Title: Trust Built

Rating: M

WARNING: EXPLICIT SEXUAL CONTENT

The first time they tried it was October. October 16, 1939 at 8:30 in the evening. They were in New York and Max was finally able to transfer much of Georg's assets to a Manhattan bank. With access to the money, things began to improve by leaps and bounds for the family of ten.

Maria had been tireless in helping Georg move the family from Austria to Switzerland, then to be safe, through Denmark to London, and finally to the United States. It seemed as though the deep intimacy Maria and Georg shared while she was giving birth to Lida had strengthened the depth of their bond. Though even distance couldn't erase the pain and fear Maria felt as taking that one final step.

On the inside, Maria knew Georg would never hurt her. The way he had embraced her as his wife and loved Lida as his own confirmed that. It was another part of Maria, a deeper part, Maria couldn't quite convince.

Georg accepted it. He made the determination and the sacrifice when he offered to marry Maria and give Lida his name, von Trapp. It was a good name, a strong name, and if the Anschluss never happened, it would have been enough to shield Lida from the shame of her circumstances. Still, Maria wanted to make love with Georg. Her heart wanted that so much. What had been a true and honest friendship had grown into a deep love. Maria wanted to physically manifest that love and on the night of October 16, 1939, she decided she would try.

Georg had surprised Maria that morning. with tickets to a concert at Carnegie Hall, dinner at an elegant restaurant, and one night for just the 2 of them at a more luxurious accommodation than they currently enjoyed. He arranged for Liesl and Mathias to mind the younger ones with the help of Friedrich and Louisa, and even gifted Maria with a new, elegant yet simple black dress.

Maria appropriately argued that the children needed her, but Liesl reminded Maria that she was a married woman now and capable of taking care of her younger siblings. It was all arranged. This was going to happen.

The dinner was superb, the concert exquisite, and the hotel suite luxurious. It wasn't like the one they shared in Prague on their honeymoon, but it was its own kind of delightful.

Georg arranged for champagne and strawberries to be in the room when they arrived. As the bellhop wished them goodnight he added, "Mr. and Mrs. von Trapp. Enjoy your stay."

Maria had never felt more confident in her marriage, in Georg, or in herself. He did all of this for her, to make her feel special and deeply loved. It worked. Georg turned on the wireless and found a station playing ballroom type music, and as luck would have it, the very next song was a Strauss waltz.

Georg had removed his dress shoes and socks, cufflinks, and tie and now stood barefoot, sleeves bunched up, and top collar undone. He looked younger somehow, less refined, more relaxed. Maria liked this Georg and lately he was out more and more as they got settled in their new life.

Maria had also removed her shoes, but still wore her jewelry and gown. Georg closed the gap between them and held out his hand to her. "May I have this dance, Mrs. von Trapp?"

Maria blushed. This was the first time Georg ever asked her that given they had no courtship. Maria felt like a young schoolgirl as she blushed, "You may."

Georg took Maria in his arms and began to lead her in a slow waltz around the room. Maria relished in being so close to Georg. It seemed more and more Maria wanted to be physically close to Georg. She wanted to be held, kissed, touched, and moreover, she wanted to hold, kiss, and touch in return.

They said vows without anticipation of ever consummating the marriage. They didn't even plan to sleep in the same bed, though that changed quickly enough. On their honeymoon, sleeping near Georg was a source of comfort for the morning sickness and the fear.

Maria decided early on, if Georg ever asked her she wouldn't deny him. It would be different with him. He was her husband and she trusted him. Maria admitted to herself though that she likely felt that way because Georg was too decent and honorable to ever make that request. Most husbands would expect or at least hope for sex after a romantic evening like this one. Some might even plan to use it as a seduction, but not Georg. This evening was not about making love, it was about already having it.

Maria laid her head against Georg's chest as they're sweeping waltz morphed into a lazy sway. She inhaled the masculine scent of him; a clean smell, part soap, part sandalwood, and a touch of tobacco. The aroma alone was enough to make her heart pound, especially lately. Instinctually, she pressed herself flush against Georg's body, her femininity responding only to his masculinity.

Georg pulled Maria closer and nuzzled her soft blonde hair, placing tender kisses along her hairline. Maria always managed to smell like roses and vanilla even though he knew she disliked perfumes and sachets preferring a more natural scent like sunshine. He inhaled deeply and felt Maria's hips pressed against his hips, her chest pressed against his chest. Georg closed his eyes and let himself feel.

Another husband in the same position would be turning up his game about now. Maria's natural instincts were in control. She was in the mood, no doubt about it, but did she realize the signals she was giving off? They worked so hard and so long to build a solid, trust filled marriage. Was a roll in the hay worth the risk?

Maria pulled back a little, but only to look into Georg's eyes. She loved how she could read into his soul through his eyes, only she found them closed as their bodies swayed to the changing music.

Maria felt a rigidity in Georg's posture she found out of place for their relaxed surroundings. Slowly, she pulled back more and began to trace gentle butterfly kisses along the skin exposed by his open top collar button. Georg inhaled sharply and increased the pressure of his hold, releasing the ballroom stance they were in instead resting both hands at her waist. Maria responded quickly by sliding her hands off Georg's chest and underneath his arms to effectively lock herself in place against him. This was the closest they had ever been except when Maria was going through labor or Georg had the flu, but somehow that was separate.

Georg slid his hand gently up Maria's side along her shoulder, to her cheek, and gently cupped her chin in his hand. Georg opened his eyes and searched Maria for any sign of fear, trepidation, or even discomfort before he whispered in a voice far too husky to belong to him. "Can I kiss you now, Maria?"

Maria and Georg had kissed before. The night she married him, the night she nursed him, burning up in their bed, he kissed her in his delirium. There had been other times too when a little peck grew into more, but they stopped. They always stopped

Now, Georg was asking her permission and Maria silently granted it. Very gently Georg rubbed his cheek against Maria's, a subtle caress. Then he kissed her.

It was a slow, wandering kiss, a gentle touch that sought, but did not pursue, a delicate exploration of her lips that lacked any aggressive need. Maria slipped her hand down and pulled them until they were gently lying against the front of Georg's shoulders rather than his back ready to push him away if he progressed further than was comfortable, only it felt so perfect.

Georg expected Maria to push him away at any moment, only she didn't. Instead her hands relaxed and gripped Georg closer, tighter. After a long moment he drew back slightly and let his gaze roam over her face searching for any hints that his affections were too much for her. Maria couldn't look away from Georg's eyes. She watched the irises expand until they almost swallowed the blue. His eyes lingered on the thoughtfulness of her lips, then slowly lifted to meet her gaze and hold it. They simply stared at each other for a long moment, so close Maria could see her reflection in Georg's eyes and knew he could see himself in hers.

Maria sucked in a breath then kissed Georg again. He quickly took control, this time parting her lips and slowly penetrating her mouth with his tongue, giving her time to decide if she would accept further advances, wandering caresses of her back, and her arms, her shoulders.

"I'm going to remove this earring now," Georg whispered as his gentle fingers slipped the bobble off Maria's ear. Gently he nipped at the lobe before sliding the earring into his shirt pocket. He took the other one off in much the same manner, tugging and nipping so gently Maria could barely feel it.

The necklace was next. Georg tasted the soft skin of Maria's throat before once again allowing her to take over and kiss him. Her tongue moved shyly and touched his, withdrew, then returned for another taste, before it finally lingered. He tasted so delicious.

Georg deepened the kiss, exploring the ridges of Maria's teeth; the softness of her mouth. Maria's heart was alive when the kiss ended. She heard Georg take a deep breath as if he sought control over his own impulses.

Georg broke contact with her then somehow knowing he had to give a little more of himself. "I'm going to remove my shirt now and let you see me in the light." It was as if, by undressing first, Georg was evening the playing field and matching her emotional vulnerability with his own physical one.

Maria had never seen a naked man before except in the anatomical drawings in school and in a museum in Prague, but then Georg tried his best to divert her from the potential trigger of the naked male form. Even when she stripped Georg down during his bout with the flu, she didn't look at him. Maria averted her eyes naturally, very unsure of what she should do. She knew what she wanted to do, she wanted to drink in every inch of him from his perfectly proportioned feet, to his muscular legs and strong chest, to those stunning blue eyes. He was totally vulnerable now and still exuded control. Maria finally did study him, trying not to stare at him. Georg took pity on her and moved closer. "Would you like to change, my love? I can step out and…"

Maria responded by giving Georg her back, her silent permission for him to undo her dress and put them on equal ground again so to speak.

Georg slowly under the back of the dress, his fingers trailing gently along Maria's shoulders, arms, and spine. Georg pushed the dress down and held Maria's hand while she stepped out of it. "I'm behind you, Darling, and I'm going to kiss your beautiful, long neck right where you feel your heartbeat.

Georg's lips caressed Maria's throat. At first, he merely kissed her, then gently nibbled before soothing the nip with his tongue. Maria moaned her appreciation and dropped her head back against Georg's shoulder.

Each step they took, Georg told Maria what was happening and always made sure she felt she had the power to say no. Every quiet sigh, every movement told Georg what Maria with feeling. He could feel her body responding to his touch and hear her quiet murmurs as she snuggled against him.

When Georg turned Maria to face him, he took her lips with his gently before cupping her full breasts in his hands, enjoying their weight and the way her nipples tightened beneath his fingers. That quick, instinctive response of her body made him groan with pleasure.

When Georg trailed his hands down Maria's stomach she moved against him involuntarily, her body wanting more. She was seeking a primitive fulfillment that she never felt before, honestly she wasn't sure the need for a coupling extended to women. She was burning up inside... Hot... Intense, needing more of him. Maria tried to push herself closer and closer to Georg, but couldn't express to him what she wanted. It was a pure, irresistible, biological urge.

Maria could feel her heart pounding in her throat and feel Georg's pulsating somewhat lower. Were they going to make love tonight? Is that what he wanted? She did, even if she wasn't sure exactly what that meant.

"Maria," Georg whispered. He pulled her closer; his mouth going to the soft area of her neck. The pleasure of his mouth and hands was hypnotic, seducing her until she thought she might scream from the glory of it. Maria sighed and buried her face in Georg's chest, tasting, exploring, her teeth scraping at him, pushing Georg's need to another level.

When Georg pushed Maria to the bed, she didn't resist. Georg could feel Maria's body quivering beneath him. The scent of her, her instinctive response to his kisses and caresses drove him on against his best laid plans for the night. He meant to kiss her, cherish her, hold her, but this seemed like an out of body experience. As if here, the great Captain von Trapp was losing control.

Georg was throbbing. He needed to sink deep into the softness of Maria's body. He pulled back to look into her eyes. "Your eyes are like the ocean," he whispered. "Stormy, yet beautiful. A man could get lost in them," Georg said, his usual soft voice suddenly rough with desire.

Maria swallowed; her heart seemed to be up in her throat. Her hands were on Georg's shoulders where she could feel the flexing of his muscles as he levered himself up on his elbows, his entire lower body pressing into hers.

Maria shivered faintly alarmed by the pulsating pressure of Georg's arousal, but was too bemused to push him away.

"What are you thinking?" Georg whispered as he continued to kiss and caress her. "What's going on behind those beautiful eyes?"

Maria didn't answer; instead she shook her head as tears made her eyes glitter. She trembled in his arms, afraid to let herself go and be taken by her husband.

Georg deepened his kiss, again probing deep inside her mouth. Maria was unaware of Georg's growing passion until she felt a very deep sense of terror rise up in her breast. Georg's mouth turned hard and demanding, suddenly asking more than she could give, reminding her with sickening clarity of how it had been that night on the hill with...

The black pit of her nightmares and terror loomed before her. Maria started to squirm under Georg as his hands grasped her thighs in the throes of deep desire.

When Georg tried to gently push her thighs apart to feel the silken flesh of her most feminine place, Maria tore her mouth away from Georg's with a rough cry, "No!" she screeched the sudden overwhelming fear giving her the strength she wished she had that horrible night.

Maria shoved Georg away with considerable power in her petite body and rolled across the bed and onto the floor pulling the bed clothes with her and around her.

It took Georg a minute to get his bearings. One minute he was about to make love to Maria and the next she was curled up on the floor with the bedclothes covering her trembling body. She had been willing and from what he could feel, physically ready. He asked her consent every step of the way to prevent this. He didn't know what to do.

It only took Georg a minute, less than that to figure out what occurred. Quickly he grabbed his underwear and shirt and covered himself before trying to approach his terrified wife. "Maria!" he prodded gently.

Maria didn't recognize the voice as Georg's. To her it was the voice of Jakob Braun as he sought her out on the mountain. He stalked her like prey and when he had taken her, he did it like an animal. "Bleib weg! Fass mich nicht an. Fass mich nicht an!"

Georg sighed, this was not going to be a short experience. Whenever Maria spoke out in German, he was either in deep trouble for something, or the panic was so overwhelming that was all she knew. "Es ist alles in ordnung. Es ist un ordnung. Ich bin es, Liebling. Es ist Georg. Dir geht es gut." Georg tried replying in German to let his words reached the reflexive part of Maria's mind. When her posture softened he repeated in English. "It's alright it's me, Darling. It's Georg. You'll be alright."

Georg repeated the mantra several times slowly getting closer, hands out, palms up, a neutral position. Finally it worked.

"Georg," Maria murmured. Yes, that was right. This was Georg, her dear Georg. Her husband. The man she loved. The man she trusted. The man she had wanted so desperately until the evil memories again invaded her mind.

Maria covered her face, shoulders slumped, body wracked with sobs.

Georg's heart broke. Seeing Maria like this was always hard. After Lida was born, she had struggled a bit. She fed the baby and changed the baby, but she had a hard time providing the same maternal love she did to his other 7 children. Georg stepped up for that part of it. He rocked, he sang, he cuddled, and he bonded with the precious baby girl God had sent to them.

It only took Maria about a week to come around and in that time she had many moments like this. Moments of fear and pain that he could not heal no matter what he tried. Tonight was not about making love, none of their interactions were ever about that. This was something that happened between them, the ignition of the spark of mutual attraction. Maria's mind had betrayed her body, just as Georg's body betrayed him mind.

Georg slowly crouched down next Maria, his back against the bed. He opened his arms to her and she went into his embrace willingly. "Ssh," Georg soothed. "It's all right. Everything is going to be all right now."

Maria pulled back "How can you say that? I wanted this so much, Georg. You have to believe that."

"I know you did," Georg soothed. "I know you want us to be joined as much in body as we are in soul, but you aren't ready yet. That's okay. I didn't make this night for us because I wanted…it wasn't my intention, you have to believe that."

Georg was suddenly terrified that Maria would feel he tried to seduce her and he never meant to do that. He didn't want her to feel as if he did and if she felt that way the hard won trust in their marriage would be gone.

"Oh, I know," Maria replied. "I love you so much and the evening was perfect for us to finally, but when your kiss…"

Maria stopped when she felt Georg tense. "You mustn't feel guily," Maria said quickly. "Please don't. You didnt…it was just this last part when your kisses became more…needy that I just…I froze. I'm sorry, Georg. Truly I am."

"No, my love," Georg replied softly. "I got carried away and I…forgot I suppose for the moment and…I was…I am so sorry I made you relive…Forgive me, Maria?"

Maria nuzzled closer to Georg, "I don't have to," Maria replied. "You didn't do anything I didn't want you to do. I just feel badly that my demons ruined this moment for us. I should be asking you to forgive me. Are you still uh…?"

Georg shook his head, "No. No, the uh…mood has ..left for both of us, it seems." Georg gave Maria a kiss on the cheek. "What do you say we just get into bed and hold onto each other all night long?"

Maria lifted her head and smiled, meeting Georg's deep blue eyes, "That sounds like a very good idea to me."

Georg helped Maria up and curled himself around her as they lay in bed, gently stroking each other in the dark. This might be the only touching they would ever do, but it was their own special way to show their deep love for each other and that was good enough for them. They knew the secret, a secret that many couples with physical intimacy never learned, love isn't something that is made, it is something that is done.

A/N: Well, here is part one of three in this element of the "Trust" series. I had no idea when I started this would end up being four parts. There is a story about Lida and Georg in the works…after her marriage.

This is my first foray into the rated M side of Sound of Music so I hope you all enjoy it. CHAPTER 2 within a week or less.