Maria's return from the abbey had been welcomed by everyone in the Von Trapp household - well almost everyone. The Baroness inwardly cringed when she saw the governess return, but she put on a happy face and joined Georg on the terrace and gave a sigh of relief when Maria gave them well wishes on their engagement.

Still, it was three days later and the children and Maria were off on another outing into the city, well she and the five girls at least. Elsa had heard the boys mention to Georg how they hadn't felt like going out. So Freidrich and Kurt stayed home while the other six packed a picnic lunch and headed out. Even sitting by herself on the terrace, smoking a cigarette, Elsa felt threatened by Maria's presence...again.

000ooo000ooo000

Georg strolled through the first floor of his home. His emotions were on whirlwind of a ride. He had convinced himself after several late nights that it was the right thing to do proposing marriage to Elsa. It was the right thing to do. It was expected of him. But even as he sat there and asked Elsa to become the next Baroness Von Trapp he pictured Maria saying yes the whole time. Hell, the day he went into Salzburg to buy a ring for Elsa, he had come home with an elegant one for Maria. He actually still had to buy Elsa something for the occasion. How in the world was he to get himself out of this mess? Just as he was pondering that exact question he came upon Elsa sitting on the back terrace alone.

"Penny for your thoughts, darling?" Georg gave her an affection, yet quick, peck on the cheek and went to sit opposite her. How he detested her smoking.

"Oh nothing, Georg, just admiring this breath-taking view of the mountains."

"Yes it is extremely intoxicating isn't it?" Georg took a deep breath in, loving the fresh air.

As they were enjoying a moment together, Kurt happened to walk up the steps of the terrace, face buried in a book he had found in his father's study.

"And what is it that you're reading, my dear boy? For a moment there I was about to call you Brigitta the way you're sucked in."

Kurt looked up, not even realizing his father and the Baroness were there.

"Hello father...Baroness Schrader. It's a war book," he said as he passed the volume over to his father.

"The Art of Submarine Missiles...fascinating material, Kurt. I'm impressed...whyever are you reading on a day like this? I was surprised when Fraulein Maria told me you and your brother weren't tagging along on the picnic." He handed the book back to his youngest son, awaiting an explanation.

"I just felt like staying home, that's all." He shrugged and took a seat next to Elsa, who looked very surprised as he sat down. None of Georg's children had warmed to the idea of her entering the family. She took this as a possible sign of improvement.

"Wouldn't you have had more fun with your sisters and Fraulein Maria, though, Kurt? I dare-say your father and I won't make as nearly as good of company as the others." She took another small drag on her cigarette and blew it away.

"Oh I rather like it actually. You'll learn soon enough that there are a lot of us around here. When you have an opportunity for some peace and quiet you take it...I just felt like relaxing at home today." And for the first time, he gave Elsa a genuine smile. Georg noticed this and his jaw dropped slightly, but he quickly recovered as Elsa returned the gesture.

"Thank you, dear. I'll have to keep that in mind now won't I?" And Elsa gave him a small pat on his cheek. Kurt allowed the contact and even almost giggled at the effort she was putting forth - almost.

The three sat that way for a while until Kurt excused himself, burying his face back in his war volume on his way back into the house to see where his older brother was. After he went into the house Elsa gave Georg a triumphant look.

"Perhaps I won't be the evil stepmother I had imagined after all," she said as she gave him a wink. As much as he didn't want to, Georg couldn't help but laugh at her remark.

000ooo000ooo000

The girls had gotten back from their picnic without much fuss and Maria sent them upstairs to change for dinner. She made herself presentable and went to find the boys, having missed them during their outing. As she rounded the corner to the sitting room, she found Elsa speaking with Frau Schmidt. Upon seeing Maria, Elsa dismissed Frau Schmidt, who gave Maria a worried expression. Maria shrugged it off as Elsa summoned her across the room.

"Good evening, Baroness."

"Hello, Maria. How was the picnic?"

"Lovely, thank you. It's a shame the boys didn't want to join."

"Yes, Kurt had said he was enjoying his peace and quiet while he had the house to himself for the afternoon. He doesn't say much does he, but when he speaks he makes it count. We had a nice little chat on the terrace earlier." She moved as she arranged some flowers she had set out on one of the end tables near the sofa.

Maria chuckled slightly at Elsa's observation of one of her charges. If she only knew the true character of Kurt. She thought to herself. It was odd. Maria sensed a sudden change in Elsa and she couldn't tell if she was trying to make amends for the way she spoke the night of the party, or if she truly had a change of heart toward the children. Still, she couldn't help but wonder if something was about to happen and Elsa was merely trying to lower whatever it was she was trying to say gently.

"I'd like to speak to you about something, nothing too major my dear, but something I feel must be addressed now that I'm to be the lady of the house."

Maria knew whatever was coming wasn't going to be good by the way Elsa was staring at her.

"I'm going to try and put this as delicately as I can, Maria so I hope you're not offended." She paused awaiting a reaction from Maria.

"Of course, Baroness. What is it?" Maria stood a bit straighter, she didn't know if it was out of fear for what Elsa was about to say, or to balance herself in case the news was too great the force might knock her over.

"Well you see the thing is, now that Georg and I are to be married my rightful place would be opposite him at meal time, where it appears you have been for quite some time now. And as much as the children adore you, I just don't see it fit for you to be joining the family at meal time anymore. You are, after all, an employer of this household and frankly I believe should be treated as such. Of course I mean this as no disrespect to you personally, it's just the way things should be."

Elsa closed the distance between herself and Maria, waiting for a reaction. Maria wanted to slap her across the face, but knew that would only be granting Elsa the satisfaction she wanted. Instead, her gaze became icy and distant. She looked at her the way she had the day she returned to discover her engagement to the Captain. Maria swallowed hard and blinked furiously, wanting her feelings of hatred to pass.

"Of course, Baroness, as you wish. And might I add that since I will not be the governess once a new one is selected by the Captain that this arrangement is only temporary anyway. I shall, however, adhere to it until I leave."

"Splendid. Now there's a good girl. From now you'll be taking your meals in the kitchen with Frau Schmidt and the others. In fact I do believe they've just begun supper since we'll all be down for ours shortly."

Maria gave Elsa a curt bow of her head and made her way into the kitchen.

000ooo000ooo000

Dinner that night was a nightmare. Georg shouted at Elsa as he had never done before. None of the children spoke a word and Marta and Gretl cried through the entire meal. Kurt, who thought he had made some progress with the Baroness, was disgusted with her and didn't even finish half his dinner. Everyone ate quickly and excused themselves, all meeting up in Liesl's room afterwards.

"How dare she do that to Fraulein Maria!" Louisa shouted as they all were in Liesl's bedroom with the door shut finally.

"Did you see the way father looked at her after we found out Fraulein Maria wasn't going to be joining us?"

"You mean, the way he wouldn't even look at her!" Brigitta said as she corrected Freidrich's statement.

Liesl sat down on her bed with her back against the wall. She closed her eyes and tightened her hold over Marta and Gretl on either side of her. Her family was slipping away. Deep down, she hated her father for forcing she and her siblings to like the Baroness and think of her as a new mother, but she knew he was just confused.

Kurt sat at the edge of the bed with his knees drawn to his chest. He was the only one who hadn't since anything since dinner. All the others were chatting hurriedly with each other. Finally Marta noticed how her brother was so quiet.

"Kurt you're not saying anything."

"Yes, Kurt, what's the matter?" Liesl looked at him.

"It's just, well - it's just that while you girls were out today I actually sat down and talked with Baroness." Six faces stared back at him in utter shock.

"She and father were outside and I walked by and she and I talked and then she...she...she..."

"What?" All six asked, wanting to know the end. Kurt looked up at them sheepishly.

"She and I laughed and then she brought her hand to my face, like mother used to do when I was little. And I thought for a quick second that maybe she wasn't so bad, but now I wish that had never happened!"

Freidrich put a comforting hand on his little brother's shoulder and Kurt half leaned into his embrace.

At that moment they all heard a small knock on the door. Their breaths caught in their throats, fearing it was father who may have heard their conversation. Liesl cleared her throat and told whoever was on the other side of the door to come in. The door swung open to reveal Maria standing there, wanting to come in.

"Fraulein Maria!" Kurt shouted and jumped off the bed and hugged his governess fiercely. Maria was taken back by the sudden movement and was slow to react, but soon wrapped her arms around Kurt and closed her eyes as she rested her heard on top of his. Soon the others had formed a massive hug around their beloved governess right there in the doorway.

"What's all this about? I just saw you girls a while ago and boys, if you really missed me that much then perhaps you should have gone on the picnic with us." She joked and everyone giggled back. She ushered them all into the room and soon all eight of them were sitting back on the bed. They all resumed their original spots and Maria sat at the foot of the bed between the boys.

"Why are all of you in here? And why are you so quiet?" Maria looked at each of them, and when no one answered her she pressed on.

"Children, what's the matter?" Of course she knew the answer, she just wanted to make sure the children were feeling hurt the way she was by the Baroness' gesture.

"Fraulein Maria how can you be so chipper after what that awful lady did to you?" Brigitta asked.

"Brigitta, what have we said when referring to the Baroness? Hhmm?" Maria gave her a reproachful look, causing Brigitta to look down slightly after being scolded. None of the others wanted to say anything, for it was merely echoing their sister's sentiments. Liesl spoke up, not wanting their governess to feel even more uncomfortable than she already must have been.

"Fraulein, we just were worried about you. After what Baroness Schrader did, we figured you'd be devastated - we all are. We just don't understand why this had to happen."

"Liesl, all of you, you need to understand that since your father is to marry the Baroness there are some changes to be made around here from now on, and this is one of them."

Seven faces dropped and Maria held up her hand to silence any forthcoming reactions.

"She is right. I am but an employee of your father. And the Baroness, however liked or not liked by you all - yet, is to become the lady of the villa and you all must accept that one way or the other."

By now, Georg had crept upstairs to check on his children, cursing inwardly for letting Elsa get the best of him. As he was about to enter, he heard Maria's sweet voice soothing the children.

"I know it will take some time getting used to the idea, but she's going to be your new mother, you must not fight this, please promise me that." Again, she scanned all seven faces for some sign of an answer.

"But what about you?" Louisa spoke up.

"Me? What about me, Louisa?"

"You'll just go on eating your meals without us from now on?"

Maria closed her eyes and prayed for strength for the next words about to leave her mouth.

"Children you all must know that as much as I love you, there was going to be a time where I wasn't going to be around anymore. I was only sent here until the end of September to begin with." She said this as tears threatened to fall and as soon as she said it, she immediately regretted is seeing the reaction on all seven faces.

"Does that mean you're leaving us again?" Gretl nervously said with a quivering lip. She started to cry and buried her face into her oldest sister's chest. Marta followed her lead.

Maria draped both arms around Kurt and Freidrich, drawing them close together, and Louisa and Brigitta held hands. It was a very somber moment.

"Yes, Gretl, I'm afraid so. Now that you'll all have a new mother, I'm afraid that leaves very little room for me." She cleared her throat at the last part, as she steadied her voice. She was determined not to break down in front of the children.

"But let me make one thing quite clear. I won't leave without saying good-bye to all of you first. Doing that before was the greatest mistake I've ever made in my life and I promise to never put the seven of you in that kind of pain ever again. Please believe me on that." By now tears were forming and had fallen down her cheeks. All five of the girls were crying and the boys were on the verge of tears too.

"But why do you have to leave, Fraulein? You don't love us anymore?"

"Oh Brigitta how can you even suggest such a thing? Of course I love you. I love all of you with every ounce of my heart. But this is how things must be - it's fate. And I'm more than grateful for the time I was able to spend known all seven of you and I know I'm a better person for it."

"So are we, fraulein. We all love you, too. Right?" Freidrich looked over at his siblings who nodded fiercely in agreement.

"When will you go?" Louisa asked as she wiped her eyes on the back of her hand.

"Soon, I'm afraid. But I promise to tell you all beforehand so we can have a proper good-bye." Maria tried to give them all a steady smile, but she was failing at it.

"Well then if you're to leave us again I suppose we better enjoy the time we have with you to the fullest." Kurt said as he looked up at the only woman he allowed to hug him since his mother died.

"Exactly, Kurt. Now there's the spirit."

"So I guess that means we should have one last tickle fight then!" And in a flash he started tickling Maria in her sides, causing her to burst out in laughter. Freidrich attacked her other side with her fingers and by the time the girls joined in, the seven of them had buried Maria in the bed covers, tickling her and causing a fit of hysterics. All their tears had miraculously dried and were transformed into laughter. Finally, Maria was able to surface, completely out of breath, yet grateful for the change of subject and for the change in mood.

Just as she was about to speak another knock was heard at the door and all eight of them turned to see Georg standing there, casually leaning against the doorframe.

"I hate to interrupt you all, since you're obviously having so much fun, but I need to borrow Fraulein Maria for a while."

Maria sat up at the mention of her name and smoothed out her messy hair.

"Of course, captain."

"Very good, fraulein. I'll be in my study downstairs. Take your time." Georg gave his children his best fatherly smile and left them alone once more.

"Ooohhh, you're in trouble!" Kurt chided his governess and everyone laughed.

"That does it - get Kurt!" Maria turned everyone on Kurt and soon they were all piled on top of him, tickling and giggling once more. By the time their laughter subsided, it was almost a half an hour later. Maria was able to calm everyone down and left them to prepare themselves for bed. She told them she'd be back up to tuck them in once she spoke with the Captain.

Unsure of how her feet moved to his office, Maria found herself in front of the study door with her hand raised to knock.

"Come in, fraulein," was the reply on the other end.

Maria took a deep breath and turned the knob. Oh help.

*** Ok so here's another new SOM fanfic! Hope you like this first chapter - something I conjured up recently, trying to shed some light on the moments in between Maria's return and the end of the movie. Enjoy and as always, review review review! ***