Autobot Angel

Chapter Six: In on the Secret

Horatio frowned, eying the house. Delko and Calleigh were working on processing their new crime scene. He himself was processing Speedle, the young CSI waiting patiently for Horatio to finish. Something wasn't right. Speed had told him that their suspect had managed to knock the CSI's gun away but Tim had struggled with the killer, forcing the perp to fire straight up. He'd wrestled the gun away but the perp had slammed into Speedle, knocking the CSI back enough to escape. A reasonable story but Horatio couldn't find any GSR on Speed's hands. Leading to the inescapable conclusion that Tim was lying. Horatio gave Speed a nod, letting the young man depart briefly to change clothes. Speed came right back, dumping the clothes he'd been wearing that morning into an evidence bag.

"Anything else you want to tell me Speed?" Horatio asked, giving the CSI a chance to admit the truth.

"Nope."

Horatio sighed. "Speed, don't do this. Don't lie to me."

Speed looked away. "H…"

Horatio turned. "Who struggled with the suspect? I know it wasn't you, Tim. No GSR."

Speed kept his mouth shut.

"Get back to the lab. I'll talk to you later." Horatio's disapproval rang with every word.

Speed's head drooped a bit. "Sorry H." He turned and walked to his Hummer, getting in and driving away.

Horatio watched him go. "Me too, Speed."

Speed waited until they'd turned the corner to look at Prowl. "Why can't I tell them?"

Prowl's head tilted. "What would you tell them, Speed? That an Autobot ghost is protecting you?"

"Can't you show yourself to them?"

"I wish I could. I don't know how it works any better than you do. Before this, I would have been the last Autobot to believe in ghosts or guardian angels. I'm like you, Speed. I deal in logic, what I can see with my own optics." The ghost waved down at himself. "Speed, this…this is out of my field. I'm a tactician, not a psychic."

Speed sighed. "So you have no clue how this works."

"I'm afraid so. I don't even know why my true form showed itself during the fight."

Speed thought back to the fight. "You know, if you put a bit more at the end of those doorwings, I bet you could fly."

Prowl gaped at him, jaw working as the tactician searched for words.

Speed glanced over at the Autobot and started chuckling. The CSI contained further amusement long enough to pull into the lab's parking lot and find a spot. After Tim shifted the Hummer into park, he looked over at Prowl again and broke into fresh laughter.

Prowl let out a snort and stepped out of the car. "I'm glad you find it amusing."

Speed grabbed his kit and swung out of the Hummer. "Probably the last time I'll get to laugh in while. H is gonna have my tail for lying."

Prowl sighed and trailed after the CSI. "Perhaps he will put two and two together. They haven't forgotten the jewelry store, you know."

"Guess it's something to hope for. Oh, and Prowl?"

"Yes?"

"Thanks for saving me again."

"You're welcome."

Alexx looked up as Speedle walked in. Horatio had called her and asked her to talk to Speedy about the fight he'd gotten into. Alexx rose and started toward Speedle, then froze, one hand coming up to her mouth. A young man was following her Timmy into the room. His black hair framed a tanned face and his eyes reminded Alexx of sapphires. His jeans were black, his shirt was white and his boots were a dark brown shade. Her gaze traveled over him again, snagging on a necklace he wore. The red robotic face on it was familiar.

"Alexx?" Speed asked. "Were you looking for me?"

Alexx turned to Speedle. "Timmy, who's your friend?"

Both Speedle and the stranger gaped at her.

A/N: The plot thickens! Bit short but I couldn't help leaving it as a cliffe. Next chapter should be up soon!