AN: Thanks for the incredible response to this new Snowing story! I'm really excited about this one and blending the worlds of Once and Manifest. And it seems my readers are too. I did not classify this as a crossover, because that's not really what it is. This is a Manifest type story with mostly Once characters. I have kept a couple Manifest characters and a few minor ones may pop up. The notable Manifest characters I have kept so far are Vance and Olive as Snowing's daughter. You also do not have to worry about any love triangles for Snowing. That's not my thing and this will always be a Snowing story.
Another thing to note is that I've taken some liberties with the relationships as well. Most notably, Emma and David are siblings and they grew up with Mary Margaret, so Emma and Mary Margaret are very close as well. Due to Robert being a drunk after Ruth dies, David and Mary Margaret pretty much raised Emma while raising themselves. Another thing to note, Henry is in the place of Cal here as Snowing's son and Emma's nephew. Most everything else will become clear as you read. I hope you enjoy this new story and join me on another journey. This one will update bi-weekly on Monday nights. It is much appreciated and here are individual responses to reviews:
Ghostwriter: Yep, a coverup. Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
Baratta Jennifer: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
Number Ten: Yep, Henry is feeling another passenger's pain and dilemma. He was calling out Help me and Hurry in Spanish. Yeah, Emma and Killian are building a team...for now. Yeah, Gold has little time for their speculation. He'd rather just let things play out and it seems like something he would do. Glad you're enjoying. :)
Sexystarwarslover: Lol, yeah I can hear Killian saying that too. Lol, I know, Emma calling David an egghead is funny. Yeah, somehow David speaking another language is very sexy. Yep, Henry is in trouble and Gold doing crosswords while the bureaucrats squabble is funny. Nope, doesn't look like Killian is going to betray Emma, thankfully. Yeah, unfortunately, Dr. Whale has popped up. Yep, missing passengers is suspicious and Regina is probably Henry's best chance, with Emma and Killian's help. Glad you're enjoying it! :)
AnonSnowing: Yep, almost 20 chapters! Thank you. Yeah, the fact that David doesn't remember much French, because he was making out with Margaret is totally believable. Yep, Margaret knows ASL. Yeah, Henry is in trouble. I could see it being time travel or even God's intervention. I know, it's sad that some had no one that came for them. Yeah, Whale popping up was a sour note. Yeah, Margaret sitting in David's lap made up for that sour moment with a sweet one. Yep, it's Jekyll as the doctor. I just don't know what I'm actually going to call him since I can't call him Jekyll. He won't really play a big role though. Yeah, Whale seems a bit careless. Yep, time to find that van. Glad you enjoyed it! :)
Lightning in a Bottle
Chapter 20: Off Radar, Pt 2
"Doctor...I'm not sure the patients can take much more. We risk losing them if we continue at this voltage," one of the technicians warned.
"We are not stopping," the doctor replied. He was short, with glasses and dark blond hair. His eyes were cold and unfeeling, as he examined the raw data. His life's work had come down to this. He had always walked a thin line between medicine and what was considered very fringe, experimental practices within the field of medicine. Before now though, much of his work was theoretical. He had never had the funding or clearing to conduct his experiments on living specimens. Especially such intriguing specimens.
He didn't know what had happened up on that plane, but the people that came back were definitely different than they were before. That's where he came in. They wanted and needed to know if the reported gifts these people might have now could be used, exploited and most importantly controlled at will.
"Keep proceeding as planned," he said, as he went upstairs to his office, while the patients were continued to be put through hell.
Henry was still feverish, but the fever reducer medicine and addition of ice packs had brought him down out of the danger zone for the moment. He wasn't out of the woods yet, but he seemed to be calmer, though he was still muttering various phrases in Spanish.
"I would say this is more evidence that something indirect is going on here. I've never seen anything like it," Regina mentioned to them quietly.
"You think he has a mental link to one of the passengers and he's feeling what is happening to them?" David whispered.
"It sounds insane...but there is nothing wrong with Henry besides this fever. Nothing else makes any sense," she replied.
"Then we have to hope Emma finds this man and helps him. That's the only thing that will help Henry," Margaret said, as David put his arm around her shoulder.
"Emma won't let us down," David assured her with a kiss to her hair.
Killian looked at her out of the corner of his eye and saw that she was preoccupied on her phone.
"Emma...this could lead nowhere. I need to know what's really going on," he finally said, just as he saw her crane her neck.
"Wait…" she said, as he slowed down.
"What do you see?" Killian asked.
"I see the bus...it's up there on that farm," she replied, as he pulled the car off on the side of the road. They got out and observed the structure from a distance, as Emma snapped some photos with her phone. It quickly became very clear that this was no ordinary farm, for they could clearly see armed mercenaries guarding the property.
"Okay...government black site. Come on Emma...level with me. What the hell is this all about?" he asked, a bit crossly. She was about to answer, but saw a vehicle from the property approaching them.
"Crap…" she hissed, as she opened the trunk and grabbed a screwdriver, before driving it into one of the front tires.
"What the hell are you doing!?" he hissed.
"Making it look like an accident that we are pulled over!" she hissed back, as two armed men got out of the now stopped vehicle.
"What seems to be the problem?" one of the men asked.
"Flat tire…" Emma called. Killian looked at her and went to the trunk to pull out the spare.
"Fortunately, we have a spare and then we'll be on our way," he said, gauging the reaction of the two men. They didn't give much away, but it was clear there was no trust. Whatever they were guarding...they didn't want anyone coming near the property. Unnervingly, Killian changed the tire under their watch and once it was finished, they got back in the car. He nodded to them and started the engine, as he slowly drove off. They found another enclave and pulled off again. Killian looked behind them and got out of the car when he was satisfied that they were not following them. Instead, it seemed like they were heading back to the property and there was much movement.
"Okay...we just found a government black site. Out with it, Emma," he said. She sighed and looked at him, before proceeding to tell him everything.
"Doctor…" one of the subordinates called.
"What is going on?" he asked.
"We have reason to believe this location may be compromised," the man replied. The doctor cursed inwardly and retreated into his office.
"I will contact headquarters…" he hissed. He didn't like the idea of having to relocate everything and delay his experiments further, but getting caught would ensure no experiments at all.
"See to it that our operation continues for now. The less interruptions, the better," he said, as he sat down at his desk and made the call.
"And that's why we're here," Emma finished with her explanation and carefully studied his features to gauge his reaction.
"You think Henry is sick...because of one of the missing passengers?" Killian asked.
"I know what it sounds like...but these Callings, we've saved people. We've helped people with them," Emma replied.
"You also almost screwed up my career as well," he reminded her.
"And I didn't force you to take the fall for that! These things...whatever they are...I got that one wrong," she said. He was about to say more, but they saw the car with the mercenaries from before approaching again.
"Get in...they won't be as friendly this time," Killian said, as they got in and a bullet clipped the mirror.
"Bloody hell!" Killian cried, as they fled and Emma sent the photos to her brother, before calling him while they made their escape.
"A government black site?" David asked, as he was in the hallway on the phone with Emma, as Margaret stepped out with him in time to hear that. He looked at her in concern and her arms went around his waist.
"Are you okay?" David asked, as he continued to listen and then sighed.
"Okay, thanks Emma...I got the photos. I think I know what I need to do next," he replied, as he hung up the phone and looked down at her.
"She found the missing passengers?" Margaret asked.
"She only saw one outside, being led inside a red door, but she did see one of the vans there on this property, which was crawling with mercenaries, possibly military," David replied.
"Oh my God...then they might have them, after all," she realized.
"It's possible...the mercenaries were wearing a patch on their uniform for something called the Unified Dynamics System, but I haven't had a chance to look into the company yet. Emma's going back to the station to do so...but," he said.
"But?" she asked.
"There might be only one way to find out more...but I would need to leave for a while and I don't want to," he said.
"I don't want you to either...but if it can help Henry…" she replied.
"Then I have to try. I just don't know if it will help and I hate the idea of leaving you both," he replied.
"I know...me too, but I also know that you're doing so to save one of our babies," she said, as she slid her arms around his neck and rested her head against his shoulder.
"I know that you're our hero and that you'll be out there trying to save our family," she assured. He looked into her eyes.
"I love you so much…" he said, as he pressed his lips to hers in a passionate kiss.
"I won't be long," he said, as they went back into the room. Henry was still sweating and restless. David kissed him on the forehead and then kissed Margaret one more time, before hurrying out.
Emma and Killian arrived back at the station and he parked the car.
"You didn't have to hide it, you know...this thing," he said.
"I just told you that I hear voices in my head and that my nephew might be channeling something that's happening to another missing passenger," Emma replied.
"And from anyone else...I wouldn't believe it. But from you...I would and I've never betrayed your trust," he reminded her.
"I know…" she admitted, as they went inside and they began to research the Unified Dynamics System.
"That logo matches what was on the uniform," he said.
"And they employ special ops for security," she replied.
"Looks like they do a lot more than that...a company with a lot of tentacles," he agreed.
"Then I guess we wait to hear from David," she said.
"Wait...what is your brother going to do?" Killian asked.
"He's going to confront Vance," she replied.
"That sounds like a terrible idea," he warned.
"He doesn't care. He's a father trying to save his son," she said gravely.
David arrived at the Department of Homeland Security building and stormed inside, but was immediately stopped by security.
"My name is David Nolan. I was on Flight 828 and I need to see Director Vance, immediately," he demanded.
"Unless you have an appointment, Mr. Nolan, you need to leave," the security guard said, but over the man's shoulder, David saw another man there and attempted to place him. He could have sworn he had seen him before, but couldn't place him.
"You...can you get me in to see Vance?" he asked. Gold smirked.
"Gentlemen, I can take it from here," Gold said, as he hobbled forward on his cane.
"Director Vance will be more than happy to see Mr. Nolan. I can take him there," he said. The guards were reluctant, but had been ordered to obey any orders from this man as if they were Vance's. They stepped aside and David followed the shorter man.
"Have we met before?" David asked.
"Actually, we have not, but I know a great deal about you, Mr. Nolan. A pleasure at last," he said, as he put his hand forth. David looked at him suspiciously, but then shook it with reluctance.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"My name is Mr. Gold," he replied and David's eyes widened, as the elevator door closed.
"Mr. Gold…" he uttered, as he remembered that name from all the legal and financial forms after his mother died. Mr. Gold's pawn shop and holdings had always sent Jefferson to take care of their financial and legal items necessary. But they had never met the actual financial adviser behind it all.
"You...you're our financial adviser?" he asked in disbelief. He made a gesture with his hand that seemed to confirm that.
"What do you have to do with any of this?" David asked.
"Nothing, except that I have been brought in to consult on the mystery of flight 828 and I must say, the whole thing fascinates me," Gold replied.
"Well, it doesn't fascinate me. It might be killing my son," David snapped. Gold frowned.
"That is unfortunate. Perhaps you can explain it to me then," he said, as they arrived on the top floor and David followed him to Vance's office.
"What is this?" Vance asked curiously, as David stormed into his office with Mr. Gold.
"This is about my son and the government abducting passengers," David said.
"What are you talking about?" Vance asked with scrutiny, as David showed him the photos on his phone.
"This...there are ten missing passengers and we think they are being kept at this black site," David answered.
"Know anything about that?" he asked. Vance looked at the photos and then at David.
"No…I'm afraid I don't," Vance replied. David scoffed.
"As if you would tell me if you did. They're doing something to these missing passengers and it's killing my son!" he claimed.
"Mr. Nolan...I don't know what's going on with your son, but I have no idea what you are talking about," Vance said, as a couple security guards arrived.
"Please see Mr. Nolan out," he said. David shrugged the men off and stormed out, but not before giving both men a hard look.
"Send me the coordinates...I'll see what I can do," Gold said, as he handed his card to David. He looked at him one more time, before being led out.
"What the hell is going on?" Vance hissed.
"Possibly the break in all this that we've been waiting for," Gold said.
"All the passengers are accounted for," Vance insisted.
"Are you positive? What do you know about this Unified Dynamics Systems?" Gold questioned. Vance sighed and picked up the phone, but then set it back down.
"I have the coordinates...let's take a drive," Gold suggested and Vance agreed.
The doctor slammed the phone down and stormed out of his office and down to the lab where the passengers were still withstanding the grueling experimentation.
"We've been ordered to relocate. Prepare to move the patients," he said crossly. He was very unhappy about the orders, as it meant delay in his work, but they had been exposed and couldn't afford to be caught.
David arrived back at the hospital room, feeling defeated. He had seemingly made no progress with Vance and now had to face his wife and tell her that he had failed.
"David!" Margaret called, as she rushed to him and he hugged her tightly.
"Baby...he's awake and his fever broke," she said, as her face was alight with hope. He became perplexed at that, but hugged her again, before going to their son's bedside.
"You did it…" Margaret said, as she brushed Henry's hair away from his eyes.
"Except I didn't...Vance claimed he knows nothing about the missing passengers. He barely listened to me," David confessed.
"Then...how did the connection between Henry and Anton break?" she wondered.
"I don't know, which means this might not be over. I'm sorry, my darling...I failed," he said.
"No...you absolutely did not fail. Whatever you did...it stopped the threat to our son," she replied.
"But for how long?" he wondered.
"Maybe long enough to find the missing passengers," she said.
"I hope so," he said, as he held her tightly, while Regina checked him over.
Vance and Gold drove out to the coordinates that David had given them and found a small farm off the beaten path. They pulled up to the property and looked around, before getting out. Vance motioned for his agents to move in and they cased the entire area.
"It's abandoned, Sir!" one of them called back soon after entering the premises.
"Something tells me not for long," Gold mentioned. Vance looked down and spotted something in the dirt. He took a glove out of his pocket and gently picked up the item with it, finding that it was a bandage, complete with blood on it.
"I would say that you're right," Vance said, as everything David had claimed was suddenly starting to come to fruition.
"So...we have missing passengers and it's being hidden from the NSA. That's not easy to do," Vance said.
"It is if the people that are hiding it are from within your own ranks," Gold surmised. That thought disturbed Vance greatly and he was determined to get to the bottom of this now.
After Henry's temperature returned to normal, he was normal again, like there had never been anything wrong with him in the first place, Regina discharged him and they took him home. Robert brought Olive home that evening and they spent the night all cuddled together in the same bed. David held Margaret close, as the kids slept on either side of them in their bed. Every few moments, Margaret would brush her hand across Henry's forehead just to reassure herself that he was no longer feverish.
"I still feel like I failed...like whatever is going on has only been delayed," he murmured.
"Even if it is...you did not fail, my love and I know you. You don't give up," she replied, as she pecked him on the lips.
"You're right...I won't give up, until I'm sure our family is safe," he promised. She smiled and cuddled against him and they found themselves quickly falling asleep with their kids.
Killian poured over the maps and photos that they had taken of the small farm that was turning out to be a black op sight and he caught sight of a photo of Emma. He stared at her photo for a moment and sighed, before looking away. Despite his reluctance to get involved in this and initial skepticism of Emma's explanation, they really appeared to be onto something.
"Hey...I just got word. Turns out that Vance went to the farm...and it's deserted now," Emma said, as she came back with fresh coffee.
"Then we were right...they have missing passengers and Vance wasn't involved," Killian said.
"Which kind of puts us back at square one," Emma replied.
"True...but we found them once. We can do it again," he said.
"I hope so...David is certain that we need to find this Anton Garcia or Henry is still in danger," Emma replied.
"If Vance doesn't know about this...that's telling. I mean, the NSA pretty much knows all...unless," Killian said.
"Unless?" she asked.
"Well, if the military wanted to hide it from the NSA, they have their ways," he replied.
"It would make sense that the military would have an interest in the passengers. It's no secret that they've already suggested that we might be a threat to national security," Emma said.
"Still...to break away from the NSA on a matter of supposed National Security violates protocol," he replied.
"Our history is littered with the government doing shady stuff in the name of National Security," she reminded him.
"Very true...let's keep digging into this Unified Dynamics Systems. They seem like the perfect front if there ever was one," he agreed, as they returned to work.
Anton muttered something unintelligible, as his bed was wheeled into the new underground facility. The doctor oversaw the set up from above and answered his cell phone as it rang.
"Yes…" he answered.
"The interruption was an unfortunate delay, but we will soon be back online and resume our operation," he reported...