Disclaimer: All rights belong to Fox and David Shore.
Author's Note: This chapter has been modified since its original publication. Special thanks to my beta TwiSagaAddict.

***

Spring 2002

It was during one of Jake's trips back to Cambridge when one of his advisors introduced him to a French geneticist named Dr. Coulier. While Jake enjoys hacking computer systems, medicine is his first love. In fact, he is on track to graduate with a degree in both computer engineering and biochemistry in two years. He believes that the mystery of human physiology is locked in the human genome so when given the opportunity to meet Cambridge's renowned geneticist, he was simply awed. Dr. Coulier has read one of Jake's term paper on using mathematics and computers in solving medical problems. The eccentric Frenchman agreed with Jake's hypothesis and was eager to meet the young computer protégé. Coulier was surprised to learn that Jake isn't only a pre-med student, but also fluent in French. They conversed with each other in French and discussed Coulier's research project on human genome. Later that night, Jake called his Mom and excitedly recounted his lunch with the world-renowned geneticist. He beamingly told his Mom that he's been invited to join Coulier's team on an internet processing projects. Although, Jake will be doing more of the mathematical and computer side of the project, he thought it would be a great experience to be a part of a medical research team. Lisa was both excited and apprehensive about Jake's news. She always knew that her son was special but that doesn't stop her from worrying that Jake will have to stay on campus by himself. Jake assured his Mom and he'd be alright—reminded her that he'd be fifteen in a few months.

***

It was a chilly early morning and the sun has yet to rise; Charlie Mitchell, a member of Cambridge varsity rowing crew has carefully brought his boat by the river. He's been practicing by himself for a week now since his partner Spence has torn his rotator cuff. Spence will be undergoing surgery in a few days and is definitely out for the season. The Oxford-Cambridge boat race is still a few months away and Charlie mulls over his fate. He is anxious of the possibility of getting a new partner or simply being assigned to another crew. He's so deep in thought that he didn't realize that his oars had hit another boat.

"Hey, watch where you going!" shouted the blue-eyed young man.
Charlie immediately snaps out of his deep thoughts and mumbles his apologies.
"I am so sorry chum. Are you okay?" as Charlie extends his hand.
"I'm fine, but I think you may have put a ding over this loaner boat."
"As long as I haven't punctured her, I think I can easily repair that. Did you say she's a loaner? If it's from Rory, I'd bet you a pint of Guinness that it has more dings than you and I can care to count"
"Yeah, I got her from McMichael's, he's the only shop that opens this early"
"That old buggard has to open while its dark or else his customers will see how awful his boats are. Anyway, my name is Charlie Mitchell."
"Mine's Cuddy, you can call me Jake."
"Pleasure meeting you Jake. Is that an American accent that I detect?"
"Yeah, just a good ol' American boy."
"I haven't seen you around, are you new on campus?"
"Yeah, just moved in a few weeks ago."
"Have you been rowing awhile?"
"Only a few years."
"Which club do you row for?"
Jake shrugs, shakes his head, and replies, "I just like rowing. It helps clears my mind."
Charlie couldn't believe what he just heard. He immediately extends Jake an invitation to be his practice partner. With a nod and a shrug, Jake and Charlie's rowing partnership began.

Jake has never played team sports in his young life. For one, he was never in one school long enough nor did he ever had the opportunity to interact with peers his own age—the price of being a genius. Shortly after Jake agreed to be Charlie's practice partner, he learned that Charlie was a member of the varsity team. Charlie immediately saw Jake's potential and dared him to try out for the varsity crew. Never the one to turn away from a challenge, Jake tried out and easily won a spot in Cambridge's prestigious rowing team.

It was months after Jake joined the varsity crew that Charlie (and the rest of the team) realized that Jake was only fifteen years old. Alarmed by Jake's relatively young age, the coach designated him second alternate in the coxed eight crew. Jake was initially disappointed at not being able to compete but he kept himself preoccupied by another big event on campus—The Infectious Diseases Conference. Jake had heard that one of his Mom's colleagues would be one of the keynote speakers at the conference. When Jake mentioned to his Mom that he's looking forward to hearing Dr. House's speech, Cuddy immediately re-arranged her plans to ensure that she accompanied House for the entire duration of his trip. Instead of arriving early in the week as she initially planned, Cuddy arrived mid-week with House. Ever since they arrived in town, House observed that Cuddy was constantly on the phone with someone. When he noticed the look of disappointment in Cuddy's face after one of her mysterious phone calls, House tried to cheer Cuddy up by inviting her for a walk around the university campus. "So, your date backed out on you, Cuddles?" It was more of a remark rather than a question from House. Cuddy simply nodded as she recalled her son informing her that a couple of his crewmates came down with the flu hence, the team was calling-in all alternates to be ready for competition.

When Charlie's second partner collapsed from exhaustion a day before competition, the coach finally agreed to let Jake take over as Charlie's third partner. Both Jake and Charlie shattered the speed record for the coxless pair and won the competition. By the end of the week, an excited Jake thought it would be great to surprise his Mom with a visit. On the other hand, House also had a brilliant plan of inviting himself to Cuddy's room after the conference. When House realized that Cuddy was taking a bath, he decided to make himself comfortable by sprawling on her bed. As Jake was about to knock on her Mom's door, he heard his Mom screaming. Jake kicked the door open and found House's hand wrapped around Cuddy's mouth. Jake yelled at House to let her go. As House let go of Cuddy to explain the situation, Jake quickly punched House in the face. Seeing blood gushing all over House's face, Cuddy screamed at her son to stop hurting his father. Both House and Jake immediately looked at her with the same shocked expression on their faces.
Jake stammered asking, "he's my what?"