Chapter 5

Forks General Hospital was an old building of brick and stones occupying more than 3 square blocks. There were over 4 hundred people employed in the hospital including physicians, residents, nurses, technicians. There were about 1000 beds, 3 emergency wards, a bone bank, a central supply, AIDs ward and 10 operating rooms. OR 6 was the largest operating room, consisting of heart monitor, heart-lung bypass machine, ventilator, Infusion pump, intra-aortic balloon pump and other equipments for patient monitoring.

At seven-thirty the following morning, the chores at the hospital has began. Patients were already coming in all night, arriving in ambulances and police cars and some on foot. The emergency ward was already full of bleeding and broken patients who were victims of suicide or automobile accidents. The new residents were checking in and the cleaners were already swiping the floor, changing bed sheets and keeping up with the sanitizing process.

There were frenetic movements, shrill sounds everywhere.

All of this has been new, when Bella started working in the hospital. But as time flew by, she has grown accustomed to the environment and most importantly the patients. Although the atmosphere remained unchanged but her responsibilities has changed and grown with every passing year. The first year had started off with the basics, like studying different patients and discussing their diseases and cure. They were not allowed at the OR, but could only see the doctors perform surgery. On their 2nd year, they were allowed to hand a scalpel during the operation and on their 3rd year, they were allowed to perform some minor surgery with the doctors.

The first surgery on their 3rd year was to be performed on a 45 year old man named Benjamin who was suffering from hypertensive heart disease. The disease was mainly caused due to high blood pressure, which led to thickening of his heart muscle and affected the heart's structure, the blood vessels and the conduction system. Benjamin was the patient who was to be operated on OR 6 by Dr Masen and Dr Jasper Whitlock. Or so that was written on the OR chart.

When Bella reached FGH the next morning, she was still not sure whether or not Edward had acted out something. She had fulfilled his condition and so there was no chance of him backing out. Also he had made himself very clear the night before and has challenged her to file a case against him if matters didn't go well.

"His heart valves have become inflamed..."

"the leaflets have become rigid, thick and short...this might lead to mitral regurgitation. Bella, what do you think?" Leah asked as she scrolled through one of the patients chart.

"Bella?" Leah called her again when she didn't respond.

"Hmm"

Bella was sitting on her lab chair with a faraway look in her eyes. Her chin was cradled on her right arm as she twirled her hair around her fingers. Her patients chart sat ignorant on the table since she was waist deep in thoughts of Edward Masen.

"Are you okay?" Leah questioned.

"Yea..." Bella gave her a small smile and then took the chart to examine. "It's an effect of Rheumatic fever... get him some antibiotics" Bella suggested. Leah nodded and went back to note in her chart.

Bella checked her watch. It was 9 am in the morning and the operation was to start sharply at 10. But there was still no news of Jasper and neither Edward. She excused herself from the room and made her way to the elevator to get on the 4th floor.

She had to find Jasper Whitlock.

On the 4th floor, the nurses were buzzing in and out of OR 6 to set the necessary supplies, but there was no sign of Jasper. Was it good sign or bad, she couldn't contemplate.

Just when she was about to ask one of the nurse about Jasper's whereabouts, she was being called by someone. She turned back to find a very angry and brooding Dr Caius.

"Is everything fine doctor?" Bella asked nervously. She tweaked the edge of her fingers anxiously and bit on her lips.

What did I do wrong? Shit! Did Edward tell him about my plan? Oh no Oh no please...

"Dr Swan, there are some change of plans. I don't know what the hell has happened but I am so terribly angry over Jasper. He just called me few minutes back to say he cannot make it today. Is this some kind of joke? I trusted him with the decision and this is what I get." Dr Caius angrily fumed.

It was like a huge weight has been lifted from her shoulder. Bella exhaled and smiled the widest smile she has ever sported. Of course she hid it as soon as Dr Caius looked back at her.

"This is so ridiculously bizarre." Bella feigned. "I mean...how could he do so? You had so much faith in him, infact...we all had." Bella snickered inwardly. Oh Edward you are wonderful.

"Anyway I am going to deal with him the first he puts his feet in this hospital." Dr Caius announced. "But now I want you to assist Dr Masen in the OR. Are you up for it?"

Bella's grin lit up the room. "Yes.I...thank you"

When she walked into the OR, she was immediately greeted by the cool temperature of the room. There were two residents from 2nd year, a scrub nurse, two circulating nurses and an anesthesiologist. One nurse was giving her an up and down look, watching her move expectantly.

She read her name tag and answered "Hello Renesmee, I am going to do the Operation along with Dr Masen...can you please provide me with-"

Before she could finish, Renesmee handed her the patients chart and waved her hands towards a tray beside the operating table. Bella rolled her eyes inwardly.

There were shoe covers, masks, caps and eye shields on the tray. Bella grinned as she inspected the items. She tucked her hair behind her ears and then wore the cap and left the mask partially open.

Soon Benjamin was brought in the OR in a gurney to the operating table. He was already in a blue hospital gown wearing a hollow expression. Two nurses laid him on the operating table and strapped him to keep him in position while a circulating nurse gave him a sedative to relax.

While Bella checked his chart and went through the test reports of electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, cardiac stress tests, chest X-ray and coronary angiogram. His blood pressure was high, his heart was enlarged and his heart beat was irregular. He was subscripted with drugs beta-blockers, calcium-channel-blockers, diuretics, ACE inhibitors and vasodilators.

"Doctor?" Benjamin replied in a shaky voice. Bella walked towards the man and gave him a bright smile.

"Will I survive?" he asked barely.

Bella placed her glove covered hands in his and gave a light squeeze. "You will make it" she ensured.

At that very instant Edward walked into the OR wearing a green scrub. There was a silent pause when brown orbs met green, but the moment was distracted as the nurse handed him a glove and a mask. Bella took in the time to wear her mask fully.

"We are going to start the operation, right after 1 minute and 23 seconds." Edward announced. The nurses nodded and the residents got their necessary supplies out.

"Dr Swan" Edward called. Bella looked at him startled. "Do you know what we are doing?" Edward raised an eyebrow at her.

"Well yes doctor, we are going to restore the blood flow in his heart and the blood vessels." Bella replied in her most professional voice. Edward nodded satisfied.

Bella wanted to thank him for keeping his words. But she wasn't certain if it was a good idea to address him in a roomful of people. She decided that she didn't care. "Edward?" Bella whispered when she thought no one was looking at them. Edward wasn't expecting her to call him with his name. In fact he didn't expect that she would ever want to talk to him again.

He didn't respond to her.

His eyes were everywhere in the room except her. Why was he ignoring her?

Of course he is over and done with me now...Bella thought.

"Let's start the operation." Edward announced just then. Bella took a deep breathe and nodded.

The operation began.

Edward cut through the patient's skin.

The nurse handed Bella a scalpel as she made the first incision. She cut through the fat and the muscle from the patient's leg. She was going to use a portion of blood vessel from his leg and attach it across the blocked coronary artery, thus bypassing the blockage. The new blood vessels would carry blood around the obstruction, so that the blood supply to and fro from the heart is restored.

This was Bella's first operation. This was what she had waited for so long. As she continued the operation, she remembered high school, the nights she laid wide awake memorizing organ recitals, the tiresome early morning classes in medical school, the smile she portrayed as she was handed her medical degree.

Everything has leaded her to this.

Of course Edward had a large hand in it as well.

One hour and 25 minutes later, the operation was finished. Bella would have felt drained but instead she felt thrilled. She had done it. She couldn't keep the smile off her face, thank god for the mask. When the patient was sewn up, the nurses applauded for them.

"That was great Dr Swan" Edward replied. He turned towards Bella and outstretched his hands to congratulate. Bella looked at his beautiful and sincere smile and then to his hand. The gesture was simple, but it made her heart swell. At least he cared. Bella smiled at him and then placed her hand in his. "Thank you" she replied quietly. They stood there staring at each other and their hands for a long moment.

Nothing was said. But for a brief second Bella thought she had seen something in his eyes.

Sadness.

She could be wrong, right?

Words spread out faster. As soon as Bella was out of the OR, she was congratulated by the other interns and the nurses that she had befriended. They hugged and cheered for her. She then called Carlisle and told him about her first operation.

When Bella was younger, often she was asked about what she wanted to be when grows up. While her friends would tease and say she would be a Miss World, scientist or vampire, she knew exactly what she wanted to be. She has always been curious about human body. Carlisle being a surgeon himself proved to be an advantage. There were times when Bella couldn't understand her Biology homework, but it was never a problem since Carlisle was always there to teach her. Ever since then he has been her idol, her inspiration. She wanted to be like him one day and so when the time arrived, she didn't think twice before going into Medical.

It was probably the happiest day of her life. The happiness weighed out more when Carlisle and Esme congratulated her and sang proud words. She thought about Alice and Rosalie, they would be equally happy for her. She decided that they would go Port Angeles and celebrate the night. They were to visit one of the bars on the following week but now with this news, there couldn't be any better time. She was planning to surprise them, when she thought she heard someone familiar.

She came to stop as she heard the man speak again.

"You are such a filthy fucker. I can't believe this."

Jasper? What was he doing here? Bella thought. She could hear him from the secluded corner of 4th floor. She tiptoed towards the room and peeked.

"I swear I thought she was a lesbian. She denied everyone, even me and she let you touch her...tsk tsk."

"Well brother, you should just agree that you are loosing your charms." The other man hushed. From where Bella was standing, she could only see the shadow of the man. Who was he and what were they talking about?

"I think I should just stop betting against you altogether, you are stealing all my money away." Jasper groaned and the other man laughed. Wait. Why did the laugh sound familiar? Bella thought again.

"Here take your money." Jasper handed a black briefcase towards the man. The man opened the bag and Bella's eyes widened. She had never seen such huge amount of money in her entire life. The man closed the briefcase and then started to walk away. Bella immediately hid behind the door. When the man walked towards the door, he stopped in the spot. Bella thought he had seen her there.

Her heart started to pound furiously.

The man though turned towards Jasper and Bella almost gasped. Almost.

She clutched her hand to her mouth at the right moment.

It was Edward.

"And Jasper?" He called back.

His voice was sharp like a knife and his eyes were the most dangerous green as he said the four words "Stay away from her."

And then he walked away.

Bella stood there dumbfound. What had just happened? Before she could think what she was doing, she walked into the room and came face to face with Jasper.

"How do you know Edward?" Bella asked.

Jasper was startled when he saw Bella but after he realized that she has listened to their conversation, he smirked at her. I swear I will seal that mouth with a needle if he smirks again Bella thought in her mind.

"Well why...He is my aunt's son or you could say my cousin." Jasper smiled the most irritating smile and Bella's mouth hung open.

Jasper and Edward were cousins?

Jasper laughed at her stunned face and then walked towards Bella. He cupped his hands and held her cheeks. Bella shook his hands away from her.

"Oh Bella, you amuse me." Jasper sighed. Bella glared at him.

"Edward is so clever. I can't believe he trapped me in my own game." Jasper shook his head in disapproval. "You thought he was interested in you?" he raised his eyebrows at her and gave her a pitiful look.

"We had a bet of 10m dollars."

"I thought it was the easiest bet, knowing how less interest you showed towards the male doctors in the hospital. But I should have known better. You had been pinning for Edward from the very start."

"What bet?" Bella asked in a low menacing voice.

"A bet on getting you laid." Jasper winked, his blonde curls wriggled in the air as he shook with laughter.

"He won my 10million dollars!!" Jasper exclaimed and hissed "snaky bastard" under his breathe. "He knew...he bloody knew I was flattering Caius to win the operation!! And you?"

He pointed his finger at Bella and said "You had to go to him to get me out...NO you had to sleep with him to get me out? Fuck! you are such dirty wh-"

Bella clutched on his shirt collar and growled "Complete it and this will be your last day on Earth." her brown orbs challenged Jasper.

"You have no idea who you are playing with Isabella Cullen" Jasper replied in low tone but the warning was still visible in his eyes.

"Do whatever the fuck you wanna do" Bella snarled.

"You are going to pay for this" Jasper threatened.

"We will see" Bella challenged with her eyes and then turned away from him to walk out of the room. She stopped on the exit door and said "Oh and tell your fucking brother to never cross my path again or else I will kill him with my bare hands"

As soon as she was far from Jasper's presence, her defenses crumbled. Her shoulder slouched and her breath hitched. She bit on the inside of her cheeks to stop the tears that were threatening to shower. She clenched her eyes shut and his melodic voice rang out in her ears....

"I am only Edward for you."

"I like watching you ...you are very fascinating to me"

"You are too pretty to be another face in the crowd."

"You look beautiful as usual"

"Sleep with me"

She felt dizzy, everything was spinning around.

She had to get away.

She was walking. She could feel all eyes on her, but instead of the pride of her accomplishment, she saw pity. Everything was haunting her, taunting her.

An image flashed behind her eyes.

She remembered the moment when they were joined together. In that second she had an epiphany. She felt like her life was like a disoriented puzzle. All sorrows and pain was on one side of the puzzle and all happiness and bliss was on the other where there was Edward and Bella only. She wished that the puzzle pieces never meet. She had cried out his name in the darkness because of the pleasure and the pain she had felt in that moment. She remembered his shaky voice calling her to him. She had never felt this joyous, this complete. For that one moment she had forgotten his condition, the consequences and all that was left was the feel of having him tied to her.

And now remembering that moment, it made her fall apart.

She had to get away.

Everything Edward had told her was a lie. She felt used, sick and disgusted.

It was not long before Alice got the news. She had heard about Bella's first operation from other workers in the hospital. She was so happy for Bella that she couldn't resist to wait and applaud for her. She wanted to cheer and hug her and tell she always knew she would make it.

She escaped from her hourly routine and went in search of Bella.

When she found her, she was surprised to find Jasper with her. Both of them were huddled in a secluded corner in the 4th floor. She saw Jasper laughing at something Bella had said. Her hazel eyes focused on his hands on her cheeks. They were standing close to each other and whispering in a low tone. She watched as Bella clutched on Jasper's collar and pulled him closer to her.

Alice felt a tug in her chest. A single tear rolled down her cheeks.

Why Bella? Alice whispered as she walked away, with broken pieces of her heart.

Too bad she never waited to see the rest.

Next chapter you get to hear Edward's story

Thanks to all of you for the awesome reviews: D

Love you all

-selfishkiss