Affidavit: Not mine. The characters used in this story belong in their entirety to 20th Century Fox Studios. But if some lawyer of theirs is reading this: I'd love to purchase Georg. Could I finance him in monthly payments if he is not of use anymore?

Notes: I want to thanks Jordananne for her kind and unconditional support. This is dedicated to her. I want to also thank Edelwyn for her encouragement. (I owe you a reply, I'll try sending it tomorrow.)

This story relies heavily on details and later on, on dialogue. I wanted to explore a little the relationship between Georg and Maria, I felt they know little about each other, as it was presented in the film. I am trying to fill in some spaces. I also wanted to analyze Maria's vocation and her feelings upon realizing that she wasn't meant to be a nun. Reportedly, real life Maria had a hard time struggling to accept this fact. Please comment, feedback is appreciated, as are suggestions of any sort. English is not my mother tongue, but you see, as Maria, I try and I am learning, I really am! This is the first of about 13 chapters.

This story will be rated at least T, so I advise minors not to continue.

Note 2: this a shameless plug, but I recently I made a SOM romantic fan video, "Classic". If you like you can get the link in my profile. It starts and moves along like this story.

Summary: Maria attends the ball, Georg reacts strongly to her interactions with a guest and events spiral out of control. This story takes place during 8 hours. Jealousy/Angst

The longest night

"He was about forty and this governess not twenty;

and you see, when gentlemen of his age fall in love with girls,

they are often like as if they were bewitched. Well, he would

marry her." -- Jane Eyre, Ch 36

Chapter 1 The Laendler

The light of the patio illuminated her hair like a halo and her skin gleamed making her look almost ethereal and very young.

Captain Von Trapp held out his hand graciously towards Maria, who upon turning comically and looking slightly surprised took it without any diffidence that he could notice. Not that he would have much time to study her, the dance was intricate and fast and he was pleasantly surprised to feel her light and graceful, waltzing as she let herself be guided by his expert hand. At times like this the last thing he'd remember would be that she was a postulant who just had left an abbey and who was due to return there very soon.

Maria had become so close to his family in a matter of a couple of months. She was patient and loving with his children even when she was exhausted after hours and hours of hard work. They trusted her more than they did him, they were happy with her to a fault. And the funny thing was that he didn't resent that fact. He and the children were a family again in a way nobody would have dreamed could be possible after the death of his wife, Agathe.

The captain wondered if that could that be the reason why lately his heart would suddenly skip a beat at the most unexpected moments, such as when he saw her smiling with that air of frankness and innocence, or while she happened to look at him and kept staring in his eyes as if he was some sort of fascinating puzzle. It seemed that Maria didn't realize how it could be unnerving.

He thought she was beautiful. In fact, he hadn't ever seen anything more breath-taking. It was ridiculous he really hadn't noticed that fact the first afternoon he had met her. But it had sank soon enough, he remembered; that very evening upon entering her room and finding her in her nightgown, he actually saw her.

But inappropriate thoughts about his governess were the last thing he needed now especially if that woman had devoted her life to the church and was twenty years younger than himself...

Just as an additional consideration, the timing wouldn't be exactly the best -he thought- hadn't such barriers existed. They were in the middle of a great ball, a ball where the tacit goal was to introduce Baroness Schraeder to society as a very likely wife candidate. He already had heard some teasing comments about madly pealing wedding bells from some acquaintance or other who managed a few seconds alone with him after introductions had been made earlier.

Maria, on her side, completely ignorant of the Captain's dangerous turn of thoughts, smiled happily taken in by the floating quality of his lead and how it was just natural that her legs would remember the long time forgotten steps of the folk dance while noticing that both their bodies moved as one. She started blushing while he sent her whirling around.

'This is so much fun!', Maria thought to herself, as she hoisted her skirt circling the captain, who was slapping with his elegantly gloved hands. But as she turned her back to him, an electric sensation bolted at the end of her spine because she sensed his eyes fixed intensely on her legs.

Was it really just her imagination? She wondered. No, impossible. Could not be. Their relationship was not like that, was it? Upon turning the sensation made her uncomfortable and she frowned.

The Laendler, was meant for courtship, she reflected. They were supposed to touch and hold hands quite a lot and it wouldn't mean anything at all, except that it would bring them together more than it would be comfortable. Maria feared the next part of the dance anyway, as she offered him her hand from behind his back. When he took it, she got goose bumps in her arm and a sudden weakness as their extremities intertwined in a way that brought their faces closer. Maria tried to avoid the Captain's eyes, too insecure to enjoy it anymore.

Georg on his side had been also enjoying himself, it was the first physical contact he and Maria ever had, he realized. Thoughts of propriety fled his mind. He never imagined it could be like this. The chemistry between them was intoxicating and palpable. It was like if he was eighteen again. And as he took Maria closer to himself, he felt his skin tighten with sensation, making him lose his step.

In the few next seconds he put her arms up and behind her in what was a very sensual lock. Georg was slightly shocked he hadn't realized how close the Laendler would put him to his partner, how it made the female in his arms seem vulnerable to him, not having felt this self-conscious in so many years. He realized then, that he was holding Maria much closer than the dance required.

Not only that, but it was her eyes that held on to him like they were bewitched. Hypnotizing him, making him forget everything... Georg felt his head go down slowly towards her, the rest of the world evaporated from his mind.

Maria was the first to react. They were in the middle of the patio, the children were staring at them openmouthed and she had lost her composure badly. She stepped back without being able to look away or breathe, her eyes wide, feeling pitifully embarrassed as she saw him smile. Oh God, he was bad!

"Your face is all red", said Brigitta nearing to have a better look.

"Yes, I suppose I am not used to dancing", was the lucky reply that saved Maria from an uncomfortable silence while she covered her cheeks with her hands.

Soon Baroness Schraeder approached them too, making some comments Maria didn't quite hear but allowed her to make a fast exit with the children.

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Inside, the party was reaching its peak. The glamour and richness of the dresses women wore and the gallantry of the men made Maria feel like all was a dream. The band was also magnificent, and as a great music lover she felt even more enchanted by this aspect of what high society regarded as normal and enjoyable elegance. The sort of things she only read in a dusty and falling apart romantic novel she had once found hidden in a dark corner of the library of the abbey, but that she hadn't expected in her wildest dreams to witness and live for herself!

Especially the recent dance was more than she ever had seriously considered could happen to her.. She sighed.

"Fräulein Maria, that piece you had with father was simple incredible!" exclaimed Liesl, innocently.

Maria lowered her head looking away to avoid answering.

"I think it was very romantic" said Gretl with the air of a bigger girl who knew what she was talking about.

"Silly, it wasn't romantic; you know that father fancies Baroness Schraeder," added Kurt, trying to "defend" Maria.

Brigitta and Louisa didn't comment but looked at each other and giggled as if they shared a secret. Maria felt uncomfortable but didn't make any statement that as she would usually do.

She refused to let the full impact of the shared dance with the captain enter her mind by the moment, knowing that she needed to be full aware while still among the party guests. Only once she would finally reach the haven of her own room she would give herself permission to linger and try to comprehend what had happened. Maria knew already that the moment hadn't been completely innocent, and a vague sensation she refused to listen to, also tried to tell her something else.

Maria's heart still beat much faster than usual, making her hands sweat with anxiety.

"Pick yourself up!" she whispered to herself as she went to ballroom and announced the goodnight act she and the children had prepared.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, the Captain Von Trapp children want to wish you goodnight", she moved her arms inviting then inside. Everyone gathered by the end of the stairs and looked the children sing their farewell.

"So long, Farewell…."

Maria could tell the guests were delighted by the sweetness of the kids. She couldn't help but feel very proud inside. She couldn't help but triumph. It was almost as if they were her own children.

The captain Von Trapp watched her beam with obvious pride over the accomplished presentation. His eyes wandered too often in her direction, in fact, as often as they did towards the children, at least. He did hope that Elsa wouldn't notice because he didn't feel himself ready for more of her ironic teasing. Not at this specific moment.

The last chords died and a group of people closed in to congratulate him on the children. He felt it was Maria the one who deserved the compliments. Upon turning to see her, he realized she was about to leave the room so Georg addressed her more sincerely than discreetly: "Fräulein, you can stay if you want" Something was slightly changed between them, he saw she couldn't quite meet his eye.

"Oh no, I couldn't. But thanks captain," Maria said hastily.

"Oh we insist, Fräulein. Everybody wants to know about you right now. This charming singing will be talked about for the next few months at least. I insist you stay," Max intervened.

Maria acceded defeated. "All right. Just let me change. I am not adequately dressed for the occasion," she said with a smile.

"Oh go, we will wait for you", added the captain, looking away as if disinterested.

Maria ran up the stairs. But as she reached the second floor she thought that she was supposed to check on the kids first. Make sure they were asleep and well. She went to the boy's room first and then to the little girls. Maria found Liesl putting a very excited Gretl to bed.

"Fräulein Maria, do you think father liked how we sang?" asked her while being handed her teddy bear.

"Oh yes, darling. He was much congratulated on you all. He was very happy, I am sure".

Gretl giggled happily. Maria simply winked in complicity.

Upon closing the door, Maria informed in hushed tones to Liesl that she was to return downstairs to join the other guests for dinner. "I have to go change, although I don't know what I could possible wear to be up to the occasion" she said putting her hand to her head in an expression of puzzlement. Liesl saw her excitement and was happy to see Maria attending her first ball. They both had talked endlessly about the ball in the days preceding the event. Without thinking twice Liesl offered something that she thought would help Maria to blend in better.

"Fräulein, you may borrow a formal dress I keep in my armoire if you want. The dressmaker had it done with my dossier for when I turned 16. I've never had a chance to use it yet but I think it'd fit you quite well." Liesl was eager to help her and Maria felt her heart warm at such affection and generosity but she was also doubtful.

"I am not sure it would be appropriate. The captain may have something to say about it"

"Why would he, it's a women's thing" said Liesl a little surprised.

"Alright, but we better hurry up. And thank you so much Liesl" said Maria smiling and hugging Liesl slightly. They both ran for the opposite wing of the house without noticing that the baroness was heading up the stairs in direction to Maria's room with quite a determined look on her face.