Page 131 of Player Misconduct
I can feel the room closing in, the walls pressing tighter with every word.
This is it.
This is the moment where everything I've worked for—every late night, every exam, every patient I've saved—comes down to a single decision.
And I know what I have to do.
"If I don't contest the allegations," I say, my voice cutting through the tension like a blade, "and I accept whatever disciplinary action the board decides—would that prevent you from escalating this to the NHL or recommending sanctions against the team?"
The room goes still.
Dr. Pierce's eyes narrow slightly, her gaze sharp and assessing. "You're offering to accept a penalty without a hearing?"
"Yes," I say, my voice steady now, resolute. "As long as this stays off the ice. As long as the team isn't punished for my mistakes. This would save time and resources for both the board and my insurance company. I think this could be an agreeable outcome."
Richard turns to me, his expression somewhere between shock and frustration. "Dr. Hensen, I would strongly advise against—"
"I know what I'm doing," I say quietly, not looking at him. "This is my choice."
Dr. Pierce exchanges a look with her colleagues, a silent conversation passing between them that I can't read.
Finally, she speaks, but she seems intrigued by my offering. "You're currently not working with the team?"
"I've stepped down temporarily with the GM's agreement," I confirm. "In the best interest of the players and the organization. I don’t want them dragged into this mess if it can be further avoided. These players have worked their entire lives to play at this level."
Her eyes focus deeper on me, her eyes darting again down to my belly. "And you're prepared to accept whatever penalties we impose?"
"Yes."
Another long silence.
Then Dr. Pierce closes the file, her expression unreadable. "We'll take your request under consideration. We'll have another hearing after we’ve had time to process the information at hand and the information you’ve provided today. We’ll have our decision at the next hearing in a week."
"Thank you," I say, my voice barely above a whisper.
A week longer of ignoring Aleksi feels like a lifetime. The ache of missing him is growing stronger everyday, but I can’t risk it. I can’t risk him trying to do what he does best… protect me.
The rain starts the moment I step outside.
Not a drizzle. A downpour.
Of course.
Richard holds the door for me, his expression tight, disapproving. "You didn't have to do that."
"I did," I say, my voice flat.
"You could've fought this," he says, following me down the steps. "You were a doctor who helped save a passenger's life on a flight. The board might have seen the extenuating circumstances of how you and Mäkelin’s relationship started. They might have been lenient."
I shake my head, pulling my jacket tighter around me even though it's already soaked through. "It's not worth the risk if it drags him down too. I can give up my license quietly. It's my best option to protect him. The board has to answer for this…and I want something in return. If we can make an agreement where we both get what we want, I’ll take it."
He stops, studying me with an expression I can't quite read. "This isn't just some player you slept with once, is it?"
My throat tightens, and I force myself to meet his gaze. "No. He's… everything. But I never would have given us a chance if we hadn't been stuck in that motel. He's protected me ever since that night. This is my chance to do the same for him."
Richard nods slowly, his expression softening just a fraction. "It's not the road I would've advised, but good luck, Dr. Hensen. I’ll see you next week at the decision hearing."
"Thank you," I say, and I mean it.
