Lovers

Disclaimer: I own nothing unfortunately.

Summary: Starts at the unexpected little swim during the boat trip. The first part will be much like the movie but things will suddenly take an interesting turn.

Chapter 1

"Look it's father!" the children excitedly exclaimed and stood up in the already rocking boat.

"Oh Captain, you're home!" Maria stood as well and clapped her hands together. The boat rocked heavier however and eventually tipped.

"Ah ah aaah!" All of them ended up in the water, wet to their skins.

"Come out of that water at once!" Laughing and spitting the children climbed up to their father, Louisa carefully carrying Gretl, while Maria secured the boat.

"Oh, you must be Baroness Schräder!" Maria yelled from the water, looking rather much like a drenched cat. The Baroness could barely keep from laughing but one look at Georgs cold face made her heart sink immediately and she resumed her classy features. Suddenly the Captain blew his whistle and the children all jumped in line to please him, their laughter dying quickly. He inspected them thoroughly, not missing the opportunity to rip off Louisas handkerchief, before introducing them to the Baroness.

"This is Baroness Schräder." He felt so embarrassed but could almost sense a smile breaking through his stern facade. 'How is this possible?' he bitterly thought.

"And these are my children." The Baroness smiled politely.

"How do you do?"

"Now, go inside, get dressed and report back here immediately!" The children didn't need to be told twice and ran inside making a wet trail after them. The Captain drew his eyes back to the fräulein who tried to escape as well.

"You will stay here please fräulein." He fixed his eyes on Maria, not giving Elsa a second thought. Elsa sensed his rage and excused herself.

"I think I'll go and see what Max is up to." With that she left them alone, a sting of jealousy in her heart. Why she felt it she couldn't figure out as the Captain was only going to yell at his new governess. Something did bother her though and she frowned as she walked into the villa.

The Captain stood enthralled before his childrens caretaker, seeing her wet dress hug her body tightly and revealing her smooth curves to him. He quickly got out of his reverie and remembered the true purpose to why they were out here alone.

"Now fräulein, I want a truthful answer from you."

"Yes Captain." 'I'm in for it now. Well, I might as well reprimand him when I know the ending already.'

"Is it possible, or did I dream, that my children have been climbing trees today?"

"Yes Captain."

"And where did they get these..."

"Playclothes."

"Oh is that what you call them?" 'She made my children play? Like children should...'

"I made them. From the drapes that used to hang in my bedroom."

"Are you meaning to tell me that my children have been running around Salzburg dressed up in old drapes?" 'This girl is fabulous. Making clothes in a material the children wouldn't have to be careful wearing. No, focus! You're angry, remember?'

"Mhmm, and having a marvelous time."

"They have uniforms."

"Straitjackets if you'll forgive me."

"I will not forgive you for that one fräulein." 'How dare she!'

"Children can not do what they are supposed to do if they have to worry about spoiling their clothes."

"I haven't heard them complaining about it."

"They wouldn't dare, they love you too much."

"I will not discuss my children with you fräulein." 'They love me? Despite of everything?'

"Well, you've got to hear it from someone. You're never home long enough to get to know them."

"I don't want to hear this."

"I know you don't but you've got to!" The Captain stood in awe and listened to Maria. Not since his naval career had anyone spoken to him like that. Maria continued to yell at him, not being able to stop now. She told him about his children and how he don't know them at all. He listened carefully to her words, letting his eyes travel to her visible body every now and then. He knew what he must do though, having a governess like this would only cause him more trouble.

"I've heard enough of this."

"I am not finished Captain!"

"Oh yes you are Captain! Eh, fräulein." He smiled inwards at his slip.

"You will pack your things and return to the abbey. You are fired fräulein." 'Why do my words sting in my chest?' Maria slumped and began to turn from him when they heard the children sing. The Captain touched her arm to turn her around to face him again, immediately regretting doing so. He could clearly see the hurt in her eyes but found that he could look no place else. Her eyes captivated him completely.

"What is that sound?" he asked, not blinking once.

"It's singing..." Maria was as transfixed with the Captains eyes as he was with hers and the fact that he still touched his hand gently to her arm made her feel dizzy.

"I realize that but who is singing?" Maria sighed and broke their gaze.

"The children." The Captain looked at the villa and whispered with a lump in his throat.

"The children..." He went inside and Maria prayed that he would not scold them. She felt tears burn behind her eyelids when she remembered she had to leave these wonderful children to whatever fate God had intended for them. The tears were soon replaced by another feeling though. She stroke her arm gently where the Captain had touched her not five minutes ago. Despite the fact that he had argued with her and actually fired her she could only feel happiness when she thought of him. 'How can that be? Why does it feel like I have butterflies in my stomach?' Shivering a little she remembered her wet dress still clamoring to her body and she decided to go inside and change before she caught a cold. Slowly she walked towards her room but stopped outside the sitting room to have a peek. A strange voice could be heard singing with the children and she was truly amazed when it turned out to be no one other than the Captain. He sung nicely and she was completely spellbound by him. When the song ended he hugged his children and they laughed together, all the tension built up through the years running off them in a minute. The children had long since spotted Maria and, when turning to see what they looked at, the Captain saw her as well. Maria startled and quickly walked to the stairs. The Captain ran out of the room and closed the door behind him.

"Fräulein wait." She didn't care what he had to say as she felt her tears returning at the mere sound of him and hurriedly started to climb the stairs. The Captain was faster however and took a gentle hold of her arm, making her stop dead in her tracks.

"Fräulein. The children want you to stay." He turned her around to look at him but she looked down.

"But I thought..." she began to stutter but the Captain interrupted her mid sentence. She lifted her head and looked into his eyes and her breath caught in her throat. They stood there, gazing at each other for what seemed like forever, before the Captain spoke.

"Fräulein... I want you to stay." Marias eyes immediately lit up at his words and she couldn't help but smile foolishly.

"Really?" He smiled and nodded.

"Yes, really. Please don't leave. The children would be lost without you."

"Thank you Captain."

"I'm the one who should be thanking you fräulein." They looked each other deep in the eyes, not caring for anything else in the world at the moment, when the Captain realized he was still holding her arm. He quickly let go and took one step back as he found the distance between them unprofessionally small. He actually didn't mind at all, although he would never admit that to anyone, but perhaps Maria was uncomfortable.

"Sorry." he said and smiled sheepishly at her.

"I should go down to..."

"The children?"

"Yes. Well, hrm, see you later fräulein." He descended and rejoined his children. Maria couldn't hold back her tears any longer and they freely ran down her cheeks. She was so happy about being able to stay with the children. 'And the Captain... Whoa, where did that come from?'