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. The character of Isaiah is a Manifest character.
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. Thanks to those that reviewed the last chapter:
Grace5231973: Yep they're the three shadows and they are scary, especially Jace. Glad you liked the Swanfire proposal. Yes, it was very telling. Yes, David and Margaret are adorable, as always. Glad you're enjoying!
Jennifer Baratta: Glad you're enjoying!
Ghostwriter: Yep, things look dicey. Glad you're enjoying it!
Sexystarwarslover: Yep, the shadows are here and we know who they are now. It's about to get crazy. Yeah, they have no idea the impact these three are going to have. Yeah, Henry is amazing. Yep, looks like Regina has been fired. Yeah, sorry, but this is Swanfire. But they can still be friends. Yep, Neal and Emma are getting married. Jace is scary. The shadows are the three brothers and it's about to get dicey. Glad you're enjoying!
Lightning in a Bottle
Chapter 76: Call Sign, Pt 1
Emma stared at Jace, as he glared right back at her, as if trying to intimidate her. But she wasn't going to bite.
"Am I supposed to be scared of you?" she asked.
"'Cause staring daggers at me doesn't change the fact that we found over on million dollars worth of meth in your place, Jace," Emma added.
"I'm just thinking about the best way," he answered.
"The best way to what?" Emma questioned.
"To hurt you the most," he said, in a matter of fact tone.
"You see, I don't forgive. And I don't forget," he added.
"I get not turning on your little brother. But, I mean, Kory? I mean... why'd he even keep you around? You're a liability, a slab of meat with a temper. At least that's what he
said," Emma goaded.
"I'm sorry. What did you just say?" Kory asked.
"You're telling me you're not the mastermind behind all this?" Killian asked.
"You have a vivid imagination, detective. I'm just a bus driver," Kory answered.
"Oh, you wanna play dumb? Fine by me. I mean, you're gonna go to prison for so long you're gonna forget what a bus actually looks like, much less drive one," Killian said,
pausing for effect.
"Or...you can tell me what you know about your partners, and we can cut a deal," he added.
"But I don't know anything!" Kory insisted.
"I know you're scared. And I know you've had a clean sheet up until now," Ruby said to the youngest brother.
"So, what?" Pete asked.
"So, I want to help you. But you need to help me first," Ruby answered.
"I can't," Pete said regrettably.
"Three for three. Looks like no one's caving tonight," Ruby said, as the three of them stood outside the interrogation rooms.
"Nope," Killian said, as he handed her the files and Ruby left to do the paperwork.
"Are you all right?" he asked. Emma sighed and he knew.
"No, of course you're not," he answered.
"I mean, you've seen the way that these cases play out. Separate trials, different defense attorneys, all claiming that their client doesn't know anything, while pointing at
an empty chair creates reasonable doubt. They all walk," Emma replied.
"That all that's bugging you?" Killian questioned.
"The way that Jace looks at me, the way that he talks to me, it's like he can see right through me. It's like he knows that…" Emma said, trailing off. She didn't even want to
think it.
"You think...it's connected to the Calling? "Let him go"?" he asked. She scoffed.
"I don't know," she replied.
"Well, let's let 'em sweat it out overnight. We'll take another stab at them in the morning, before they get on the bus to Rikers," Killian said.
"Um, yeah, small problem. I'm...I'm not available," Emma replied.
"What? You were all fired up, wanting answers. Where do you have to be that's more important?" he asked. She looked at him.
"I'm getting married," she confessed. He frowned and swallowed thickly.
"Wow," he said numbly.
"Tomorrow?" he asked.
"Neal is dying, Killian. He's got two days left. I shouldn't even be here, but I can't help but feel like Jace knows something…something that could help save Zeke," she replied.
"I'm sorry, Emma," Killian said sincerely.
"He wants a final celebration, instead of being hooked up to the machines at the hospital," she said," as she looked at him.
"Look, I'm...I'm sorry. The last thing that I want to do is cause you pain. MM asked if I wanted to invite you. I told her I didn't even want to tell you, let alone have you stand
there at…" she rambled, but he cut her off.
"Emma…Emma. It's okay. I'll be there," he promised, as he took a deep breath.
"What can I do?" he asked. She looked at Jace through the glass.
"Get me a conviction," she requested.
It had been extremely short notice, but she had pulled it all off in short order. The caterers, the decorations, the minister, the guests, and all the details. Between her, David,
and Robert, the wedding was coming together in just hours and their house was currently being transformed into a wedding and reception venue.
Margaret looked at the dress she had picked out for Emma. She felt a little uneasy about her sister-in-law not being with her to pick it out herself, but she said she trusted her
and wanted her to help her with it. So she did and she hoped Emma liked it.
"Wow…that's a great dress," David said, as he came into the bedroom.
"Almost as beautiful as the one you wore on our wedding day…but I might be a little biased," he said. She looked at him with a big smile, as she recalled one of the happiest
days of their lives.
Flashback
People had always told him that he would be a bundle of nerves on his wedding day or even that he might get cold feet. But David felt none of that. He had wanted to marry Mary Margaret Blanchard since the day they met when they were just eight-years-old. So when she entered and was escorted down the aisle by his father, he wasn't surprised that he could barely breathe. She floated toward him like the angel she was and he couldn't believe how lucky he was to have found her. Honestly, the whole wedding ceremony seemed like a formality to them. They had been married in their hearts for a very long time now. This seemed like it was just to prove it to everyone else. They had been joined mind, body, and soul long ago and today would only cement their eternal bond.
"I remember every moment of that day…and night," she said, as he leaned down and kissed her passionately.
"Me too…most everything is ready. Dad is finishing up on hanging the twinkle light and the caterers are here," he said.
"How did he take it when you told him that Emma wanted us to walk her down the aisle?" she asked.
"He said he was going to insist anyway…since we raised her mostly. He said he's happy to hold Eden for us," he replied. She nodded and swallowed thickly.
"I…I can't help but think about what she's facing. She…she might lose…" Margaret said, but he swept her into his arms.
"Hey…hey…we can't think that. Not yet…we don't know that this is the end," he admonished.
"But if it is…then this is me in three years," she said, as tears slipped down her cheek.
"I can't say goodbye to you again. I never said it the first time…I never let you go," she cried, as he hugged her.
"And you won't have to. We're going to figure this out," he promised, as he kissed her again. She sniffed and wiped her tears away.
"I can't go to pieces. Emma will be home any minute," she said.
"She'll be fine…we'll get through this, but hopefully, we won't have to," he replied.
"Come on guys…it's my wedding day. No tears," she teased, as she came into their bedroom and they hugged her between them.
"I hope you like it," Margaret said, as she looked at the dress.
"It's perfect," Emma said.
"And I hope you'll wear this…as your something borrowed," Margaret replied, as she handed her a box. Emma opened it and smiled. It was the veil and tiara that Margaret
had worn on her wedding day.
"I kinda hoped I'd get to borrow this," she said, as she tried it on.
"You look beautiful," David said, as he hugged her.
"Thanks," she replied.
"I know this is a dumb question…but how are you doing?" Margaret asked. She shrugged.
"I want to marry him…but I think I'm still processing that doing this means letting him pull the plug on his own life," Emma answered.
"Oh honey…" Margaret said, as she hugged her.
"We don't know that it means that yet," David admonished.
"David…he has one more day. I just feel like we should be doing something, but I know he'll never forgive me if I make him go back to the hospital," Emma said.
"Then we follow his wishes. It's all we can do and then we hope the Callings come through. They haven't given us a reason yet to think that they won't," David replied. Emma
had yet to tell him that, for the first time, she had defied a Calling by arresting Jace and his brothers. She had no idea what the untold consequences of that might be and she
was worried that, in doing so, it might cost her the man she loved.
David would freak if he knew. He was adamant that they had to follow the Callings to the letting or there would be no surviving the Death date. The butterflies in her stomach
were gigantic and she sat on the bed, trying to take deep breaths.
"Emma…if you're not ready for this, Neal will understand. He just wants to be with you," Margaret said. She nodded.
"It's not that…it's just this case at work, but I don't want to talk about that now," Emma replied. Margaret suppressed her instinct to press and took a page from her
husband's book and didn't push. Emma would tell them about it when she was ready.
"Dad...the caterers are ready to set up," Olive said. She smiled.
"That's my cue to vacate while you get ready," David replied, as he kissed Emma's forehead and then pressed a kiss to Margaret's lips.
"Okay…hair and makeup time," Olive said, as she came in with her makeup case and the task of readying Emma for her big day commenced.
Regina stalked into the hospital that afternoon and made a beeline for the nurse's station.
"Dr. Whale…" she called, as she approached.
"Dr. Mills…you've been fired. I suggest you leave or I'll have to call security," he said.
"I need my research!" Regina demanded.
"There are patients that are gravely ill that I need to treat and I cannot do that without access to my research," she added.
"I want to help you…but the decision to fire you was made by people well above my head," he claimed.
"They're trying to pull my license!" Regina said.
"Exactly…which only the NIH can do. What you should be asking is, is there anyone in the government that has a reason to shut you down?" Whale asked. It hit Regina like a
ton of bricks at that moment. The Major…that had to be it. She was back. Whale walked away and Regina hurried out of the hospital. She had to find Vance.
"Hey…it's the groom," David said, as he answered the door. Neal, Gold, and Belle entered the residence and Henry hurried up to them.
"Hey buddy," Neal said, as they shared a hug.
"I know that it's not a real bachelor party, but I thought we could play vintage video games for yours," Henry replied. Neal smiled.
"That sounds like the best bachelor party ever," Neal said, as he followed the boy to his room. Belle smiled and kissed Gold on the cheek.
"I'll go see if the girls need any help," she said, as she headed for the bedroom.
"He's being strong…but he's fading fast," Gold said.
"I know…but we still have to have hope. For what it's worth…I know how you're feeling," David replied. Gold nodded curtly.
"Yes…I suppose you do. Your son was saved…I just hope mine will be as well," he said.
"I usually don't drink, because of my dad's history, but I think we can make an exception this time," David said, as he headed for the kitchen.
"I could definitely use a good belt," Gold agreed.
"Do you have any idea where your mom keeps the sheet pans?" TJ asked, as he dug through the kitchen cupboards.
"Not since my dad turned our entire garage into the Upside Down," Olive joked.
"I'm gonna look over here," TJ said, as he dug through some more cupboards.
"So, uh... winter break's coming up, and I was wondering if you wanted to go skiing," Olive mentioned.
"Oh, uh... I'm not really into skiing," TJ replied.
"Okay, well, I'm open to any other ideas," Olive said.
"Yeah, maybe we can talk about this later? I'm sorry. It's just hard to focus with the Wedding and finals," TJ replied. Olive nodded.
"Sure," she said, as she went to busy herself with setting up chairs.
"Man…I either really suck or just forgot how to play all these," Neal said, referring to the vintage games.
"I'm pretty good," Henry boasted, as they downed their sodas.
"Oh man…sugar rush. We better lay off or we'll crash before my first dance with Emma," Neal joked.
"Do you think we can still beat the death date?" Henry asked.
"I'm not sure, buddy. What do you think?" Neal asked.
"Well…before the plane disappeared, no one thought it was possible to beat my cancer, but here I am," Henry replied. Neal smiled.
"Guess we can't lose hope then," he said.
"Another round?" Henry asked, as he handed him his controller.
"I'll go easy on you this time," he promised. Neal smirked.
"Don't get too cocky, kid. I might just get my edge back," he said, as they engaged in another game.
"Wow…you look amazing," Ruby said, as she arrived.
"Thanks…any news?" Emma asked. Ruby sighed.
"You really want to talk shop now?" she asked.
"Lay it on me," Emma replied.
"Okay…well, there is this," Ruby replied, as she pulled something up on her phone.
"And if you're just joining us, we're covering the recent explosion of a meth cook house. Less than a day ago, the NYPD arrested three suspected drug dealers in possession of
over one million dollars in product. It was only hours later that their cook house exploded," the reporter said, as Ruby paused the video.
"How could it explode?" Emma wondered.
"I don't know…it's definitely fishy," Ruby replied. But then Emma realized what the Calling had meant.
"Let him go…" she murmured. If she had obeyed the Calling, Jace and his brothers would be dead right now. Instead, they would probably walk after a trial, especially now
with the cook house gone.
"Killian is taking one more stab at them…before they go to Riker's, but unless…" Ruby said.
"Unless we find some evidence or they confess, the DA may not seek charges," Emma said, finishing her thought.
"I'm sorry…I shouldn't be giving you this kind of news on your wedding day," Ruby said. She forced a small smile.
"It's okay…I asked," Emma replied.
"Enough of that…let's get you married," Ruby said. For the moment, Emma put it out of her mind. Killian still had a chance to get one of them to flip and she knew he would
do his best.
Killian saw the three suspects being loaded into the prison bus for Rikers and he stalked toward them.
"Hey!" he called, as Jace turned to him with a smug smirk.
"How'd you do it?" he asked.
"Do what?" Jace asked.
"Empty cook houses don't blow up for no reason. Arson on a crowded block like yours? That's attempted murder," Killian taunted, but Jace was stone faced.
"I'm guessing your buddies are not gonna think twice about cutting a deal," he added. Jace smirked.
"They're more afraid of me than they are dying in the joint. You should be, too. Once we're out, I'll be coming for you, right after I pay a visit to your little blonde girlfriend,"
he hissed. Killian snarled and tried to go at him, but was held back by a couple of uniformed officers. Jace laughed.
"See you soon, Detective," he said, as he boarded the bus. That was it. He had failed and Jace was the type to make good on his promises. He shrugged the officers off and
headed off. He promised Emma he would come to her wedding, even though he wasn't sure how he was going to get through it.
"Hello?" David answered his phone.
"David…it's Regina, I need your help," she said. He frowned, noticing that she sounded frantic.
"Of course…what's going on? We were wondering where you were," he said.
"Yeah…sorry, I got fired and locked out of my lab. All my research…it's been seized," Regina said.
"Oh my God…what can I do?" David asked.
"My research might be the only way to save Neal. I need to get in contact with Vance. I know you know how," Regina replied.
"In emergencies…yes," he said.
"Don't you think this is one? David, they're trying to pull my license. Only the NIH can do that. This has the Major written all over it," she replied.
"Yeah…you're right. Okay, I'm sending the emergency text and I'll send his call to you," David said. She sighed in relief.
"Thank you," she replied.
"Just get here…" David said.
"I'm on my way," she replied.
On the bus to Riker's, Jace exchanged glances with Kory and Pete and with a nod, they began their plan. Kory pretended to start to convulse.
"Hey!" Pete called to the guard and the driver, who seemed uninterested at first.
"Hey…he's having a seizure or something!" Pete called, as Kory fell to the floor, faking convulsions, but it was apparently convincing enough.
"We've got a problem…pull over," the guard called to the driver, who did brakes squealed and the hydraulics of the bus hissed, as they came to a stop on the side of the road.
Once the guard came back to check on him, Kory stopped convulsing and punched the guard out. The driver went for his gun, but Jace rushed him and overpowered him. Jace
beat him badly, as Kory cuffed the guard.
"Hey!" Kory called.
"You want to be a cop killer too?" he questioned. Jace smirked.
"If it's the right cop…let's go find her and get back what's ours," he said, as they took the guns and trekked on foot back to the city.
"Thanks for coming," Margaret said, as she hugged her step-sister.
"Of course…I wouldn't miss it," Regina replied.
"I know…but David told me what happened. This is so unfair. You saved Henry's life and who knows how many other children with your cancer treatment. It's outrageous,"
Margaret said. She smiled thinly.
"Thanks…but the fact that the Major shut me down means something. I just have to find her," Regina said.
"David hasn't heard back from Vance yet, but he insisted it was an emergency in the text he sent from the burner phone Vance gave him. He'll get back to us soon hopefully,"
she replied. Regina nodded.
"Until then…I could really use a drink," she said. Margaret smiled.
"Of course…I made sure we got some hard apple cider, just for you," she said, as they went to the kitchen. The wedding would soon commence and once Vance responded,
Regina hoped she could pinpoint the Major's location and get the answers that Neal so desperately needed…