A/N: I am back. I am so sorry it has taken me so long to get back to writing. To everyone that has sent me messages thank you so much. I hope everyone enjoy's this chapter. As always reviews are welcomed.

"How was your day with Maddie?" Alex asked as Olivia walked into the office at their house and flopped down in the chair.

"Umm it was interesting to say the least."

"Interesting how?"

"Wait to hear me out before you fly off the handle ok." Olivia said as she leaned forward and ran her hand through her hair. It was now longer than it she ever kept it and she was starting to show slight gray along her temples.

"Don't tell me she has a boyfriend."

"No not a boyfriend."

"She's gay." Alex asked as she leaned back in the chair "You thought I would get mad at our daughter because she's gay."

"No and I think that would be a little hypocritical if you were. But I don't think you're going to like her chosen career path that's for sure."

"Just tell me." Alex sighed

"She wants to join the military, particularly the army, and after she's done some time there she wants to follow in my footsteps at NYPD."

"WHAT?"

"This is where you need to remain calm.'

"CALM HELL my daughter is not joining the military. I hope to god you put a stop to it instantly."

"I support her one hundred percent."

"Why didn't you stop it?"

"Simple Alex." Olivia said as she stood and approached Alex "We have always told her we would support no matter what. She has a square head on her shoulder and everything thought out."

"How is that?"

"She wants us to enroll her in the New York Military Academy. For her seventh and eighth grade she will be a day cadet. Starting her ninth year she will be living on campus till she graduates. From there she can either enroll in a college that has an ROTC program and join the Army as a second lieutenant or go straight into the military and join as an E3."

"And you agreed to this."

"Yes."

"Olivia Benson what the hell were you thinking. There is no way I will ever let my daughter live at a private school, much less a military private school."

"Alex we either support her on this or she turns eighteen joins anyhow and we never see or hear from her again. You choose."

"What?"

"She is determined for this to be her career. She has even gone so far as to research the school, the cost, and her choices. If we deny her this now then she will enlist at eighteen. She is as stubborn and hard headed as you ever were. This can either work with us or against us."

"How do you figure that?"

"We can hope that enrolling her in this school will derail her thoughts about the military and she chooses a nice safe career or it will help her advance in her career and hopefully it won't be as hard on her as it will be if we don't."

"Do you really think it would detour her?"

"With the determination I saw in her eyes I seriously doubt it. She has your determination with my stubbornness. That is not a good combination."

"I will not argue with you there that is for sure. Where is Maddie now?"

"With the boys."

"Call her in here and let's discuss this school and career choice that she has chosen."

"Keep your cool though Alexandra." Olivia said before walking out of the office in search of Maddie. She silently prayed that Alex would use her courtroom demeanor while discussing the school with Maddie and not lose her cool.

"Maddie" Olivia whispered as she entered the boy's room and saw her on the floor playing with her brothers "I've talked to your mom and she would like you to come downstairs and talk to her about it."

"How mad is she?"

"I'll be honest she's not thrilled about you choosing the military but that comes more from the fear of losing you than anything. She is willing to listen to what you have to say and discuss everything. That is a start."

"Hey mom"

"Yeah baby"

"Do you mind if I talked to mom alone. I know you will give her a look or have one of your silent discussions if she starts in and you want to stop her. Let me fight this battle with mom please."

Olivia took a deep breath in and exhaled slowly. The pride she felt at that moment was overwhelming her. It was times like this that she knew they did everything right when it came to Maddie. She simply nodded scared if she spoke her voice would crack and she would break down.

Maddie quickly hugged Olivia before she ran off down the stairs to have what she figured would be the battle of a lifetime.

"Hey mom." Maddie almost whispered as she entered Alex's office.

"Hey Maddie please come in and sit down." Alex said as she shuffled some papers around "Please tell me all about your military decision."

Maddie took a deep breath and sat across from her mother. She knew it was a now or never.

"I want to join the Army. To help me with that there is a private military school about an hour from here that I would like to attend. For seventh and eighth grade I would be a day cadet and from ninth grade till graduation I will live on campus. From there I can join the Army as an E3 or go to a college with a ROTC program and enter after college as a 2nd lieutenant. If I join the Army before going to college I can use the GI Bill to pay for my tuition and student loans if needed."

"I'm glad you are thinking ahead for your future but please understand we have the money to cover your tuition to any college you want to go to. If college tuition is why you plan on joining the Army please understand you don't have to."

"I know mom. I've always realized and knew we had money but I want to earn everything on my own. I don't want anything handed to me."

"There are times you are so much like your mother it shocks me. Now tell me more about this school you want to go to."

"It's $15,000 for the first two years and then goes up to $36,000 when I stay on campus.

I know it's expensive. Plus you have to buy the books, all needed supplies, and there's some extra fees depending on what extra-curricular activities I do. It's the top military academy in New York. Over ninety percent of its graduates go on to Annapolis, West point, or the Citadel. Those that go directly into the military are up of OCS within four years."

"OCS?"

"Officer Candidate School."

"You have really done your research haven't you?"

"I have mom and I really want this. It would help me out so much in my military career but if you don't want me too I do understand."

"What about after your military career?"

"I want to join NYPD like mom. Although to be truthful I don't think I can work in SVU. I don't see how mom can do it for as long as she has. I was thinking homicide or robbery maybe even property crimes. But the one thing I know is I want to be NYPD like mom."

"It looks as if you have done your research."

"Got to have all the facts before doing a presentation mom."

"True. I will be honest I'm not happy with your career choice. I want my baby girl at home safe and sound as a doctor or lawyer. Not on the front lines of a battlefield whether it's overseas or here at home on the front lines as a police officer. But that is being a parent. I will make you this deal. I will schedule a tour and meeting with the dean of the school. Afterwards me and your mother will discuss it in great detail."

"Yes ma'am but mom the head of the school is called commander not dean."

"Fine smarty the commander of the school."

"Thank you so much mom." Maddie said as she hugged Alex tight to her. "I love you."

"I love you too baby. I love you too."