Nate woke up early to meet with a client to let Sophie and Audrey sleep in. Now he was standing in front of his team about to tell them about their next job. Nate couldn't wait to see everyone's reaction to this one. He was hoping that this job would be a distraction for his wife and daughter and the rest of the team was getting restless. Even though this was a job they normally wouldn't take Nate though it would be the perfect time to take this job on.

"This morning I met with Lauren Roberts and last year her and daughter entered the Portland's mother and daughter beauty pageant. The pageant is put on each year to help raise money for local charities. The winners choose which charity gets $25,000. Lauren and her daughter won the pageant last year and she discovered instead on the $25,000 going to the local homeless shelter it has been going somewhere else. Every year the money seems to be going to somewhere else instead of the charity the winner chooses. We need to figure where that money has been going. So that means…''

''Audrey and I are going to enter the pageant?!''

Nate had to smile at his wife's excitement.

''Yes, Sophie. Hardison will enter you and Audrey into the pageant.''

Sophie was practically jumping up and down in her seat and trying to get Audrey as excited as she was but Audrey really wasn't nearly as excited as her mother. Eliot rolled his eyes while Hardison laughed and Parker looked on with amusement.

''For the rest of us. Eliot you be a judge. Parker will be working back stage and helping the ladies get ready. Hardison you will be in charge of the lights and sound. And I am going to be the host.''

Hardison and Parker seemed like they were okay with their jobs but Eliot didn't look too pleased but Nate knew he would get over it.

''Okay, let's go steal a beauty pageant.''

Sophie didn't have to be told twice she grabbed her daughter's hand and dragged her out the door. They had some shopping to do. For the rest of the team Nate signaled them to remain there for a moment. Once he was sure his wife and daughter were gone he turned back to the rest of the team. Nate told them the real reason why Audrey missed her plane and about Jack's email.

''Jack is not going to give up on trying to get Audrey back or trying to make Sophie pay. So I am asking all of you to help me protect my wife and daughter and make sure no harm comes to either one of them.''

''I think I speak for Parker, Hardison and I when I say that we are a family, all of us and we make sure no harm comes to any of us.''

Parker and Hardison nodded in agreement.

''Thank you. And there is one another thing. Sophie doesn't know yet about what Jack did to Audrey in New York or about the email so I ask all of you not to say anything to her about it.''

Nate could tell that none of them was comfortable with keeping something from Sophie especially when it has to do with Audrey. They all knew how protective she was over her daughter. They also knew how good Sophie was telling whether or not they were keeping something from her and she would stop at nothing to get it out of them. But they all reluctantly agreed. They knew sooner or later Sophie would find out and it won't be pretty.

….

Five hours later Sophie and Audrey returned home with a bunch of shopping bags. Sophie looked completely satisfied while Audrey looked exhausted. Audrey dropped her bags and then slumped down on the coach next to Nate and put her head on her father's shoulder. Nate couldn't help but to smile and neither could Sophie. Sophie dropped her bags as well and sat on the other side of her daughter.

''I see you ladies were busy.''

''You have no idea Nate! Wait until you see all the gorgeous clothes and shoes Audrey and I got!''

''What, I can't see them now?''

'No no no, it will be a surprise. Where is everyone else?''

''They all went home for the night.''

Sophie looked at her husband with sock. It normally took them literally having to kick them out.

''They will be back early in the morning though and we will begin the job. Hardison register you and Audrey for the pageant and the two of you have to be at The Governors Hotel by 8am.''

''Well Mum and Dad, I better get some sleep then. I am really tired and I bet tomorrow will be a long day.''

Audrey got up and started to gather her shopping bags when her mother stopped her.

''Wait, aren't you hungry? We have both haven't had anything to eat since this morning.''

''No, I am not hungry. I am just tired.''

''Are you sure?''

Audrey smiled and kissed her mother on the cheek and then her father. Then she started walking up the stairs.

''Yes Mum. Goodnight, sleep well and I love you both!''

''Goodnight and we love you too.''

The next morning Sophie and Audrey were sitting in the ball room of The Governors Hotel. They had overslept and it was a rush to get them there on time. Sophie and Audrey were both trying to pay attention what Lana Winters, the pageant organizer and what the others were saying over the coms. There was something about Lana Sophie did not like. Lana seemed sweet and charming to everyone and people seemed to like her but Sophie could see right through her. Lana said something Sophie and Audrey both didn't catch but when they saw everyone getting up and heading to the stage they followed suit. They were shown were they would stand, where they would walk, where they would enter the stage and were to exit. Sophie and Audrey were in rehearsal to about ten o'clock at night. When they both got home they went straight to bed. The rest of the team didn't have much luck as to finding out where the money has been going. Nate had a feeling they wouldn't find much until the pageant took place. The next day Sophie and Audrey headed to her theater to practice for the pageant before they had to go back to the hotel for more rehearsal. Sophie would not allow any of the team to watch Audrey and her practice and she wouldn't tell them what their talent would be. She wanted everything to be a surprise for the team. Even though Sophie and Audrey were not able to help much with the job, Nate was okay with it. The pageant was keeping both ladies occupied and they both seemed happier. The day before the pageant Audrey was at rehearsal with the other daughters. It was clear Audrey was beat and it didn't help the fact that she wasn't eating that much. So during rehearsal Audrey wasn't on the top of her game and she tended to make mistakes which were getting on Lana's nerves. Lana decided to address Audrey and she took her to the side where she thought no one could hear what she was about to say.

''I don't know what the hell is wrong with you. Heck I don't even know why you are here! I mean look at you. You are clearly not beauty pageant material. You are overweight and you cannot walk in heels to save your life. If I could I would remove you from the pageant all together but I am sadly stuck with you. If it wasn't the fact that you have the same eyes as your mother I would never believe someone like you could be her daughter. I don't know where you come from. You are a disgrace and if you were my daughter I would be ashamed.''

Lana walked away and went back to the others while Audrey just stood there with tears running down her cheeks. Parker was around and she was about to go after Lana for what she said to Audrey but Audrey gave her a look not to. The others didn't hear what Lana said to Audrey because she had taken her com out during rehearsal but she could have imagined what her mother's reaction would have been. Audrey was about to tell Parker not to tell her mother when she noticed she was out of sight. Audrey prayed that she wasn't going to go tell Sophie. Audrey wiped away her tears and composed herself then went back out to try to get through the rest of the rehearsal. Parker reappeared and she spent the entire time watching Lana very closely. Sophie never came so Audrey assumed Parker didn't tell her what happened. A couple of hours later rehearsal was finally over and Audrey wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. When Audrey got home it was clear her mother did in fact know what Lana had said to her.

"Oh Audrey… Are you okay? I can't believe that horrible woman said those things to you! Don't listen to what she said to you. She doesn't know what she is talking about. I wanted to let that woman know who she was dealing with but your father didn't think now was the time but don't you worry she will get what is coming to her. You are beautiful and I am extremely proud to call you my daughter.''

"Thank you Mum. I am tired, I am going to go to sleep."

Before Sophie could respond Audrey made her way up the stairs to her room. Sophie was going to call out to her daughter but then she had an idea.

Audrey entered her room and then she quickly took a shower and changed into her pajamas. She just finished up brushing her hair and she was pulling it back when there was a knock on the door. She gave permission to whoever was on the other side of the door that they may enter. Sophie came through the door, smiled at her a daughter and without a word she went to Audrey's iPod which was connected to the speakers and she searched for the song she was looking for. Once she found it she pressed play and grabbed Audrey's hair brush. Audrey recognized the song right away, it was her favorite song. Sophie of course knew that. The song was ''Chiquititia'' by Abba. Sophie was mouthing the words to the song into the brush like she was dramatically singing the song to Audrey.

Chiquitita, tell me what's wrong
You're enchained by your own sorrow
In your eyes there is no hope for tomorrow
How I hate to see you like this
There is no way you can deny it
I can see that you're oh so sad, so quiet

Sophie danced around and sang the words to the song and eventually Audrey joined her mother and by the end of the song Audrey had the biggest smile on her face that Sophie hasn't seen in a long time and she was pleased to see it. Sophie was staring at her daughter which made Audrey a little nervous.

''What?''

''Nothing… You have a beautiful smile and I love seeing it.''

''Mummmm.''

''Come on.''

Sophie grabbed her daughter's hand and led her downstairs to the kitchen where Nate was preparing three sundaes for each of them. Sophie and Audrey sat down at the table then Nate carried the bowls over to the table and handed one to Sophie and Audrey. And then he went back to get his bowl to join his girls at the table. Audrey could help but to smile at what was inside her bowl. It was her favorite, watermelon sorbet with rainbow sprinkles. When Audrey was younger she thought that sprinkles made everything better. Audrey was about to take a bite but instead she put down her spoon and kept her head down. Sophie was watching her daughter and she knew by the look on her daughter's face what she was thinking.

''Audrey…''

Sophie waited until her daughter met her eyes until she continued speaking. Once Audrey's eyes found her own she gave her a smile and thought for a moment as to how she was going to approach this and then she continued to speak.

''Audrey… I have noticed that you have been eating less and less. It is has been going on for awhile now. At first I thought it was because you were upset over losing Bella but… I think it's something else. I should have tried to talk to you about this sooner… I just didn't want to push and have you hide behind your walls even more. I realized that was a big mistake and I am really sorry. I am worried about you Audrey and I want to help you.''

Sophie hoped that Audrey would say something but instead Audrey stopped looking at her mother and kept her head down. Sophie continued to speak.

"Lana's words were probably some confirmation for you but I want you to know, that none of what she said was not true. You are not overweight, far from it. You are a beautiful and smart young woman. That is what I believe to be true but it only matters if you believe it as well. You need to see what everyone else's sees, how truly amazing you are. I want to help you Audrey but you need to tell me how. Please. I love you and no matter what I am here for you.''

They sat there in silence for awhile until Audrey finally looked up and tears started rolling down her cheeks. Audrey took a deep breath and decided to open up to her mother and her father who has been sitting there silently.

"All my life I have felt as though I wasn't good enough. Daddy clearly didn't want anything to do with me. Everything I did was never up to his standards. He would make me feel as though I wasn't smart enough so I worked hard and became the top of my class but that still wasn't enough. I noticed that every time he would look at me it was as if he was disgusted with way I looked so I tried to change that but I didn't have much success with that. And Mom… I know she loves me and she would intentionally hurt me. But she would always tell me to do whatever my father asked and to listen to him so that way I wouldn't make him more upset. I know she was doing that to perhaps make my relationship with my father better and for him to back off of me a bit. She was trying to protect me. But it still hurt. It made me feel like I wasn't good enough. So I did everything my mother and father asked. I did well in school, I always looked presentable, and I smiled and pretended that everything was fine. I thought by doing all that in hopes that one day things really would be fine but that day never came. I always felt this pressure where I had to be someone everyone else wanted to be. And now with you, everyone seems to compare me with you. They say how much I look like you and how I will do something and it would remind them of you. I just want to be who I want to be and do what I want to do. But I don't know how. I am afraid once I learn how to do all that those who love me will no longer love me.''

After Audrey finished speaking she sat there with tears running down her cheeks and she searched her mother's eyes for some kind of hope. Sophie sat there with her own tears falling and trying to search for some comforting words for her daughter. It was killing Sophie how much pain her daughter was in. Nate sat there with unshed tears of his own waiting for his wife to speak. If anyone could make things better for Audrey, it was her mother. Nate put his hand on his wife knee in hopes that gives her the support she needed to speak. Sophie looked down at her husband's hand and gave a small smile. Then she looked into her daughter's eyes.

" I have spent most of my life pretending to be someone else. Even before I became a grifter. I know what it is like to be someone that you think everyone else wants you to be. But in time I learned that is more important to be who I want to be and to do what I want to do. As long as I wasn't hurting anyone there was nothing wrong in doing what I wanted. I took time to listen to myself and not to what others said. I focused on the positive and did things that made me happy. And I surrounded myself with people who supported me in that. Like your father, the team and you. In a way I guess you could say I was meant to be a grifter because it was an escape for me and it is stopped me from becoming who I truly am because I wasn't ready to be that person. I was lost. But I found myself and I continue to do so each day. And the reasons for that are I have all the people I love around me each day and I am doing what I love. I am not talking about being a grifter and running the theater, I do enjoy that yes but that is not what is most important. Being your mother is the most important and insuring your happiness and safety. That is my best job and being the wife of this man here isn't that bad either.''

That remark earned Sophie a small smile from her daughter and a smirk from Nate.

"Audrey, in time you find yourself and find what you love to do. I promise you that. The reason why I am able to promise you this is because I know I will be here and support you in any way I can. You also have your father and the team. And we all love you very much. You have to be willing to deal with the changes, the good and the bad. Get through them and lean on those who love you. But you can't give up. You have to eat and take care of yourself. I know it's hard and it will take time. It is all about time and patience's. I am here and I am not going anywhere and I don't want you to go anywhere either. So if you like we can do this together? And you have your father and the others to help you as well.''

"Okay.''

"Okay… Good. Now I know you really want to take of bit of that delicious sorbet there…''

Audrey couldn't help the small smile that spread across her face and she picked up her spoon and took a bite. Sophie smiled in triumph and took a bite out of her own. After they were done eating their sorbets and the bowl and spoons were washed Sophie ushered her daughter to the living room with Nate following. Audrey sat on the couch trying to figure out what her mother was up to who was placing a DVD in the player which Audrey couldn't see what it was. Sophie than closed the player and sat beside her daughter and was about to press play when she noticed that Nate remand standing. Sophie gave him a questioning look.

"I was thinking perhaps I would give you ladies some alone time and there are a few things I have to work on.''

Sophie and Audrey both gave Nate a smile and he gave each of them a kiss on the forehead and left the ladies to their time together. Then Sophie pressed play and watched for her daughter's reaction. As soon as the theme music to "I Love Lucy'' started to play Audrey's face lit with excitement. No matter how sad or mad Audrey was Lucy Ricardo and the rest of the gang always made her laugh and her mother knew this. Audrey looked at her mother who had been staring at her and gave her mother a smile which Sophie returned. Audrey's eyes became glossy with tears. The tears weren't because she was sad it was because she touched at how much her mother loved her. Audrey sat back and put her head on her mother's shoulder and they watched the entire first disk then Sophie shut off the TV and they both got up and made their way to Audrey's room. Once they were in the room Audrey sat on her bed and Sophie grabbed Audrey's brush and sat behind her and started brushing her daughter's hair.

"Mum. Will you braid my hair?''

"Of course I will my darling."

After Sophie was done braiding Audrey's hair, Audrey laid down and Sophie sat on the side of the bed facing her daughter.

"I realize that watermelon sorbet and "I Love Lucy" won't magically make things better. But I believe by doing things that you love and start opening up and talk about what you are feeling will help to make things better. And you must eat. Okay?''

"Okay."

''Promise?''

"I promise.''

"Okay good. Now close those pretty eyes of yours. I will stay with you until you fall asleep.''

Audrey did what she was told and Sophie began to sing a lullaby that her mother used to sing to her when she was younger. By the time Sophie was finished singing her daughter was fast asleep. Sophie moved the blankets up to Audrey's chin that kissed her forehead. When she excited her daughter's room she was greeted by her husband who had a big smile on his face.

"What?''

"You never cease to amaze me. You have a beautiful voice.''

Sophie rolled her eyes then grabbed Nate hand and guided him towards their bedroom so they wouldn't wake their daughter. Once they were in their room Sophie continued their decision.

"Nate there is no need to lie anymore about how talented I am. You got me, we are married.''

Nate walked behind his wife and wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her cheek.

"No. I am not lying. You do have a beautiful voice and I am not just saying that. Anything you do that comes from your heart is amazing.''

Sophie turned around and gave her husband a kiss.

"Okay I guess I believe you. You are still quite the charmer though. And of course you are getting lucky tonight."

…..

In the next week the team hardly saw Sophie or Audrey who spent a lot of time at Sophie's theater practicing for the pageant. Then the weekend came and it was time for the pageant. Nate believed he knew who was taking the prize money he just had to come up with a plan that proved it without ruining the pageant in the process. Nate was also the host and he had forgotten to memorize the names of the contestants. He informed Hardison that he had to break into all the contestants' files and inform him who is who. The pageant was about to begin and Nate would soon take the stage when all the ladies came out and started lining up. Then he spotted his two favorite girls. They both look absolutely beautiful. They both had a cobalt blue dress on but they weren't the same style dress. Sophie chose a simple gown with a deep v neckline and a hem that brushed just above her knees. The grifter knew that it was a delicate balance between getting the judges to take notice, while still remaining classy enough as to not offend them. Her daughter embodied that combination of qualities just as effortlessly. Audrey's dress had a classic high- scoop neckline with wide straps, but the bow-belted waist and lightly ruffled hem at the knee added a feminine edge. Nate wanted to go up to them but they decided that they would be no indication of them knowing one another. So he moved to the side so no one could hear him and told his ladies how beautiful they both looked and that earned him a beaming smile from both of them. Nate then entered the stage and gave his opening lines and then started to introduce the contestants. When Audrey finally entered the stage with her mother she gave the patented runway-model turn, the judges saw what Sophie called the "pièce de résistance", a slightly sheer back panel that she knew would make her daughter stand out in any crowd. After each contestant was introduced the talent competition began. Many mother and daughters decided on singing, dancing, and even playing musical instruments, most of them badly. Then it was Sophie and Audrey's turn. Nate and the rest of the team really had no idea what they chose as their talent. Nate thought anything his ladies did was amazing so he had no doubt whatever it was it would win over all the judges.

Sophie and Audrey took the stage each took the stage with a viola under their arms and a bow in the other hand. But instead of the instruments being the traditional wooden color, Sophie's viola was silver and Audrey's was a light pink. Much like the color of the violas, the instrument itself wasn't your traditional viola. That was proven when both ladies plugged in the violas to an amp, they were electric. Both ladies got into their positions then brought their instruments to their shoulders at the same time as well as placing their bows over the strings and after a nod from Sophie they began to play. They chose to perform the piece Sinfonia by Mozart. But once again they chose not to do things traditionally and they put their own spin on it. They both played into perfect rhythm being perfectly in sync not missing a beat or a note. Nate just stood there in amazement watching the mother and daughter performance. He wasn't the only one memorized the team and the audience were as well. It was by far the best performance so far. Once Sophie and Audrey were finished they lowered their bows and placed their violas under their arms soon the audience went wild in applause and both of them took a bow and stood there awhile smiling at the crowd and then they exited the stage. The rest of contestants performed their talents but none of them came close to giving a better performance than Sophie and Audrey. Without a doubt they won that category.

The next category was casual wear. That was when all the daughters had to perform a dance number together then the mothers had to do the same. After that was formal wear. Once again mother and daughter sported dresses in the same color. Sophie and Audrey took the stage in stunning floor-length gowns, both in deep emerald green. Sophie's dress was fitted at the bodice but it led into a flowing skirt. The sweetheart neckline was topped with a single strap on the right side that hung casually off her toned shoulder. Beside her, Audrey looked equally as elegant as her mother. Her dress was similar to her mother's but instead of one strap, Audrey's had two. She wore them high on her shoulders and they framed her neck and face beautifully. Then it was time for the question and answer category. First Sophie took the stage to answer her question. She stood next to Nate who gave her a wink then handed her a microphone.

"Okay, the question is. What is love to you?''

"Wow… Okay… Let me see… Love. Love is allowing someone to see the real you, to be given the chance to know the real you. Love is loving you even though you know the truth. Love is knowing that someone thinks that everything you do is amazing. Love is trusting someone to make things better for you. Love is loving someone with all that they have. If one is just willing to put down the walls and allow themselves the love that they deserve. Love is protection, love is safe. Love is happiness.''

Once Sophie was finished giving her answer she handed the microphone back to her husband who had nothing but love in his eyes for her. The crowd gave their applause and then she exited the stage. Audrey then took the stage to stand by her father who then handed her a microphone.

"The question is, what is love to you?''

"Well that is the question isn't it? As I get older I find love harder to understand. It has become a mystery to me. I really am not sure yet what it is to me but I do have an idea what I think it is. I think love is loving someone for who they are. Not for what you want them to be. Letting someone do what they want to do. Loving someone unconditionally. Love is time. Love is listening and being there for someone. Love is not giving up on someone no matter what. Love can amazing once you allow yourself to feel it. But I am finally starting to learn all that.''

It took everything Nate had not to hug his daughter in that moment instead he just touched his daughter's hand lightly when she handed him back her microphone. The crowd applauded and then Audrey exited the stage into her mother's waiting opening arms. Sophie held her daughter until all the other contestants answered their question then it was time for the judges to decide who the winners are.

All the contestants entered the stage and Nate announced the second runner ups. Then he asked that Sophie and Audrey along with another mother and daughter in the middle of the stage. One will be the first runner ups and the other will be the winners. Nate was handed the envelope and then…