is nothing to worry about. Just a minor cut."

"You were stabbed!"

"And I will be fine," Georg insisted.

Laying a hand on his chest, Elsa leant forward and hurriedly covered his lips with her own. She was abruptly pushed away, and she couldn't help the way her brow creased in frustration.

"Georg!"

"I'm not fit for company now, Elsa," said Georg, struggling to right himself. "While the doctor has given me quite a dose of pain medication, it is still uncomfortable." He didn't want to be rude, but the feel of Elsa on him had caused his body to complain. And it wasn't just due to the pain. He just didn't want her around him right now.

With a graceful sigh, Elsa smoothed her skirts and stood up. "I apologise, darling, I just thought you might want some… comfort." She smiled at him winningly and couldn't help but notice his less than enthusiastic response. But she waved the thought away, he was clearly too drugged right now to be in his right mind.

It had nothing to do with her. Naturally.

"'Franz do this, Franz do that!'"

Thud.

"Ugh!"

Sofia paused, her feather duster held loosely in one hand as she cleaned a small statue. Brow furrowing, she pushed her hair out of her face and made her way towards the source of the noise. However, her feet came skidding to a halt as she realised the direction she was heading in – towards the west wing.

The doors were open to the main hall of the forbidden wing and she could hear the sound of Franz's angry outburst accompanied by more thuds. She nearly screamed when the butler himself came hurrying through the entryway, narrowly avoiding running straight into her.

"What are you doing, Sofia?" he demanded.

"I heard all the noise," she said, her eyes drawn to the box in his arms. "What are you doing in the west wing – we aren't allowed in there! I'm not even allowed to clean that part of the house." She gestured with the feather duster wildly. "And I'm sure it could use a good clean!"

"I am head of household," said Franz, his nose in the air. "I do not need to explain myself to you."

Sofia frowned. "I thought Frau Schmidt was."

The man just glared at her. "I am certainly higher up the food chain than you." He sniffed. "Anyway, I'm sure you heard about what happened last night."

Sofia nodded, of course she did. She was a housemaid after all, and if the household staff didn't know what was going on, well, they weren't very good at being household staff.

"I did," she said in tones of excitement. "I heard he lost a lot of blood."

"And apparently all his senses too," muttered Franz. "He wants me to take things out of the attic – out of it!" Franz readjusted his grip on the box. "And he now wants the whole wing cleaned up." He muttered something under his breath and then he focused his attention back on Sofia, shoving the box in her arms. "Here, you take these into the study and clean them. I will be back for them later."

The man walked off back into the wing, still grumbling under his breath. Sofia looked at the box in her arms and saw the scribbled "photos" written on the side. In a rush, she was down the foyer and hurriedly pushing into the Captain's study.

It was unbelievable, but yet there it was for the eye to see.

Maria stared at the large bookshelf that lined one wall of the nursery. It was filled with books, toys and other learning equipment, but now, it also had two beautifully framed portraits. One was of a newly wedded couple, and Maria had recognised the man instantly; it was the Captain (albeit much younger than the one she knew now), but she had also recognised the woman instantly too. The wedding dress she was wearing was the same one in the attic, but that hadn't been the reason Maria had known it was the late Baroness von Trapp so easily. It was the set of her eyes, the smile on her face, the tilt of her nose. It was everything. She could see bits and pieces of the children in that face, in the way she held herself.

"She's beautiful," Maria breathed.

"Isn't she?" said Liesl with a small smile on her face. "She was beautiful both inside and out."

"She had the prettiest laugh," said Brigitta.

"Yeah," agreed Friedrich.

There was a comfortable silence as all the children, and Maria, stood staring at the wedding photo. Then her eyes slid over to the one next to it, it was a family portrait, and though there were only six children present in the photo, Maria could see the swell of the Baroness's stomach that indicated little Gretl was along the way. The children all looked so young and Maria had instantly felt a surge within her heart that she wished she could have seen them when they were small. They all looked so happy, each one smiling. Even the Captain had a slight quirk of the lips, and Maria had noted all the shining medals adorned on his official uniform.

"Is Father going to be okay?" asked Marta, clutching at Maria's dress and staring up at her with her doll like eyes.

Maria nodded and gave the little girl a reassuring smile. "Of course he is."

"He didn't seem okay," said Brigitta, her voice unsure.

"Don't worry, he's a big naval hero," said Liesl, she pointed at the family portrait. "He was even decorated by the emperor."

"I know…" said Brigitta.

Maria sighed, this morning she'd taken the children in to visit their father and it had been awful. The man had barely been able to form a coherent sentence - whatever that doctor had given him had knocked most of his senses out. Marta had started to cry and so she had hurriedly ushered them out of the room and back into the nursery for lessons. But they hadn't been able to focus. It had been a gift from God when Franz had come in and, with great ceremony, placed the two photographs on the shelf.

There was a jovial knock on the door and Max came sauntering in.

"What with all the glum faces?" he asked.

"Father is sick," said Gretl in a small voice.

Max waved a hand. "He's not sick, he just had a little accident. He will be just fine. Come now, I've seen your father fight through worse things than some little scratch!

The children all looked disbelieving between Maria and Max.

"Don't you trust me?" he asked.

"No," said Louisa.

Max grinned. "Clever girl! Though, this is one thing you can trust your old uncle on." He clapped his hands together enthusiastically. "Now, I do have a little surprise for you all downstairs in the ballroom."

"That sounds wonderful, " said Maria gratefully, thankful for anything to try and get the children in better spirits. "Let's go see, children!"

Several hours later, Maria was walking down past the nursery, past the children's rooms and towards the master wing of the house. In her arms were a small pile of books and she was gripping them desperately.

It was the third time today she'd walked down this corridor, and this morning it had been easier. She'd been so filled with worry about whether the Captain was all right or not that she hadn't really thought about the fact that she was entering a part of the house that a governess should definitely not be in. And the second, she'd been accompanying the children to see their father, perfectly acceptable.

Now that the immediate danger of him bleeding to death was over, she was now in a nervous state. Unable to push the thoughts of last night aside, she'd spent most of the day worrying about being alone with him again. Whatever she'd seen in his eyes last night had certainly been alarming, it had made something sputter to life within her. She couldn't identify it, but it made her feel slightly nauseous in a strangely delightful way.

With a shake of her head, she knocked on the door awkwardly until she heard the command to enter. Once inside, she used her hip to shut the door and walked over towards the large bed, giving the Captain a small smile as she did.

"Good evening, Captain," she said politely, placing the books on a bedside table.

"Good evening, Fraulein."

She gestured to the books. "I thought you might like something to read." At his raised eyebrow, she added, "And don't worry, I didn't pick out anything ridiculous, all perfectly sensible." She managed to grin. "All right, mostly sensible. But I think a little romance might do you some good. The children helped, too."

Georg eyed the books on the table and resisted the urge to smile at her. It had been kind of her to do that. Elsa hadn't bothered to ask him if he needed anything and certainly wouldn't do anything for him without being asked. After he'd shut down her advances this morning, she'd said something about going to town with Max and left him bored and alone.

Noticing that that the little fraulein was watching him expectantly, he gestured with a jut of his chin to a plush armchair in the corner of the room.

"You can bring that over here," he said as he tried to sit up straighter in his bed.

It was such a ridiculous situation. And, it was inappropriate for her to be in his room. But she was going to be a nun, and she was the governess to his children. He needed to be kept up to date on their schooling.

This is what he'd been repeating to himself all day. It was all for the children. It had nothing to do with the fact that he wanted her company. No, not at all. He'd also told himself that it had been his decision to take the photos out of the attic, it had nothing to do with what she'd said.

Right.

Taking her seat, Maria fidgeted a bit before placing her clasped hands in her lap. She felt awkward. She missed having his huge desk between them, having that distance had kept things respectable. She could practically hear the voice of Sister Berthe screaming that this was anything but respectable. But she told her thoughts to be quiet; the man had a right to know about his children.

"Captain," said Maria. "I just…I-I never thanked you for saving my life."

Georg blinked as he watched her face. "Well," he said, unable to help the smirk that tugged at his lips, "I never thanked you for not leaving me to bleed to death."

The governess gave him the biggest smile at his words, allowing some of the tension to ease, and he couldn't explain the pull it conjured inside of him. The pull told him – no, begged him – to make her smile again, or better yet, to make her laugh.

He mentally shook himself and cleared his throat.

"So," he said in careful tones, "what have you been doing with my children today?"

"Well," said Maria. She let out a little huff of air. "I won't lie, Captain, we didn't get through as much as I would have liked." She fixed her eyes on him, the blue stare holding him without effort. "They were just so worried about you, that's all. Especially the little ones – we, Herr Detweiler and I, told them it was just an accident and you'd be okay but I don't think they really believed us." She awkwardly pushed a lock of hair behind her ear. "They wanted to do something for you – to make you feel better."

"That… that is very kind of them," said Georg, who was still unable to grasp the fact that his children would want to do such a thing for him after all his neglect towards them. "And they can come see me tomorrow, I should be looking less-" He gestured flippantly with his hand."- frightening. I don't want them to worry unnecessarily."

"I know you don't, Captain," said Maria gently. "But I think they-" She stopped, unsure whether or not she should continue and instead settled for just shifting in her chair and avoiding his eye.

"Yes, Fraulein?" asked Georg, watching as her eyes darted nervously around the room before her eyes landed on the small framed photo on the dresser. He'd had Frau Schmidt bring it to his room earlier. It was just a simple photo of Agathe, from when they'd first met, and he noticed the way Fraulein Maria's eyes seemed to be glued to it. He had a feeling he knew what she was going to say and so he said, "They are worried they will lose me like they lost their mother?"

The governess just stared at him a while before her shoulders sagged. "Yes, they are."

With a curt nod, Georg said nothing. He could imagine his children's faces when they'd been told he was unwell. The way they had looked when he had told them about Agathe was something forever burned into his mind. What had been worse had been Marta, who had only been two, constantly asking for her mother – not understanding that she was never coming.

When they'd all shuffled in earlier this morning, he'd been so doped up on pain easing medication he'd been unable to tell the difference between Liesl and Kurt. All he could really recall was the sound of Fraulein Maria's voice assuring them that their father would be getting better very soon and that he was a little woozy today.

"Fraulein Maria," he said suddenly, his mind made up with new resolve. "I want you to do your best while I am indisposed to keep their spirits up." She opened her mouth, knowing her it was probably to ask a stream of questions, but he simply held up a silencing hand. "No questions, you are the governess, not me, and I am placing you in full command." He smirked at her. "Though, there is to be no misadventures in the lake."

"Yes, sir."

There was a polite knock on the door and the housekeeper walked in, she didn't seem fazed to see Maria sitting there at all. The woman walked over to one of the doors and pushed through and then a moment later returned, a bandage in her arms. The door shut before Maria could see into it.

"Sorry, but I need to change this," said the housekeeper, giving them both a warm smile. "Fraulein Maria, would you mind giving me a hand?"

"Oh, um, of course not," said Maria, getting out of her seat and trying to hide the smile on her face as the housekeeper prodded the Captain into a better position.

"Just take that one off, dear," said Frau Schmidt to Maria as she bustled around.

Awkwardly sitting on the edge of the bed, Maria slowly unwrapped the old bandage and as she peeled it away, she couldn't help the guilt that filled her stomach as she saw his arm. It was covered in blossoming bruises and the cut looked angry, the red line tearing across his skin. Her fingers reached out to touch it lightly, not even thinking about what she was doing.

"Does it hurt?" asked Maria, still absorbed in tracing the pattern with her fingertips.

Georg had been staring at her, utterly dumbfounded, while she had taken the bandage off and touched his arm. It hadn't even been that she was touching him, it had been how she done it. With such care and concern, the light touch had warmed something in his chest. And now her blue eyes were fixed on him, and he could clearly see the concern on her lovely face.

"It's not too bad right now," he managed to say. "It hurts if I touch it, and if I move too quickly."

The girl hastily pulled her hand away. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Captain."

No, no, no, no, a voice cried in his head. You didn't hurt me, he wanted to say. But he was very aware of the housekeeper standing there.

"Not a problem."

Frau Schmidt, who had been watching them both as she busied herself, tried to stop the smile that was threatening to stretch across her face. It wasn't her place to comment, or to have an opinion. But she'd seen the look on the Captain's face. She filed it away to think on later.

"Here," she said, passing the ointment to Fraulein Maria. "Just spread that over the area and then you can put the new one on." She watched as the girl, very carefully, covered the man's bicep with the ointment. "Now just wrap the fresh bandage around and it's all done."

Avoiding looking at the Captain, Maria finished the task and then stood up, taking a step back as she did.

"Well done, Fraulein Maria," said the housekeeper, patting her on the shoulder. The housekeeper paused. "Since you will be seeing the Captain about the children each night, would you mind doing that for me? I can do it in the morning, but it would be a great help for me."

"Of course, Frau Schmidt," said Maria. "Only if the Captain doesn't mind."

"You haven't killed me yet," muttered Georg, trying to get comfortable in the bed.

Fraulein Maria snorted. "I doubt I could, Captain." She threw him a large smile. "Goodnight, I will bring in the children tomorrow morning before their lessons, if that's okay."

"Yes, yes," said Georg. "Goodnight, Fraulein."

He watched her leave and then turned to the housekeeper, who was staring at him with a slightly bemused smile.

"Yes, Mathilde?" he asked.

"Nothing, Captain," said Frau Schmidt. "I was just wondering what on earth you would do without that girl."

Indeed, thought Georg.

A/N Another long chapter for this one, but lots to fit in! Also, I'm just making up stuff in relation to his wound as I go, for the sake of narrative and awkward tension.