Tricks
Pulling his keys from his pocket, James picked through them to find the one he needed to unlock the front door to the apartment. Cursing M for making him carry so many, he grabbed the one he needed and looked up, stopping at the sight in front of him. Just up the hallway, kneeling in front of the door, was Carmon. If it wasn't the shock of seeing his daughter trying to break into their apartment, he would have laughed.
"Lose your keys?" He drawled, stepping up beside her.
"Nope."
Arching his brow, he watched as she moved around the slim hook tool, "Lock them inside?"
"Nope."
"Then let me in."
Sighing, Carmon removed the tools from the lock and stepped aside, "Lock it when you close it." She said as Janes opened the door.
"Yes ma'am."
Rolling her eyes at the sarcasm, Carmon waited until her father was inside before flipping him off.
Inside, James sighed and walked to the kitchen, dropping the duffle bag from his shoulder to the sofa.
"You're home." M said, drying her hands on the tea towel she carried.
"Indeed."
Smiling, M walked into his arms, stretching up to place a quick kiss on his lip, "Just in time for dinner."
"Mmm," he hummed, pulling back, "Mind telling me why my daughter's outside trying to pick the lock?"
"She's still out there?" The older woman asked, frowning at the door, "I thought she'd have it by now."
"Olivia," Locking eyes with the shorter woman, James spoke as calmly as he could, "I don't want her learning these things. I don't want her to have this kind of life."
Frown deepening, M stepped back from him, "I'm not turning her into an agent."
She was somewhat insulted that he would think she would do that.
"Then what is she doing learning to pick a lock?"
"It's a handy skill to have James, you know this." She said, crossing her arms, "How many times have you had to break into your apartment because you forgot to grab your keys?"
Narrowing his eyes, James considered her answer. On the surface, it seemed like the perfect response, but he knew M, there was always something more to every situation. "Mmm." He hummed again, "What else have you taught her?"
"Just things to help her in everyday life; picking locks, tying knots, disarming an attacker."
"Disarming an attacker?" He drawled.
"She could be mugged or worse, best she knows how to defend herself against any weapon." M argued.
Sighing, James nodded. Between the two of them, they had an army of enemies. Should it ever get out that they were together, and that he had a daughter, Carmon would become the prime target for both of them. It would be in her best interest to learn how to defend herself without a gun.
"Very well then."
Just then, the door to them opened and in came Carmon with a large smile lighting up her face, "Can you teach me how to make a Molotov now?"
Turning from his daughter, James folded his arms, waiting to see how M would explain away this one.