HEALING HANDS (Bayley x OC)

The Surgeon's Domain and First Impressions

Dr. Jade Storm strode down the hospital corridor with purpose, her lab coat billowing slightly behind her as she navigated the bustling environment with practiced ease. The pristine white walls, the smell of antiseptic, the soft beeping of machines-these were the constants in her life, the foundation upon which she had built her career. Medicine was her calling, and she had answered it with unwavering dedication.

At thirty-four, Jade was at the top of her field, a celebrated surgeon known for her unerring precision in the operating room and her steely focus under pressure. Colleagues respected her, patients trusted her, and the hospital administration valued her. She was the kind of surgeon who didn't make mistakes, who never let emotions interfere with the job at hand. That was the key, she believed-detachment.

But while Jade had excelled professionally, her personal life was virtually nonexistent. She often told herself that love and relationships were luxuries she couldn't afford, not with the endless hours she devoted to her work. Friends had drifted away over the years, tired of her perpetual absences and last-minute cancellations. Her parents, too, had long given up asking when she'd settle down or if she was seeing anyone. Jade's world revolved around the hospital, and she was content with that. Or so she thought.

Today, however, something felt different. A subtle tension hung in the air as she walked towards the patient wing, a feeling she couldn't quite shake. Her eyes skimmed the chart in her hands, her brow furrowing slightly as she read the name.

Pamela Rose Martinez.

The name was familiar, though not from any medical file she'd encountered before. Jade paused mid-stride, her brain searching for the connection. It clicked a moment later.

WWE Superstar Bayley.

She wasn't much of a wrestling fan, but she knew enough to recognize Bayley's name. Bayley was one of the most popular figures in professional wrestling, a charismatic performer known for her athleticism and undeniable connection with fans. Jade remembered hearing colleagues talk about her, and even catching glimpses of her matches when friends had hosted wrestling nights on occasion. It was impossible to miss Bayley's presence in the pop culture zeitgeist.

The news on the chart, however, was grim. Bayley had sustained a serious injury during a particularly brutal match the night before-her shoulder had been dislocated, and there was a suspected tear in her rotator cuff. She'd been rushed to the hospital immediately after the event, and Jade had been assigned as her attending surgeon. The surgery had gone well, but the road to recovery would be long and arduous. Jade was all too familiar with the challenges of such an injury-physical therapy, the risk of re-injury, and the possibility of long-term damage.

As she approached Bayley's room, Jade felt an unexpected flutter of nerves. It was unusual for her; she never felt nervous before meeting a patient. But something about this case unsettled her, a nagging feeling that this wouldn't be just another routine recovery. Shaking off the thought, she pushed open the door to the private room and stepped inside

The room was dimly lit, a soft golden hue casting long shadows on the walls. The familiar scent of antiseptic filled the air, mingling with the sterile coolness of the hospital. Jade's gaze immediately found Bayley, who lay still in the hospital bed, her face pale and her body tense beneath the covers. An IV line snaked from her arm, and her left shoulder was heavily bandaged, immobilized to prevent further injury.

Bayley's normally lively, expressive face was drawn with pain, her dark hair tousled on the pillow. She was a shadow of the confident, vibrant woman Jade had seen on television-this version of Bayley was vulnerable, almost fragile. Jade felt a pang of empathy.

Clearing her throat softly, Jade stepped closer to the bed, her voice gentle yet authoritative. "Bayley?"

The woman stirred slightly at the sound of her name, her eyes fluttering open as she blinked groggily. For a moment, she looked disoriented, her gaze unfocused as it traveled around the room. Then, her eyes landed on Jade, recognition flickering in their depths.

"Doctor?" Bayley rasped, her voice hoarse and tinged with exhaustion.

"Yes," Jade replied, pulling up a chair beside the bed. "I'm Dr. Jade Storm. You dislocated your shoulder during your match, and it looks like there may be some damage to your rotator cuff as well. We'll need to monitor that closely, but the surgery went well."

Bayley winced as she shifted in the bed, her face contorting in pain. "Dislocated... rotator cuff," she repeated, her voice trailing off as if the words themselves were heavy. "How bad is it?"

"It's serious," Jade said honestly, her gaze steady on Bayley's face. "You're looking at several months of rehabilitation, at the very least."

The news seemed to hit Bayley like a physical blow. She closed her eyes, letting out a slow, shaky breath. "Months?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I have matches lined up. I can't just..."

"You can and you will," Jade interrupted, her tone firm but kind. "I understand your career is important, but your health has to come first. If you push yourself too hard, you could risk permanent damage."

Bayley's eyes snapped open, her expression hardening as she stared at Jade. "I've been wrestling for over a decade," she said, her voice low and intense. "This is my life. My job is to push through the pain."

Jade held her gaze, unflinching. "I know you're tough," she said quietly. "But this is different. If you don't give your body the time it needs to heal, you could lose more than just a few months in the ring. You could lose your career."

For a long moment, they stared at each other in silence, the weight of Jade's words hanging heavy in the air. Bayley's jaw clenched, and she looked away, her eyes focusing on a spot on the far wall. "I hate being benched," she muttered, more to herself than to Jade.

"I can imagine," Jade replied, her tone softening. "But it's not forever. With the right treatment and rehab, you'll be back in the ring before you know it."

Bayley's lips twitched in a humorless smile. "Easier said than done."

Jade studied her for a moment, noting the tension in her posture, the way her fingers gripped the edge of the blanket tightly. Bayley was clearly someone who thrived on action, on being in control of her body and her life. Now, all of that had been taken away from her in an instant. Jade could understand that frustration, that feeling of helplessness.

"You're a fighter," Jade said softly. "You'll get through this."

Bayley's gaze flicked back to Jade, her brown eyes searching the doctor's face as if trying to gauge the sincerity behind her words. After a beat, she raised an eyebrow, a small smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. "You watch wrestling?"

The question caught Jade off guard, and she felt a slight blush creep up her neck. "I've seen a few matches," she admitted, trying to keep her tone casual. "Mostly with friends. You're hard to miss."

Bayley chuckled softly, though the movement seemed to cause her some discomfort. "Yeah, well, I don't know how hard I'll be to miss after this," she said, her voice tinged with bitterness. "Rehab is going to be brutal, isn't it?"

Jade nodded. "It won't be easy," she said honestly. "But with the right team and your dedication, you'll make it through."

The two women exchanged a look, and in that moment, something shifted between them. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but Jade felt it-a connection, a mutual understanding of what it meant to fight through pain, to sacrifice for the sake of something bigger than yourself. She hadn't expected to feel such a connection with Bayley, but there it was, quietly simmering beneath the surface.

As Jade rose to leave, she found herself lingering by the door, her hand resting on the frame. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask," she said, her voice softer than usual.

Bayley gave her a small nod, her expression unreadable. "Thanks, Doc."