Part 17

Rashel watched as Maria seemed to ignite, her once pale face filling with hope and joy. The girl went to run to the door but Rashel's fear and rationality kicked in and she quickly stood, grabbing her before she could swing the door open.

Maria struggled again, knowing for certain that her husband lay beyond the wooden door "Let me go!" she yelled as Rashel dragged her back into the lounge.

"Oh Maria I'm sorry I cannot, I cannot risk being found, the danger is too high!" she yelled at the end as Maria shoved her off, Rashel landing against the wall with a thud.

Maria was too overwhelmed with emotions and hope of her lover being on the other side that she forgot to even consider the potential danger that could instead lay behind a mere piece of wood. Suddenly she stopped, her face paling as reason rushed back to her, the thoughts just seconds ago calming her to a reasonable state. She slowed her steps and touched the door gently. For months she had thought he was dead, even come to accept the fact that he was, yet all this time he had been alive, waiting for her, most likely, she hoped, searching for her and what had she done? She had given up, given in within the first day. She closed her eyes and laid her head against the warm wood.

What was she to do? She could not face him, not like this! Not while she had betrayed him so and all the while carrying his child, their sweet creation!

She gasped suddenly as the door tried to open but in reaction she pushed back against it slamming it shut. It tried to open again but she pushed back against it, the door slamming and shuddering against its stone walls as tears streamed down her face. Whatever lay beyond she could not face it, not now, not ever.

Max and the others watched with pale complexions, their hearts breaking as they watched Maria push against the retaliating door, whom ever stood behind they had to face it, they could not escape, it was too late.

Suddenly the door stopped pushing and silence overtook them the only sound was heavy breathing, the fear surrounding and swirling around them like a strong wind.

With an abruptness like no other there was a sudden knock, the sound breaking through like lightening. Maria stepped back in shock and Rashel though a stranger lay a comforting hand on her shoulder.

The knocking continued and all four of them just stood there, unable to move or speak.

Maria wanted to open it with all her heart, she wanted to open it and reveal what she hoped would be a handsomely tall, strong yet beautifully dishevelled man but she could not bring herself to, the fear too high.

Along with the insistent knocking there came a small thready voice "Hello! Anyone home!"

Maria's eyes widened with confusion "Rox?" she whispered. How could she be here? Why was she here? Did she follow her?

What came next made shivers run down not only her spine but Rashel's too. Loud bangs against the door shook through the house and Maria knew Roxanne could not bang a door like that, though they were strong she was too small to create such a disruption. It had to be a man, her throat became dry, and if it was a man, she tried to swallow, then it could only mean one man, her hands tightened by her sides, Herr Zeller her mind whispered…

Her heart pounded against its cage and she breathed in deeply ready to accept her dreadful…

"MAX DETT WEILER! I swear by the gods if you are in there then open this god damn door because if you don't I will make sure that you never see another bottle of wine, brandy, strudel or whatever else you disgustingly stuff yourself with so long as I live!" it shouted loudly.

…"Georg" she whispered.

Maria's heart stopped and then lifted, it speeding up so fast that she swore it would stop and drop dead from exhaustion. She had hoped, prayed, dreamed of this, though she thought it could never happen, yet here she was her dream coming true! With speed like no other she was at the door and slamming it open.

The moment it did, electricity shot around them, the passion and tension so thick that the people witnessing the extraordinary moment swore you could touch it.

Maria's emotional eyes scoured over him checking in a manner so warm that he had not a harmful scratch on him but noting immediately the small changed details. His hair was a little shorter, his skin a little darker, his clothes a little tighter, his muscles a little bigger, but his eyes, oh his eyes they had not changed one bit. They still held every single emotion in them when he looked at her, the sparkle, the desire and the pure love bouncing around his deep dark iris's.

He stepped forward and her chest expanded, it aching excruciatingly as he came close to her lustfully burning body, reminders of their passion filled moments flashing through her mind.

She watched his pupils dilate and felt the burning desire to ravish him on the spot but she held back. Instead she licked her lips and whimpered quietly as his large strong palm cupped the side of her face, her eyes closing as a heated and passionately strong jolt of pleasure shot straight to her core.

Georg watched as she melted in his hands, by the gods how he had missed her! He had felt pleasure running through him as her dazzlingly blue passionate eyes scrutinized him. He had known she was checking over him making sure he was perfectly intact and now he did the same, his gaze passing over her with such love and desire.

Oh how he remembered the past months painfully well, nights of longing and silent weeping for her. He could not remember a moment when he had not missed her, where he had not yearned for her, oh god, his children how he had cast them aside yet again, oh what regrets he held. Yet here he stood, before her now, watching as she melted against him like molten gold, her body moulding to his so sensually slowly.

He stepped closer and she gripped his sides her eyes opening slowly, the perfect blue sparkle connecting to his darker ones.

She could see the pain pass through his eyes and her lips trembled her own pain passing crossing her face with such clarity. The pure fact that she was touching him, that he was simply alive, filled her with euphoria, HE WAS ALIVE! Her mind screamed. She felt his hand move, caressing her cheek and she let out the breath she had been holding for so long.

Slowly she reached up and touched his lips, relishing in their softness as the other traced the contours of his face, remembering and re-imprinting them to her mind.

Her lips trembled and her breath and voice caught in her throat, once again air feeling so far away but this time in a good way. Georg smiled knowing she was finding it just as hard to speak as he was, it had only been a couple of months but oh how it had felt longer, so much longer.

"You… you're here" she swallowed, her heart and every cell in her body fluttering with… oh by the gods she couldn't describe it! "Here, with me… and alive" she laughed as tears of joy and pain spilled down her cheeks.

Georg smiled gently and nodded as he stepped closer, their bodies crushing against each other as their foreheads rested against each other.

Maria breathed in deeply at the contact and ran her hands through his dark hair, relishing in the feel of his body shivering slightly as she did so.

Elsa and Max watched with tears in their eyes. The scene though a happy one seemed almost too intimate to watch but still they stood, too scared to break the precious reunion. Elsa watched how Maria's and Georg's eyes barely left each other's and smiled as she took Max's hand in her own.

Max smiled at Elsa's gesture and drew her closer. Though she did not speak it he knew how she felt. Everyone including themselves had been through so much, half of it unknown so now to see Maria and Georg reunited, though a small piece of happiness compared to the war coming, it was something and that was all that mattered.

Movement to Maria's left suddenly caught her eyes and though she desperately wanted to be alone with Georg she knew she was not and certain things needed to be sorted out first. Besides, she knew once her lips connected with Georg's they wouldn't be able to stop, such obscenity on show for everyone.

Pulling away slightly she wiped at her tears and looked over at Roxanne who had her head down and was blushing. Maria smiled "Rox what are you doing here?" she said her mind half listening but the other half in constant awareness of her husband next to her.

Roxanne looked up but her face was blank and though Maria saw she was trying to speak desperately she couldn't. Maria frowned and noticed the death grip Roxanne had on her the side of her stomach and suddenly noticed the long black trench coat she had on.

Maria's heart though happy suddenly started to sink and she stepped forward towards the obviously terrified girl.

"Roxanne?" she said quietly, her voice laced with fright.

But instead of an answer Roxanne's legs dropped from underneath her, her eyes rolling back into her head.

"ROX!" Maria screamed stepping forward and grabbing onto her as Georg helped. Everything happened so fast as everyone around her started to move into motion, Georg picking Roxanne up and Maria noticing with terrified eyes the blood that was seeping through the middle of Roxanne's coat.

Without even an answer Maria knew what had happened. What was with that man and his god damn gun! She thought as they started to move into the lounge but the sudden clicking of a gun stopped them all in their tracks.

-SOM-

20 minutes earlier

Roxanne paced in her room as it got darker and darker. Where the hell was she? What was she doing? Indeed she had woken up to a note saying she was taking a walk but she knew Maria and she knew it was unlike her to stay out so late in a rather unknown area without anyone with her.

The pacing finally making her dizzy she flopped down on a nearby chair and closed her eyes for a moment. She could not comprehend the things Maria had been through, the story though something of a romance novel made her realize how precious life was. The pain she had seen in Maria's eyes had made her heart break, could she really have found such beautiful love?

She sighed. Love. It was something a girl dreamed of her whole life, for Roxanne it was the same. But unlike most girls her life and been so utterly and awfully intertwined with these god damn awful people. So to see Maria, though in such emotional pain but to have known true and passionate love made her somewhat jealous but it also gave her hope.

She laughed gently at her thoughts. When had she become so sappy? She thought. Oh she hoped Maria was alright and that she would be home soon. Like Maria she too hated the Nazi's but unlike Maria Roxanne kept her head low and followed her orders no matter what. Oh how she would give anything to be just one bit like Maria. Ever since they had met Roxanne had been in awe of her. She had seemed to be able to get everything done yet somehow defy every order but within the rules of conduct. She shook her head, somewhat confused. But what she admired most about Maria was how she always seemed to stay kind and positive, indeed she reprimand but in a stern yet gentle way.

Yes it was undeniably true that Roxanne loved Maria but not the love of a man and a woman, it was the love of a sister. She smiled and remembered on her first couple of days, everyone had called her Roxanne but Maria had given her nickname 'Rox'. She had been delighted and they had soon become fast friends Maria occasionally calling her her full name when she was being reprimanded but she didn't mind, it had meant all that much more to her.

Suddenly a knocking came and she opened her eyes and smiled brightly, Maria must be back she thought as she got up. The knocking continued and she chuckled as she quickened her step.

"Yes, yes, I'm coming! Honestly Maria someone would've have thought that the most important thing to take with you before leave your room is a ke…" she stopped just short of the last syllable as she came face to face with Herr Zeller.

"Herr Zeller, sir" she said swallowing slightly as he towered over her, his expression not a nice one.

He raised an eyebrow "Maria not home?" he said looking behind her as if to check.

"No sir" she replied, for some reason feeling quite terrified.

He pushed passed her and she followed him, pushing the door to but not quite closing it, her gut telling her that something was oh so wrong.

"Where did she go? Isn't it a bit late to be wandering the streets?" he said looking around before turning back to look at her.

"Yes sir, and I'm afraid I don't know sir, she left while I was sleeping and only left a note saying she was going on a walk" she said hoping her answer would suffice. It did not.

He laughed "You expect me to believe you?"

Roxanne swallowed again "Well… yes sir, because it's the truth" she replied shakily.

Her Zeller suddenly slammed his hand onto the glass table he was in front of him, it shattering into the tiniest pieces.

Roxanne flinched and stepped back slightly watching as blood dripped from his hand, unnoticed by himself. Talk about short temper her mind thought quickly.

"LIAR! Tell me where she is!" he shouted as he walked forward, drops of blood spilling onto the cream carpet as he did so.

Roxanne kept walking backwards until her back hit the closet cupboard "I don't know! I told you all I know!" she pleaded her heart pounding with fright.

He shoved her against the cupboard despite her back already in contact with it and suddenly back handed her cheek "Don't lie to me Roxanne, I will have your family killed and you along with them if you don't tell me where the hell she went!" he said spitting in her face.

Roxanne didn't know what to do, she was being truthful, what else did he want! "I DON'T KNOW WHERE SHE IS!" she screamed before kneeing him with everything she had. Herr Zeller dropped to the ground and Roxanne ran as fast as she could out the door. She didn't look back, didn't give herself time. Quickly she ran to the elevator and stepped inside only just seeing Herr Zeller running after her down the corridor.

Panic racing through her she pressed the ground button furiously praying with all her might that no one would stop it.

She breathed in relief when it opened and she was at the bottom. Looking out quickly she saw the coast was clear and ran as fast as she could. She was almost out of the front door of the hotel when a gun shot rang through the entrance everyone screaming and ducking including herself as it did. But unlike everyone else she quickly stood and ran as another shot resounding through the room.

She hit the glass spinning door and quickly pushed it despite the searing pain that was coursing through her body. Another gun shot came and the glass shattered behind her, suddenly she was out and she ran with everything in her. She gripped her side and immediately felt blood, she had been shot that much was obvious and the pain was almost unbearable but she couldn't stop she had to keep going, if she didn't the adrenaline pumping through her body would stop and she would surely die. This way, however painful, she had some hope.

Faintly she could hear footsteps behind her and she quickly hid behind a building. She waited and finally the fast running footsteps passed her and she closed her eyes in relief.

Prying herself from the wall she ran back the opposite way. There was only one place where she thought Maria would have gone but first she needed a coat. Quickly stopping she noticed a tall man in a dark trench coat and ran to him.

"Sir, please, I need your coat" she said her face scrunched up in pain.

The big man looked at her and laughed "Excuse me?"

Roxanne's breaths were getting heavier and she knew she need to start moving again "Sir please i…" quickly going into her dress pocket she pulled out her purse "Here take this, this is all I have but please I need your coat" she begged still gripping her side.

The man looked over her and sighed taking off his coat and giving it to her "Here, but please I do not want your money" he said gently.

Roxanne took the coat but shoved her purse at him and before he could protest she had ran off.

The man frowned and looked at the purse. A slight tap on his shoulder drew his attention back "Darling? Where's your coat?" the plump woman said looking at him in confusion.

He looked at her "This young woman, I gave it to her. She looked like she needed it desperately, she gave me her purse though I protested but she ran off" he said and another grey haired lady came and frowned.

"Hector, where's your coat?" she said confused.

The pump lady looked to the other and sighed "He gave it away, that foo…"

Suddenly Hector laughed as he looked inside the purse he had been given "I wouldn't call me a fool just yet my darling Margret" he said looking at them smiling brightly.

Margret and Helen frowned before Helen spoke "Oh and prey tell why not you big oaf?" she said raising an eyebrow.

"Because look who's pictures in this purse" he said turning it around and showing them the picture in the inside.

Both women's jaws dropped before smiling brightly. Inside, sat a picture of Maria and the woman who had given him the purse.

Both women let out a yelp of joy and Margret pulled her husband down and kissed him passionately "God I love you" she said pulling away from him as Helen laughed beside them.

Hector smiled and grabbed her hand "Come on she went this way" he said pulling them the way he had seen the woman go. Just as they were about to follow her they stopped, their breaths catching in their throats as Herr Zeller went in the same direction.

Herr Zeller…

He was going to kill her, he would kill them both he swore! Why couldn't women just be obedient and do what they were told? They weren't meant to have control they were there for the men, there for their needs and desires.

But Maria, there was something about her. She was unlike the other women, the others he could just have his way with but not here, not Maria, she fought him every step of the way. Maybe that's why he desired her so, yet at the same time he wanted to kill her. He would have his way, he always did he thought.

After running down the streets after Roxanne's, it was obvious he had lost her. But just as he was walking back he saw girl running down the streets. He smiled watching as the light off a street lamp caught her face. It was her!

-SOM-

Everyone swallowed and deadly silence settled upon the house. As they all stood there afraid to turn around Maria knew this was it, this was the end, no longer could she escape or hide. No longer did she have the opportunity to bring this miracle into the world and though Max and Elsa had not told her anything, she knew they were together, the love in their glances told her so, oh how she wished everyone had more time. Slowly, Maria turned to find a rather beaten up and furious Herr Zeller.

With a shaky voice but an unknown strength she spoke, the air about them filled with tension like no other "Good evening Herr Zeller" she said with a weak smile.

Herr Zeller did not smile back but instead returned them with a glare full of hatred "So this is where you've been hiding" he spat, his voice slithering across her skin like a vulgar disease she wanted to shower off immediately "I was so upset when you weren't at the hotel with your partner" he said putting on a fake pout that again made Maria's skin crawl

She swallowed and took a breath, trying desperately to calm down her racing pulse "I thought I might visit a few old friends" she said smiling.

Max wanted to protest and tell that sod that it had been he who had found her and brought her here but Elsa's delicate hand on his arm stopped him. He looked at her and followed her eyes…

Herr Zeller laughed cynically "And these ugh… old friends just happened to be staying with the one person you were supposed to be investigating?"

Maria nodded slowly.

"DON'T MESS WITH ME!" he shouted waving his gun around slightly making Maria flinch but remained where she was despite the danger.

Herr Zeller's mad eyes did not stay on her for long though and started laughing in hatred as his eyes landed on the tall figure, who held Roxanne's limp body in his arms just behind Maria. He looked back to Maria and raised a sly eyebrow "And look here, your ex-lover just so happens to be here too" he said looking as if the cat had caught the mouse.

Georg went to turn and give him a piece of his mind but Herr Zeller stopped him "Ah ah ah. I wouldn't be so rash if I were you captain Von trap. It seems that it is I who has the upper the hand and I'm sure you wouldn't want your precious mistress here to be shot as well" he said his voice confident.

Maria felt sick. What could they do? They were trapped and she swore if she weren't so terrified to move she would have fainted again by now "How did you find us?" she said trying to keep him talking so they wouldn't all be shot to death.

As Herr Zeller had spouted on Max had followed Elsa's gaze towards Rashel who, very slowly, almost unnoticeable, was pulling a gun out of the side of the couch, but her gaze never leaving the scene in front of her.

Max almost sighed with slight relief but what were they to do after? Maria was stood directly in front of him and though Maria was smaller than Herr Zeller you would have to be a bloody good shot to shoot him in the forehead, just missing Maria, there was no chance. Any diversion on their part could cause him to pull the trigger and subsequently someone else being shot.

"So you followed Roxanne?" Maria said her eyes barley leaving his gun. She needed this to be over! Her best friend was most likely dying in her husband's arms right next to her and there was nothing she could do.

"Yes, and to think I had thought she was a good spy, it seems both of you are entirely incapable and useless" he said smirking "Such mistakes you were"

Maria had had enough she couldn't do this anymore, it was too painful, she loved Georg but her life from before was destroying his. She wanted it to be over she wanted her loved ones to be safe! Let him take her, let him shoot her she did not matter! But the people oh the wonderful people behind her they needed to be saved, they needed to live…

Her mind was spinning and her heart hurt to leave Georg but a saying from years ago, her mother had told her whispered through her head.

'Those we love don't go away,
They walk beside us every day,
Unseen, unheard, but always near,
Still loved, still missed and very dear'

Oh how she prayed those words would be true and so breathing in she started "Incapable or not she was my friend" she said, her voice low and dangerous.

Georg's eyes widened "Maria…" he whispered trying to stop her.

Herr Zeller smiled

"And you shot her!" she yelled.

"SHE DESREVED IT" Herr Zeller yelled back.

"YOU SICK LOW LIFE BASTARD!" she screamed.

Suddenly all at the same time Rashel stood and aimed as Max yelled at Georg "SHE'S PREGNANT!"

Maria's heart was beating a thousand miles per hour as she watched Herr Zeller's fingers press the trigger. Suddenly shots resounded around the room and as of in slow motion everything shattered around her, screams piercing the air as everyone hit the ground, no one daring to open their eyes as the sound of hot liquid blood rushed through her body, the sound combined with the outside worlds deafening her. This was it…

-SOM-

A few minutes before…

Helen Margret and Hector soon caught up with Herr Zeller but found the damage was already done. Hector stood in front of them as they watched from afar the door, thankfully, was open and they could see clearly as Herr Zeller held Maria at gun point.

Helen and Margret's breaths caught and both had the urge to kill him with their bare hands.

"We have to do something!" Helen whispered furiously.

Hector spun around "And what exactly do you suggest we do?" he whispered angrily back.

"Anything!, get you god damn gun!"

Margret was almost on the verge of tears as she watched the scene, suddenly it changed and the shouts became louder, before she knew it Hector was running up the steps with his gun, gun shots resounding around them as they hit the floor…

Authors note: Hokidokie! Oh I do so hope I did this chapter justice! Please please review and tell us what you think! I hope you enjoyed it and all had a wonderful new year! :D