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.
Sorry for the delay on this. I had to take a couple weeks off to move my Mom back from Arizona to my home state to be closer and I have had little time to do any writing. Hopefully, I'm about back on track though.
This one will update bi-weekly on Wednesday nights now. Please consider leaving a review, it is much appreciated. Here are individual responses to reviews:
Ghostwriter: I know, poor Neal. Dr. Whale is never helpful. Glad you're enjoying! :)
Jennifer Baratta: I know, poor Neal. Emma and Ruby make a good team. Glad you're enjoying it!
Number Ten: Yep, Olive is walking into a cult, unfortunately. Yeah, she may become a pawn. Samdi cannot be trusted. Glad you're enjoying!
Grace5231973: Yeah, unfortunately, Regina herself is the mole and she will not be happy finding that out. It is a scary, mysterious calling. Glad you're enjoying!
Sexystarwarslover: Thank you! Yep, my Sunday is Monday for you. Yeah, it's surprising Whale notices anything since he's trashed most of the time. Fortunately, Regina got him to back off by threatening to turn him in for being a lush. Yeah, Margaret gets callings now so there's a question if that puts in danger with the death date too. Yep, Emma and Ruby make a really good team. Yeah, unfortunately, Regina is unknowingly the mole. Yep, Neal is a bit of trouble and Olive might be too. That is definitely a scary cult. Yep, Fiona is a liar. Glad you're enjoying!
AnonSnowing: Yeah, she feels left out and I get it too. I don't trust Johanna either. Cora is blackmailing her so this will probably not go well. Yep, TJ is innocent. I think Ruby and Emma will make a good team. Yeah, Whale is the worst. I know, Regina is unknowingly the mole. Yep, Olive is getting involved with a cult so not good. Glad you're enjoying!
Lightning in a Bottle
Chapter 55: False Horizon, Pt 1
Flashback
Regina found her seat on the plane and put her carry-on bag in the above bin, before sitting down in her aisle seat and buckling in. She waited with nervous energy and watched all the passengers board with rapt attention. He was a little late, but that didn't mean he wasn't coming. He was just late; that's all it was. She sighed and checked her phone for a text, but there was nothing and she looked at the front of the plane once again for him. She saw many people walking onto the plane, but not the one person she was looking for. She began to get nervous, as the plane filled up and only a few people trickled in at that point. Her heart sank, as the flight attendant closed the hatch and she heard her phone chime. It was him. It was Robin.
"I'm sorry…I can't," the text said and her heart nearly cracked in two right there. He wasn't coming. There was a choice for him to make and he had made it. And it wasn't her.
"And…I guess I'm still hurt. For him, it's been almost six years, but for me, it's still pretty fresh," Regina confessed to her therapist.
"But you wrote him an email since you've been back?" Fiona asked. Regina nodded.
"I just can't bring myself to send it. I mean, like I said, it's been six years for him. He probably forgot all about me, especially since I was assumed dead for over five years," Regina replied.
"Something tells me that he would remember a relationship he had with someone that disappeared on a plane that he was almost on," Fiona argued.
"Maybe…but I think relationship is a bit strong. I'm not sure that's what it was or even fair to call it that," Regina said.
"Because he's married?" Fiona asked. Shame crept up inside Regina and she nodded numbly.
"The heart can certainly make a mess of things, but perhaps sending the email will give you closure, even if he doesn't respond," she suggested. Regina bit her bottom lip.
"Maybe…guess I've been so busy that I almost forgot about it until you asked about the empty seat next to me," she said. Fiona smiled.
"I don't like bringing up painful subjects, but my job is to help you get to the root of your pain and I think sometimes you cover that pain with your work," she replied.
"I'm not sure it takes a therapist to figure that out," Regina joked. Fiona smiled again.
"Fair enough…so what is it that you're working on that has your attention? And it's okay if you think I won't understand the technical terms. I still want to know," she said.
"Um…well, it's fascinating work. I think I'm close to proving my theory," Regina replied.
"Really? The theory about genetic modification?" Fiona asked. Regina nodded.
"I've been running the sequencer 24/7 and the results are supporting my theory. I think we were genetically altered on that plane. Something definitely happened to us up there," Regina said.
"Sounds incredible," Fiona said with rapt interest and Regina again didn't notice the small recording device that Fiona was concealing…
David nervously came into the kitchen that morning, dressed in dress slacks, a tie and long sleeved button down shirt with a sweater vest.
"Uh…what's with the dress clothes?" Olive asked.
"Well…I didn't want to say anything until we were sure, but I got an opportunity to guest lecture today at Astoria," David replied, as Margaret sided up to him and straightened his tie.
"If it goes well…they may offer me a teaching position," he added.
"Please…it's going to go well. It's you and they'd be stupid not to hire you," Margaret said, as she kissed him tenderly. He smiled, grateful for her confidence.
"Didn't most of the Universities reject your applications outright?" Olive asked.
"Uh yeah…but I happened to run into an old friend that is now the dean there and she put in a good word for me. She convinced them to let me try out for the position," he said.
"An old friend?" Olive asked. David rolled his eyes.
"She may have had a little crush on me in college. I tutored her in advanced trigonometry," he said. Margaret smiled.
"More like a huge crush…she hated me I think," she replied.
"She didn't hate you," he protested. She smiled and kissed him again.
"You're so cute…yes she did, baby and I hate her too," she said sweetly, before going to pour him some coffee.
"She never had a chance…you know that," he called. She smiled again.
"Oh I know," she answered, before handing him his travel mug.
"You're going to be amazing and they're going to hire you, I know it," she assured him, with another kiss, just as Emma arrived.
"Hey…going to a funeral, bro?" she teased, poking fun at his clothes, as she went for the coffee. He frowned and looked down at his outfit, but Margaret shook her head.
"Don't listen to her…you look very handsome and professional," she said.
"Job interview?" Emma asked, as she sipped at her coffee.
"Guest lecturer, with a strong possibility of a permanent position," Margaret replied excitedly.
"Well, good luck with that. Meanwhile, does Regina know she has a leak in her lab yet?" the blonde asked.
"No…Vance has basically forbidden us from telling her," he said.
"Since when do you listen?" Emma asked. He rolled his eyes.
"He says it's too dangerous and this is Regina we're talking about. We can't risk her life if the Major really does have a mole in her lab," he said. She sighed.
"Guess so…you still think it could be that Whale character?" Emma asked.
"He seems to be sniffing around Regina's research lately, but I'm not sure," David replied.
"Maybe we should tell Regina about Vance? I hate keeping things from her," Margaret said.
"Me too…but Vance said it's too dangerous, at least until we know who is watching her," David replied. Margaret nodded.
"I need to go or I'm going to be late," he said, as she kissed him again.
"You don't need it, because you're amazing, but good luck, my love," she replied. He smiled and kissed her again and then kissed the back of her hand. Even after fifteen years of marriage, he never stopped little romantic gestures or intimate caresses like that one.
"I have you…which means I have all the luck I need," he replied. Emma rolled her eyes playfully.
"If it wasn't you two, I'd totally barf at a line like that," she teased. David gave her a look and then got his jacket, before kissing Margaret again.
"See you tonight…you're going to be amazing," she assured him. He smiled.
"Thanks…and if all goes well like you say, we can celebrate tonight," he whispered and she cast a dreamy look at him, as he left for the day.
"Come on kids…we need to go," Margaret called, as they hurried down the stairs.
"Aunt Emma…can you give this to Neal when you see him?" Henry asked, as he gave her a drawing.
"Sure…but I'm not sure when I'm going to get to see him, kid," she replied.
"You have to…he needs to see this," he pleaded.
"Okay…I'll do my best," she promised. Margaret gave her a hug, before they headed for the car and Emma followed them out.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Detective," the woman said, as Emma went into her office. On the door, it read district attorney.
"Thanks for seeing me on short notice," Emma replied, as she took a seat.
"I've looked at the case and there is a slim chance I may be able to plead his case to a judge and get him released, based on the grounds that he pled guilty without a lawyer," she said. Emma looked surprised.
"Really?" she asked.
"Like I said, there's no promises, but judges generally don't like it when people have no representation and if I can argue that he wasn't in the right frame of mind at the time and I get a good judge, I may be able to help him," the woman replied.
"Any help would be great…thank you," Emma said.
"It's a good plan…but we can't do that. We need to let Regina in on this," David protested. Vance sighed.
"You know, you would make the worst spy ever, right?" he asked.
"I know this isn't how you usually do things, but Regina is family. My wife is already having a hard time not telling her that she has a mole as it is. We need to tell her and then let her plant this evidence herself," David argued. Vance rolled his eyes in frustration.
"Your family is going to be the death of me," he said. David smirked.
"You survived death once…so have I. Now we need to do it again and mine especially hinges on Regina's research. Trust me, if you want a better spy, she's probably the one," he said.
"Anyone's better than you," he grumbled and then sighed.
"Fine…but have her come to your house and tell her. If the leak is at the hospital, we can't let them get wind of it that we're onto them. Then see what she thinks about planting some bait," he said. David nodded and headed out. He had stopped here on the way to the University and now it was time for him to teach a class that would potentially lead to a new career…
Margaret finished the prenatal yoga class she had started attending and felt refreshed. She drank some water and ate one of her ginger cookies, as she rolled her mat up. She walked out to her car and noticed another woman from the class, standing by her car. She looked a little green and Margaret knew that look all too well.
"Morning sickness?" she asked. The woman smiled and nodded.
"I forgot to bring my crackers," she replied.
"Here…these ginger cookies really help me," she offered. The woman accepted them and took a bite.
"Wow…those are good. Where did you get them?" she asked.
"Oh, I made them," Margaret replied. The woman smiled.
"I wish I could bake, but that is not a talent I inherited," she said, as she handed the bag back.
"Oh you keep them…I have more," Margaret said.
"Thanks…I'm Bonnie Spencer, but my friends like to call me Bo," she replied. Margaret smiled and shook her hand.
"It's nice to meet you…I'm Margaret Nolan," she replied. The woman frowned when hearing her last name, but Margaret didn't notice. The woman got in her car and Margaret headed for hers, but gasped when she saw something terrifying on the hood of the woman's car. It looked like a giant gargoyle and she knew it wasn't real. It was a Calling, but she had no idea what this terrifying image could mean. It disappeared as quickly as it came and the woman drove off. Margaret got in her car and headed for home. She couldn't wait to tell David about it, for she knew he would help her make sense, if any, from it.
Emma arrived at Riker's and approached the desk clerk.
"Hi…I'm Detective Nolan and I'd like to see Neal Cassidy," she said, as she flashed her badge. The guard looked up the name on the computer and then looked back at her.
"I'm sorry…but he's not here anymore," the desk clerk said. Her stomach dropped at that.
"What do you mean? Where did he go?" she asked. He shrugged.
"Not sure…he's being transferred, but it doesn't say where," he replied. With that, she stormed out of the jail and headed back to the precinct, while calling David.
"Hey…we have a problem. Neal's been transferred from Riker's and it doesn't say where," Emma replied.
"Is that common?" he asked.
"Well…I mean, it happens and the computer probably hasn't caught up with his booking. But what if the Major has him? We know she's taken people before," Emma replied.
"The Major doesn't know about Neal yet or his connection to the passengers," David reminded her.
"So we think…what if she found out? Regina has that leak in the hospital," she fretted.
"Maybe…but it's unlikely. She's after Regina's research on the passengers…not Neal. Check the computers at the precinct. Maybe they'll catch up to him," David suggested.
"Okay…" she said.
"Call Gold too. If Neal was moved, he had his way of finding these things out," he added.
"Good idea…talk to you later," Emma said, as she went into the station. She got on her computer, but found that his location still wasn't updated.
"Problem?" Killian questioned.
"Yeah…there is and you could fix it if you wanted to," Emma replied.
"How?" he asked.
"Change your report. You and I both know that what happened during the shooting was an accident," Emma said.
"No…we don't know that. He bought a gun on the street, Emma. Illegally. That's a crime and he could have intended to pull it on me…or you," Killian argued.
"That's crap and you know it," Emma snapped back.
"I blew up my life for you and now you want me to blow up my career by changing that report?" he asked.
"I didn't ask you to blow up your life!" she argued and he sighed.
"But you did…I helped, but you did and I can't blow up my career for someone that I'm not sure I can trust anymore," he replied, as he walked away. Emma stared at him, as he left and returned to her computer to start making calls to find Neal.
"David…" Suzanne called, as she met him out front.
"Good to see you…and thanks for this opportunity," he said.
"Your credentials are excellent and your resume speaks for itself," she said.
"Yes…but not many Universities are clamoring to hire a passenger from flight 828," he mused.
"Perhaps, but the job is basically yours," she said, as they met a few other Professors outside the lecture hall.
"David…this is head of the mathematics department, Dr. George Spencer," she said, as he shook hands with the old man. He was introduced to the others and then Suzanne began to walk him through what to expect.
"Okay…they just want to observe you, but this should be a breeze. This is a sleepy little class at about half enrollment," she said, as they entered the classroom, only to find it burgeoning at capacity with students.
"Sleepy?" he asked.
"I did tweet that you would be the guest lecturer…I guess you've drawn a bigger crowd than I thought," she answered. David looked around and took a deep breath, before approaching the podium. He tried to center himself and focus on his wife's words of encouragement that she had given him this morning. He took out his notes and decided to begin with a joke.
"You all know this is Combinatorics, right?" he asked, getting a few chuckles.
"I hear Game Theory's down the hall," he said, but that one didn't get any reaction.
"No one? Alright. So, how many of you are actually math majors?" he asked. A few raised their hands, but it wasn't even half the class. He saw a familiar, friendly face in TJ though.
"Okay…who likes old movies?" he asked, as he got a few to raise their hands.
"Who's seen the Matrix?" he asked, as he got most of the class with that one.
"All right…" he said.
"Welcome back from Outer Space!" one student said, but he took it in stride.
"Thank you…I guess," David replied.
"Now, the fun thing about higher math...and, yes, I said fun... is that it can describe something as complex as simulated reality. Let's say this is Earth," David explained, as he went to the white board. But that was when the class began to interject with questions.
"Speaking of, where do you think the plane went?" one student asked.
"What's the probability 828 got sucked through a wormhole, versus being hijacked by aliens?" another asked. He began to get a little flustered, but tried to push through with his lesson.
"While you propose a fascinating hypothetical, to assess a baseline…" David said, only to be interrupted again.
"Professor Nolan, is your IQ higher than it used to be?" another student asked.
"I heard that one of the passengers cured cancer," another interjected.
"Flight 828 didn't touch down for five and a half years. Where did it fly? Are you, like, smarter than Einstein?" another student fired questions.
"Uh…" he stammered, as he could see George and the other professors of the math department looking skeptical that he would be able to keep control of a class, thanks to his unwanted fame.
"Did you shrink?" another questioned.
"Can you predict the future?" another called. David was beyond frustrated and saw his chance of a career slipping away before his eyes, as the other professors looked ready to shut the whole class down. But he pressed on.
"To assess a... a…" he stammered. Thankfully, TJ found a way to come to his rescue.
"I read your thesis on combinatorial matrix theory. Couldn't that have been used
to map the flight plan of 828?" T.J. asked. David sighed in relief.
"Great question," he said, as he went to the white board.
"We'll start simple and define some geocentric coordinates. Now, to compute the coordinates of "C" using Bancroft's method, we'll construct a four-by-four matrix
with the satellites' coordinates and respective pseudoranges...not to be confused with pseudo-oranges, which taste terrible," David joked, as he got a few chuckles and continued his lesson smoothly from that point. And from the looks on the other professor's faces, he had managed to possibly save this new opportunity.