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:

AnonSnowing: Yep, Fiona is lying through her teeth. I know, Regina is telling her everything. David is very easy to have a crush on. Yep, Whale is a snake, but he's not the actual mole. Yeah, Snowing gives me goosebumps too. Yep, Margaret had a Calling! Killian is a jerk and George is probably evil. I love David's dad jokes, lol. Yep, TJ saved him there. Yeah, there is quite the fascination around the passengers. Yep, Neal is in trouble. Lol, yeah, fur lady is based on Cruella. Glad you're enjoying it!

Jennifer Baratta: Thanks, glad you're enjoying it!

Ghostwriter: Thanks, glad you're enjoying it!

Grace5231973: I know, he's a jerk. Yep, David got the job! Glad you're enjoying it!

Lightning in a Bottle

Chapter 57: False Horizon, Pt 3

The next afternoon, Margaret parked her car at the park and she and Henry got out, observing the soccer practice in the distance.

"Is this it?" Henry asked.

"Those jerseys match the bumper sticker on that woman's car," Margaret replied, as she took his hand and they approached the benches. Upon getting closer, Margaret recognized the woman, Bonnie, who had informed her that she went by Bo.

"Bo!" Margaret called, as she saw the woman look up and frown when she saw her and her son. She looked uncomfortable, as they approached, which confused them both.

"Hi…it's Margaret from the yoga class," she said.

"Oh, I remember," Bo replied, making it awkward.

"Um…I'm trying to get my little bookworm here into soccer so I thought we'd come check it out," Margaret said, as she watched the woman hurriedly gather her things, including her son.

"Signups are closed…I have to go," she said, as she pulled her son along, leaving Margaret confused, especially since she suddenly saw the gargoyle perched on top of the scoreboard.

"Open her eyes!" she heard again.

"Mom?" Henry asked.

"I'm fine honey…I'm just not sure how to help someone that doesn't want help," Margaret replied.

Emma arrived at the facility and flashed her badge.

"I'm Detective Nolan and I'm here to see Neal Cassidy. He's one of my confidential informants and is part of a crucial case," Emma fibbed. The desk clerk pulled Neal up on his computer and looked at her.

"It doesn't say he's a C.I," he said skeptically.

"Trust me, he is…you know how this goes with witnesses," she replied. He nodded.

"Okay…he's in infirmary five," he said, as she blew past him.

"You've got ten minutes," he called, but she didn't hear him.

Neal woke up after being out of it from the drugs they had administered and found that he was still strapped down.

"Hey…" he said, as he struggled.

"Easy, Mr. Cassidy…those restraints were necessary and will remain, especially if you have another episode," the doctor said.

"I had an episode, because you force fed me meds. I'm in recovery…no more drugs," he pleaded, as he saw Emma burst in.

"Emma…" he said.

"What are you doing here? You have no authorization, Detective," the doctor said and she knew she had moments until the guards were dragging her out.

"What the hell did they do to you?" she asked.

"I think they think the Callings are withdraw," he replied.

"Then you saw it too. The Calling on the plane with us?" she asked. He nodded.

"Okay…we need to get you out of here and I don't have much time," she replied.

"I screwed up…I shouldn't be here," he said.

"I know…we're going to fix it," she said, as the guards came.

"How? It's too late…I was sentenced," Neal replied. She smiled.

"There's always a way…and I think I found it," she said. He gave her a half smile.

"You never give up, do you?" he asked.

"Never," she replied.

"You can't be in here," the guards said, as they prepared to escort her out. Emma gave him a card.

"Tell them you need a lawyer. Her name is Theresa Yin, it's on the back of the card. She's expecting your call!" Emma said, as she was dragged out. But now the wheels were in motion. She would get him out.

After being brushed off by Bo at the soccer field, Margaret was determined to find out why she was suddenly so standoffish so she dropped Henry off at home with Olive and decided to go to her yoga class on the off chance the woman would show up too. She wasn't, but then she spotted her parked outside the studio, apparently showing up for the later class.

"Hey…" Margaret said, as she approached. But this time, she was not met by a friendly gaze and rather one of disdain and annoyance.

"Um…you weren't in class today. I was worried that something might have happened," Margaret said.

"Are you following me?" Bo asked, in an accusatory tone.

"What? No…of course not," Margaret replied.

"I'm sorry…and I know this will sound very bizarre, but I'm worried about you. Call it intuition or whatever, but I have a bad feeling that something's wrong," she added.

"If you're afraid or have a problem…I'd like to help," she said. The woman looked at her with more disdain.

"My only problem is you and your freak 828 boy," she said and Margaret was taken aback.

"I know who your son is…and your husband. I watch the news," Bo added.

"I'm…I'm trying to help you," Margaret said.

"Stay away…stay away from my family," Bo said, as she went to her car and a spark of protectiveness for her own family spurred her on.

"Oh, I get it now! I was supposed to open your eyes, because you are a frightened, small minded woman, who's afraid of anything she doesn't understand!" Margaret said.

"I hope you lose that baby," Bo said with a voice full of vitriol. Margaret was taken aback by that too toward her unborn child and watched, as the woman got into her vehicle and drove off, leaving Margaret stunned.

"Two sessions in the space of two days…" Fiona mentioned, as Regina sat down in her office for another session.

"Guess I just need to talk…" Regina said.

"Of course…but I sense there is something else?" Fiona prodded. Regina nodded.

"I think I found out what happened to us on the plane. I've made a discovery and it's huge," she said. Fiona was silent for a moment.

"Well…I doubt I'll understand a word of it, but please explain," Fiona said.

"Like I said…it's huge and might be the key to discovering what happened on the plane. The sample is in the fridge in my lab," she said.

"My next client has canceled. We have time…please go on," Fiona said, as Regina proceeded to tell her about the new discovery.

Once Neal made a call to the attorney Emma had gotten him, she managed to file an emergency injunction and they were in front of a judge again. How she had gotten it done so fast, Emma had no idea, but she was grateful and could tell Mr. Gold was too.

"The people versus Neal Cassidy," the bailiff announced.

"Thank you for finding time on your docket for this emergency hearing, Your Honor" Theresa said.

"Pursuant to Section 220.6, my client moves to withdraw his guilty plea. Further, I've filed a motion to dismiss all charges," she added.

"I'll grant the plea withdrawal. On what grounds do you move to dismiss?" the Judge questioned.

"New evidence calling into question the veracity of the investigation," Theresa said.

"Your Honor, this is absurd. Mr. Cassidy shot an NYPD detective," the district attorney objected.

"Yes. Detective Nolan. I'd like to call her as a witness," Theresa said.

"Your Honor, this is a waste of taxpayer dollars and the court's time," the district attorney objected again.

"And yet the court awaits Detective Nolan's testimony with interest," the Judge responded.

"Your Honor, I call Detective Emma Nolan to the stand," Theresa said. Emma stepped up to the witness stand and met Killian's glare once she was there.

"Detective Nolan, what do you know about the night you were shot?" Theresa asked.

"I know that it was an accident. I know that Neal Cassidy is not a criminal. He even tried to save my life," she explained and took a breath to prepare for what she was about to do next.

"I also know that Detective Rogers abused NYPD resources to lift and run Neal's prints. He also had him followed. He even broke into my house without probable cause to confront Neal," she continued.

"None of this had to happen," she finished.

"Objection... Lacks foundation," the district attorney objected.

"The State demands the courtroom be cleared and this hearing postponed," he added.

"It was an accident. I've informed Internal Affairs, the arresting officer, and my captain about this miscarriage of justice," she said, pausing for a moment.

"I am tired of being told to let this go. I'm not going to let this go. I am the one that took that bullet. I am the victim. And I am telling you that this man is innocent," Emma testified. The look of shock and betrayal on Killian's face was hard to take, but she knew she was doing the right thing, as hard as it was.

"The State requests a sidebar, Your Honor," the district attorney requested. Emma was dismissed from the witness stand and her eyes locked with Killian's in a hard, unyielding gaze, as she passed him.

David unpacked a few things from the box he had brought from home for his new office. He smiled, as he picked up the recent family picture he had and set the frame on his desk.

"Excuse me, Professor Nolan?" a familiar voice said. He smiled and looked up to see his wife in the doorway.

"Yes…can I help you?" he asked, playing along.

"I'm thinking about enrolling in your class, but I wasn't sure it was for me…so I decided I wanted to meet you first," she replied. He smirked.

"And?" he asked coyly, as she approached.

"I'm not sure it's a good idea…I had no idea how handsome you are. I doubt I'd be able to concentrate on anything but you," she replied, as she slipped her arms around his neck.

"That's too bad…I bet you'd make an excellent student," he replied. She smiled and leaned toward him.

"Maybe there are other things you can teach me," she said.

"I'm sure we can work something out," he replied, as their lips met in a passionate kiss, before parting and they smiled at each other.

"So…what do you think of the new digs?" he asked.

"I love it…and I'm so happy for you, baby," she gushed, as she hugged him again.

"Thanks…" he said, as there was a knock at his office door.

"Sorry to interrupt," George said.

"It's okay…Mr. Spencer, this is my wife Margaret," David replied, as they shook hands.

"Your husband is quite impressive," George said. Margaret smiled and looked at him with fondness.

"I know," she agreed.

"He'll be a great addition to the math department here at the University and we'll be having a faculty retreat in a few weeks. I'd like you to lead one of our seminars," George said.

"I'd be honored," David replied. George smiled.

"It's at a hotel in downtown Manhattan for a weekend and spouses are welcome to join," he added.

"Sounds wonderful…I'm sure the kids can stay with their grandpa for the weekend," Margaret said.

"Excellent. I'll see you tomorrow, David," George said, as he left the office with a smirk on his face. He walked out and got into the car that was waiting for him. Bo looked at him from the driver's seat.

"What did you do?" Bo asked. He smirked.

"I hired him," George replied.

"Welcome to my parlor, said the spider to the fly," he added, as they shared a smirk.

Court reconvened and the district attorney rose from his seat.

"The State has decided to reduce the charges to class A misdemeanor, possession of a firearm," he said.

"Pretty sweet offer, Counselor," the Judge commented.

"How does your client plead?" she asked. Theresa leaned over to whisper to Neal.

"Stand up and plead no contest," she instructed. He nodded and rose from his seat.

"No contest, Your Honor," Neal said.

"Very well, Mr. Cassidy. You're sentenced to time served. Pending processing, you're free to go," the Judge said.

"Congratulations," Theresa said.

"Thank you very much," Neal said, as looked at the relieved faces of his father and Emma. And the angry one of Killian, as he passed by Emma.

"Guess I'm not the only one who blew up their life. Hope it was worth it," Killian said. Emma knew that he meant most of her fellow officers would now likely treat her like she had the plague for going against one of their own. But she didn't care. Neal was free and that was what mattered now.

"Come on…processing shouldn't take long and he'll be out," Emma said to Gold, as they went to wait for his release.

She was right and it wasn't long before Neal was walking out a free man. Emma allowed father and son a moment to hug each other and for once, Neal didn't reject him or push him away.

"Thanks…No one's ever done anything like that for me. You didn't just storm the castle...you burned it to the ground," Neal said.

"He's right and it is I that will owe you a favor," Gold added.

"Yeah, well, you weren't supposed to be inside and I don't expect anything in return," she said.

"Now what?" Neal asked.

"How does a home-cooked meal sound?" Emma asked. He looked at her skeptically.

"I've seen your pantry…you don't cook," he commented.

"Don't worry…I already texted Margaret and told her you're out. She's insisting that we come for dinner," Emma said.

"In that case…I'm in. Dad?" Neal asked.

"Of course," Gold replied, as they headed for their cars.

Killian sat in a bar after the hearing, slowly sipping at a glass of rum. He was dejected and furious and the sting of betrayal was still fresh. Especially with the news on the television reminding him of what had just occurred.

"In a surprising turn of events, Flight 828 passenger and NYPD detective Emma Nolan took the stand today to exonerate her alleged shooter, Neal Cassidy," the reporter said.

"How 'bout you turn that crap off?" Killian called.

"How 'bout some manners?" the female bartender called back.

"Can you turn that crap off, please?" Killian requested.

"Amen to that, brother. 828 wing nuts shouldn't be allowed to carry the badge and gun," a man sitting on the other side of the bar said.

"Put those on my tab," Killian told her and they shared a toast to that.

After dinner, David, Margaret and Emma watched Neal and Henry play a board game together at the table with Olive.

I don't know who's happier that Neal's back, you or that giddy little boy," Margaret said fondly. Emma nodded. She was pretty happy too.

"Henry seems to think the plane Callings will stop," David said.

"You don't?" Emma asked.

"I think it's bigger than that," David confessed.

I wish I could protect Henry from all of this. It really hit home, how much fear and hatred

there is out woman had so much venom," Margaret said, as David put his arm around her.

"If she knew what miracles you guys are, she wouldn't be so scared," Olive suggested.

"You mean if she knew about the Callings?" David asked.

"Well, if it were me, I'd share my gift with the world, make it a better place," Olive said.

Where did little Miss Peace and Love come from?" Emma asked, half jokingly.

"I don't know, but too bad you can't sprinkle some of that on the gargoyle lady. The Calling told me to open her eyes, but I didn't," Margaret said.

"Maybe it's not over, then," David suggested, as he comforted her.

Under the guise that she was going to study with a friend, Olive went out and arrived at the Church of the Returned for the evening service. Her parents had no objection to church, but would be livid if they knew she was attending one run by Baron Samdi, for they thought he was a scam artist. But Olive thought differently and only wished her parents would see that he was helping people.

"Who wishes to share their acceptance of the miracle?" Baron asked. Olive hesitated for a moment and then slowly raised her hand. Baron nodded and she took to the podium.

"Um, I'm Olive," she said.

"Hi, Olive," the congregation greeted her.

"My dad, my brother, and my aunt were all 828 passengers," she said, causing a bit of awe and commotion.

"Since they've returned, I've been fighting to go back to normal. I just... I didn't feel

like I belonged anymore," she said, pausing for a moment.

"But, being here...I now realize that we... we all belong. All of us are special. All of us.

I embrace the miracle, and I-I really hope my family does, too. I believe," Olive said.

"Blessed are the children of the returned, for they will inherit the miracle," Baron said.

Blessed are the children of the returned, for they will inherit the miracle," the congregation repeated.

Blessed are the children of the returned, for they will inherit the miracle," they repeated again…

"I found the leak," Regina said, as she arrived at the travel agency,"

"Already?" Vance asked. She nodded and he sighed.

"David was right about letting you in on this, but don't tell him I said that," Vance replied, as she opened her laptop and showed him the surveillance video of her lab.

"When you said I had a leak, I put up my own cameras," she said, as they watched Whale siphoning a sample from the vials in her fridge.

"So it is Whale," Vance said.

"No…it can't be. He has no idea about the samples, but my therapist does. My blackmail theory about Whale is probably correct," Regina replied.

"Then your therapist is the Major," Vance deduced.

"And now she has your research, you know," he added. Regina smirked.

"No…she doesn't. This sample is fake. It was ruse and she took the bait," she said. He smirked.

"Yeah…you're a way better spy than your brother-in-law," he said, as he pulled up something on his own laptop.

"This is pretty much a database of top security cleared females in the Department of Defense," he said, as he put her in front of the laptop and began clicking through the photos for her.

"Recognize anyone?" he asked, as he clicked through the thirteenth photo and onto the fourteenth.

"There…that's her," Regina said.

"You're sure?" he asked.

"Oh yes…I've been pouring my heart out to this bitch for weeks," Regina replied.

"Fiona Black, Psychological warfare specialist, 30 years in black ops. Major General," he said.

"She's the Major," Regina realized.

"Now what?" she asked. Vance smirked.

"Now we turn the tables…"