this is my first fanfic and i'm honestly not really sure what direction i want to go in at this point.

disclaimer: sadly, the only TSOM i own is a dvd.

Chapter 1:

"...and i'll sing once more." Finishing her song, Maria looked around and marveled at the magnificent mountains before her. This was her mountain, her safe haven, her escape. This mountain is where Maria can be free, where she can go to sing and take a break from her life at the abbey. It brought her much comfort to know that this mountain was hers and hers alone. She had never brought anyone up to her mountain, and when her parents brought her up here to spend the day, they never brought anyone here either. This was her special place where she felt especially close to her parents.

Reminiscing deep in her thoughts, Maria must not have heard the soft, almost soundless footsteps approaching closer to her. When she finally turned around to discover who was up on her mountain, she was met with what she thought was the most handsome man she had ever seen before. She couldn't help but just stare at him.

Finally, after what seemed like hours, he broke the uncomfortable silence.

"Hello" Oh goodness, his voice was handsome too. Maria thought she might faint right then and there. When she finally picked her mouth up off the ground, she responded. "Hello"

"I must say fräulein, you have quite an amazing voice. I didn't mean to intrude, i was only walking and heard you singing rather majestically. I'm afraid my curiosity got the best of me, i just had to follow the sound. I apologize for disturbing you." Maria could not believe that this man she had never met before in her life was complimenting her so. "No apologies necessary, although i must admit, i wasn't aware that anyone else knew of this place other than my parents and myself."

"My father used to bring me and my sister up here before he passed. I would always ask him how he ever came to discover such a peaceful escape, he said that his dearest friend who he met at a very young age, were out exploring one day when they should have been doing something much more productive. My father told me that he and his friend made a pact that they would never reveal their newfound discovery to anyone other than their future children, that this would always be a special place they could go when they felt overwhelmed. Although i'm not completely sure how true that story is, fräulein." Maria noticed at that last sentence, his demeanor started to change. He almost seemed more comfortable sharing such a personal story to a perfect stranger.

"But to a young child, that was one story i would never tire of hearing."

"Well, Herr... i'm sorry, what is your name?" Maria was sure now, his gaze had definitely softened and she had to admit she was very curious to learn as much as possible about this man. "It's Georg. and fräulein, might i have the pleasure of knowing your name?" This had to be a man of class and elegance. His voice was firm but it also had compassion too. "Maria. It's very nice to meet you, Georg. I must admit, your story is far more interesting than mine. My parents brought me here every once in a while to spend quality time together. I never asked how they came to know of this place."

"Maria, it's very nice to meet you. And i must compliment you once more on your singing. it was absolutely beautiful." "Thank you. I'm not used to receiving compliments very often." Maria could feel a slight blush forming on her cheeks. "Maria, i hope i'm not too forward in saying so, but i would very much like to get to know you more. Would you like to join me for lunch in town tomorrow?" She couldn't believe her ears, was this handsome man actually asking her out for lunch? Maria knew she shouldn't accept his invitation. After all, she had conveniently left out the fact that she was a postulate who should not even be here now. But there was something so intriguing about him that kept Maria from using any sense. "Yes, Georg, i'd love to meet you for lunch."

The two exchanged details about their upcoming date and as Georg was bidding her goodbye, he reached and picked up her hand from its resting place at her side. He brought Maria's hand up to his lips and left a soft, very gentlemanly kiss on her hand. At this point, she was very obviously blushing. "Goodbye Maria, until tomorrow." "Goodbye Georg." She couldn't help but smile as his name left her lips. He returned her smile and turned to leave. Just as Georg was almost out of her line of sight, he turned and looked once more at Maria. They both smiled, and he turned and left. Almost immediately as he was gone, Maria could hear bells in the distance. They seemed to bring some sense back to her mind and bring her back to the present. She whirled around and ran her hand through her hair as she realized she was very, very late. Oh goodness, how would she explain to the reverend mother that she was late because she agreed to go on a date with the most handsome man she had ever seen before? She ran as fast as she could down the mountain and back to the abbey, and she knew that she would no doubt be kissing the floor when she returned to the abbey.

to be continued...