A/N: This is a slightly longer chapter - I thought about dividing it into two seperate chapters but I wanted to set the scene. I've also taken a few lines from one of my other stories as it fitted rather nicely. I hope you enjoy the most recent development and I'll update soon! I love reviews, hint hint :D

Another week had passed since the embarrassing hide and seek incident and Georg was now certain that his fall from the tree must have knocked a screw loose in his head. He was most definitely in deep trouble. Sitting behind his desk with his elbows resting on the rich mahogany and his fingertips touched together, he pondered his predicament with a troubled frown knitting his brow - the papers strewn across the table completely forgotten.

The peace that had befallen the villa since his return from Vienna was still very much there - every day they were blessed with gorgeous sunshine, something he would relish when spending hours outdoors with his children, who he was growing closer to with each passing minute. No longer did he feel suffocated by grief in his own home - on the contrary - to his bewilderment, he found himself delighting in the memories he once hid from. Even news of the Anschluss seemed to have quietened somewhat - or perhaps he was simply reading the news a little less, distracted by far lovelier things..

Yes, his life was very much something to be grateful for. But his overall contentment, his new found zest for the simpler pleasures, his feelings of deep tranquility - none of these sentiments truly extended to his heart. Because Georg Von Trapp was troubled. Troubled by blue eyes, golden hair, milky skin, pale chiffon...

He wasn't sure at which point in the last few weeks his attraction to Maria had development into feelings. Feelings that gripped him at the most unexpected times with such a vivid intensity that he felt as if the wind had been knocked out of him. All it seemed to take was a shared look, an accidental stolen touch, a warm smile - and he felt the fire roar to life deep within.

He suspected the very first time the longing had gripped him out of the blue was after the puppet show, when he'd praised her efforts with the children. She'd looked so inviting in that material that clung so irresistibly to her figure and her breezy smile, once so abhorrent to him, had suddenly rendered him entirely speechless. He realised in those moments, as he fought for breath, that not only did he lust after her, but he found her beautifully, utterly remarkable. The effect had so surprised him that he had done nothing but bow awkwardly and distance himself quickly, preventing himself from acting on the sudden urge to brush his fingers against her beautiful cheek.

Lust was one thing, lust he could handle. But this? This was entirely too dangerous. And he knew he was struggling to conceal it. He knew that any suspicions Elsa and Max may have had about his infatuation with the governess had been entirely confirmed when they'd caught the intensity of his glances during his performance of Edelweiss. He had been completely unable to take his eyes off her and when she had met his gaze with her wide-eyed innocence, she had unknowingly allowed him to see her whole heart. In those moments, it had felt as though the rest of the world was disappearing and he was singing only to her - an overwhelming connection seeming to form between them that spoke of their bond, their adoration, their unity. The fact that they belonged to each other.

Or perhaps he had imagined the whole thing, he thought bitterly as he ran a frustrated hand through his hair. Yes, concealing it was becoming exhausting. Not just because he wanted to touch her, not just because he wanted to break down the walls of formality between them, not just because he ached for her affections - but because he was almost certain he'd seen the same longing in her own eyes. Unlike Elsa, his Maria wore her heart on her sleeve for him to see, even if she was unaware of it. She seemed to be blushing more often in his company these days, smiling more when he walked into a room, acting as his equal as they laughed and talked and teased one another in the rare moments they were alone. By far the hardest part was knowing that his feelings might well be reciprocated but there was nothing he could do about it. She was dedicating her life to God.

A knock at the door startled him from his reverie and he struggled to mask his disappointment when he discovered it was Elsa asking permission for entry.

"Oh..Elsa, it's you.."

"Well please Georg darling, don't be too happy to see me!" Elsa simpered coolly, taking a seat on the sofa and crossing one long leg over the other.

"I'm sorry, that was terribly rude of me, I've just been entirely distracted by these damned papers," Georg gestured to the mass of documents on his desk that had sat untouched for the best part of an hour as he'd brooded over his situation.

"Well perhaps I can take your mind off it with far more alluring activities darling," Elsa cooed, firing him a suggestive look through thick, flirtatious lashes. If there was one thing Elsa knew, it was how to get what she wanted and her Captain had been entirely too distracted for her liking recently - though it wasn't U-boat documents that had her rattled...

Georg threw her a weak smile and an awkward silence hung between them as he continued to brood. Clearly seduction wasn't the best tactic, Elsa thought. Time for another approach.

"My reason for the interruption darling, was to ask your approval for several of the party plans I had in mind," Elsa trilled, willing herself to remain unperturbed by his less than enthusiastic response to her presence.

"Hmm.." He muttered, regretting having ever agreed to this infernal party in the first place. He had never been one for lavish events, but his children had wanted it... Their governess had wanted it.. And so he had acquiesced.

He heard himself umming and ah-ing, yes-ing and nodding in all the correct places as Elsa ran through the seemingly endless list of superfluous and unnecessary additions to the party planning. It was all utterly ridiculous, the endless tirade of extravagance she was insisting upon, only to presumptuously demonstrate the lavishness of their soon-to-be combined wealth. He found himself becoming bored with the conversation and his mind had begun to wander to far more enticing images of blue eyes and golden hair... It was only when he heard Herr Zeller's name mentioned that his head snapped to attention.

"You invited Zeller?" He probed, fixing her with a sharp look.

"Well yes darling of course, and a few of his.. You know.. His circle," Elsa breezed, patting her perfectly coiffed hair, "it's important to try and get along with everyone in these times."

Taking a deep breath to distill his annoyance, Georg got to his feet. He really couldn't have this conversation, not now. Not when he was in such a dangerous mood.

"Excuse me Elsa but I think I need to go and get some air - I'm feeling a little light headed."

He needed to get away from her, to get away from thoughts of the party, thoughts of the Nazis soon to enter his home, thoughts of the Anschluss, thoughts of his expected betrothal. He could feel it all suffocating him as he left a bewildered Elsa pouting in his study.

Still wrapped up in his own frustration as he reflected on her words, he paid no attention to where his feet were carrying him - he concentrated only on putting as much distance between himself and Elsa as possible. It was only when he heard an angelic voice humming a soft tune that he looked up and realised he'd stumbled across the very same tree he'd fallen from a few weeks ago. And there, on the very same branch as they'd shared before, was Maria.

She had already spotted him from her position in the tree and was peering down at him with that unflappable smile that made his previous frustrations ebb away without a second thought.

"Hallo!" She breathed, causing a smile to tug at his lips, "I thought for a moment you were about to walk straight into the tree trunk!"

He chuckled, "Well I'm deeply disturbed by your failure to warn me, Fraulein! I do hope your presence here isn't due to another intense game of Hide and Seek?"

She laughed more heartily then and it was music to his ears. He grinned like a child at having made her laugh like that.

"No Captain, the children are with Herr Detweiller showing him the puppets - he said I could have half an hour to myself."

Mention of the puppets caused Georg's mouth to go dry as he thought of how she had looked at him so uninhibitedly that day, when he'd found it so difficult to conceal his feelings. He quickly composed himself, weary of her eyes on him as she looked down from her perched position.

He leaned casually against the trunk of the tree and craned his neck to meet her gaze, "and you like to spend your leisure time up in trees?"

"Occasionally," she grinned, "I find it soothing.. You know.. Peaceful. I like to come up here and think, listen to the birds and the breeze and watch the sky change colour as the sun sets.."

"Well as delightful as that sounds, I can't see or hear any of it from down here.." He pouted in mock offence, making as if to jump for the nearest branch again.

"Captain for Goodness sake, you'll hurt yourself again!"

Maria rolled her eyes as her warnings went unheeded. She watched his rather clumsy ascent, recalling all too easily how he'd fallen the last time he'd attempted to climb this very tree. She couldn't help but giggle at the memory, the way he'd landed, so undignified, on his backside - his hair a mess, his face red from embarrassment and his delightful suit crumpled all over. Her giggle was cut short when the image caused her stomach to jolt - he'd looked so deliciously disheveled that day and she realised with alarm that he looked very similar now after attempting the climb a second time.

He plonked himself down beside her and settled comfortably, completely oblivious to her train of thought.

"So," he breathed.

"So.."

"What did you come up here to think about?" He asked innocently, "If you don't mind me asking, of course."

"Well what did you come out here to think about?" She retorted.

"How did you know I even had anything to think about?" He challenged defensively.

"Your fingers.."

"I beg your pardon?" He spluttered - what had he done to her with his fingers?!

"Your fingers," she repeated, "they were twitching. The fingers on your left hand always twitch when you're agitated."

His expression softened and a coy smile tugged at his lips, "You could give Briggita a run for her money with observations like that.."

She blushed deeply then - a blush that crept down her neck and under the lining of her dress where he willed himself not to stare.

"Forgive me..I didn't mean to pry.." She muttered.

"Not at all Fraulein.. To tell you the truth I came out here to think about the future.." He replied pensively, knitting his fingers together self-consciously to stop them from twitching in front of her.

"So did I.." She murmured, lost in her own thoughts.

"You did?"

"Yes.." She sighed, wistfully, "I was thinking about how the Reverend Mother sent me here to learn what is expected of me and whether I can expect if of myself, but sometimes I feel as though God is no longer watching me.. That he has somehow forgotten me.. Forgotten to show me the way..."

She looked at him then with such turmoil in her eyes that he felt an urgent desire to take her in his arms and show her all the ways they could take comfort in one another. He understood more than anyone what it felt like to be lost, to suspect that God had abandoned you, to feel as though there was nobody to guide you.

"Well what is it they say Fraulein.." He murmured, his eyes boring into her anguished ones, "God works in mysterious ways.."

Maria felt her breath catch at the way he was staring at her so unashamedly, as if willing her to understand that as long as he was here, she would never be lost - she would never be alone. How could he make her feel so alive, so safe with only a look?

A long, reflective silence hung between them then - their eyes locked with a mixture of turmoil, heat and longing - until Georg eventually broke the spell.

"You're right," he murmured, forcing his eyes away from hers, "that's quite a sunset.."

They both gazed out through the cocoon of the leaves around them, drinking in the stunning view of the lake glittering with the reflection of the setting sun - the water so serene that the hills bounced off its surface as though it were a mirror. Without thinking, he placed his hand over hers on the branch beside him, neither one of them pulling away from the unexpected warmth. With nothing but the gentle rustling of the leaves to disturb the comfortable silence between two lost souls, Georg realised he felt entirely at peace, even in a world that was disappearing.

The party was in full swing and Georg already had a headache from being pulled in every direction by various vultures disguised as aristocratic women. As delightful as they all were, he was tiring of them particularly fast and he was in a rather dangerous mood following his confrontation with Zeller and his obvious denigration of the Austrian flag.

Willing himself to tear away from his duties as host and get some much needed air, he made his way out onto the terrace. What he saw there affected him deeply.

Illuminated by the glow of the terrace's moonlight and causing his chest to entirely constrict, was his governess, teaching his youngest boy to dance. He watched, transfixed by the endearing sight as they step-hopped and up-and-undered awkwardly, and a deliciously inappropriate idea came to mind.

Almost of their own accord, his feet guided him out onto the terrace. Like so many other times in the last few weeks, he found himself hopelessly drawn to her.

"Do allow me will you?" His baritone voice and piercing gaze broke the dancing pair apart.

Maria willed herself to close her gaping mouth as the intensity of his stare caused the words to stick in her throat. Wordlessly, she took his outstretched hand, his gaze sending shivers down her spine that she attempted to ignore. She felt her mouth go slightly dry at the sight of him in his coat tails and medals but she willed herself to meet his stare as she placed her dainty hand in his larger one.

As he pulled her closer, he found himself inhaling her scent and his pulse quickened at her sudden proximity. He found himself inwardly cursing the beginnings of the dance that required her to stay at arms length - his body ached to pull her closer, longed to feel her pressed against him, to feel the very heat of her.

She twirled effortlessly, her skirts billowing around her and he felt as though he'd never again have the chance to gaze at something so beautiful. The beams from the moon cast down on them, illuminating her lithe frame as she moved gracefully to the music, highlighting the alluring curve of her neck, her jawline, her cheekbones. It was a relief to finally drink in the sight of her without the fear of being caught.

He reluctantly tore his eyes from her frame as his cue came to dance around her, clapping to the rhythm and trying desperately to remember his footing.

Maria was suddenly confronted by a familiar fluttering in her stomach as the dance called for her to reach out for the Captain's shoulder. It was such a simple movement and yet the intimacy of it knocked the wind out of her. She suddenly realised she would follow this man anywhere.

When he twirled her round to face him, she was met with his darkened eyes and his jaw set heavily in unspoken frustration.

Georg prayed she hadn't noticed how his teeth were clenched as he fought for control. The warmth of her fingers in his hand felt as though it was searing his skin, leading to thoughts of what they might feel like elsewhere. Unable to stop himself, he pulled her closer possessively by the waist and entwined their fingers above their heads.

The swell of her curves almost undid him as her skirts brushed against his trousers and their hips fused, forcing him to bite back a moan of longing as the warmth of her spread throughout his entire lower body.

He gripped her to him with an insatiable need as they twirled, the heat of their bodies radiating palpably between them. Her wide eyed expression met his penetrating one and they shared a breath as he pulled her closer still, until there was no mistaking the beating of her heart against his own ribs.

Their lips only inches apart, his head was reeling and time seemed to stand still as their eyes bore into each other with a fierce intensity. The dance long forgotten, they stood clinging to each other as if frozen to the spot and he wondered whether his eyes portrayed the overwhelming need that was consuming him. His breath caught as her face betrayed her own inner turmoil and he realised, with a surge of elation, that she felt it too.

And then before he could protest, before he could say what he so longed to tell her, she was slipping away from him, pulling away from his embrace, her face portraying the confusion she felt as she reddened deeply. Reality set in then and he was reminded of the alarming proximity of his children as Briggita stepped towards them.

The next few minutes passed in a blur as Elsa eventually made an appearance and whisked him away into the ball room, his head spinning and his heart pounding as he tried to make sense of what he'd seen in Maria's eyes.

He hardly dared to believe it - had he seen love?

He'd barely touched his food throughout the entire meal and though he had been surrounded by almost one hundred guests, he had felt entirely alone. Max had invited Maria to be his dinner guest but she had failed to make an appearance and he was beginning to worry. At first, he assumed she was running late, as she so often was, but now that the majority of guests were taking their leave and the night was coming to an end, he realised something was terribly wrong.

Only a few guests remained for cigars and drinks in the drawing room, and so he excused himself quietly, ignoring the contemptuous look on Elsa's face as he slipped from the room and made his way up the stairs towards Maria's bedroom. He knew it was inappropriate but he couldn't help himself, he needed to find her and make sure she was okay. Discovering that her room was empty, he really began to panic. Where on earth would she have gone?

Of course, he thought suddenly, the tree!

Minutes later he had found her, sat on the branch they had so often shared, hiding from the world around them.

"I thought I just might find you here," he murmured, making out her anguished features in the moonlight. How beautiful she looked illuminated in the semi darkness.

"I.. I couldn't..I didn't.." She felt as though a rope was being tied around her lungs as he looked up at her, the sadness in his eyes stilling her heart. How could she even begin to explain to this man the feelings that he evoked within her? How could she look him in the eye and tell him that what troubled her was this intense, unspoken, exquisite bond they had formed?

"Maria.." He whispered, her name on his lips for the first time knocking her breathless. She said nothing, she couldn't utter a word even if she'd wanted to.

"Maria, please.."

"What do you want, Captain?" Her voice shook, barely above a whisper as she attempted to hold back the tears of frustration that threatened to fall. She couldn't face him, she couldn't bare it.

"You," he breathed, his heart hammering, the simple word tumbling uninhibitedly from his lips before he could stop it, "just you. Only you. Always you, my darling."

He felt, rather than heard, her sharp in take of breath. There. She knew. Finally she knew.

"Don't Georg.." She whispered, her voice breaking, "you can't.."

"Can't what?" He pushed, frustrated by the situation they found themselves in, "can't want you? Can't love you? Can't feel something real for the first time in years?"

Silent tears fell as she watched him from her place of safety on the branch, away from his strong, welcoming arms that she longed to have wrapped around her.

"You know that I can, and you know that I do. And better yet Maria, I know that you do too!"

He reached up, extending his hand toward her in the hope that she would take it and join him on solid ground. He needed to reassure her, to tell her how much he needed her.

What happened next would haunt Maria for years to come. Just as she mustered the courage to reach down and grasp his protective hand, his delicate touch was suddenly ripped away from her when four suited men appeared as if from nowhere and dragged him violently to the ground.

The scene before her seemed to happen in slow motion as she watched Georg flail, head butting one offender on his way to the ground and managing to swing a punch before he was pinned helplessly to the grass. She heard desperate screaming, only to realise the strangled sound was being torn from her own lungs as she watched Zeller and his men stamp on Georg's chest before showering his face with punch after punch after punch.

She felt her body throw itself from the tree as if it had a mind of its own and before she knew it she was clawing at Zeller's face in desperation, screaming for Georg's release, only to be dragged away and restrained by brutal arms. She sobbed in horror and watched helplessly as she heard the sickening crack of sinew and bone, heard the strangled gargle as Georg choked on his own blood,saw the red streaks caking Zeller's fist as he straddled his victim's flailing body. He continued to slam into Georg's face until the groans of pain eventually ceased, until there was no sound other than the dull thud of Zeller's tired fist against bloodied flesh, until Georg's body lay still.

Zeller ceased his brutality and sat up against his victim, his suit ripped and spattered with blood, chest heaving from the strain of his attack. His blackened eyes turned and faced Maria, a vicious smirk cracking his features, "let this be a lesson to those who speak too freely of their opposition to the Third Reich."

A/N: I could hardly bare to write the last part - our poor, beautiful Captain's perfect face! Updates soon.