A/N: If you are a Nate and Sophie fan then you will be very pleased with this chapter. Thanks for the reviews! I do not own Leverage

Nate was ready to make his move to escape and he was ready to strike when the door opened but he was caught off guard by the pool of dark hair with two large arms under the hair then when the man fully entered the room he could see it was Sophie in the man's arms. Then another large man followed carrying Audrey. The two men laid Sophie and Audrey side by side on the other side of the room. The two men gave Nate and look then left and locked the door behind them. Nate then rushed to Sophie and Audrey. They were both still alive but unconscious. Nate was trying to figure out if they were drugged or just knocked out. They were knocked out because Nate could feel the bumps on the back of their heads. Nate hoped they didn't suffer from a concussion and he knew once they wake up they will be weary and their heads will hurt a lot. Nate then tried to wake them up. Audrey was the first to wake up.

''Audrey? Audrey can you hear me?''

''Nate?''

''Yes. Take it easy you have been knocked in the back of the head. I need to take a look at you pupils to see if you suffered a concussion.''

''Mum! Where is she is? We have to find her!''

Things started coming back to Audrey and Audrey tried to get up to look for her mother. But she ended up getting up too fast and a sharp pain ran through her head and she laid back down.

''Easy Audrey. Your mother is right here. She was knocked out as well but she hasn't woken up yet.''

Nate was finally able to get a good look at Audrey's pupils. Her eyes were just like Sophie's, Nate couldn't get over it.

''There is no sign of a concussion but you need to take it easy and take things slow. Since we have no accesses to aspirin your head will be hurting for awhile.''

''Okay… Can you please help me up? We should try and wake my mother.''

Nate slowly helped Audrey up and he recognized the look in her eyes, it was the same look that she had in her eyes the day Sophie was shot.

''Sophie will be fine. We just have to wake her up.''

''Okay.''

Audrey took her mother's hand and Nate stroked Sophie's hair. They both took turn calling out her names and then Sophie began to wake up.

''Audrey? Nate?''

''Yes Sophie we are right here, we are okay. We are all okay.''

''Mmm… I don't know about that Nate. My head is throbbing with pain and it seems we have been kidnapped.''

''Yes but we have been in worst situations before and we have made it out them just like we will make it out of this one.''

''True. So what's the plan?''

''Well first I am going to check your pupils for a concession and we are not going to make any major moves until you and Audrey are able to stand up without feeling dizzy and you are able to walk straight.''

''Yes sir.''

Nate couldn't help to smile a little then he looked at Sophie pupils.

''It looks like you don't have a concession either.''

Then all of a sudden Audrey jumped.

''Audrey? Are you okay?''

''Yeah…''

Audrey pulled something out of her ear, it was her com.

''It's just Hardison was yelling in my ear.''

Nate knew he no longer had is com, it fell out as he was struggling to get away from the large man. Nate then looked into Sophie ear and took out her com and it appeared to no longer be working.

''Audrey, can I please have your com.''

Audrey handed Nate her com and he put it inside his ear.

''Hardison.''

''Yo man what is going on? Where are you at? And wait why do you have Audrey's com? Is she with you? Sophie?''

''Sophie and Audrey are with me. We are all okay beside Sophie and Audrey both have a nasty bump on the back of their heads. I lost my com in a struggle and Sophie's com is broken. We are locked in room in some run down house. Is Eliot and Parker with you?''

''Yeah. We have been looking for the three of you. I have been trying to track the coms but we are here in the boonies and I can't seem to get lock on your location. I am going….''

Eliot cut off Hardison.

''Shut up Hardison! No one wants to hear your tech talk. Nate, did you check Sophie and Audrey's pupils for a concussion? Do you see or hear anything that can let us know where you are?''

''Yes and it appears there is no sign of a concession in both of their pupils. The only sound I have heard since I have been here was the sound of the car that brought the two large men and Sophie and Audrey here. They arrived two hours after I woke up. I am not sure how long I was out for. It seems we are locked in some basement of some kind. There is a window but it is up to high for me to see out of it. The only other people that I have seen is the two men that brought Sophie and Audrey here. Oh wait I hear them walking above, they must still be here. That is their car, they must be leaving. I am not sure if they are aware of who we really are. They didn't seem to notice the coms. Jethro Dawson is behind this so Hardison do all you can to find out what he knows. Until Sophie and Audrey are able to stand and walk without feeling dizzy we try to break out of here. We are fine here for now, I don't believe we are in any kind of harm besides the fact they we were knocked out and we have been kidnapped. Wait, I hear a car approaching but it sounds different. Now the other car has seemed to return as well. They are in the house and it sounds like three sets of footprints.''

Nate, Sophie and Audrey could hear them approaching. Audrey grabbed her mother's hand and Nate helped them both to stand up. Audrey and Sophie glued themselves together while Nate stood in front of them. Then the door opened and in walked the two large men followed by Jethro Dawson.

''Ah Clayton. It seems desperate time calls for desperate measures. And don't worry no harm will come to you or your beautiful ladies unless you try to escape or you don't corporate. One way or another I will get what I want. I have three of you after all.''

''What's this about Jethro? I thought you and I were friends and we were going into business with one another. But then you go take me and then take my wife and daughter. Now that's just crossing the line.''

''Yes I must say I am sorry about this and it was a line that I had to cross. I guess I owe you an explanation. But first I must confess that Dawson Oil is doing as well as I told you during our meeting earlier. Your plans to help to improve Dawson Oil would have possibly worked but in the future, I needed something to work now. You are still going to help improve Dawson Oil though just in a different way.''

''Oh and which way is that?''

''I had one of my people look into your family and your financial situation. You come from a really wealthy family background. Good old southern money. You would have to be the richest man in Texas at the moment. So I am going to hold you for ransom and I will be taking most of your money.''

''Okay. But why did you take my wife and my daughter?''

''They are Bailey's two are they not? Your daughter is blood after all. And just in case you get any ideas. There is one Bailey I didn't take and he will be the one that pays me.''

''My brother Brock.''

''Correct. Speaking of which let's say we call him and get the ball rolling.''

Jetro handed Nate a phone as one of the large man grabbed Audrey and held a gun to her head. Sophie let out a scream.

''No please!''

''Don't worry Caroline nothing will happen to your daughter as long as your husband corporates.''

''What do you want me to do?''

''Call your brother and inform him of the situation but do not give him any clues as how to find you. I will tell you what to say. You do that and my man won't have to shoot your pretty daughter in the head.''

Nate didn't take his eyes off of Audrey as he dialed the phone; he tried to tell her that it would be okay with his eyes. He could feel Sophie latch onto his arm. Even though Eliot was already well aware of the situation thanks to Audrey's com in his ear he had to call Eliot to make it look good. Eliot answered right away.

''Nate I am going to kill him!''

''Brock I need you to listen to me. Go somewhere where no one can hear you. Are you there yet?''

Eliot let out a breath then he played along. Hardison was trying to track the phone.

''Yes.''

''Caroline, Savannah and I have all been kidnapped.''

Nate then waited for instructions on what to say next from Jethro. One of the large man handed Nate a piece of paper. Nate read aloud what the paper said.

''You are to transfer eighty percent of our assets which would be around sixty million dollars to the following account 65954412687122 by tomorrow evening. You are not to inform the authorities or make any attempts in finding us because if you do they will first remove Savannah and place her somewhere where we will not be able to find her and kill her once they don't need her anymore. Then they will kill Caroline followed by me. Do you understand?''

''Yes.''

''Okay. Once the money has been transferred into the account you will be notified with further instructions.''

Nate hung up the phone and handed it back to Jethro.

''I did what you asked now please tell your man to release my daughter.''

''Very well.''

The large man released Audrey who was then grabbed by Sophie. Nate stood back in front of them.

''Remember what I said Clayton. My men will be here to make sure nothing goes wrong.''

Jethro and the two large men then left. Nate turned around to see Sophie and Audrey both crying clinging to each other. Nate took them both into his arms and kissed the top of their heads.

''Sophie, Audrey, we are going to make it out of here. I promise I won't let anything happen to either one of you.''

Sophie looked up into Nate's eyes then Nate could hear shouting through the coms.

''Damit Hardison! How much did you make Clayton Bailey worth? Where the hell are we going get our hands on sixty million dollars? Were you able to track the signal? If you don't find them before tomorrow evening and we do not have the money they will kill Audrey!''

''Hey man! Nate said to make the Baileys a wealthy family and that is what I did. How was I to know that Jethro would turn into more of a scum bag then he already is! No respect…''

Hardison was interrupted when Eliot slapped him upside the head. Nate then took that opportunity to talk.

''Okay everyone calm down. I need you all of you to focus. Hardison were you able to track the signal of the phone?''

''Not fully. I managed to get as far as somewhere outside of Dallas.''

''Okay. Dallas is about three hours away from Austin. You all will drive to Dallas and see if you can track a signal from there. I don't think we should try to escape on our own so we will come up with a plan once we find out where we are. Hardison try to get your hands on as much money as you can just in case. Pull in all our accounts if you need to.''

''Okay, we are on our way.''

For three hours they all remained silent. Nate, Sophie and Audrey sat together against the wall. Sophie sat in the middle. Nate held Sophie close and he didn't take his eyes off of her or Audrey. Audrey laid her head on her mother's shoulder clenching her hand. Sophie tried to soothe her daughter by running her hands through her hair. Sophie could feel Nate's eyes on her and every once in awhile she would look back at him. She trusted Nate and the team and she knew they would all make it out okay. Then Nate heard Eliot's voice through the com.

''Nate, we are in Dallas.''

''Okay. Hardison, are you able to tack the com?''

''Yeah man! You are about thirty minutes outside of the city.''

''Very good. Sophie, Audrey, Hardison was able to track the signal of the com. They are on their way. We are getting out of here.''

Sophie gave Nate a small smile and then they were all silent again until thirty minutes later Nate once again heard Eliot voice through the com.

''We are here. There are no cameras. There is one man on the front porch with a rifle. The other man must be inside. We are going to do this now, right?''

Nate thought for a moment and looked at Sophie. She looked back at him and she nodded.

''Yes. I believe the man inside is carrying a pistol. Eliot...''

''I know.''

Nate got up and moved Sophie and Audrey away from the door. Nate could hear Eliot fighting with the man in the porch and then a gun shot rang out. Sophie and Audrey both jumped.

''Eliot?''

''Yeah.''

Then Eliot entered the house and struggled with the other man. Things were silent for awhile and then there was the sound of footsteps approaching the door. Nate put himself in front of Sophie and Audrey. The door was knocked down and it was Eliot.

''Let's go!''

Nate, Sophie and Audrey all followed Eliot out of the house and they were almost out of there when bullets went flying. Things all happened at once. Somehow Eliot and Sophie managed to get out of the house and they were running they were almost at the van when Sophie suddenly stopped. And the sound of gunshots filled the air.

''Nate! Where is Audrey? We have to go back!''

Sophie started to head back towards the house when Eliot stopped her. Sophie gave Eliot a look that he has never seen before. Then he pointed and Sophie turned around and saw Audrey and Nate running towards them. Sophie ran towards her daughter and embraced her in her arms.

''What happened? Are you alright?''

''Yes, yes I am fine mum. My foot got caught, Nate helped me out.''

Sophie then looked at Nate and Nate then put his arms around them both then they all got inside the van. No one said anything for awhile. Nate, Sophie and Audrey all sat together hanging on to one another. Then Nate broke the silence.

''We are not going to allow Jethro to get away with this. I think first it would be best to get Sophie and Audrey out of the state. Jethro will be looking for us.''

Parker then spoke for the first time since Nate, Sophie and Audrey was kidnapped.

''That might not be necessary because I went back to Jethro's office before we headed to Dallas and I found this.''

Nate took the paper from Parker and smiled.

''Nice work Parker. You found the evidence we need to prove that Jethro has been emblazing money from other business.''

''Good work woman. I took a look into Jethro's computer and I found emails between him and the two large men talking about the kidnapping.''

The next day Jethro Dawson was arrested for embezzling money and for kidnapping. They all went back to pack up their things. Nate had to tell Sophie something important and he couldn't wait any longer. Nate knocked on Sophie's door. Sophie and Audrey were finishing up packing their things when Nate entered the room. Audrey sensed that perhaps she should leave the two of them alone and slipped out of the room. Nate walked up to Sophie and removed whatever she had in her hand and led her to sit down on the bed.

''Nate? What's going on?''

''Do you remember when I said that I loved you?''

''Yes… don't worry Nate. Don't freak out. I know it was for the con and I know it didn't mean anything.''

''But it did mean something. I meant what I said, it wasn't for the con. I realized it a long time ago and I have been a fool not to tell you sooner…I love you. I love you Sophie Devereaux. And in a way I have always loved you. I would like you and Audrey to live with me permitally. If that is okay with the two of you of course.''

''Wow. Took you look long enough. I love you too Nathan Ford and I believe you already know that. And in a way Audrey and I are already living with you permitally.''

Nate just smiled at Sophie and then he kissed the woman he loved.

''Okay let's say we get out of here and go home.''

''I would love to.''

They arrived home later that night and everyone went straight to their homes. Nate and Sophie told Audrey and the team that she and Audrey will be moving in permitally with Nate on the plane ride home. They all thought it was a great idea. Sophie went up to get ready for bed when Nate noticed the light still on in Audrey's room. Nate knocked on her door.

''Come in… oh hi Nate.''

''Hi, you are sure you okay with living here?''

''Yes of course. I see that it makes you and my mum so happy. The two of you light up when the other is around. I am happy to be here to, it's like I finally know what is like to finally be a real family.''

''Good, I am glad. I am so glad you are here. I noticed a big change in your mother, she is so much happier. I always felt like there was something missing when I look into her eyes and now that look is gone… There is something I wanted to talk to you about. I was going to ask you about this tomorrow but I will tell you now.''

''Okay, what is it?''

''Well… did your mother tell you that I finally told her that I love her?''

''Yes, of course she did.''

''I figured. Well I don't want to waste anymore time…''

''Oh my god! You are going to ask her to marry you!''

''Shhh. Yes, yes I am. But please don't tell her, I want it to be a surprise. And it is okay with you that I ask her, right?''

''Yes of course. And don't worry I won't say anything but you better do it soon.''

''Yes, I was hoping to do it tomorrow night. So I was wondering if you could help me. I have this plan and perhaps we should inform the others of my plan so that way they can help as well.''

''Okay, what's the plan?''

Nate told Audrey his plan then the next day they told Eliot, Parker and Hardison the plan and they all swore they wouldn't say anything to Sophie. They all took turns distracting Sophie while the others set things up. Then the time came. Nate told Sophie that he was going to go out to eat and the fancy new restaurant. Sophie was all dressed and ready and when she got out of the bathroom Nate was nowhere in sight instead there was a note on the bed. Sophie read the note.

''Follow the rose pedals.''

Sophie looked down and she did what she was told and followed the rose pedals. They led to the roof. When she opened the door she couldn't believe her eyes. The roof was covered with white roses and candles. Nate was standing in the middle wearing a suit and big smile on his face.

''Nate, what is all this? What is going on?''

''Come here.''

Nate held out his hand and Sophie took it. Nate looked deeply into Sophie's eyes.

''Sophie Devereaux I love you so much.''

''I love you too Nate.''

''I have been a fool for way to long but that is going to end tonight. I believe I loved you since the first moment I saw you even though I was a married man. There is no one like you. There is no one that makes me feel the way you make me feel. You make me so happy, I thought I would never be this happy. You have brought so much to my life and I will always be grateful for all that you have given me. You know me inside and out and you still love me anyway. You may not like or agree with everything I say or do but you continue to be there and support me. You love me for me and no one has ever loved me in that way. You are truly an amazing person who brings so much love and joy to the world. You are my heart. You are my compass. You are this bright light that shines through my life. I know I will not be able to live without you.''

Nate got down to one knee and pulled out a beautiful big sparkling ring.

''Sophie Devereaux would you do me the honor in becoming my wife? Will you marry me?''

Sophie was trying to control the tears that were flowing down her checks. She has been waiting a long time to hear Nate say those words to her.

''Yes… Yes of course I will marry you!''

Nate slipped the ring onto Sophie's finger and then got up and almost fell over when Sophie jumped into his arms and crashed her lips into his. Then the team popped out and they were all so happy and congratulated the happy couple. The team agreed that this was one of the best nights ever.