Title: Bridge Over Troubled Water

Author: TU

Rating: R

Disclaimer: I don't own House, MD or any of the characters on the show. All the original characters are mine.

Summery: A new patient holds many surprises for House and his team.

Author's Notes: I know there actually is a professional Lacrosse League but I couldn't think of their name so I made Alex's team up. Also, I don't know if Lacrosse is played at the Pan Am Games, Olymics or Junior Olympics, but they are for the sake of this story/chapter.

Most of Alex's medical problems are based of my own medical problems. This story WILL deal with some controversial medical and social issues. If this bothers you, I'm sorry. But they are things I feel need to be talked about. Any and all comments are welcome.

Alex smiled for what seemed like the millionth time. He hated these meet and greets when the press were invited. What had started out as a demo and workshop session had spun into an all out media frenzy. As yet another camera crew go in his face for an interview, he sighed. He loved playing Lacrosse, and was lucky enough to be getting paid to play. But sometimes, he wished he were just like everyone else in the world. Alex gave his fake smile as yet another bleach blond reporter got ready to ask him the same questions that ten reports before her had asked.

" Eileen Apple, channel 6. Alex Reed, what's it like being the youngest Professional Lacrosse player in the United States?" she asked him.

"Well, Eileen, I feel very lucky to be able to play such a great sport. Lacrosse is such an under promoted sport that events like this are key to it's future. I think that it helps the kids think of taking it up to see someone close to their age who plays." Alex said smiling.

"Alex, you and your team have recently been plagued with a lot of injures. Do you feel this will hurt your chances in the up coming Pan Am Games?"

"Lacrosse is a dangerous sport, Eileen. People get injure in this sport. No more than any other sport. I think that we are healing nicely and should be in top shape for the games." Alex said.

"Alex, on a more personal note. What advice do you have for young athletes who, like yourself are approached to play Pro sports at such a young age?" She asked.

Alex paused and smiled at the camera." Well, Eileen, I think the best advice I can give is to sit down and talk it over with you family. Really way the pros and cons and just take your time in deciding. There is always time to play your sport. I think it's up to each athlete to chart the best career path for themselves."

"Alex, do you ever regret not having a 'normal' childhood? I mean you began playing Prof. At 12." She asked him.

"I'd be lying if I said that I didn't miss something's. But I feel that I made the right decision for me." Alex nodded to the team trainer who was waveing him over." I'm sorry but I'm need for the Demo. It was nice talking to you Mrs. Apple."

"Thank you for your time, Alex. This is Eileen Apple, live form Foster Field, for Channel 6." She said signing off.

Alex ran over to where the team trainer Jake was standing.

"Giving yet another vague interview, Alex?" Jake asked slapping him on the back as he handed Alex his gear.

"Yea, I don't get it. There are other players they could talk to. Why is it that they all hunt me down?' Alex said swinging the bag onto his shoulder.

"Your young, your hot, your news." Jake said smiling down at him." Trust me kid, in a few years they'll be ignoring you for a new model."

"Thanks." Alex said walking into the locker room. Alex nodded to his fellow teammates as he found a bench and began to suit up.

"Bless my stars, it's Alex Reed." A voice called out," Look every one Alex Reed is here. He's just the hottest hottie."

The team began laughing. Alex grabbed a towel and threw it at the speaker. "Shut up, Danny.

"Oh ,come on. You know you love it." Danny said dropping his stuff next to Alex's.

Alex rolled his eyes and began taping his wrist. Danny was a joke. But he was the best roommate you could ask for. Danny was the only family Alex really had. He was one of the few people who knew about Alex's history. Alex sighed as he wrapped his wrist. There was something no one wanted to know about, thought he long to share his pain. Alex grabbed his jersey and threw it on. Alex grinned as Danny rummaged in his bag.

"Reed!" a gruff voice bellowed across the room." How you feeling today?"

Alex popped his head around the corner to see the short man who had yelled at him. "Good, Coach." He said.

"Good as in, I can play the whole game if you need me. Or good, it's a four or five day."

"Whole game, Coach." Alex could feel Danny and Jake staring at him.

Alex smiled as the Coach walked away. He could feel both Danny and Jake's eyes on him. He turned to look at them. Both had worried looks on their faces. Alex sighed. It was true that lately he had been having more problems then usual. Truth be told he was a little worried.

'I'm fine." He said reassuringly to both.

"I don't like this, Alex." Jake said, "I know the doctor cleared you but something's wrong. You shouldn't be having this much trouble. I want you to get out of the game if anything, and I mean anything starts hurting."

Alex nodded and grabbed his stuff. As he made his way to the field, he was only half listening to his teammates. Jake was right. Something had to be wrong. Alex was only 16. 16 year olds bodies didn't in a since begin breaking don. Alex knew that he shouldn't be in this much agony. Pain was something he lived with every day. True, he played a contact sport, but his injures didn't add up. Alex knew that most people when they got hurt would bruise and be sore for a few days. His bruises lasted for weeks and the pain never really went away. Alex had learned to deal with his pain. Channel it away. He didn't want to take any more drugs than he had to. Drugs, he knew from experience were a world of trouble.

Alex smiled as he exited the tunnel onto the field. The bleachers were packed with player, reps, coaches, and media. Alex began to warm up. He was half listening to the announcers.

"Ladies and gentleman, welcome to this expiation game between your PPTH Hyenas and the New York Thunder. Today's expiation is brought to you by.."

Alex tuned them out as the team began to toss the ball back and forth. Alex's mind shut everything else out. His sole focus was on the ball.

The game begins like any other. Alex sped up and down the field. He was in the zone. His passes flew like clockwork. As the second half began, Alex felt a slight pinch in his left calf. He ignored it as he gabbed some water and got ready to play. As the game went it turned into a dull ache. In the last seconds of the game, Alex jumped to catch a ball. As he flung the ball in the air, one of the Hyenas's slammed into him. Alex hit the ground. The pain in this calf exploded. Alex moaned as Jake ran onto the field. He just lay there for a monument and tried to get up. A sharp intense pain shot up his left leg. Alex knew he was going to spend the night at the ER. Jake was at his side, just as Alex pulled off his helmet.

"Were does it hurt?" Jake asked after seeing Alex's face.

"Left leg, my calf." Alex said as his teammates helped him up. Alex waved to the crowd as he made his way to the bench. Jake immediately began to rub his leg, trying to find any knots or kinks. Alex hissed as Jake did this. The look on Jake's face told Alex all he needed to know.

"This needs looked at." Jake said. "There's a hospital just down the street. We need to get you over there and get some X-Ray's."

Alex nodded. Just as he thought, another fun night in the ER. Alex grimaced in pain as Danny and Jake each grabbed an arm and helped him up. Some how, Alex knew that this was not good. Little did he know that his whole life was about to change.