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 too. It's a couple days late. Things aren't quite back to normal, as my Mom is staying with me until the movers arrive with her stuff so it's been harder to get writing done in the evenings. Hopefully, I'll be back to normal soon.
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: Yep, Fiona is probably the mole and I don't trust Bo either. Glad you're enjoying it!
Jennifer Baratta: Yep, Albert Spencer has appeared. Glad you're enjoying.
Grace5231973: Yeah, I'm glad TJ was there to help him. I think we'll soon find out where Neal was taken. Glad you're enjoying!
Sexystarwarslover: Oh, sorry updates aren't going to your e-mail. I've been a few days late lately, because of personal life things too. Yeah, Robin was supposed to be on the plane with her. But he's married. Yep, Fiona is bad news. Yep, they'd be stupid not to hire David. I don't think Whale is the mole either. He's just nosing around. Yep, another Calling. I think we'll find out soon that Bonnie doesn't know Margaret. She just knows she's married to a passenger. Yep, everyone showed up for this class. And they are being very rude. Luckily TJ was there to help. Glad you enjoyed it!
Lightning in a Bottle
Chapter 56: False Horizon, Pt 2
The class dismissed and David found the observing professors waiting for him outside the classroom.
"I thought for a moment there that the class was going to overrun you with questions," George mentioned sternly.
"It seems there is a bit of fascination that surrounds my situation, but it's not something I seek. I think once I get a few lectures in, the luster will wear off and the curious ones will drop the class once the homework and tests start," David said, almost frantically pleading his case. George smirked.
"Relax son…you course corrected in a way I think few could. Welcome to the math department," he said, as he extended his hand. David sighed in relief and shook his hand vigorously in return.
"Thank you," he said, as he smiled.
"Let's show you to your new office," George said, as he followed the other professors. He couldn't wait to tell Margaret.
Baron Samdi looked out to his flock and his eyes greedily drank in offering baskets that were brimming full of donations. Years of his overbearing, Bible thumping father was finally paying off. He knew exactly how to speak to people like this. They were lost people, looking for miracles in a world that gave them nothing but tragedy. He knew how to deliver to them and collect their money at the same time. And not lose a wink of sleep doing it.
To be wiped from the face of the Earth, only to return is an undeniable message to the world. Hope, faith, belief... all shall be rewarded. The miracle of 828 was for all," he preached, as the donation baskets continued to be filled.
"Now, those who feel called to testify are welcome," he announced, giving his podium over to members of the congregation. A young woman rose from her seat and stepped up to the podium and Olive watched her new friend.
"I'm Chloe," she announced.
"Hi Chloe," the congregation greeted.
"I'm a Believer. I was pretty broken when I first came here," she continued.
"Yeah, I'm not gonna lie. My parents, they just...they didn't get me, and I was lost," she said.
"But then I heard Adrian talk about how we're all connected, about how we're all a part of the miracle of 828. And Adrian says if you accept that miracle, we'll all be saved," she said.
"Well, it's already saved my life. I believe," she confessed, before taking a seat. Olive smiled at her, as they listened to others share their truths.
David got home that evening and Margaret could hardly contain herself, as she rushed to him. She yelped slightly, as he scooped her up and spun her around.
"Oh…" she sighed, as he kissed her passionately.
"Is it safe to say it went well?" she asked, as he finally put her feet on the ground again.
"I got the job…" he answered and she hugged him again.
"Oh David…I'm so proud of you. I knew you'd get it," she said, as their lips met again.
"It was a little rough there for a minute. Most of the people in the class came to heckle an 828'er I think…but TJ really helped me. He came to the class and helped me steer them away from the crazy and to the actual lesson," he said.
"Well…then I'm going to have to thank him for helping the man I love," she replied, as they swayed together.
"Half the class probably won't show up next time…but I'm in the door," he said.
"They are lucky to have you…you're amazing and all the stuff about the plane will wear off," she assured him.
"You never doubted me for a minute, did you?" he asked fondly. She smiled.
"Not even for a second, my love," she replied, as their lips met again.
"Mom had a Calling today," Henry said, chiming in from his place at the kitchen table.
"You did?" he asked in surprise.
"Yeah…I met this really nice woman after prenatal yoga and we talked for a minute. But then there was this horrifying gargoyle thing on top of her SUV and it was my voice saying to "Open her eyes." I have no idea what that means," she replied.
"Honey…that's terrifying," he said, with concern.
"It was…but I'm fine and Henry and I think we know how to find her," she replied, as she looked at their son.
"How?" he asked.
"I saw a sticker on the back of her vehicle and looked it up. Her son plays soccer nearby so I thought we'd go over and see her tomorrow," Margaret said.
"Okay…but promise me you'll be careful," he pleaded. She smiled and pecked him on the lips.
"We will be…but she was a nice woman and the gargoyle isn't really there," she said.
"In many cultures, gargoyles aren't evil, but they ward against harm and evil influences," Henry chimed in.
"I've heard that," David said.
"So…is it protecting her from something?" Margaret wondered.
"I'm not sure…but still be careful," he said. She nodded, as there was a knock at the door.
"Oh, that's Regina," she said, as she answered the door and they shared a hug.
"Hey…you sounded urgent on the phone, so I came as soon as I could get free," she said, as she hung her coat up.
"It kind of is…and it's something that can't go further than between us," Margaret replied, as they sat down on the furniture and David joined them.
"Of course…has something happened?" Regina asked.
"Yes…and we want you to know that we didn't like keeping this from you as long as we had to, but Vance insisted," David replied.
"Vance?" she asked.
"He's alive…he faked his death to keep investigating the Major," Margaret answered. Regina sat back.
"Wow…definitely didn't see that one coming," she said.
"Unfortunately…there's more. The Major seems to know a lot about your research," David replied.
"But that's impossible," Regina said.
"We think you have a leak at the hospital that's feeding information to the Major. Vance has a plan, but he was against letting you in on it," David replied.
"But we told him we couldn't keep you in the dark any longer and let you be used," Margaret said.
"We knew you'd want in," David added.
"You're damn right I do," Regina said, as he handed her a file.
"What's this?" she asked.
"We know the Major wants to control the Callings and be able to create her own brand of toy soldiers so we've picked someone random from the plane and we want you to help us plant this information," David replied. Regina smirked.
"Then she takes the bait and we find out who she is," Regina said. He nodded.
"I like it…and I want in. If someone is stealing my research, then I'm going to expose them," she said. They smiled.
"We were right to let you in on this and we're sorry we didn't tell you sooner," Margaret said.
"I get it…Vance is a spy. That's how this stuff works and you two are definitely not cut out for the whole subterfuge and deception game. I am though," Regina replied. David smirked.
"Yeah…something tells me that you'll be ten times the spy I am," he replied.
"Do you want to stay for a celebratory dinner?" Margaret asked. She smiled.
"I'd love to, but what are we celebrating?" she asked.
"My husband, Astoria's newest and most brilliant math professor," Margaret announced. Regina smiled.
"Congratulations," Regina said.
"Thanks," David replied, as Margaret went to the kitchen to start dinner.
"Yes…his name is Neal Cassidy," she said, feeling like a broken record. She had called every holding facility and prison in the city, trying to find Neal and was about to give up. Until she struck gold.
"You have him?" she asked, as she listened to the man on the other end.
"Perfect…I need to see him," she said, as she put the address into her phone.
"The infirmary?" she asked, as she sighed in exasperation.
"He's a recovering addict…you can't give him that stuff. I'll be right there," she said, as she slammed the phone down and got her stuff. She hurried out to her car, but stopped in her tracks, as another Calling assaulted her senses.
She, Henry, and Neal are on the plane again. The plane rocks, as thunder booms outside and it shakes under the turbulence. That's when Emma saw the gaping hole in the plane.
"This Calling makes no sense…Neal wasn't on the plane and there was no hole in it!" she cried.
"He's in trouble…we have to save him," Henry said, as they watched Neal be sucked out of the plane in horror.
Emma came out of the Calling and hurriedly got in her car, before speeding off.
Neal opened his eyes, only to find himself strapped down to a bed in some kind of infirmary.
"Hey…what's going on?" he asked.
"Relax…Mr. Cassidy, you had a bit of an episode," the orderly said, as he watched the nurse fill a syringe.
"What…what are they giving me?" he asked, but he didn't answer.
"Dammit…what are you giving me!?" he demanded to know, as he struggled with the restraints.
"Calm down…it's just something to help you sleep," the orderly replied.
"What is it?" Neal demanded to know.
"Mostly Midazolam," the orderly answered.
"I'm in recovery! You can't give me that crap!" he cried, but it was already on its way into the IV and he was unable to rip it out.
"You'll need to take it up with the doctor in the morning," the nurse said, as he continued to struggle.
"But if you don't want more…then you need to calm down," he added. Neal didn't have a choice anyway and slowly slipped into unconsciousness.
After dinner, Regina arrived at the facility that Margaret and David told her about. She was admitted and walked into the room where Vance awaited her.
"Dr. Mills," Vance greeted.
"Nice little come back to life trick, though you didn't have to disappear for almost six years like us," she quipped. He smirked and he motioned her to take a seat.
"I assume David told you about my plan?" he asked. She nodded.
"And I'm all in. If someone is spying on me, I want to help take them down," she said, as she brushed her hair away from her face.
"If they are stealing my research to use the Callings and us against people, then I want to rip their hearts out," she added. He looked at her with a note of surprise.
"Theoretically, of course," she continued. He smirked.
"Somehow I think you'll be a better spy than David," he said. She smirked.
"David has love to ground him and can't go as far as I can. If it's Whale…I'll destroy him and the Major right along with him," she said.
"Then welcome aboard. We have a small window so it's best if we rule Whale out right away," he replied.
"He's at the hospital now. I'll go back to work and ask for his help in the lab to get a feel for what he's after, if anything," Regina said.
"It's a start…" Vance said, as she rose from her seat and headed out.
His hand slid down her thigh, which was wrapped around his waist, as he pumped deeply inside her. The sounds of ragged breathing and impassioned gasps filled their bedroom, as they made love.
"David…" she breathed.
"Love you…so much," he rasped, as he kissed her lips and she writhed beneath him in pleasure. He expertly coaxed her climax from her and came soon after. He rolled onto his back and she rested atop him, as they both came down.
"That was a very informative lesson…Professor Nolan," she purred playfully. He grinned and kissed her tenderly.
"Well…you are a very attentive student, Mrs. Nolan," he replied playfully, as he pinched her rear.
"Mmm…then you're not going to make me stay after class?" she asked.
"Actually, I am…I feel that there is much you could school me on too," he joked.
"As long as I'm your only private student," she said. He smiled and kissed her passionately.
"Only you…it's only been you and always will be only you," he assured her.
"You're not seriously worried about Suzanne, are you?" he asked. She focused her eyes on his chest and the little circles she was drawing with the pads of her fingers, which was making his toes curl.
"Not at all…I mean, it's not of any concern that the Dean of Students, who used to have the hots for my husband and probably still does, will be working closely with him," she replied. He gave her a look and she looked up at him sheepishly.
"I'm not worried about you, of course…but she might make a move. A lot of people see seduction of a married person as desirable and you're quite a catch," she replied. He smiled and kissed her tenderly.
"But I'm your catch. If she makes a move, it'll just be awkward and embarrassing for her, because she's going to find out that I'm hopelessly and desperately in love with my wife," he replied. She smiled and slipped her arms around his neck, as their lips met again.
"You still hate her?" he asked.
"Always…but at least she's not as bad as that crazy fur woman in college that used to look at you like you were something to eat," she replied.
"Oh yeah…she was pretty crazy. I don't know who would want to wear real fur all the time," he said.
"No one…that's why she married rich to develop her weird and cruel fashion line," she replied.
"I feel bad for him," he said.
"Don't…he's a Wall Street Tycoon like my father. It's the only reason I know anything about it," she replied.
"I guess evil finds evil," he said and she knew he was referring to her father and Cora as well.
"Mmm…and good finds good," she said, as their lips met in another kiss and their passion consumed them once more.
Regina arrived back at her lab and found Whale there.
"What are you doing in here?" she asked in an accusatory tone.
"I've been assigned to assist in your lab…I'm doing my job," he replied.
"I never asked for an assistant and you're a full fledged general practitioner that should be working in the ER. Why are you here and why do you keep asking so many questions?" Regina asked.
"I told you…they want me to assist in the next phase of implementing your new treatment. I'm more than a general practitioner…I'm a surgeon who has done more pediatric cancer surgeries than anyone in this hospital!" he argued.
"When you're not drunk," she countered.
"What the hell is your problem? You're insane and the only reason you're still here is your research. But we were handling it while you were gone and we can do it without you," he warned.
"Get out!" she hissed, as he threw his hands up and stormed out of her lab. Regina looked at the file that Vance had given her. She would leave it in case he wandered back in here and then they would know if there was a leak. Right now, she needed to talk to someone so she dialed her therapist.
"Hi Fiona…do you have time to squeeze me in today? I really need to vent," Regina said, as she listened.
"Thanks…I'll be right there," she said, as she hung up the phone, grabbed her bag, and headed out for her appointment.