Here's the next chapter! Enjoy! Is everyone excited for Leverage winning a PCA Award?! I was! J

Avery and Parker

Avery shuts the door to the house, walking down the steps, searching through her backpack. She halts halfway to the street, beginning to frantically search through the mess in her bag. Shoving books and folders out of the way Avery shoves her whole arm into the bag and feels the bottom for what she's looking for. A grimace appears on her face when she comes up empty handed.

"Crap," she mutters before sighing in exasperation. She walks back up the door and tries to open it, already expecting it not to appease her. She lets out anther frustrated sigh. "Great. The one time I lock myself out of the house, dad has to be out of town helping a friend."

Avery plops down onto the steps, setting her backpack on the ground next to her. She runs her hand through her hair, pulling it out of her face in the process. Letting out another sigh Avery looks out at the road as a car drives by.

"I am such an idiot," Avery mutters, shaking her head at herself. An idea comes to her and Avery pulls out her phone and dials a number muttering to herself some more. "You know the world's best thief and it takes you this long to figure out what to do?"

"Hello?" Parker's voice sounds through the speaker.

"Hey Parker," Avery says into the phone as she runs her hand through her hair again. She stops her hand halfway through in order to hold her hair out of her face.

"Avery? Why are you calling me?" Parker asks, confused. Avery smirks at Parkers' question.

"Um…I locked myself out of the house and dad already left to go out of town for the day," Avery explains while looking at the neighborhood around her.

"Oh…" Parker says, clearly not understanding what Avery is getting at. Then, as if it hits her suddenly, "Oh! You want me to come there and break into Eliot's house? Sounds like fun. I've always wanted to break into his house but I think he'd be really angry."

"Yeah, probly," Avery says with a smirk as she shakes her head.

"Give me ten minutes," Parker says before abruptly hanging up the phone.

LEVERAGE

Avery looks up from her seat on the steps and sees Parker walk up towards the porch. Well, more like bouncing towards the porch. Avery smirks to herself and stands up, meeting her at the bottom of the steps. With a raised brow Avery takes in Parker's face. Parker's practically glowing at the though of being able to break into Eliot's house.

"Thanks for coming Parker," Avery say as she gives Parker a smile.

"No problem," Parker replies, returning Avery's smile, "Think of it as your first lesson."

"You're gonna teach me how to pick a lock?" Avery asks, eyebrows raised and eyes wide.

"Yeah. It's a lot of fun," Parker assures with a grin and leads the way up to the front door. Avery grins herself and follows Parker up to the door. Parker pulls out a lock pick set and hands it to Avery, who looks at her bewildered.

"You…you want me to…?" Avery tries to ask, pointing at the door.

"It's easier to learn when you're actually doing it," Parker replies simply, thrusting the lock picks closer to Avery.

"Okay," Avery replies trying to stifle a grin as she takes the tools and kneels in front of the door. She listens to Parkers' directions and begins to attempt to break into her house.

"What is going on here?" a sharp voice says from behind them, "I'm calling the police."

Avery quickly turns around and stands up, shoving past Parker. She sees a middle-aged woman with brown hair and eyes standing at the bottom of the porch steps, pulling out her phone. Avery quickly walks to the top of the steps and holds out her hands in a calming manner. Of all the neighbors to catch them it has to be Mrs. Jackson. Stifling an eye roll Avery quickly speaks up to diffuse the situation.

"Mrs. Jackson. It's me, don't worry," Avery quickly says, but making sure to appear calm. Mrs. Jackson looks up at her, confused as to why she is there and not at school.

"Avery? Why aren't you in school?" Mrs. Jackson demands, not putting her phone away just yet. Her eyes dart to Parker and narrow before shifting back over to Avery.

"I was heading there, but then I realized I forgot my keys in the house," Avery explains, jutting her thumb behind her.

"Where's your father? Who's this?" Mrs. Jackson asks, suspiciously, her eyes narrowing at Parker once again.

"He's out of town for the day. He already left by the time I realized it. This is a friend of his, Parker," Avery answers, stepping to the side and waving a hand at Parker. Mrs. Jackson still looks guardedly at her, but Avery can see she's starting to believe what she's saying.

"And she just happens to know how to break into houses?" Mrs. Jackson asks, her eyes narrowing further. They shift to the door before back over to Avery.

"She works with my dad," Avery explains off-handedly, waving a hand.

"Oh," Mrs. Jackson replies, thinking this over. "Well, then. I'll make sure no one else tries to call the police on you then."

"Thanks Mrs. Jackson. I really appreciate it," Avery replies with an innocent smile. Mrs. Jackson nods her head and turns around, walking back to her house across the street. Avery turns around and notices Parker is kneeling in front of the door. There is a click and she stands up, opening the door with a grin. Avery returns the grin and follows Parker inside.

"I thought it would be better if I actually unlocked the door since you told her all that stuff," Parker explains, looking over at Avery and sending her a smirk.

"Thanks again Parker. I really appreciate it," Avery replies with a smile. She walks over to the counter and grabs her keys before walking back over to Parker. "I should get going. I'm already late for school."

"You're going to walk all the way to school?" Parker asks, raising her eyebrows, "That's kind of far don't you think?"

"Yeah, I guess," Avery says with a shrug, realizing Parker is right.

"I'll call Hardison," Parker announces as she reaches into her jacket pocket, "He'll take you."

"You really don't…" Avery starts but trails off as Parker already has her phone to her ear.

"Hey, Hardison. Can you come to Eliot's house? I'll explain when you get here. Oh, and Avery's going to need a legitimate late note," Parker says into the phone effectively cutting Avery's protests off. She says goodbye and hangs up her phone, placing it back in her pocket.

"Thanks Parker," Avery says with a relieved smile, "You think Hardison'll be able to come up with a believable note?"

"It's Hardison," Parker says with a smirk. Avery smirks in return.

"True," she replies, noticing Parker pulling out a lock and her lock picks, taking a seat on the steps. Avery goes over and sits down next to her.

"You want to finish that lesson?" Parker asks, smiling and glancing over at Avery as she holds out the items.

"Sure," Avery replies, smiling in return and accepting the lock and lock pick set from her.

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