"Benson," she answered her phone.

"You're joking. Ill be there soon," she said already grabbing her keys and her jacket. She was currently on duty at the homicide unit and had a few more hours to her shift.

"Trying to skip out on us early?" Her partner asked referring to the fact she would be switching units in a few weeks. When she had heard there was opening in the special victims unit she jumped at the oppurtunity. She always wondered about joining the unit given the her mothers past. It was closer to her apartment which was another bonus. It seemed like the perfect fit. She had two weeks till she would be moving units.

"Wouldn't dream of it. Charlie got in a fight at school and I've got to meet the principal," she said with a sigh.

"Your Charlie? That's surprising," he said with a lift of his eyebrow. They had been partnered together for 2 years. He had met Charlie on a few occasions and knew it was out of character for the girl. He knew his partner had a bit of a hard time juggling everything and only hoped that this was a one off for her daughter.

"You're telling me. Tell the captain for me?"

When she got to the school she marched her way into the office. Charlie sat in a chair on one side of the principals door and a boy about her age sat on the other. Both looked less than pleased to be there, but the only difference between the two was that he was sporting a noticable black eye.

"Charlotte Benson, explain now," she said in what Charlie referred to as her 'cop voice'.

"Mom, don't call me Charlotte. You know I hate that. Do we have to talk about this here?" Charlie's voice was barely audible towards the end as she was obviously embarassed.

"Yes we do. You were in a fight?"

"I punched him. But I didn't start it!" She exclaimed as she swung her arms towards the boy.

"Miss Benson could we please talk in my office?"

She nodded and followed the principal inside.

"I've also called,Elliot, Richards father in hopes we can resolve this issue," the principal spoke.

Olivia nodded feeling a bit like she was also a child being told off.

When Richard's father arrived he wordlessly knelt in front of him examining his eye while Olivia and the principal watched from inside. The first thing Olivia noticed about him was his dominant presence. He had a certain stride to him and it was obvious he didn't lack confidence. He was handsome and muscular. As he admired his sons face she noticed his piercing blue eyes. She wasn't here for anything along those lines so she shoved those thoughts to the back of her mind.

"You alright?" He asked the boy. The boy wordlessly nodded.

"Good, you're grounded," he said before making his way into the office.

"As you already know your children were involved in a fight," the principal said as she closed the door to her office , leaving the children out of the conversation.

"What exactly happened?"

"From what the children have told me, Richard threw a snowball at Charlies face. He claims it was an accident but refused to apologize and then Charlotte punched him in the eye before she was shoved to the ground."

Olivia sighed as she listened to what had happened. She was disappointed in Charlie's actions and knew when left they would have to have a long talk.

Elliot's mind was reeling. On one hand he was upset that his son had pushed the girl but on the other his parental instincts were kicking in. His son had a black eye and the girl had caused it and had gotten away without a scratch on her.

"Both of your children are suspended for 3 days. I suggest you have a talk to your children about the right way to handle conflict," she said with a stern look.

Olivia nodded and cast her eyes to the floor. She wouldn't say she was lacking confidence but she worried from time to time about being a single mother. She tried to give Charlie the best of everything teach her right from wrong. The fact her 10 year old was in a fight felt like a bit of a blow.

"3 days, my son has a black eye," he said . Her head whipped to the side so fast she though her neck would break. Was he really suggested Charlie deserved harsher punishment? She could see on his face that he was ready for a fight.

"She was sticking up for herself. Don't forget the fact that your son pushed her as well," she said and he could see the fire in her eyes.

"She punched him in the face. I'd hardly say that's even," he said as he watched her body tense in annoyance. He hadn't meant to make her angry he was simply stating his opinion, but if she wanted to argue about it then he would.

"They both get 3 days. Now if you'll excuse me I have to be somewhere," the principal said ending any further discussion. Meanwhile, while they were in the principals office the kids sat outisde in silence. Charlie watched her feet while out of the corner of her eyes she could see Dickie continously touching at his eye.

"The more you touch it the more it will hurt," she said under her breath.

"It already hurts so what's the difference," he said with a roll of his eyes.

"Sorry I punched you," she said under her breath. He looked over at her to see her looking at him out of the corner of her eye.

"Its ok. Sorry I hit you with that snowball and pushed you down."

She nodded before having the courage to look over at him fully. He gave her a soft smile and she returned it while tucking her long brown hair behind her ear. She knew Dickie from school but she wouldn't say that they were friends. She had always thought he was pretty cool though. Charlie was a major tomboy and would much prefer wearing mud than makeup.

"It was a good throw," she said.

"Thanks, you're really strong for a girl," he said as he turned in his seat to face her. When she had made the comment he got a proud smile.

"Where did you learn to aim like that?"

"Me and my dad used to play target practice with snowballs. You know hitting things like bottles and that from far away."

"Awesome," she said also turning in her seat.

"Yeah you should try it sometime."

They had quickly gotten over their previous disagreement and were chatting away until their parents came out of the office. They got quiet as they exited, knowing they were in trouble still. Charlie noticed her mom looked even more angry than when she went inside. She also noticed the death glare she was giving Dickie's dad as they silently stood and made their way down the hallway.

"Charlie will you apologize to Richard. Then we are going home," Olivia said taking the girls hand.

"Mom we already apologized, we are cool now. See ya later Dickie," she said waving with her free hand. He waved back and said a goodbye. The adults were glad for the resolution but also slightly confused as they departed.

"Charlotte, what were you thinking? Punching someone at school," Olivia scolded her once they were in the car.

"You're the one who taught me all those hand to hand moves to defend myself," the girl argued from the passenger seat as she placed her feet on the dashboard. Olivia smacked them down and gave her a glare, it was an action she was always telling her off for.

"Against an attacker not a 10 year old boy."

"Dickie is eleven ," she said under her breath knowing it wouldn't make a difference. She knew she was in a lot of trouble and there was nothing she could do about it. Olivia just sent her another glare.

"You are grounded for two weeks. No computer or TV privileges and no going anywhere other than school."

"Mooom," Charlie wailed. When Olivia gave her the 'cop look' she quickly sat back in her seat. She silently stared out the window for the rest of the ride. Once she sensed her mom had calmed down she smiled.

"It was a clean punch. I could've put him in a sleeper hold or something, he got off light," she said with a laugh. She knew her mom couldn't stay mad at her for very long. There was no way she could avoid being grounded but at least her mom would stop scolding her.

Olivia tried her best to keep a straight face as she looked at her laughing daughter. She was a spitting image of Olivia with her dark features. She had her father stature and stood tall above most girls her age. Olivia knew the dangers of the streets and had always taught her some basic self defense moves. She couldn't help herself and gave a light chuckle.

"I'll put you in a sleeper hold," she said as she wrapped her arm around her daughter's shoulders in and ruffled her hair. The girl laughed and straightened her hair out as she sat up in her seat.

"I am sorry mom," she said seriously.

"I know Charlie. I love you," she said giving her a soft smile. Charlie always had a way of knowing exactly how to read Olivia. Olivia always thought it was something she got from her father. He was always great at reading her mind and he always said the right thing at the right time. Charlie's father had died when she was two years old. He was also a police officer and had been shot while on duty. Olivia tried to keep his memory alive inside of her but it wasn't always easy with her being so young. She never had a chance to really know him but at least she could know what kind of person he was. She had a few photos of him around the apartment and had let Charlie keep the photo album with all of his photos. When she was younger Charlie would ask about her father often, since she had gotten older she rarely asks about him.

"I love you too mom."

"How long am I grounded for ?"

Dickie and Elliot hadn't said a single word to each other on the ride home. When they got to the house Dickie threw his bag on the couch before glancing at his father.

"Two weeks. You know the drill," he said. Unfortunately it wasn't the first time Dickie had been at trouble in school. He had never been suspended before only a detention here and there , but each time he had gotten grounded. Elliot knew he didn't take to academics like some kids so he couldn't be too hard on him for struggling. Dickie's problem was that he had a problem goofing off in class when he didn't understand something. He was the class clown and was paying the price for it. Elliot hadn't always been the most attentive student but he wanted more for his son. He saw so much of himself in Dickie and it scared him. He didn't consider himself a bad person but he didn't want Dickie to have the shortcoming that he possessed. It was easy for Elliot to let his anger get the best of him and he was very bull headed, but he always had good intentions, no matter how upside down things could turn out.

Dickie simply nodded.

"I can't believe that girl gave you a black eye," Elliot said with a shake of his head as he took in his appearance.

"Yeah, she is pretty cool."

Elliot laughed and made his way into the kitchen to make lunch for them.

"Dickie, it was wrong to push her, even if she punched you. You should never lay a hand on a lady," he said seriously. Dickie had followed him to the kitchen and sat on a stool across the bench top from him.

"I know. I'm sorry. I didn't even realize until after I did it, I swear," he explained to his father. He knew his father was stern but he also knew he had good intentions. There had been a few moments growing up that he saw his dad show his true feelings. His dad never brought it up but Dickie had overheard a conversation about his grandfather and the way he used to treat his dad. He was grateful to have Elliot and knew he struggled dealing with everything on his own.

"It's alright. Next time just take a deep breath before you react or just walk away."

Dickie nodded as he took the sandwich Elliot handed out to him.

"Charlie said her mom taught her how to fight. Her mom is a cop too," Dickie said with his mouth full of food.

"Who is Charlie?"

"The girl who punched me," Dickie said with a look that said 'duh'.

Elliot nodded as he thought back to the girl and her mother. The woman had been beautiful and he had noticed her tone muscles. She didn't look shy and she certainly didn't back down form an argument. He couldn't help but smile as he remembered the incredulous look she had given him. He had to admit he was slightly impressed at the fact she had taught her daughter to defend herself. He shook the thoughts from his head as he realized the path his thoughts were taking. He simply hummed an answer to his son as he listened to him continue on about the girl.

Ok so I didnt expect to be inspired to write again so soon buuut it just came to me

I think everyone can guess who she will end up being partnered with.

Anyways review and let me know what you think.