Autobot Angel

Chapter Seven: Explanations



Speedle recovered first and glanced around. Too many people were around to answer Alexx here. The CSI grabbed her gently and propelled her toward the door. He didn't stop until they were in the autopsy room. Prowl scouted while Speed mentally scrambled for an explanation. Alexx watched as Prowl looked around, then turned back to Speed.

"Who is he, Timmy?"

Speed just gulped.

"Fortunately for a certain tongue tied CSI, 'he' can talk for himself," Prowl put in.

Alexx turned toward him. "Who are you then?"

"My name is Prowl."

Alexx turned back to Tim. "I didn't know Horatio had assigned you a new partner, Timmy."

"Alexx…H doesn't know about Prowl."

Alexx blinked. "Why not? I mean, from the way he's striding around, you'd think he owned the place."

Prowl snickered, picking up on the humor.

Tim sighed. "Alexx, Prowl's been here all day. How come…"

"All day, Timmy? I didn't see him in the lab…"

"That is the point, Ms. Woods."

Alexx froze. She turned, studying Prowl more closely. After a few long moments, she gasped. "You're a ghost!"

"Either that or a guardian angel," the other grumbled. "Still haven't figured out what the difference is."

"Alexx, H called you, didn't he?"

Alexx nodded. "He said you lied to him, Timmy. About what happened in the house."

Speed groaned. "I didn't want to lie, Alexx. But how do I tell H that I got saved by a dead Autobot?"

Alexx whirled back to face Speed. "Autobot?"

"Yes, I'm…I was an Autobot."

Alexx looked back at Prowl. "Well, that would explain the name."

Speed managed a chuckle. "Alexx, Prowl is the one who struggled with the suspect. I got surprised, the guy knocked my gun out of my hand and shoved me. If Prowl hadn't been there, I'd be dead."

"Correction, you would have already been dead," Prowl pointed out.

Alexx gasped again. "You…you saved my Timmy in the jewelry store."

Prowl gave Alexx an approving nod.

Speed was pacing though. "How come you can see him Alexx?"

Alexx thought that over. "I don't know Timmy. But I think this explains why I had a feeling that there was someone else in the trace lab today."

Prowl's head cocked to the side. "You were able to sense me?"

Alexx smiled warmly at the Autobot. "Looks like it."

"Speed, remember what you said about my appearance?"

Speed turned. "You mean about you lookin' a bit more solid?"

"Yes."

"What abou…" Speed's eyes flashed in comprehension. "You mean, that's why Alexx can see you now? You rescued me from that creep so now you're more…more…" Speed trailed off, searching for the right word.

"Alive?" Alexx offered. Both males stared at her. She smiled at them. "It would make a bit of sense. You're protecting Timmy and in return, you're becoming more visible, more alive."

Prowl gave a slow nod. "That would also account for my true form appearing during the scuffle. But we have more immediate concerns."

"H," Speed groaned.

"Yes. He knows as well as we do that Speed was nowhere near that gun when it went off. But it won't go over well for Speed to tell Horatio that he has a guardian angel only two people can see."

"Three, if we include our suspect," Speed mumbled.

"And our third witness is going to just call in and tell Horatio that?"

Alexx frowned. "What about the jewelry shop? We have two witnesses and Horatio knows that bullet in the shop should have killed Timmy."

"Alexx we need more. We need evidence that Prowl was there today. But a ghost doesn't exactly leave evidence for a CSI to find."

Silence stretched out between them. Then Prowl's eyes lit. "When is a ghost not a ghost?"

Speed started. "What are you talking about?"

"Speed, think! You saw my robot form."

"So?"

"My doorwings. It was so tight in there, I might have left paint behind."

"But you're a ghost!" Speed protested.

Alexx gave a slow smile. "Not when he's protecting you Timmy." She turned toward Prowl. "Could you get me that bag over there?" She pointed to her desk, smiling as she spoke.

Prowl moved over to the desk and reached out. His hand went right through the bag as he tried to grip it. Speed stared. "But, but, you were able to grab the gun."

"And it fell right out of my hand as soon as that guy ran."

Alexx smiled. "That means, when you were fighting our suspect, you were as real as Timmy and me."

"Paint scrapings…" Tim trailed off. "What color would they be, Prowl?"

"Either black or pearl white."

"Two colors?" Alexx asked.

"My alt mode is a police car. So the top of my doorwings is white and the bottom is black."

Speed cast a gaze heavenward. "So the only evidence we have of Prowl is paint, two witnesses and a bullet that should have killed me. Alexx, you want to pick a room in the nuthouse first or should I?"

Prowl chuckled. "True, Speed. We don't have much at all." The Autobot's gaze firmed. "Perhaps we should ask them to judge your story by your reputation."

Alexx smiled. "You mean, ask them to just trust us?"

"Yes."

Speed sighed. "You first Alexx. I just lied to H about what happened. He's not gonna believe just me."

"Is there any other evidence?"

Alexx tapped a foot, thinking. "Prowl, honey. Do Autobots have fingerprints?"

"No."

"What're you thinkin' Alex?"

"Well, Timmy. The others probably found the gun, so I was wondering if Prowl left fingerprints on the gun."

"No fingerprints but maybe more…"

"…paint scrapings," Speed finished. The CSI rested his head in his hands. "We're doomed."

Alexx let out a soft laugh. "Not yet Timmy. Come on, let's go."

"Yeah, let's go ask Horatio to put us in the nuthouse."

"We have to try."

Alexx nodded and walked to the door. She opened it and turned back to Speed. "After all, Timmy, you never know 'til you give it a try."

A/N: Ahhh…the unexpected difficulties of a guardian angel. LOL. So what will Horatio think? Not telling yet. Please Read and Review. BTW: I especially want to know if you guys liked the way I pulled off Alexx's inclusion into the guardian angel secret. Just for future reference. Thinking of pulling that again. Responses very much wanted. See ya next chapter.