Autobot Angel

Chapter Nine: Truth Revealed

Alexx strode into Horatio's office, Speed and Prowl right behind her. Calleigh and Delko were already there, standing in front of H's desk. Horatio himself sat behind the desk, eyes on Alexx.

"I hear our friends from the FBI have arrived," Horatio remarked.

Alexx snorted. "I sent them to an empty lab Horatio. Threw out some nasty accusations, the lot of them."

"I'll speak to them later," Horatio promised. He turned to look at Speed. "Is there something you want to tell me, Speedle?"

Speed did his best not to fidget under Horatio's gaze. "Um…"

Alexx stepped in. "Horatio, what did we find at the house?"

Calleigh and Delko looked at Horatio and he nodded. Calleigh laid out her evidence from the gun. Alexx inspected the paint scrapings, trying not to look at Prowl.

Prowl looked over her shoulder. "That's one."

Delko followed up with his own mystery, explaining the paint transfer he'd found on the wall.

"Two colors?" Alexx asked in surprise.

"Must have hit right at the paint change," Prowl remarked, tilting his head.

Speed gave a small nod, screwing up his nerve. That was all the evidence they could hope for. He could only pray it was enough.

"Speed?" Horatio inquired, eying his nervous Trace expert.

"I, uh, I do have something to tell ya, H."

"Go ahead."

Alexx smiled encouragingly. "H, remember in the jewelry store when I said something right before I passed out?" Speed asked.

Horatio's eyes narrowed. "Yes. You weren't looking at anything when you said it and I assumed it was blood loss."

Speed suppressed a small gulp. "H, when my gun misfired and those guys shot at me, I saw something."

Calleigh's hands flew to her mouth. She didn't ever want to remember that day. How Speedle could even bear to mention it was beyond her. Delko looked stunned as if Speed had just admitted to taking drugs. Alexx looked as if she were trying to hold something back, a sob?

Speed took a deep breath. "When that first guy fired, I saw someone step in front of the bullet. He got knocked back into me, H. We both fell. But when I looked, to see if he was hurt, I couldn't see any blood on him."

"When did he leave?" Horatio demanded.

"H, he…he didn't leave. I was looking right at him when I passed out." Speed struggled to keep himself from looking in Prowl's direction

Silence fell. Delko expected Horatio to tell Speed to go home and get some rest, that Speed needed a few more days before he came back to work. From the look on Speed's face, he expected it too.

"And today?" Horatio's voice was level, betraying nothing.

"You're right H, I'm not the one who fought with our suspect. That guy, the same one who saved my life in the jewelry store, he's the one who helped me today."

"But what about the paint?" Delko demanded.

"When he helped me today, it was…different."

"How?"

"One second he was human, the next he was a human-sized robot. That's why Calleigh found paint on the gun."

"And the wall?" Horatio asked.

"The robot, he looked part car. The car doors were jutting out of his back like wings. I didn't see him scrape them against the wall but I guess he did."

"Anything else?" Horatio asked.

Alexx smiled. "Horatio, Speed's not the only one to see this…newcomer."

"Newcomer? If you're going to tell them everything, why not tell them my name?"

Alexx pointedly ignored Prowl's complaint. "When Timmy came back today, I saw someone with him."

"Human or robot?" Delko joked.

Alexx was unruffled. "Human. But, from what he told me, he used to be an Autobot."

The CSIs, except for Speedle, stared at Alexx. Speed put in, "His name is Prowl and he said something about the Battle of Autobot City."

Horatio started, giving Speed an appraising look. "That battle hasn't been made public, Speed."

Calleigh gasped. "Horatio, there really was a battle at Autobot City?"

"Four weeks ago. My contact at the FBI gave me the names of the fallen Autobots."

"I know about Brawn, Ironhide, and Ratchet," Prowl whispered.

"Seven Autobots. Windcharger, Wheeljack, Brawn, Ironhide, Ratchet, Prowl, and Optimus Prime."

"No!"

Alexx and Speed hid their winces. Calleigh and Delko just looked stunned. Horatio looked up at Speed. "Anything you noticed about that robot's helmet?"

Speed frowned. "I couldn't see the front that well, but I think I saw something red on top of the helmet."

Horatio gave a nod. "Your basic description matches Prowl. The question remains. Why would a dead Autobot appear at all, let alone as a human?"

Alexx gave a sunny smile. "Horatio, Prowl said he's been here all day with Timmy but I've only been able to see him since that little fight out in the field."

"So, every time he saves Speed, someone else is going to be able to see him?" Delko asked, restraining a snicker.

Alexx gave Delko a wide grin. "Sounds like it to me," she informed him.

Speed went back to the jewelry store. "H, you and I both know that bullet should have killed me. Doc told me it lodged right above my heart."

Calleigh gasped again, looking at Horatio. The CSI supervisor nodded. "Yes, Speed, I know. For now, this stays here. You remain on duty. I'll have a word with the Fed and then you, Delko, and Calleigh can take a look at the old kidnapping files they brought." Horatio turned to Calleigh and Delko. "If you see Prowl, I want to know." They gave him nods. Horatio rose. "Dismissed for now."

A/N: Well, the truth is out. Please Read and Review. Next chapter: Will Dave get scolded by Horatio?