Author's Note: Here's chapter 4. More case stuff, plus a little Ivy and a touching scene between our favorite partners (it's a short awe scene, don't blink). More character driven stuff is forthcoming. Enjoy.

Don't forget to place Size 13 Shoes links. We are so close to the goal I can taste it. Google it and see what I mean. Even if you've already placed a link, see if you can find another place for it. The more the better.

Disclaimer: Law & Order: Criminal Intent belongs to Dick Wolf, NBC, and Wolf Films, et al. The characters and setting are borrowed without permission. This is a work of fan fiction. The plot belongs to me. I am making no money from this. I humbly request not to be sued.

Title: An Ordinary Family

By: Marion the Geek

Chapter: 4

"Ivy, I have to say, I am disappointed that you are starting this already this year," said Mrs. Saunders, the school nurse at the Garden School. She was a kindly looking woman of about fifty. She sat down in the chair beside the cot Ivy where was lying. "You aren't sick and I can't send you home."

"I don't want to go home," said Ivy, not meeting her gaze. "May I please just stay in here for a while?"

Mrs. Saunders looked tenderly at the girl. "You can stay for fifteen minutes," she said. "But this can't be an everyday thing, Ivy. You have to attend classes."

"I know," Ivy said softly. She gave the nurse a sideways look and smiled a little. "I don't suppose I could get a note so I wouldn't have to dress out for gym?"

Nurse Saunders smiled. "Not a chance. Nice try though."

"Can I come eat lunch with you?" asked Ivy.

"I really think you should go try to make some friends," said the nurse. "But you can eat in here with me if you want to."

"Thank you," said Ivy.

xxx

"Detective Eames," called Megan Wheeler as she entered the Browning School. She had spotted the other detective in the hallway. "I found a hit on the description you faxed me and I have the photo array you asked for."

"Thanks, Wheeler," said Eames. "What have you got?" She herded the younger woman into the conference room she and Bobby had taken over and handed Bobby one of the two sandwiches she had been carrying back from the cafeteria.

"Thanks," he said. "Good afternoon, Wheeler. Got something?"

"Sure do," said the young detective. "The description you sent me matches Griffon Young, a registered child molester." She took his picture out of the file she was carrying. "He lives about eight blocks from the school. Also, he knows the Browning School well. He went here in high school. He was arrested and convicted seven years ago for taking indecent liberties with an eleven year old who bears a marked resemblance to your missing boy. He got out of Ossining four months ago."

"Nice work, Wheeler," said Eames. "You didn't have to come all the way out here, though. You could have used a courier."

"Nah," said Wheeler. "This beats staying in the office. It's been seven months since I got shot. I'm so sick of desk duty I could scream."

Alex smiled and patted her shoulder affectionately. "I hear you," she said. "When I was pregnant I thought I was going to go nuts. Not that I could have waddled fast enough to keep up with long legs here." She ruffled Bobby's hair.

"I would have waited for you," he said. He gave her a slow smile. "Hell, if it would have kept you with me I would have carried you."

Wheeler watched the quiet fond look that passed between the pair.

"That would have been a sight," Eames quipped after a moment. Her partner chuckled softly.

"I put his picture in a photo array," said Wheeler, showing them the rest of her folder. "Here's his file." She passed it to Eames who thumbed through it.

"Two of the other three boys we talked to this morning gave us similar descriptions of an out of place man," said Goren. "We'll need to have them all back in to look at the photo array. Don't worry, Wheeler. Ross can't keep you on desk duty much longer. Bishop is going to kill Mike. She told me he was worse than me."

Eames chuckled. "When did she say that?"

"We had drinks a few weeks back," said Goren. "Mike's sense of humor drives her crazy."

Wheeler snickered. "I dunno… I kinda like it." She stood to go. "Not that I can't see how he could drive someone crazy. I have to run. I'm supposed to meet the kook for lunch."

"Tell him we said hi," said Eames.

"Will do."

xxx

"Andy, I'm going to show you pictures of some men," said Eames. "I need you to tell me if you recognize any of them, okay?"

The boy nodded. Eames placed the photo array in front of the boy. He examined it closely. "Him," he said, pointing to the top left picture. "That's the guy I saw hanging around the school. The one who never had a kid."

"Thank you, Andy. You've been a big help. You can go back to class," she said. When he had gone she turned to her partner. "Three for three. I'll have some uniforms pick up Mr. Young and take him to One PP."

Her partner nodded. "I'll have the secretary call Brandon Peterson. I'm interested to know what makes Cory Harris special to him." He left the conference room while Eames made her call.

Goren returned a short time later with a tall, wiry blonde boy of about seventeen. "Brandon, this is my partner, Detective Eames," he said by way of introduction. He ushered the boy into a chair and then took a seat across the table from him.

Eames took a seat beside her partner. "Brandon, we need to clarify some things with you about Cory Harris," she said.

The boy shifted nervously and looked at his hands. The detectives pretended not to notice.

"You were the last person to see him before he disappeared," Eames continued.

"I… I don't believe that's accurate," said Brandon. "He came to say hello to me when he got to the downstairs gym, but then he went to play dodge ball. I had to deal with a kindergartner who fell and bruised his knee. The other boys playing dodge ball must have seen him after me."

"His friend Andrew said he never joined the game," said Goren. "Are you sure he went to play?"

"That's where I assumed he went," said the boy. "Like I said, I was helping a kindergartener."

"Does Cory always come say hello to you?" asked Eames.

"Uh… usually," said Brandon. "He sort of looks up to me. Follows me around."

"Well, shoot, man," said Goren. "That must cramp your style, having a fifth grader hanging around all the time."

"Cory's a good kid," said Brandon. "I don't really mind him hanging around."

"We heard his parents weren't too thrilled about Cory hanging around you," said Eames. "You got any idea why that might be?"

The boy shifted in his seat and kept his gaze fixed neutrally. "No," he said.

"You weren't doing anything inappropriate with Cory, were you?" Eames asked mock coyly.

"No!" Brandon shouted. "That's disgusting."

"What sort of things did you do with Cory?" Goren asked in a gentler voice.

"I helped him with his homework," said Brandon Peterson. "I looked out for him. That's all."

"See, we think there was more than that," said Eames. "We think you had something going on with Cory Harris. We hear you buy him little gifts. And we hear that his mother doesn't like you."

"Look! I don't know what happened to Cory," said the boy, becoming agitated. "He was my friend! I hope you find him!"

"Hey, hey, easy," Goren soothed. "Calm down. We're not saying you hurt Cory." He leaned in close across the table. "You aren't under arrest. But if you know something we need to know. Because we need to find him."

"I don't know where he is! I haven't seen him since Friday afternoon!"

"Okay, alright man," said Goren. "You haven't seen him. I believe you."

"I don't," said Eames. "I still don't understand your interest in a fifth grader. I got a nephew. And if an older student… a much older student… was taking an interest in him it would concern me."

"Cory is…" the boy trailed off.

"Yes? What is your interest in Cory?" asked Eames.

"He's my brother!"

Eames blinked. Of all the things he could have said, that one she wasn't prepared for. "What?"

"My dad had an affair with Audra Harris eleven years ago," said Brandon. "Didn't you notice that Mrs. Harris and her husband have dark hair but Cory's as blond as I am? He's my brother."

"Do you have proof or are you just speculating?" asked Eames.

"I have proof of the affair," said Brandon. He wrung his hands and shifted to face Goren. "I never told Cory. But I look out for him. He's my brother."

"Okay, kid," said Goren. "Okay. Have you ever noticed anyone paying special attention to Cory?"

"I… I don't think so," he said. "I really only see Cory at school. Like you said, his mom doesn't like me. She doesn't like my dad either. Their affair ended badly."

"Have you ever noticed anyone around the school who didn't belong?" asked Goren.

"Now that you mention it," said Brandon. "There's this guy. He's been hanging around since the beginning of school this year. About six foot, brown hair. He hangs around when school lets out. I thought he was a parent the first time I saw him, but I never saw him with a kid. He kind of gives me the creeps."

"Is the man you saw in these pictures?" asked Detective Eames, placing the photo array in front of the boy.

"That's him," said Brandon, picking Griffon Young's picture out of the photo array.

"Is there anything else you can tell us about Cory?" asked Goren. "Did he ever give you any indication he might run away?"

"No," said Brandon. "I really don't think he ran away. He seemed happy. And if he was having problems I think he would have told me."

"Thank you for your help," said Goren. "If we need any more from you we'll call. And if you think of anything else, give us a call." He handed the young man his card.

"I will," said Brandon. "Just find my little brother." He left the room.

"Well, I wasn't expecting that," said Eames. "You think this kid is on the level?"

"I'm not sure yet," said Goren. "He does seem to truly believe Cory is his brother, which we don't have any real evidence of, except they look a little bit alike. But I don't think he knows where Cory is… first impressions, you know?"

"He seemed nervous," said Eames. "But I don't know if he can be of more help to us. I think we need to head back and have a chat with Griffon Young."

Goren gathered up his papers into his trusty binder and held the door for her as they exited.

Author's Note: Oh Reviewer, Reviewer, wherefore art thou Reviewer? On second thought, since wherefore means "why", wherefore aren't thou reviewing? You know they rock my world. Don't worry; I won't let the case take over. There should be some more character driven stuff in the next couple of chapters. I'm looking forward to them. I like crafting a case, but my true love is character driven plot.