Author's Note: I know I usually post in the afternoon, but I decided to go ahead and post today's segment this morning. Thank you all for the wonderful reviews. I loved Shyné too, and I was sad to see her go.

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: The Ivy Green

By: Marion

Chapter: 25

Mrs. Bell was the next to arrive on the scene. "Dear god," she exclaimed. She put her arms around Ivy and pulled her back inside the old church. The little girl was shaking and sobbing loudly, her breath coming in short gasps. She struggled to free herself from Mrs. Bell's grasp, but the older woman held on. With her other hand Mrs. Bell got out her cell phone.

Nearly every girl at the center was coming downstairs, having heard Ivy's screaming. "Stay inside, girls," shouted Mrs. Bell. One of the older girls tried to help her with Ivy but the child was thrashing now. "Ivy, be still," Mrs. Bell said softly in her ear. Ivy collapsed into a quivering heap. Mrs. Bell dialed 911.

xxx

"Logan, Wheeler," called Captain Danny Ross from his office door. "I want you to head over to Stuyvesant Foster Care Center. You have a case. I'll brief you by phone on the way."

Bobby jumped to his feet. Alex raised her eyebrows. "Ivy," he said, and hurried over to his Captain. Alex was right behind him. "Sir, my niece is at Stuyvesant Foster Care Center," said Bobby.

"Then I made the right decision giving Logan and Wheeler the case," said Ross. Logan was hesitating, his coat in his hand. He walked back toward Goren and the Captain.

"What happened there?" Bobby asked coolly.

"Sit down, Goren," said Ross. "You can catch it on the evening news."

Bobby's eyes grew hard. He rose to his full height and looked down at his captain. "What happened?" he growled. "I need to know if my niece is okay. I'm all she has."

"I don't like you intimidation tactics," said Ross.

"Please," said Alex. "What happened at the Stuyvesant Foster Care Center?" Her voice was desperate.

Ross softened a little. "A girl was killed. Gruesomely. It looks like a hate crime," he said.

"Let me work this case," said Bobby. "I know the kids there. They'll talk to me."

"It could be good, Captain," said Wheeler. "Foster kids don't always open up easy."

"Go," said Ross. "The four of you. Goren, check on your niece and then get to work."

"Yes, sir," said Alex. She grabbed Bobby's arm and they hurried out the door.

When they arrived at the crime scene Bobby looked up at the fourteen year old dangling from the bell tower. He stopped dead, covering his mouth with his hand. Alex almost ran into him. "Bobby, what is it?" she asked.

"I know her," he said, his voice pained. "That's Shyné. She's Ivy's best friend."

"Oh god," breathed Alex.

"I've got to see Ivy," said Bobby.

"Go. We'll take care of things here for the moment," said Alex.

"Lot's of pictures," he said. "Different angles."

"I'll tell CSU," she said.

"Thank you," he said. Bobby ran for the main entrance of the center. Mrs. Bell had seen him from the window. She was waiting by the door.

"Does Ivy know?" he asked miserably. He couldn't shake the image of the young girl he knew hanging from the bell tower.

"She … she found her," said Mrs. Bell. "She's in the lounge."

Bobby hurried to the lounge. He stopped in the doorway. His little niece was curled up in the fetal position on the longest couch, shaking but not making any sound. "Ivy," he said softly.

She was up like a shot. She flung herself into his arms sobbing. He scooped her up and sat down with her cradled on his lap. She buried her head in the muscle between his right shoulder and his neck. "Tell me it was a bad dream," she said between sobs. "It's not true. It can't be true. Shyné's not dead. Tell me it was just a bad dream."

Bobby's heart broke for her. He wrapped his big arms around her and held her tightly, tears in his own eyes. "I wish I could, sweetheart," he murmured into her hair. "I wish I could take this pain from you and hide you from this cruel, evil world."

"Why would someone do this to her?" Ivy cried. "She never hurt anybody."

Bobby stroked her hair, rocking her gently back and forth. "I don't know," he said softly. "I don't know why people do things like this. My whole life I've studied it and I haven't found the answer."

"I should have stopped her. I knew she snuck out last night," whimpered Ivy. "I should have stopped her."

"Shhh," said Bobby. "It's not your fault. And should's won't bring her back."

"Are… are you working? Are you on the case?" asked Ivy. She looked hopeful.

"I am. Alex, too," he confirmed.

"You'll find them, won't you?" she asked desperately. "You'll find who did this?"

He looked pained. "I'll do my best, Ivy," he said.

"Good," she said. "When you do, I'll kill them."

Bobby put his hands on her shoulders and forced her to look him in the face. "I know it seems like that would help the pain you are feeling right now," he said, running his thumb along her jaw line. "But you're not like the people who killed Shyné. If you think about it, you'll realize that would only bring more pain to the world. Whoever the bastard is, there is somebody on this wretched world who loves him like you love Shyné. And you're better than them. You wouldn't want to stoop to their level."

"I guess not," she said, big brown eyes looking up at him from tear-stained cheeks. She buried her face against him once more.

"Will you take me home with you?" she asked suddenly, startling him. "I c-can't go back to sleep in our room. Shyné won't ever come back." A tear rolled down the end of her nose as she spoke.

He sat her up to look in her eyes. "You know I can't do that, Ivy. It would be illegal. I need you to believe me when I say I want you there and I would take you with me if I could. I'll barely be home anyway. I have to solve this case."

"Will you hold me a little while longer?" she asked softly, tentatively. "I mean… if you have time…"

Bobby nodded and she buried her tear-streaked face against him once more, her little arms around his neck. Bobby held the broken child. She'd lost too many people for one so young, he thought.

Author's Note: As always, reviews are highly appreciated. I hope you liked this chapter. The next one, I hope, is more like the show. Until tomorrow…