A/N: In case it wasn't clear, the previous chapter was them getting the kids ready for Carisi's graduation from law school.

Five For Fighting

"Liv, it can't be that bad."

Her boss cut her a swift glare, indicating that she was not in the mood. Considering the circumstances and the events of today, it made sense that the lieutenant didn't want to hear anything from her. Not only had Amanda overwhelmed a ninety-year-old witness, the last remaining witness in a fifty-year-old cold case that the Bronx had thrown them, but the intense line of questioning had sent the elderly woman into a full-fledged anxiety attack, resulting in them being asked to leave the premises. The car ride back to the 1-6 had been tense enough, what with the lieutenant chastising her competency as an officer. And no sooner than Olivia had pulled the squad car into its parking spot at the precinct did her phone ring, followed by a rather strict, firm voice demanding that "a parent of Noah Benson be present at the school within the hour".

So here they were, an NYPD detective and lieutenant, sitting in the principal's office like a couple of school girls in trouble for passing notes in class.

"I know you don't want to hear this from me, but he's a sweet kid," She said hesitantly, knowing fully well that she was still on thin ice from botching an interview, "Whatever it is, he'll be f –"Before Amanda could finish, however, the door marked 'Principal Parker' open slightly and a dark-haired, bearded man poked his head out.

"Ms. Benson," The middle-aged man said flatly, acknowledging Olivia, who stood from the chair so fast in nearly toppled over. Amanda had to swallow the urge to correct him with Lieutenant, figuring that the older woman's title held no weight in this office, "And this is…?" He asked, eyes falling on Amanda.

"Detective Amanda Rollins," She piped up, vaguely affronted at the man's rude tone, "We work together."

"Yes, well, I'm afraid you'll have to wait out here. These matters are best handled with as few, relevant people in the room as possible."

Her eyes widened, but to her surprise before she could revert to her southern ways and give this self-righteous prick a piece of her mind, Olivia had already started to talk.

"Mr. Parker, if you had bothered to look at my son's paperwork, you would see that Detective Rollins is Noah's secondary emergency contact," The brunette quipped, a smug look on her face, "That seems relevant enough to me."

He pursed his lips in a thin line, clearly embarrassed by his rash assumption. "Yes, well, my apologies, uh – erm, this way ladies," Mr. Parker said, gesturing for them to step into the office.

If looks could kill, Noah would've been dead. Admittedly, she feared for the little boy as the normally calm, cool and, most importantly, understand mother was shooting daggers at her son as she listened to the principal recount the version of events, presumably as a teacher had told them to him. However, the rosy faced boy refused to meet neither Amanda or Olivia's eyes, suddenly having found his Spiderman shoes rather interesting.

"Now, I realize that this is the first incident but here at John Adams we believe in nipping these things at the source. Is he as violent at home as he is at school?"

"Excuse me?" Olivia asked, irritation evident in her voice as she diverted her attention from Noah to the principal, "You say that like he's been in trouble for fighting before and I assure you that nothing of this nature has ever happened at home. What are you inferring?"

Uh oh. Rollins knew where this was going; she had a very good instinct for 'too far' and they had arrived.

"Mr. Parker," Amanda jumped in, ignoring the sharp glare from her boss for speaking out of turn, "Noah's a great kid and he's always very gentle with my daughter – she's three – this has to be a misunderstanding." Her heart warmed a little when she Noah smile as she came to his defense. You're not out of the woods just yet kid, she said inwardly.

The man cleared his throat and leaned back in his chair, "First of all, Ms. Rollins – "

"Detective," She corrected snappily. She could feel Olivia's eyes boring holes into her, but she ignored it.

"Detective Rollins, you are here as a courtesy and you would do well remember it. Secondly, if Noah is such a sweet kid, then tell me why he is sitting in my office with another child's blood on him."

At this, Olivia winced noticeably – she had really been called here to be told that her son was a bully.

"It's already been explained to him that he'll have no recess for the remained of this week and next week," The principal continued, shuffling through the papers on his desk, "Whether or not you choose to punish him at home is entirely up to you, but I am dismissing him for the rest of the day. Good day to the three of you."

That was harsh, however, Amanda figured it was reasonable. But, damn, what was the kid supposed to do for half an hour for the next week and a half while everybody else got to run their crazy out on the playground?

Olivia gathered Noah's things in one hand and took his hand in the other, giving Amanda a nod toward the door.

"And, officers," The principal said, careful to not mistitle as they got ready to leave, "I think I should advise you that these kinds of things typically happen when there isn't a strong father figure in the home – "

She wasn't entirely sure why Olivia wasn't saying anything and just letting this man say whatever he pleased, but dammit, Amanda would have to pay the price for this later.

"Sir, I'll have you know that Ms. Benson is a decorated lieutenant of the New York Police Department," Amanda huffed, stepping back into the small, cramped space, "And Noah Benson has a good life, he's got an incredible mother and a precinct full of officers that adore him. He is a good kid, and I'm sorry that you can't see it."

Mr. Parker stood there, eyes shifting between the two women, Olivia looking at Amanda in total dismay and Noah with a slight smile on his face.

"Good day to you too, Mr. Parker," Amanda said in mock sweetness, knowing that she was in the clear as her lieutenant gave her a wobbly smile while they made their way down the hall and inconspicuously held her hand out for a low five, as if to say 'thank you'.

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