A/N: Okay here is my next chapter. It is kind of long. I just hope it's not long and boring. Thanks for the reviews. I do not own Leverage.
Two months later Nate finally agreed that it would be okay for the team to start working again. He would have waited longer but after many complaints from the team and after Sophie gave him a speech about how she was fine and that he can't keep her locked away forever he finally caved in. Sophie and Audrey were still living with Nate. For some reason no one seemed to bring that up.
The team gathered around to listen to Hardison's briefing about their next job.
''The mark's name is Jethro Dawson the forth. He is the CEO of Dawson Oil one of the biggest oil companies in Austin, Texas. Dawson Oil is a family business; it was started by Jethro's great-grandfather Jethro Dawson the first. They are said to be family orientated, family is important to them. They tend to work with only family own business. And they look like your typical family loving, oil rich Texan family. And they were until Jethro Dawson was put in charge of the family business. Jethro is not the family man is said to be. He started embezzling money from the family business that have invested in Dawson Oil. After Jethro's brother died Jethro went on a gambling binge and lost more than half of Dawson's Oil's funds. So Jethro did two no no's, he let the family down by putting the family business in bankrupt and screwed over the family business that have been helping them out since the business first started. Jethro the first would not be proud.''
''Okay so we need to prove that Dawson Oil has been embezzling money from other family business and get them their money back. Let's give Jethro a family and a family business he will never forget.'' Nate said.
''Well Dawson Oil is having their annual Oil ball this weekend, in two days and that is where Jethro usually gets his investors.''
''Looks like we will be attending the ball. Hardison book six tickets to Austin. Let's go steal a family business!''
The next day they arrived in Austin. Hardison booked them all in a suite at one of the biggest hotels in Austin. They all gathered in the main room of the suite to listen to Nate to hear how the con would take place and each role each person would play.
''The Dawson's like family and they like dealing with families so let's give them what they want. I am going to be Clayton Bailey, Sophie you are going to be my wife Caroline Bailey and Audrey you are going to be our daughter Savannah Bailey. Eliot you are going to be my brother Brock Bailey. Our family business is transporting oil. We will make it seem that we are trying to help expand Dawson Oil. We are going to be the best southern, family own exporting oil business around. So I remember from the con in Kentucky that your southern belle is pretty good Sophie and I know Eliot southern accent is fine. What about you Audrey?''
''Well…''
''I have been working with Audrey on her accents and she is doing quite well. She will be fine.''
''Oh I don't know mum.''
''You can do it, you will be fine.''
''Okay now Hardison you are Tommy our man who checks if the oil is clean and you also be checking the Dawson's computer system for any evidence. Parker you are Maribeth my assistant and you will also be checking the Dawson household and office for any evidence. Everyone all set? Any questions? No, okay let's go get some rest we got a busy day ahead of us.''
The next day they were all getting ready for the ball and they all had to dress up. Sophie picked out what each person would wear. Normally they would all whine and complain about what they had to wear but they were glad to have their Grifter back and that are all back working together. Nate was in his room finishing getting ready when Sophie knocked on the door.
''Come in.''
''Hey Nate… oh do you want me to help you with those?''
''Yes please, these cuff links are not cooperating.''
''There you go.''
''Thank you…. You look beautiful.''
Sophie couldn't help to blush.
''Thank you. You don't look so bad yourself.''
Nate couldn't help himself he grabbed Sophie and kissed her. In his opinion it has been too long since they kissed. He missed kissing her and he thought he told her that in the way he kissed her.
''Wow. I can see that you missed me… I missed you too.''
Nate looked deep into Sophie's eyes and he was about to admit how he feels when they were interrupted by a knock on the door. It was Hardison.
''Hey man, are you ready to go?''
''Yes… yes we are ready to go.''
Nate and Sophie joined the others and they all made their way to the ball.
Nate entered the ball room with two beautiful ladies, one on each arm. They must have made one hell of an entrance because Jethro Dawson soon approached them.
''Hello there my name is Jethro Dawson , I don't believe I know you and I must know the names of these two beautiful creatures.''
''Hello Mr. Dawson. My name is Clayton Bailey and this is my beautiful wife Caroline Bailey and this is our beautiful daughter Savannah Bailey.''
Jethro took Sophie's hand and kissed it and then touched Audrey's chin. Audrey tried to hide how uncomfortable she was.
''Why this one is as beautiful as her momma.''
Sophie could sense her daughter uneasiness and removed Jethro's hand from her daughter's face.
''Yes she is. Thank you for the compliment Mr. Dawson.''
''You're welcome and you may call me Jethro pretty lady.''
Sophie smiled at Jethro and then turned to look at Nate.
''Clayton we better be getting to our seats.''
''Yes, yes in a minute darling. Mr. Dawson, may I have a word with you?''
''Yes of course and you may call me Jethro as well.''
''Okay, ladies why don't you go find our seats while I have a word with Jethro.''
''Okay dear.'' Sophie said then she approached Nate and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
''She is beautiful isn't she? Anyway Jethro, how would you like to transport your oil and expand Dawson Oil?''
''Yes, I am but I don't like to talk business before I have had my dinner. Come and fine me later Mr. Bailey, much like yourself I have a beautiful lady waiting for me as well.''
''Very well Jethro. And you may call me Clayton.''
''See you later then Clayton.''
Nate then went to search for Sophie and Audrey. On his way he asked for updates from the others.
''Eliot where you able to find where we can get our hands on some trucks?''
''Yes, working on it now.''
''Parker are you in his office? Did you find anything?''
''Yes. All that I found so far was the guy's gambling receipts… What is that? Eww! Nate this place is not very well organized!''
''Okay okay, just keep looking. Hardison what about you.''
''All I have been able to find is bets Jethro has made and a whole lot of emails of Jethro trying to kiss the butts of the companies he wants to screw over.''
''Okay keep looking. Perhaps there are things in those emails we can use. Sophie… Sophie where are you?''
''Turn around Nate.''
''Ah.''
Nate took his seat next to Sophie and he could sense her uneasiness. He knew that she was nervous about Audrey being there with them after what happened at the last job Audrey did with her mother and the fact that Jethro is scum. Just like Nate was nervous having Sophie there because of the fact that she got shot at their last job. And Audrey became nervous because she could sense the uneasiness and Jethro Dawson gave her the creeps.
''Perhaps we took this job too soon…''
''No Nate… it will be fine. We are fine.''
''Okay.''
Nate made a promise to himself that the three of them will always be in the presence of each other for the rest of the con. He would not let Sophie or Audrey out of his eye sight.
After eating what Sophie liked to called the most disgusting mystery meat she has ever seen, Jethro approached Nate and the two of them went to the balcony to discuss business but Nate made sure to keep Sophie and Audrey in his eyesight.
''Okay Clayton tell me about your transportation business and how you plan on helping me expand by business.''
''Well at Clayton Transportation we strive to transport your oil from and to anywhere in the world. But I do realize you only work with family businesses and I respect that. Clayton Oil is owned by my brother and I and it was handed down by our daddy, so I promise you if their last name isn't Clayton they have no ownership in our company. We would help you to transport your oil to other family own business around the world because I am aware of how important family is to you.''
''Yes… yes family is important to me. Well your offer does seem like a good one but I must meet this brother of yours and see how your business works before I can commit to anything.''
''Yes of course. Come on by tomorrow morning and my brother and I will show you just how our business works, I will call you tomorrow with the address.''
''Sounds like a plan… Oh is your pretty little daughter going to be there? I would like to introduce her to my nephew, he is has been down and out since his parents death and perhaps meeting a pretty girl could perk him up.''
''I will be sure to mention it to Savannah and see what she says. Well I better get back to my ladies. See you tomorrow Jethro.''
''See you tomorrow Clayton.''
The all rushed around all night trying to set up the ''Bailey Transportation'' business. Hardison managed to locate an abandon business building outside of town. Eliot managed to track down trucks that were to transport the oil and he put decals on the side that said ''Bailey Transportation.'' Nate and Sophie managed to talk a small oil company in another town into letting them use their oil for the con. Audrey and Parker tracked down chairs and desks for the office and they set them up. They just about done setting up when Sophie noticed an uneasiness in her daughter.
''Audrey are you okay?''
''Yes… it's just I didn't have to speak yesterday but have to today. I have never done accent before. What if I do a horrible job and Jethro realizes it's fake and he suspects something and…''
''Audrey listen to me. Everything will be fine, you will be fine. Just try to relax. We have been working on your accents and I think you are a natural, you can do it.''
''Okay… you will be here right?''
''Yes, I will be right here. Just think about what you are going to say and how you are going to say it.''
''Okay… okay. I can do this.''
''You can do this.''
Then there was a knock on the door. They all took their positions and Nate went to the door to let Jethro and his nephew in.
''Jethro welcome!''
Nate shook Jethro's hand and let him and the young man behind him in.
''Thank you Clayton. This is my nephew Max Dawson.''
''Nice to meet you Max. Jethro, you remember my wife Caroline and our daughter Savannah?''
''Of course I do. Both as beautiful as ever.''
Jethro kissed Sophie on the hand and then ushered Max towards them.
''Max, my boy I would like you to meet the two prettiest ladies in town besides your aunt Mae of course. This here is Caroline and Savannah Bailey.''
Max reached out to shake Sophie's hand.
''Hello Mrs. Bailey, it's nice to meet you.''
''Thank you, Max. It's nice to meet you as well. What a handsome young man you are.''
Max then went to go shake Audrey's hand but for a minute she just stood there staring. Then Audrey shook herself out of it and shook Max's hand. It only took Sophie a second to figure out what was wrong with her daughter.
''Nice to meet you Miss. Bailey.''
''Thank you but you may call me Savannah. And my my don't you have some good manners.''
Yes Sophie knew. Her daughter likes Max. Max gave Audrey a smile then returned to his uncle's side. Then Eliot came out from the back.
''Jethro and Max, this here is my brother Brock Bailey.''
Eliot shook both of their hands.
''Okay gentlemen let's say we get this tour started.''
After the tour Jethro seemed impressed and interested in the operation.
''Well Clayton Bailey I like what I see here. You have a fine operation going on here. Perhaps we can work something out. Let's go talk business.''
Nate and Eliot and Jethro and Max all went into Clayton's office to discuss business well the rest of the team listen on the coms to hear what was going on. An hour later the men emerged from the office. Jethro was hooked or so they thought.
''Since you and I will be working together you and your family must attend the party I through once a year for all the family business I work with.''
''Why thank you for the invite Jethro. We wouldn't miss it!''
''The party is tonight. I look forward to seeing you there and I look forward to be working with you.''
''I feel the same way. We will see you tonight.''
''Goodbye Clayton. Ladies.''
Then Jethro and Max left and the team felt they succeeded. Then they all went back to the hotel where Nate, Sophie, Eliot and Audrey got ready for the party. Parker and Hardison was to search the Dawson's house during the party.
Hours later Nate, Sophie, Eliot and Audrey were at the Dawson's party. There was southern food, a country and western band and a sea of cowboy hats. They sat down to eat dinner and once again Sophie complained about the meat but she did enjoy the desert. After dinner people began to dance. Nate was about to ask Sophie to dance when a member of the band began to speak.
''I have some good news to share with y'all. Last night my wife gave birth to the most beautiful baby girl! So this song is dedicated to my baby girl and I ask all you fathers out there to have be dedication my bringing your own daughters to the dance floor.''
Nate then walked to Audrey and asked her to dance. Audrey was heisted at first and she looked towards her mother who had a big smile on her face then she let Nate lead her to the dance floor.
After the dance Nate hugged Audrey for a moment then the both went back to their table. When they got there Sophie was trying to wipe away the tears that had fallen.
''You two were… that was… I love it.''
Nate and Audrey just smiled at her. Then Nate wiped away the rest of Sophie's tears and grabbed her hand and ushered her to the dance floor. Nate held Sophie's close and then whispered in her ear.
''Have I told you that you look beautiful and that you are the most beautiful woman in the room?''
''No…but thank you.''
''You're welcome. It's true.''
Sophie moved so she could look into Nate's eyes. They were filled with so much happiness, she loved seeing that. They continue to dance that way, just staring into each other's eyes and they didn't realize the song ended until someone tapped Nate on the shoulder. Nate turned around and it Jethro stood there.
''Pardon me there Clayton but there are some people I would like to introduce you to.''
''Sure.''
Nate then turned around and kissed Sophie on the check.
''I will be right back darling…. I love you…Caroline.''
Sophie looked at Nate a little confused.
''I love you too Clayton.''
Nate then followed Jethro out of the room. Sophie went back to the table to join Audrey and Eliot. Eliot was trying to check on Parker and Hardison.
''Did you two find anything?''
''There are so many papers here. Hardison and I have been going through them. All we have found so far is the agreements Dawson Oil has with other investors.''
''Okay, keep looking.''
''Will do sparky.''
Eliot growled at the name and Sophie and Audrey laughed. Then Audrey said something that shocked Sophie a bit but yet she couldn't help to agree with the statement.
''Eliot, you should stop growling. You are not a dog.''
Parker and Hardison's laughter filled the coms. Eliot just glared at Audrey for a moment. Then Max Dawson came up to their table and looked at Audrey.
''Excuse me Miss. Savannah but I was wondering if you do me the pleasure in joining me in a dance.''
Sophie noticed how her daughter's face lit up.
''Yes… I would love to.''
Max took Audrey's hand and led her to the dance floor. After the dance Max escorted Audrey back to her seat and Audrey couldn't hide the big smile on her face. Sophie was about to say something to her daughter when Parker's voice was heard through the coms.
''Eliot I think we found something.''
''Okay. Bring what you found and get out of there. In fact we should all get out of here. Where's Nate?''
''He is with Jethro. I will go get him.''
''Wait mum, I will come with you.''
Sophie and Audrey went to go look for Nate while Eliot met up with Hardison and Parker. Sophie and Audrey couldn't find Nate anywhere.
''Nate… Nate where are you? Can you hear me? Hardison is there something wrong with Nate's com?''
''Hold on… Yeah it looks like his com has gone off line.''
Something wasn't right, they could all feel it.
''Sophie and Audrey where are you? I will come and get you.''
''No Eliot we will come to you. You are back in the van, right?''
''Yes but…''
''We are almost the there.''
Audrey grabbed her mother's hand and they were about to make their way to the van when two men appeared out of nowhere. They were about to run but the men grabbed them and then everything went black.