(This is one of those chapters where the author notes may be longer than the chapter itself. XD

Well, this is a true story-- sometimes, we drive down this one street, and we pass by a sign that says "TRAUMA CENTER" because there's a hospital nearby.

It never ends well. XD

And for those who don't believe me, I actually did start chapter four of Life of Secrets! It's just... I want to write more New Blood stuff... neeeeh!

Oh well... can't be helped, I suppose. Let's begin.

Markus, Elena, Rousseau, Chen, Wilkens © Nintendo

"Lily" © Picup-- totally her fault. :D

Starbucks © Starbucks)

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Sorcery of Salvation

Chapter Two- Pre-Op

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It was the sudden crash of thunder that startled him awake.

Jerking upright, Markus' panicky breaths quickly calmed. Rubbing the drowsiness out of his eyes, the dark-haired surgeon glanced up at the clock...

Seven twenty-three.

After calculating that seven times two times three was forty-two-- one of his favorite lucky numbers-- Markus concluded that the day would be a good one, and rose from the couch, walking over to the window...

Rain fell from the angry grey clouds, drenching the ground and drowning the sidewalks with its tumultuous downpour.

Looks like I'll be wearing gym shoes to Concordia today, he thought, a smirk playing at his lips.

Suddenly, a more important issue crept into his mind...

It would be a race against time if he was going to make it there before he went to work in this kind of weather...

But he always appreciated a good challenge.

Markus hurried to the bathroom.

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Eight thirty-three.

He had cut it a little close, considering that the operation briefing was at eight forty-five...

But hell would freeze over before Markus would risk losing his coffee.

Quickly rushing through the glass doors of Concordia, Markus shook the rain off of his hair before sipping his heavily caffeinated beverage.

"Gym shoes today, Dr. Vaughn?"

Markus smiled faintly as he recognized that subtle accent.

"Only until I get to my office, Dr. Chen."

Lily Chen chuckled briefly before looking back down at the papers she was gathering from the front desk.

"That reminds me-- Dr. Rousseau was looking for you, not too long ago. You may wish to go and see what he wanted..."

If there was one thing Markus had mastered, it was hiding his grimaces.

"Thank you, Dr. Chen. I'll go do that now."

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"I was told by Professor Wilkens that you would be operating today. Does my success bother you so much that you're stealing operations from me?"

"I never volunteered to do the operation."

Markus' office was far too small for a heated argument, but that's what his "simple chat" with Luc Rousseau was quickly becoming. Standing behind his desk, Markus' clenched fists rested on the desk, his dark hazel eyes flashing as he fought to control his anger.

"I would then question the Professor's judgement, letting such a young surgeon take on such a difficult operation..."

"If Professor Wilkens decided that I'm the one operating, then he must think I can do the case as well as you. Has he ever been wrong about a situation before?"

"You can't possibly expect me to believe that you had no influence in the Professor's decision..."

"Dr. Rousseau," Markus growled, his patience wearing down to its barest threads. "It shouldn't matter who's operating, as long as the patient is treated."

"And what makes you think that you--"

He snapped.

"I didn't CHOOSE to operate!! What is so hard to understand--"

"Is there a problem here?"

The sharp tone immediately snatched both Luc and Markus' attention; they both turned their heads to see Lloyd Wilkens standing in the doorway, an impatient expression on his face.

The dark-haired surgeon quickly recomposed himself.

"No... there's no problem," he muttered angrily. "We were just... discussing the operation, is all."

"Speaking of the operation... the patient is suffering from a mild case of anxiety, and wishes to speak with you, Markus. Quickly resolve the issue; you need to begin the operation soon."

"Yes, Professor Wilkens."

Markus stormed out of his office, ignoring the faint sneer that had set itself on Dr. Rousseau's face.

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"Dr. Vaughn, I... I'm scared. What if something bad happens? ...I-I don't want to--"

"Hey, hey... calm down, Elena..."

Markus' foul mood had dissipated; the last thing that he needed was to have his patient be more distraught than she already was.

Elena's fearful rambling stopped, but the nervous look in her eyes was still quite evident.

"You're not going to die... because I promised you that you were going back to school, remember?" Markus reminded gently. "I never break a promise. But... you have to be calm before we start the operation, or it could take a really long time, okay?"

Elena hesitated momentarily.

"...you promise I won't...?"

"Promise."

The young girl suddenly thrust her hand towards Markus.

"Pinky swear!"

The surgeon blinked confusedly before hesitantly curling his pinky around hers.

"I pinky swear... you're going to wake up after this operation."

Elena beamed.

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(End chapter two.

Rousseau is a bitch to write... but I love Markus so much. Like, so much. XD

I promise to try and shut up about him.

Please review!)