AN: Thanks for the incredible response to this Snowing story! See previous chapter for important authors notes on characters and story notes.
Important note: Milah is not Neal's father in this universe. Cora is I've taken some liberties again with characters and back stories. :)
Special Note: The character of TJ Morrison is a Manifest character. The characters of Nick and Greta Branson are based on Hansel(also known as Jack and Nick Branson) and Gretel from Once season 7.
Another Note: As we get further into season 2 and season 3, I will be focusing more on the major Manifest plotlines and not so much the minor ones that involve one offs with passengers, in addition to the original plots I have created for this story. Season 4 will be premiering soon and once I see what I'm working with, I'll make a decision if this story will be going with a Manifest type ending or if I have to move to more of a Once ending. Most of you that watch Manifest know that (spoiler alert) that Margaret's counterpart character in the series, Grace, dies at the end of season 3. I will not be doing that with Margaret. Either way, when the time comes, I will give this story a satisfying ending that may or may not match the series. :)
This one will update bi-weekly on Sunday nights now. Please consider leaving a review, it is much appreciated. Here are individual responses to reviews:
Ghostwriter: Maybe or maybe they are playing right into Killian's hands. Glad you're enjoying it!
Jennifer Baratta: That's true, but I think Killian may be undercover here trying to save Emma. We shall see. Glad you're enjoying it!
Grace5231973: Yes, the X'ers are very scary. Yes, the Alzarus angle is very interesting. Yep, MM and David totally ship Swanfire. Glad you're enjoying it!
Sexystarwarslover: Yeah, dueling addictions does not make for a good relationship. Yeah, Nick and Tamara are bad news it seems. But Killian may know what he's doing. Yep, David and Margaret are each other's anchor. Yep, Samdi is full of crap. Yeah, Sidney is ratting out Cora. Yep, looks like Killian is a double agent. Replies are a little short tonight, but glad you're enjoying!
AnonSnowing: That's okay, life happens. Yeah, the Major outsmarted them. And yep, Samdi is a con-artist and it looks like the X'ers side swiped Margaret and Henry. Yeah, it's a baby girl! Tamara is definitely fishy. Yeah, it's good Olive confessed and you're right, David is the best husband ever. Yes, MM knows David so well. Samdi is sketchy, but David will do whatever he had to in order to protect his family. I like Olive and TJ too. Yep, the death date is very real. Yep, I think Killian is a double agent. Glad you're enjoying!
Lightning in a Bottle
Chapter 66: Emergency Exit, Pt 1
"There you are," Olive said, as she found him in the park.
"Are you okay?" she asked, as she noticed the preoccupied look on his face.
"You were right. The tarot," TJ replied.
"What are you talking about?" she asked.
"The illuminated path. Just like the card said," he replied, as he led her to a place where he had set up a picnic, complete with red glowing lights.
"It's glowing lava," he said. She smiled.
"Well, they're LEDs," she teased.
"The tarot was a little concerned about burning down Central Park. But as it turns out, just like Emo Drake here, I, too, am kind of a fan of mandolin music," he said, as he pressed play on the ipod and music began to play.
"Oh? Are you sure that's not a flute?" she teased again.
"I'm not. But, look, the final card," he said, as she chuckled.
"It's a fancy strawberry pie," he said, as he showed her the pie on the picnic blanket.
"The tarot could have been a little bit more specific on the difference between baking soda and powder. But it's what we got," TJ replied, with a wince. She laughed, as they sat down on the blanket together.
"Well... it's perfect," she said.
The next morning
Margaret kissed him passionately, as they lay in bed, grateful for a lazy Saturday morning together. The shared Calling had been terrifying and they still couldn't figure out why it seemed like a plane crash, but at the same time, there were many things that echoed that it might not be at all, namely that Margaret was having it too.
"I'm stumped. Champagne glasses, burnt-out plane cabin, melting walls," he said, trying to decipher what they had seen.
"You will figure it out," she assured him. He sighed.
"Will I? Seems to me, I figure out one Calling only to get another one even more terrifying than the last," he said, pausing for a moment.
Margaret, I felt a... hopelessness, like whatever we're meant to save the passengers from, it's coming...and it's violent," he said, as she gently caressed his face.
"That makes me worry about you, since I know you'll be in the middle of it," she mentioned.
"I'm not leaving you again…promise," he replied, as he kissed her hand and she smiled.
"I think you can do better than kissing my hand," she said. He smiled and kissed her tenderly. She hummed a sweet sound in her throat; a sound only he could coax from her and he lowered her onto her back, as they became lost in each other once again.
"And that is all I know, which is considerable and I would say certainly worth immunity and police protection," Sidney said smugly. Killian didn't like it, but he was right. Not only had he given proof that Cora murdered Eva Blanchard and Johanna Mason, he had provided proof of a murder between those two. That of Daniel Coulter, Regina's High School sweetheart, almost fifteen year ago. Not only was Margaret going to be shocked, but breaking this news to Regina was life changing.
"I suppose you have…so you'll get your immunity," Killian said, as Sidney rose from his seat and buttoned his suit coat.
"A pleasure doing business with the NYPD," he drawled smugly, but Killian stopped him briefly on his way.
"Stay away from the Nolans…don't write about them, don't go near them, and certainly never talk to them," he warned. Sidney smirked.
"It's a free country, Detective and they're the most well known 828 family. They also keep providing the material to write about. But thanks for the thinly veiled warning. I'll let it go this time, but don't make me tell your supervisor that you've made threats against a member of the press," Sidney retorted, as he left. Killian sighed. He hated that they had to offer immunity to such a slimy worm, but Cora was definitely more dangerous. Now he just had to get the warrant and find her. While he was waiting on the warrant to be issued, he decided to get the task of telling Regina and the Nolan family what was going on, especially since Cora's implication would release Leopold.
David looked over their findings with scrutiny and attention to detail and he was honestly amazed, not only at the information, but at how thorough it was.
"This changes everything," he said, as he looked at Olive.
"I mean, the possibility that all of this has happened before, it's...it's huge," he added.
"I am so impressed that you and TJ managed to track it all down," he told his daughter.
"So...TJ just said he figured something else out about the tarot, so...can I go meet him?" she asked, as she read a text from him. David gave her a look though.
"Dad, if you're worried that I'm gonna go to the church and poison my impressionable mind, I'm not. Okay?" she asked.
"Please understand me. You know us. Other people don't. They listen to Baron Samdi calling us immortals, that we're miracles, but what they hear is we're not human. And
that's incredibly dangerous for all of us," David explained.
"I know, okay? You've made that very clear. Can I go now?" she asked.
"Yes," he replied
"Don't worry. You can track my phone," Olive said.
"Oh, I am. And I'm tracking his, too," David replied.
"You're the worst," Olive complained, but it was half hearted.
"Love you," she called. He smiled.
"Love you too, peanut," he called back.
Flashback
"You'll need these," a blonde woman said and TJ scoffed.
"Really?" he questioned, as his mother packed his bag.
"And bug spray," she added.
"I hear they have mosquitos the size of small cats in Jamaica," she said, as she also packed some protein bars.
"Seriously?" he asked.
"Mom, it's a carry-on...I'm gonna be gone for a week," he added.
"I know, but you can't afford to eat out as much as the other kids," she admonished.
"And I worry," she added.
"Fine…I'll take the bars," he replied.
"Do you know how proud I am of you?" she asked and he chuckled.
"Mom, stop," he chided.
No, no, I want to say this. I don't know what I did to deserve such a smart, kind boy," she said.
"You sure you're gonna be okay? TJ asked.
"Like you said, it's only a week," she answered.
"Okay, so, I can't tell. Do you want to go tomorrow night, or...?" Olive asked, snapping TJ out of his daydream.
"Yeah, sorry. What's the deal?" he asked.
"To the club. Chloe's going and I can't really deal with my parents right now. They are all, like, gloomy Chicken Littles, because of that freaky Calling," Olive complained.
"There's a lot to be afraid of right now," TJ said.
"There's also a lot to appreciate," she replied.
Like that I got to meet you?" he asked.
"Exactly. Coming back was a gift, and it's wrong not to acknowledge it," she replied.
"You sound like Baron, Church Lady," he teased.
"Well, he's kind of the only person that makes sense to me right now," Olive replied.
"What about me?" TJ asked. She sighed.
"Yeah. You make a little sense, too," she agreed.
"We're home!" Henry called, as he and Regina came in and she hugged him.
"Hey…did you guys have fun?" Margaret asked.
"Yeah…it was good, even if I would have rather gone to my friend Sam's party," Henry mentioned. Margaret sighed.
"We know buddy…but with everything going on, it's just not safe for us right now," David said.
"I know…thanks Aunt Regina," he said, as he went up to his room.
"Thanks for taking him to the arcade and out for pizza. He was really mad at us when we said we didn't want him going as far as Coney Island without us right now," Margaret replied.
"Are you kidding? I had a blast and he did too," Regina said.
"Then you don't think we're being paranoid?" David asked.
"After almost getting my head shot off by a believer? I'm the one person that knows you're not being paranoid. The fear around us seems like it's ramping up…especially with that Calling," Regina replied.
"Yeah…and I have no idea what to do about it," David said.
"We'll figure it out, just like you told me that I will recover my research. Positive thinking, right?" she asked. They smiled and nodded, as the doorbell rang. Margaret answered it and found that it was Killian.
"Killian…come in. Emma's not here," she said.
"I'm afraid I'm not here to see Emma, though she'll get filled in at the station," he replied.
"Does this have to do with my father's case?" Margaret asked.
"I'm afraid so…there's been some major developments that I need to discuss with all of you. We should sit down," he said, as they took to the sofa and couch in the living room.
"What's going on?" David asked, as he sat next to his wife and put his arm around her.
"I have received new information and evidence that has cleared Leopold of the murder charges. He is probably being released about now," Killian replied.
"What? You mean he didn't kill Johanna or my mother all those years ago?" she asked.
"No…it wasn't him. He was telling the truth actually when he said he was framed," Killian answered.
"It was my mother, wasn't it?" Regina asked bluntly. He sighed.
"Yes…I'm afraid so, though I wouldn't have found out if I hadn't been given an anonymous tip that led me to some accounts in the Cayman Islands. I traced one of them to Sidney Glass," he explained.
"That slimy reporter that kept trying to follow us around?" David asked. He nodded.
"I brought him in for questioning and when pressed, he promised he could solve three murders for me if the district attorney's office could offer him immunity," Killian replied.
"You gave that greasy reporter immunity?" David asked.
"Three murders outweighs the charges against him, which were wire fraud and accessory after the fact, so yes, they made the deal and he gave us a treasure trove on Cora Mills-Blanchard," he replied.
"Wait…three murders?" Regina asked. He nodded.
"The first, as you know, was nearly thirty years ago. Sidney says she told him that she poisoned Eva with a neurotoxin that wouldn't show up on an autopsy back then," Killian replied.
"That's why she got sick so quickly and was gone. It was never cancer and my father lied," Margaret said bitterly, as David pulled her close.
"Yes…it's likely he knew some kind of foul play was afoot, but he covered it up. Unfortunately, that is all circumstantial and the DA's office doesn't think they can convict him as an accessory and Sidney only has dirt on Cora," Killian explained.
"He doesn't deserve to be free either," Margaret said angrily.
"I know…I'm sorry," he offered.
"What about this third murder. Obviously Johanna was one," Regina said.
"Yes…but there was one in between Eva and Johanna. His name was Daniel Coulter," Killian replied. Regina froze and her stomach dropped.
"What?" she asked.
"Apparently, Sidney was charged by her to hire someone to run you and your boyfriend off the road that night," Killian revealed.
"But I thought that accident was caused by a drunk driver," Margaret said.
"That's just what we were meant to believe. She wanted Daniel out of your life and was willing to risk your life to do it. She was desperate, because she knew you two were going to run off together," Killian replied, stunning them all.
"But only Daniel died that night and her plan was a success. You lived and he was gone," he added.
"Where is she?" Regina growled.
"We have the warrant, but she wasn't at her home. We think she may realize that Sidney has sold her out and she may be in hiding. But we'll find her," he replied.
"However, she is most likely very dangerous in her desperate state. All of you need to be extremely careful," Killian said.
"Olive…she's not home," Margaret said, starting to panic.
"It's okay, my love…I'll get TJ to bring her home right away," David promised, as he made a call.
"Daddy…he could be in danger too," Regina said, as she got up and grabbed her coat.
"Regina…you need to be careful too," Margaret pleaded. She nodded.
"I will…but the people I love are clearly in more danger than me," Regina replied, as she rushed out to pick her father up from the retirement home.
"Medieval Latin Literature? Theory of Ordinary Differential Equations? Oh, wow. Your classes are wack," Olive teased.
"Did you ask to see my schedule just so you can make fun of me, or...?" TJ asked.
"No, no, no...to see if you'd have any time for me next semester," she replied. He kissed her tenderly.
"That, I do," he promised, as his phone chimed.
"No way. They found it…" he uttered, as she looked at his phone.
"Alzarus' journal. Really?" she asked.
"The guy who painted that tarot deck wrote a journal?" she asked.
"Yeah, apparently," he replied.
"I was doing this deep dive on him, and this title popped up from some collection over at Yale. Figured we'd get some answers. About the Death Date, but it's Faculty lend only. I'm getting it sent to your dad," TJ said.
"You know, Baron isn't afraid of the Death Date. He says you guys are proof that miracles exist," Olive mentioned. TJ scoffed.
"Yeah, I've heard his theory on how we can't die," he said skeptically.
"Well... you did come back once," she reminded him.
"Honestly, Olive, I'm with your dad. I think Baron's full of it," he admitted. Her face fell.
"So, you don't believe in the miracle?" she asked. He exhaled sharply.
"I'm not an angel or some god. I came back the same exact person who left, except I didn't have a mom anymore. Or friends or a home, for that matter," he said sadly.
"Tell me...how is that a miracle?" he asked, but she didn't have an answer and started to realize that she was not seeing this from a passenger's point of view. His phone rang and he answered.
"Hey David," he said and Olive rolled her eyes.
"Olive isn't answering her phone, but I need you both to come home. It turns out that Leopold didn't kill Johanna…it was Cora and she's a fugitive. It's not safe out there for any of us right now," David explained.
"Okay…yeah, we'll be right there," TJ replied, as he hung up the phone.
"You know, we don't have to go home. I'm thinking of getting emancipated you know and there's a service tonight. I need to go help with the service," she argued.
"Yeah no…not with Cora on the loose. She's the real killer," TJ replied.
"What?" she asked in surprise.
"Yeah…Leopold didn't kill Johanna. It was Cora," he replied.
"Wow…that's crazy, but do we really have to go home? I mean, why would hse come after us?" Olive asked.
"Olive…if your Dad thinks we're in danger, then we need to listen to him. This woman hates your family. She's already killed someone your mom cared about. Do you really want to take a chance?" he asked. She sighed.
"I guess not," she replied, as they packed up and headed for the car.
Emma got home from the station and dropped her stuff by the door, before locking up her gun.
"Hey…" she said.
"Hey…so I suppose you heard about Cora?" Neal asked anxiously.
"Yeah…I got to watch Leopold Blanchard walk free too. I know he didn't do it now, but I still think he belongs in jail," Emma replied.
"Me too…but now that you know, I can tell you where the information to bust Cora came from," Neal said.
"We know where. Sidney Glass," Emma replied. He winced.
"Not exactly…at least not without my father's interference. He made sure Rogers found the dummy accounts and uncovered the wire fraud in the Cayman Islands. He's had the dirt on Cora for…probably years," Neal confessed.
"Why didn't you tell me?" she asked.
"I wanted to…but he was insistent that Rogers had to be the one to investigate since you're too close to it. When she's caught, you know her lawyer would argue that it was a hatchet job against her if you were involved," Neal replied. Emma sighed.
"I guess that makes sense…and I don't like her out there on the run. I just hope we find her sooner rather than later," she said.
"Me too…she's a dangerous woman and she's desperate now. How did Margaret take it?" Neal asked.
"As well as can be expected. They're worried about Cora and now the X'ers too. They're having a rough time with Olive too. She insists on being involved with Baron Samdi's cult," Emma replied.
"She'll come around…" Neal offered.
"I hope you're right. Samdi is not helping," she replied, as her phone chimed.
"What is it?" he asked.
"David…he's asking if I can drop by and watch Henry and Olive for a bit," she replied.
"Mind if I tag along?" he asked.
"Not at all…the kid will love seeing you," she replied.
"I'm home," Olive said glumly and was surprised when her mother hugged her tightly.
"Mom…I'm fine and for the record, I'd be fine at the church. You know, maybe you can keep Henry from living his life, but you can't keep me from living mine," she said irritably.
"Olive…we don't want you at that church and you're grounded again," David said.
"For what?" she asked. He looked at her incredulously.
"The school just called us…you skipped school again yesterday and your phone says you were at the church all day," Margaret replied. Olive rolled her eyes.
"I thought this was about Cora," she replied.
"It is…we're all in danger from her, but also the X'ers still and Samdi isn't helping with that situation," David said.
"Did you think there weren't going to be any consequences? Returning to Samdi's cult
when I explicitly told…" David lectured, but Olive interrupted him.
"Would you stop calling it that?! I was helping at the soup kitchen," she argued.
"Regardless, there is no excuse for skipping school," Margaret said.
"I'm done with school. I'm taking the GED, and I am helping run the church's outreach," Olive replied. Her parents were shocked.
"What? Absolutely not," David said with vehemence.
I'm old enough to get emancipated. And I am so sick of you trying to control what I believe," Olive replied.
"I'm sorry, what planet do you think you're living on? This is not some broken home," Margaret said hotly.
"That's exactly what this is! We are completely and utterly broken," Olive argued and they couldn't believe how deeply Baron had gotten into her head.
"What do you think, Baron's gonna somehow save you? He's the very reason
we live in fear," David shot back.
"Don't put your paranoia on him," Olive said.
"Paranoia? Olive, our last Calling, there were dead bodies on the plane. I am trying to stop that! What's Adrian doing to help the passengers?!" David argued.
"Bringing hope to people! Helping them see that death may not be final, that your return is a miracle!" Olive argued back.
"Listen to yourself. It's insane," Margaret replied, trying to get through to her.
"So, I can't believe in the miracle? I live with two of them," she argued.
"Okay, Olive…" he said, but she walked away and stormed up to her room.
"Olive!" he called and then sighed.
Baron Samdi has to be stopped," he said.
"Then let's go stop him," Margaret replied.
Tears slipped down Regina's cheeks, as the orderlies covered her father with a sheet. She had gotten to the retirement home, only to walk in on them in the middle of trying to revive him. But he was gone. Her father was dead and though it was probably going to be ruled as natural causes, she knew her mother had done this. She wanted everyone she loved dead so she had no choice but to turn to her mother. But Regina wasn't going to let her win.
"We're so sorry for your loss, Dr. Mills," one of the doctors at the facility said. She nodded numbly and dialed a phone number.
"My father is dead," she said.
"I'm terribly sorry for your loss, doctor," Mr. Gold offered.
"She did this…I know she did," Regina said.
"It is a strong possibility and most likely the same poison she used against Eva all those years ago," Gold reasoned.
"You had the dirt on her from that. How do we prove it this time?" Regina asked.
"I'll call in a favor with Vance. He may be able to get us a medical examiner that will know what to look for. There have been considerable advancements in the science of autopsy in the last thirty years," he said.
"Thank you," she replied, as she hung up the phone and called Margaret.
Baron Samdi sighed, as he faced the angry pair of parents.
"So, you're going to sue me if your daughter runs my mission group?" he asked.
"It's called endangering a minor. You brainwashed her," David replied.
"Maybe I should sue you for assault," Baron warned.
"Go ahead…I'll testify that my husband was with me all evening," Margaret challenged.
"She's ready to file for emancipation. I assume she got that idea from you," David said.
"She sees the truth in my words. I can't be blamed for your fear," Samdi said and David scoffed.
"This is more than fear! You're breeding zealots! You're preaching that passengers can't die!" David argued.
"You're bending my words," Samdi argued in return.
"Just being part of your cult puts Olive and all of your followers in the cross hairs of 828 haters," Margaret said," as Isaiah approached.
"I have that updated parishioner list pulled up on your screen, if you want to see," he said.
"Give me a minute," Samdi said, as Isaiah scurried away.
"Listen to me. Some of us had a Calling. It was telling us to save the passengers. The plane was covered in ash," David explained.
"Have you been tested for post-traumatic stress?" Samdi asked.
Oh, come on, Baron, don't act like you've never had a Calling. You showed up when the plane exploded!" David exclaimed.
"And I had the same Calling…" Margaret replied.
David, we're all being guided, even your wife. You're choosing to live in fear. I choose to live in the miracle," Baron said. David clenched his teeth.
"I couldn't care less where you choose to live. Ignoring Callings is reckless. Now, maybe I'm wrong, but what if I'm right and what we saw turns out to be another X'er attack on your church, or worse?" David asked.
"And if our daughter gets hurt because of you…then you won't need to worry about living in the miracle," Margaret replied, as they joined hands again and stormed out. Samdi sighed, unaware that Isaiah chose to eavesdrop on the whole conversation.
"He's unbelievable," David ranted, as they arrived back at their car.
"He's either in denial about the Callings or outright lying about having them," Margaret said.
"There's no getting through to him…" he said, as her phone rang.
"Hello?" she answered.
"Oh God…Regina. We'll be right there," Margaret said, as she hung up the phone.
"What's going on?" he asked.
"Regina's father is dead," she said sadly.
"What?!" he exclaimed.
"They're saying it was a heart attack, but Regina thinks it was Cora," Margaret replied, as put the vehicle in gear and drove off.