The Journey Home:The Michael Alan Quartermaine Str

by SwingDancer

Story begins with Michael waking up from his coma in 2009 and goes AU from there, what would have happened if Michael had woken up with no memories of growing up in the mob and instead as a Quartermaine prince raised by Alan and Monica. Journey to discovr

1. Chapter 1

The Journey Home: The Michael Alan Quartermaine Story

Disclaimer: I do not own General Hospital, if I did this would be the storyline and Michael will always be played by Chad Duell, and he would never have ANY mob ambitions! Also that he would have been raised by the Quartermaines, would have never gone to prison, and would live at the Quartermaine mansion. OH and Michael (Chad) would be shirtless more often!

I am always looking for positive feedback and collaboration so please drop me a line, and most of all writing assistance. Also I have SO many other ideas for GH and Michael stories, so please drop me a line, message, carrier pigeon, I would love to collaborate on a piece of fan fiction.

There are a few things that everyone must know about my story:

First and foremost, Alan, Justice, and Georgie never died, and Emily was put into a coma, I have not decided yet if she is going make an appearance.

Ned and Brooklyn are still living at the Quartermaine mansion, she is 21-22 years old and is working at Crimson, Ned is still an Executive at ELQ.

Justus Ward is of course still living in the mansion with his daughter Justine "Zoey" Ward (Played by Dana Davis of Franklin and Bash) she is studying law and following in her father's footsteps.

Georgie and Dillon are together and are 19 and 20 years old respectfully, and are still living in Port Charles, Mac is Maxie (age 23-24) and Georgie's biological father.

Brooklyn, Dillion, Zoey, and Michael are all Jason's G-d children, sure after the accident their parents may have appointed someone else, but they have always had this bond with him and have remained his connection to the Quartermaines. Over the years, Jason has gone a step further by making sure that Brooklyn, Dillon, and Zoey, had full access to Michael to play and hang out with to ensure that they kept their bond as cousins strong and intact. They have kept in touch and are very tight, Michael is very close with them and leans on them.

Sonny is Molly's biological father, she is 13 same age as Morgan and they are tight.

It is April 2009, the night that many prayed for

The night shift at General Hospital usually saw the most action, hell, fire, and rain does not even begin to describe what the staff saw every night, after all its only after dark when you really don't know what will crashing through those doors. One year ago on this night, the hero of our story came crashing through those very doors lying on a gurney clinging to life.

But our story begins away from the chaos of rushing gurneys and doctors crying out for blood, medicine, and the mercy of G-d. Walk past the trauma rooms and take the elevator up to the 5th floor, take a left and go down the hallway. Almost instantly, you can sense a change in the atmosphere. There you will find the air is still, an eerie silence has kept hold of hospital room 501 for the past year. That silence has only been broken by those that have kept a constant vigilance over the bedside of the young boy that lies in that hospital room, they have spoken, sang, and prayed, and in the case of his Grandfather, who has spent every night reading to him for hours at end. And by they, I mean his mother a Jax, Quartermaine Granparents, an adopted mob father, and a film student, singer, and law student for cousins (oh my) . Who may you ask is in that room, that has drawn such an eclectic audience? There in that room lies Michael Corrinthos the III or Michael Alan Quartermaine, depending on which side of his family you ask. You see a long time ago a baby was born to the Quartermaines, there was a question of paternity and then came a nasty custody fight that took him away from his family and gave him to….. well that is a story for another day, for it no longer matters as it is in the past. What matters now is that we return to the present where three people are keeping watch over the little boy, ney young man that they have already lost out on so much with.

As the young prince slept soundly in his bed, he was surrounded by his grandparents Alan and Monica Quartermaine, and his Great Grandfather Edward Quartermaine. Of all of those that have visited the young prince, they have kept the most constant of vigil, spending everyday staying by his bedside. Edward would read him the minutes from the latest ELQ board meeting, censoring the moments were bickering or petty arguments broke out. Of course Michael did not need to hear about those things, but Edward insisted that Michael be kept up to date on the latest events at ELQ, so that when he awoke he would be able to reclaim his inheritance. "And therefore with ELQ stocks up at the end of the quarter, we will continue with the already agreed upon financial agenda set at the beginning of the fiscal quarter." Edward finished reading from the minutes and then gazed at Michael. Despite the good news of a positive new year for ELQ, Michael had not even stirred. Edward exhaled in frustration, and shook his head.

The reason they have kept their vigilance and have never given up hope is that Michael is their only grandchild. The Quartermaines had fought for years to bring Michael home, and unfortunately it took a nearly fatal gunshot to his precious head for them to finally win in court. When Monica had over heard that Jax had convinced Carly to commit Michael to a long term care institution, they decided that they were up for one more court battle to save their grandson. Justice Ward went before Judge Anderson arguing that medical decisions that needed to be made should made by those who not only had Michael's best interest at heart, but also had the medical knowledge and resources to give him the best care. Diane did not even stand a chance, Judge Anderson agreed and granted full custody and power of attorney of Michael Corrinthos Quartermaine to his Grandparents Alan and Monica. That meant that Michael was not going anywhere and that he was now General Hospital and Patrick Drake's FIRST priority. The best suite and the best staff members were mobilized to give Michael the best round the clock care that money could buy. His vitals went up, and his condition improved as a result, yet he still did not awaken.

We again return to what has become the "Endless Night", where we find that Alan has finished reading another chapter of the "Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King". While Michael has slept Alan has read to him for hours at end going through every modern and literally classic, from Harry Potter, to the Three Musketeers, and now Lord of the Rings. Alan would even sneak in a few chapters of the New England Journal of Medicine, just to further stimulate his grandson's young mind.

Monica watched as Alan finished reading for the night and squeezed his hand, to further encourage him and but most of all to give him hope. At this point all they had was hope, Patrick had just performed a new breakthrough surgery and Michael had come through with flying colors. There had been indications that Michael was starting to come out of the coma, by breathing on his own and no longer requiring a ventilator. It was just the other night when Michael had inhaled and exhaled his first breath on his own for the first time in over a year without the need for machines. There were more signs that this Endless Night, was almost over, he had squeezed Monica's hand tightly.

Where has the starlight gone?

Dark is the day

How can I find my way home?

Camera panned over Michael sleeping peacefully in Bed

Home is an empty dream

Lost to the night

Father, I feel so alone

Alan brushed his hand over Michael's bandaged head, touching the harsh reminders that while they were protecting and helping him recover from surgery , they still covered his once beautiful dark blonde hair, that had to be shaved off for the surgery…..

Wanting so much to touch his grandson's golden hair and look into his beautiful blue eyes.

You promised you'd be there

Whenever I needed you

Whenever I call your name

You're not anywhere

I'm trying to hold on

Just waiting to hear your voice

One word, just a word will do

To end this nightmare

Monica inhaled, exhaled and squeezed Michael's hand again, this time he actually squeezed back. Monica smiled through her tears, "He squeezed my hand," Edward smiled and looked hopefully at Michael. Alan too smiled and tried to look hopeful, but then reality and medical knowledge sets in, "Monica, you know that it is just a muscle reflex"

When will the dawning break

Oh endless night

Sleepless I dream of the day

The past year had been nothing short of pure hell for them, day after day night after night, they would sit beside Michael, hoping and waiting for the day he would awaken.

When you were by my side

Guiding my path

Father, I can't find the way

Initially, Sonny and Carly visited Michael in the hospital, but when Monica and Alan took custody, Sonny and Carly began to back off, and as time passed move on.

You promised you'd be there

Whenever I needed you

Whenever I call your name

You're not anywhere

Carly and Jax had built a new house, and Jax was in the process of adopting Morgan, now they were expecting a new baby. Sonny had married Claudia, 'in order to keep the peace', but now rumors were beginning to circulate that she was now pregnant, so this was becoming more than just a simple business arrangement. Still Monica and Alan stayed by Michael's side, unlike his 'parents' they could not move on.

How could they, when Michael was all they had left.

I'm trying to hold on

Just waiting to hear your voice

One word, just a word will do

To end this nightmare

Night after Night, they would hesitate to leave him, it's always "What if he awakens after we leave, and he is all alone or worse Sonny is by his side" Just a sign, a word to keep them going, to show that this nightmare was almost over.

I know that the night must end

And that the sun will rise

And that the sun will rise

That's when it happened

I know that the clouds must clear

And that the sun will shine

And that the sun will shine

Michael began to stir, Alan called out to him "Michael squeeze my hand if you can hear me"

LONG PAUSE

SQUEEZE

"Michael please again"

SQUEEZE

I know that the night must end

And that the sun will rise

And that the sun will rise

I know that the clouds must clear

And that the sun will shine

And that the sun will shine

(Repeat to end)

Monica pleaded, "Michael please open your eyes"

I know

Yes, I know

The sun will rise

Yes, I know

I know

The clouds must clear

Michael continued to stir, as Monica, Alan, and Edward called out to him, to come out of the darkness.

I know that the night must end

I know that the sun will rise

And I'll hear your voice deep inside

"Hmmmmm" Michael moved his head and was trying to speak.

I know that the night must end

And that the clouds must clear

The sun

The sun will rise

The sun

The sun will rise

Michael's eyes fluttered open, and his sore throat, dry from not having been used in so long, uttered the two words that Monica and Alan waited so long to hear.

"Grandma, Grandpa"

Michael looked to his right where Edward was sitting and squeezed his Great Grandfather's hand "Great-Grandfather". Edward lifted his right hand and brushed along Michael's cheek, Michael weakly smiled at his grandfather.

Monica knew that she had to call in Patrick to examine him to make sure that he was ok, but she couldn't bear too, she wanted just a little more time with him before news quickly spread about Michael's miracle and she was forced to share him with people she would rather not.

Michael tried to move his arms and his legs, but seemed to be unable to,

"Why am I so stiff, I can barely move"

His grew wild as he realized that he was lying in a hospital bed hooked up to machines.

"What happened to me, why am I here?"

Michael reached up and touched his bandaged head. Alan reached and gently pulled Michael's hand down from touching his bandaged head, it was clear that Michael was becoming very frightened and panicked.

"Shhh now, its alright your safe",

Alan rubbed Michael's arm and gave Michael's hand a reassuring squeeze that he was safe and surrounded by people that loved him.

Monica handed him a glass to water to soothe his dry throat, her eyes brimmed with tears, just watching her beautiful grandchild drink water out of a plastic hospital cup, was truly amazing, she leaned back into Alan's embrace, he wrapped his arm around her waist, they promised each other, that when Michael awakened, that things would be different, this time they were going to be fully involved in his life and they were not going to lose him again to anyone, especially Sonny.

Monica and Alan just looked at each other, how would they explain to Michael what had happened and how he ended up in this hospital bed, without frightening him.

Robin was making her rounds and passed by Michael's room, she could hear Monica and Alan inside. Robin was dating Jason when Michael came into their lives, and she spent the first year of his life taking care of him, as if he was her own child. Jason had told her at the time that she had saved baby Michael by staying with him and helping to take care of him. But it was the other way around, Michael had saved Robin. After her HIV diagnosis and losing Stone, Robin had lost all hope of having a normal life and having a family, but Michael gave that back to her. Its amazing what kind of impact of baby boy can have on someone's life. Now Robin was married and had a little girl of her own, but she will always remember those times as some of the happiest of her life. Robin shook her head sighed, being a parent changes everything, and having a front row seat to Monica and Alan's daily turmoil of sitting beside Michael's bed, praying for a miracle, broke her heart. Against her better judgment, she quietly opened, hopping that maybe she could at least keep them company or bring them a cup of coffee. Monica, Alan, and Edward turned around and saw Robin peek her head through the door, that's when Robin saw that Michael was awake. She pushed the door wide open.

"MICHAEL" She cried.

On any other day Monica and Alan would have been thrilled to see Robin, but right now they wanted this situation and Michael handled with the utmost care, and raising the alarm would not help matters. They both put their hands up palms up and pushed down trying to signal to Robin to calm down, and not to make a big scene, the last thing they wanted was for Robin to frighten Michael when he perhaps was not ready to come to terms with what he had survived.

Robin rushed over to his bedside, Alan and Monica cringed, worrying that she may inadvertently hurt Michael or frighten him by her sudden movement. She pushed the on call button that was directly linked to Patrick, a pre-caution that Monica and Alan had installed. Robin just stared at him. She could not believe her eyes, Michael was alive.

Patrick burst through the door, and Robin just looked at him in disbelief.

"Michael, Welcome back"

Patrick walked into the room and began to give Michael a physical exam. Even though they were some of the top doctors in the country, Monica and Alan still held their breathes as Patrick examined Michael, now that they finally had him back, they could not lose him all over again. They needed to know that Michael's recovery was not temporary, and that Michael had truly come back to them for good.

Edward could not stop staring at his beautiful Great-Grandson, his only Great-Grandson, so of course that made Michael his favorite, when all hope was lost he never gave up, he always believed that Michael would survive and defy the odds, for no other reason than he is a Quartermaine, and that means something.

Robin could not stop gushing at Michael, it was like looking at her own child. So far Michael was passing Patrick's exam, "I am going to call Sonny"

"NO" Monica, Alan, and Edward rushed to their feet with the look of dread upon their faces, hoping to stop Robin before she ran out of the room, but they were too late. Robin flew out the door to go and call Sonny and Jason.

Just when they got him back they were going to lose him all over again, to the man they held responsible for taking him away in the first place and putting him in this hospital bed.

Alan, Edward, and Monica stood at the foot of Michael's bed, watching as Patrick used his ophthalmoscope, the small pen light to examine Michael's eyes. They spoke in hushed tones, so as to not upset Michael, or allow Patrick to over hear them.

Edward spoke first "We will not lose him to that monster again, he barely survived his last encounter."

Monica could not agree with Edward more but the more that she gazed at Michael, the more she loved him. She smiled at him and Michael smiled back. Monica made a vow, if Sonny wanted a fight, they would give him a hell of a fight, even if it meant taking Michael and leaving everything behind until he turned 18 when Sonny would no longer legally required to be a factor in Michael's life.

Patrick put his Ophthalmoscope away, and looked back at the three Quartermaines behind him, he could feel them breathing down his neck, just like they had done over the past year. Whenever he had tried to take a vacation day or run off with Robin, there were Alan and Monica 'interrogating' him about Michael's prognosis and what research was he doing to uncover new treatment options to awaken their precious grandson. For the past year he has not had a moment's peace, but even now that Michael was awake, he highly doubted that, that was going to change. Now they were looking over his shoulder and reading the notes he was making in Michael's chart and critiquing his every action. That's it Patrick had enough, this was going to stop right now, the constant badgering, calling and paging him at all hours day and night, even on the holidays. Michael was not his only patient and he was entitled to a life of his own, outside of this room. I am finally going to do it, I am going to tell them to wait outside and back off.

Patrick closed the chart and turned around to release a year's worth of frustration, by finally standing up to them. He was going to ask them to wait outside while he finished examining Michael…..

Then he takes one look that the three intimidating Quatermaine patriarch's, who were staring him down with their backs straight, arms crossed, and eyes that burned like fire if he dared tell them something that they did not want to hear. ….Then he remembers just how powerful they are and how they can ruin his life and career, and not to mention also own this hospital.

GULP Next time, I will tell them next time.

Now comes the real test.

"Michael, do you know where you are?"

"I am in the hospital, but what happened to me, will someone please tell me why I am here? Was I in an accident, did I do something wrong?"

Monica rushed over to Michael's bedside, her left hand squeezing his hand, and her right hand caressing the only part of his forehead that was not bandaged. "Shhh. No sweetheart, you did nothing wrong,

"Well then why will no one tell me what happened to me"

Monica looked right into Michael's beautiful blue eyes, seeing them shining back at her was nothing short of a miracle and she wanted nothing more to fulfill every wish and desire he had from this moment on. But at the same time, she knew the truth would shatter his innocence, much as it had shattered Jason. But she learned from her mistakes, she would not make the same mistake with Michael that she made with Jason. Her and Alan, had discussed it many times during the long nights they spent beside Michael's bedside. What would they tell him, they would tell him the truth.

But now when was a good time? Now or when Sonny showed up. Monica and Alan nodded at each other, the truth could wait just little longer. It would have too, the truth would shatter him.

For now they would enjoy their time with him and deal with Sonny when he showed up.

For the first time in a long time Michael felt safe basking in the love and attention his grandparents were showering him with. He felt safe, they had embraced him, and he knew that no matter what happened they would always take care him. Just like they always had.

With the physical exam completed and Michael having passed with flying colors. It was time to test Michael's oral and recollection skills.

Patrick held up three fingers, "Michael how many fingers am I holding"

Michael looked at his grandfather with this 'he is kidding right?' Alan chuckled, and nodded to Michael encouraging him to answer Patrick's questions, regardless of how foolish they may have sounded.

"Three"

Edward, had, had enough Patrick was asking foolish questions and not giving them any answers. "Patrick, he is getting frustrated and your upsetting him, just tell us that Michael is going to be fine, and leave so that we can spend time with him."

Michael just smiled and shook his head at his Great grandfather, never let it be said that Edward Quartermaine did not speak his mind, at all times. Michael knew all about what people had said about Edward over the years, but he did not allow himself to be swayed, he loved his great-grandfather, even though he was well aware that thanks to Edward, his life had been planned out since the day he was born. In all honesty, Michael did not mind, and if his destiny was to work at ELQ. Then he would caper diem and seize it. AFTER all his grandparents and great-grandfather, knew what was best for him, right?

Once again Patrick's stress level was reaching critical mass so if he was going down, he was going down fighting in a fire of flames.

"Michael last question, what is your full name"

That was it Patrick struck a vain! Monica, Edward, and Alan, were officially going to kill him.

But what Michael said would surprise everyone and alter the course of the lives of so many in Port Charles.

" Michael Alan Quartermaine"

Monica, Alan, and Edward, looked at Michael with pure shock, but at the same time absolute joy.

Patrick was brought to Port Charles to treat Jason Morgan (Quartermaine) and the brain trauma that he had suffered from, so brain trauma, amnesia, and the side effects were nothing new with this family. But he had to sure.

"Michael, I am being serious"

"So am I" Now Michael was getting frustrated, what was Patrick talking about, of course his last name was Quartermaine, what else could it be?

Sonny is going to kill me

what was Patrick talking about, of course his last name was Quartmaine. What else could it be?

Patrick had to know the depth and seriousness of Michael's 'condition'

"Michael who do you live with?"

Alan saw the pure terror in Michael's eyes and had enough,

"Patrick get out."

"That is it, I want to know what Patrick is talking about right now, why wouldn't my last name be Quatermaine and why would I live with anyone other than my grandparents, who not only raised me but also love me and take care of me?"

This whole time Michael was motioning with his hands to try and get them to work again, when he noticed the hospital bracelet and saw the name CORRINTHOS

Michael looked up and felt as if his world had been rocked.

At that moment Sonny and Jason burst through the doors.

Michael looked at Sonny and then at his hospital bracelet, at least Quartermaine was written somewhere.

"I want the truth right now, why does it say Corrinthos and why is HE here?

Sonny could believe what he was hearing, his guy, his son, did not know who he was and apparently hated him. He looked at Alan and Monica who were quietly observing the situation, and then at Edward who was beaming from ear to ear. Sonny was furious.

"What did you tell him?"

"We have done nothing of the sort, he remembers the truth that you stole him as a baby."

"ENOUGH" Jason shouted

Everyone stared at Jason, the attention of the room could not faze him, to him the only person in that room that mattered was Michael.

Michael whispered Jason, the only man who in his life who was ever worthy of the title of Dad.

Realizing that it is now safe, to speak up, Patrick lifted his left arm with the clipboard in it, and pointed toward the door, "EVERYBODY OUTSIDE NOW"

"I am not leaving my son"

"I refuse to leave my Great-Grandson alone with this thug"

"EVERYBODY OUT OR I AM CALLING THE POLICE"

"By all means, I am sure if you hurry Mac can haul Sonny away before lunch time."

"EVERYBODY OUT NOW OR I AM BANNING ALL VISITORS"

Patrick pushed everyone out, Jason stayed behind to watch over Michael.

Jason could not believe his eyes he was staring at his precious baby boy, his son. For so long he had considered Michael to be his son, and now that he knew the truth, that Michael was in fact his son, he was not going to waste any more time living without him. Now that Michael was awake, he was going to reclaim his beloved son.

FLASHBACK

It had been just a few short weeks after Michael had been shot and subsequently entered the coma, a week after Monica and Alan had won full custody and power of attorney over Michael and had thus instituted the new 'protective measures' for Michael. Meaning only certain members of the staff were allowed to treat him, they also had to follow STRICT medical sterilization and sanitation standards, to even be able to tend to Michael. It was quite obvious that Alan and Monica were not taking any chances and sparing no expense in Michael's care. Jason had offered himself as both guinea pig and donor, blood, tissue, organs, whatever Michael needed, he would provide. Whatever it took to awaken him. With both AJ and Emily gone, and Morgan being way to young, there was no one else to that was a DNA match, aside from him that could step in if the situation arose. He had gone to a private lab to get matched, with General Hospital's long history of gossip, DNA and paternity tests tampering, he wanted this done without the circus and fanfare. The nurse at the lab handed him the results, he opened it up and looked at them. According to the results Jason was a perfect match for Michael, because according to these results He was Michael's biological father.

"Nurse, this cannot be right"

"Mr. Morgan, according to the DNA results you are an exact match to the sample from the minor Male child that you supplied us with. DNA does not lie sir You are the boy's biological father

As soon as he left the lab, Jason drove back to Port Charles and went straight to General Hospital, and snuck in the hospital records room, and looked up Michael's medical files, he found the original court ordered paternity test that revealed that AJ was Michael's father. The results clearly stated that AJ was the father, Jason skimmed the document, and everything appeared to be correct, until Jason looked down and saw the signature at the bottom of the document, it DR. ASHER THOMAS. The Doctor that AJ had spent years blackmailing to kill Jason, tried to hypnotize Michael into believing that he had in fact killed AJ, and ultimately lead to his death, had performed the test.

AJ WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?

END OF FLASHBACK

Jason promised himself, that once Michael awoke he would tell him the truth. But looking at him right now and remembering his own experience, Michael was already dealing with so much, it would almost be cruel to do it now. Plus, he could not tell Michael before telling Monica.

Monica and Alan, how was he going to tell them, after taking Michael away then losing AJ, Michael was all that they had left of him, one last piece of their son. How was he going to tell them that since Michael was in fact his son, and AJ was now truly gone, lost to them forever…..

Looking, at Michael, his son, had he known sooner, he would have done everything different.

But there was no way to go back and change the past.

All he could do now was help Michael move forward, but he would do it as his father.

Jason was sitting down next to Michael, just smiling at him, their connection was so deep that they could have an entire conversation without saying a word.

"Jason, please tell me what is going on, and what happened to me, you promised that you would never lie to me"

"I know"

"Then why won't you tell me"

Jason, was lost for word he did not know what to say.

Just then Monica and Alan re entered the room. They were so happy to see Jason sitting there with Michael.

Michael was happy to have the people who loved him most in the world.

It was time for the Truth

With everyone seated, Jason looked at Monica and Alan and nodded to them signifying that they had to tell him now, before someone else would come in and reveal it to him without tact or sensitivity. Jason sitting on Michael's right and holding his hand, while Alan and Monica were sitting to Michael's left rubbing his back, gently touching him and comforting him reminding him of their presence.

"Michael what do you remember from before?"

Michael took a deep breath and tried to remember from before.

"I remember coming to the hospital after school wanting to see you more, but that is because your doctors and you work very hard to save lives, but does that have to do with Sonny, and why. Does my hospital bracelet say Corrinthos?"

Now that they had Michael back, Alan and Monica did not want to let him go. In their eyes forgetting his life with Sonny was a blessing, the thought of him remembering coming home and finding the body of his murdered nanny, the flying bullets, and kidnapping attempts.

When you were a baby there was a custody fight...

"I know but you won, right?"

Alan just looked at Monica and sighed the next part was going to hurt.

"No sweetheart, unfortunately we…..

Michael shook his head and screamed "STOP"

"Just answer me this, did they, my mother and Sonny raise me?"

When they did not answer him immediately, he knew that he had his answer.

This is was a lot of Michael to take in, but he needed to know, so he swallowed his fear and continued.

"How did this happen, was it, was it because of AJ, my father?"

Jason did not even know how to answer that, especially since he knew the truth

Monica exhaled and gazed up into the heavens, "Honey, there were a lot of factors that lead to the judge's decision."

Michael could not believe what he was hearing, that he was raised by the mobster, who was not even his biological father, and that Jason took a step back.

"I changed my mind, I do not want to know anymore"

Monica and Alan were almost relieved, to hear him say that, they did not want to have to fill him in on all of the details.

Michael looked at his grandparents, and he could see how much they loved him

"Didn't you want me?"

Alan, rose and rushed over to hug Michael,

"Of course we wanted you, we have wanted to have you more than anything"

Michael looked at Jason and now came time for him to ask him the most difficult question he would ever ask them.

"Why did you take me away from my grandparents, why wasn't I allowed to see them?"

Jason sighed, he knew that this day would come and Michael would ask questions about his Quartermaine family, and why Jason had done what he had done and made the decisions that he had made.

All Alan and Monica could do was stare at Jason and wait for the answer they have waited so long to hear.

"At the time I thought that I was making the decisions that were in your best interest. But I swear to you Michael that I am never going to take them from you again."

Given that Jason was a man of so few words, so while he would never be able to justify every decision he had2. made since the accident or at least the ones he that he had made in Michael's name. Jason was still a man of his word so the promise of a better future was enough for Michael.

"Thank you Jason"

Michael then embraced both of his grandparents, there was hope that the mistakes of the past would never happen again.

"I have to know Jason, what happened to me, how did I get here and now I even more afraid to ask how long have I been lying here?"

Outside in the hallway

Sonny was standing there staring at Michael through the blinds and glass of his hospital room. Ever since that dark night Sonny had prayed for the day that Michael would awaken so that he could beg for his son's forgiveness. Just like Robin, Michael had come into his life at a very dark time and had changed it for the better, all of a sudden the big bad mob boss, Sonny Corrinthos had a baby in his penthouse, which had now been made childproofed. Instead the stereotypical mob boss apartment made of chrome and glass with booze and babes, his place had over night been wired with a baby monitor that could be heard anywhere in the place, Michael's toys and clothes were thrown everywhere and greeted anybody that came over. G-d help anybody who stepped on any of Michael's toys. Sonny even had those plastic locks and plugs put on the cabinets and outlets. He still had them in there and could not figure out for the life of him how to open them. Sonny always had to have Max and Milo do it. Before Michael Sonny's life was dark, and he never thought that he would ever have children, then along came Michael, Kristina, Morgan, and Molly. Michael prepared him for fatherhood and nothing meant more to him then his kids, which was unfortunately something his enemies knew which was why he was standing there right now.

Robin heard what happened and had come to give Sonny support.

"He hates me"

Robin motioned to Sonny to just give her one minute, Sonny nodded and waved her off without losing his line of sight on Michael.

All Sonny could do was stand and watch Alan and Monica, cuddle and nuzzle him, and he was lying there basking in their love and attention.

Patrick pulled Robin aside and spoke to her in hushed tones, so as to not attract an audience.

"How is Michael?"

"He is going to be fine, all of the tests results reveal that Michael's awakening is permanent and that he is going to be just fine. There was a one a million chance that he was going to come out of this with no permanent damage, and he beat the odds"

Edward came up and intruded on their conversation, hell if someone was going to talk about his Great-Grandson without his inclusion

"Of Course he did, he is a Quartermaine, his survival instincts are a family trait, how else could he survive living with that miscreant."

Sonny was not in the mood to have a sparring match with Edward Quartermaine, but nobody talked about his kids like that.

"Patrick, give me a straight answer, what about his memory?"

Now this was something Edward wanted to hear.

"Honestly, I don't know, there have been many documented medical cases where the patient's memory loss was only temporary, or there are other cases like"

THAT is when it hit Patrick like a ton of bricks, just like Jason

"Just like what…Patrick be straight with me"

"Sonny we do not know the full extent of the mind state so I cannot compare Michael's situation to anyone else"

Now Edward had, had enough

"Patrick, OUT WITH IT"

Patrick scratched the back of his head, and gave his best medical opinion given the knowledge he had.

"Michael's current state of compares, with JASON's (everyone around him gasped and took a step back) initial condition after the car crash, it fits Michael remembers nothing from his upbringing."

Edward and Sonny began to panic, both of their lives had been changed forever in the aftermath of Jason's accident and now if Michael too suffered from the same devastating condition…..

Patrick starred at Michael through the glass as he continued, "From what I can gather right now, and this is just an initial diagnosis, Michael does not remember Sonny, or apparently being raised by Sonny, but he does remember Alan, Monica, and Jason dominantly, as if they raised him"

Robin, continued looking at the hurt in Sonny's eyes, "In his eyes, his last name is Quartermaine, he was raised by the people sitting with him in that room, and no one else, my question is what is he going to think of Carly?"

BACK AT THE JAX HOUSE 3am

Jax and Carly were sleeping in their bed, Jax's hand was resting over Carly's abdomen, where their baby was growing healthy and strong, waiting for the right moment to be brought into the world. Everything was going right in Jax's world, they were having a baby, his soon to be adopted son Morgan, was sleeping done the hall, and Michael was sleeping at General Hospital, and no one to the wiser about the role he played in Michael's shooting. Their new house was completed and everything was perfect.

Or so he thought.

The phone rang,

Carly, woke up instantly, Michael

"Carly, don't bother, I am sure it is just a wrong number, or mother having forgotten the time difference between Australia and America again"

"Or it could be the hospital about Michael, I am answering it"

Even with Michael in a coma, Jax was discovering that Carly's son who hated him more than anything, was still having a controlling stake in their lives. Carly refused to go on vacation, or travel with Michael in the hospital. She was spending every waking moment that Monica and Alan were not in there sitting beside Michael's bedside which was not good for their baby. When he wanted to alleviate the situation by having Michael transferred to a long term care center in upstate New York, Carly fought him on it and then 'let' Monica and Alan win the war to keep him here. That kid was a bigger problem child in a coma then when he was awake.

Carly untangled herself from Jax's arms and answered the phone.

"Hello"

"Carly, its Sonny, Michael is awake"

"Oh my baby, how long, when did this happen?"

"Robin, just called Jason and I, we are on our way to the hospital right now"

"We will be right over, if you get there before we do, please tell him that mommy is on her way ok, and that I love him very much"

"I will, it is finally happening, we are getting our boy back"

She just smiled and hung up the phone.

Jax could not believe his luck.

Carly looked at him with tears in her eyes and rushed to get up and get dressed

"Morgan, honey," Carly knocked on his door and pushed it open, Morgan looked at his mom with tired eyes, "Mom what is going on?" "Honey the hospital called, Michael woke up and the doctor's said that he is going to be just fine" Morgan threw off the covers, and quickly got dressed, the moment he had waited for so long was finally happening, he was finally getting his brother back. Sure Jax was cool, but nobody was cooler than Michael.

"No, Carly do not wake up Morgan, for this nonsense, we do not even know what Michael's state of mind is, and do we really want to go to the hospital this late, let's wait a few hours and go in the morning, after the sun arises. It's not like he is going anywhere"

"No way, I was not there when he woke up, I knew I should have stayed the night yesterday, and he is probably asking for me and he is going to be scared when he realizes that I am not there, I am going now, you can stay here or come with Morgan and I to see Michael"

Jax sensing that he lost the battle and war, got out of bed to join in on this 'joyous' field trip, someone had to be the adult and chaperone this adventure.

A short while later, Carly and Morgan burst through the doors, with Jax taking up the caboose. Morgan saw his dad and ran straight for him.

"Dad"

Sonny knew the sound of Morgan's voice anywhere, and was excited to see his little boy. Morgan raced over hugged his dad. Sonny held on to him so tight. Okay so his firstcontact with Michael did not go so well, but maybe it was the initial shock. So he was going to give it another go and fresh chance.

Carly walked in to Michael's room and stared into the eyes of her baby boy.

After having their 'clear the air' conversation, and now that everything was out in the open, he was looking at Sonny and Carly with new eyes. But it was not going to be good, he had so many questions, why did they take him from his grandparents, and why was he never allowed to see them? Also why had they not been here when he had woken up?

"Jason tell me, what happened to me"

Jason knew he had to tell Michael the truth, he wanted to, he just couldn't bring himself to do it.

At that moment Carly stepped into Michael's hospital room where, he was sitting alone with Jason. Monica and Alan had an emergency in the OR, otherwise they would have never left his side. They looked to Jason to protect Michael and to keep him happy until they returned.

It was at that moment that Carly walked in to Michael's room and gazed in to the blue eyes of her baby boy, blue eyes she was worried that she would never see again.

"Baby….."

Jason got up to give his seat beside Michael to Carly, he knew that she was pregnant, that was another thing that Michael did not know, there was so much that Jason still had to tell him.

Carly rushed over to hug him, and gave him a big hug, Michael did not make a move to hug her back.

Jax came in behind her and stood in the back, Sonny followed them in and stood in the back. Even though he was hurt by Michael's initial reaction to him, he still cared about him. He always would.

Michael eyed Jax with brace and suspicion. From what he remembered about living with his mom, initially before his talk with grandparents and Jason, he had thought that those memories were from visiting his mom, but now that he knows that he was 'raised' by Sonny and Carly, Michael now knew that these were flashes were actual memories.

From the moment Jax walked into the front door, Michael knew he had an agenda. He was a wealthy business man and he had been married quite a few times, YET what he wanted most was a child, and a family and his mom fit that bill perfectly. Carly was divorced, with two young sons, and was 'fertile' enough to have more children. Jax would show up with an arm full of presents and promises of exciting vacations. Morgan fell for him immediately, to young Morgan he was a man who came over with presents for him, played with him, took him on vacation, and made his mom happy. TO Michael, he was an invader. Even now.

Michael looked at his mom, Carly who was sitting right next to him, Jax, who was sitting behind her, close enough to be a little overbearing. Sonny stood by the door and Jason stood in the corner overlooking the entire scene, he had a front row seat for the entire scene that was about to play out before him.

Carly 'could not keep her hands off of him' , she rubbed his arms, his head, she just could not stop, he was alive and she was never going to let him go again.

"Honey I am so glad, that your ok, I prayed day after day that you would wake up, I never gave hope that you would come back to us."

"Then why weren't you here when I woke up?"

Jax looked at Michael in frustration, "MICHAEL"

"Jax, its alright, he has a right to ask that, honey, I have been here right by your side".

Michael looked to Jason for confirmation, "Michael, your mom has sat by your bedside night day"

Michael inhaled and exhaled in frustration.

"That still does not explain why you were not here when I woke up, my grandparents were here night and day, my grandfather read to me every night" ,

Michael smiled at the thought of the love and care his grandparents had provided him with while he was in his coma. Aside from the financial cost of providing him with his own suite and the best round the clock care. According to the nurses and staff members that he had spoken to since awakening, they had told him that his grandparents had changed their schedules so that one or both them were at the hospital at all times to watch over him, and that they had spent every free minute sitting with him. Their love meant so much to him.

Carly pulled back a tight smile at the mention of Michael's grandparents, it was no secret that they had a tumultuous relationship. Ever since Michael had been born they had fought over him and what they thought was best for Michael and the coma was no exception. After Michael had been shot, Monica and Alan had blamed her for yet another tragedy that had befallen Michael. When she had heard that they were challenging for power of attorney over Michael, she had not fought them, but when they assumed full custody, the rules changed. But now that Michael is awake, everything was going to go back to normal.

Or so she thought…..

"You could have stayed here with me, my grandparents, had a room set up"

Jax had, had enough, Michael was being a brat demanding that his mother spend night and day with him, while she had another child at home.

"Michael, stop it, leave your mother alone she cannot be stressed right now,"

"Jax, no not right now we are going to wait to tell him"

"No excuse, its time we stop cuddling him, Michael, your mother is pregnant"

It was as if Michael's world just came to a grinding halt.

"Your pregnant?" He was in shock.

Jax walked up behind Carly and put his hand on her clearly visible pregnant abdomen,

It was like waking up in the twilight's zone…..

"When did this happen, and if your then how, when…"

Michael shook his head in disbelief.

"So your replacing me, that's it your having a new baby to replace me."

Carly went to hold Michael's hand but he pulled away.

"No of course not honey, no one could replace you, won't it be nice to have a new baby brother or sister, you are so good to Morgan, and we want you to be a big brother to this baby too. And when the doctor's say it's ok you're going to come home with us"

What?

"Wait until you see the new house, your new room is so big, and Jax put in a new tv, fridge, and video game system"

"STOP it, just stop, new baby, a new house? What is going on, if all of this has happened then how long was I….SOMEBODY is going to tell me what happened to me right now!"

Carly and Sonny just looked at each other, Patrick had told them that right now, Michael cannot know the truth about what happened to him, for it might send him into shock and set him back. All Michael needed to know is that he was in an accident and that he was going to make a full recovery.

They hesitated, Sonny spoke first, "Michael, you were in an accident, and the doctor's said that you are going to be just fine and that is all matters"

"No its not!"

Carly was shocked that Michael would talk back to Sonny like that.

"I need to know, I deserve the truth right Jason, looks to Jason for support, I have to know"

"No sweet heart, you don't…"

"Then I am calling Reginald to bring me a laptop and I will find out myself"

Carly just looked at Sonny and Jason, what is going on, why would he call upon Reginald over at the Quartermaine Mansion to get him something, why is he being so hostile towards his family.

Something is wrong with my son

Jason knew it was time, he just wished it had been under better circumstances. Michael wanted to know and he needed to know now.

Sonny stepped forward and told him the truth, he owed Michael that much.

As Sonny told Michael about how Kate had brought him to the warehouse, to show him how Sonny was creating a legitimate empire for him to inherit, and how there was someone else there, Dr. Ian Devlin, and how the bullet was aimed for Sonny but how he had been shot in the head instead.

"I was shot?"

Michael began to panic, the truth was more horrifying than he had ever realized.

Jason saw Michael begin to panic and move his left hand toward the little red button. The same little red button that automatically paged Alan and Monica.

"Michael No….." Michael pushed the little red button the situation just went from bad to worse.

Carly and Sonny inched closer to Michael trying to calm him down and explain what happened.

Michael has to let out what was building up inside, it has to be said.

"Let me get this straight, you [points towards Carly] took me away from my family and gave me to him [points to Sonny] , because you thought that he would be a better father to me than my own BIOLOGICAL father, or what about my grandparents, they could have given me a far better child hood from then a life in the mob."

"So did you even let me see my grandparents at all, I can only imagine?

Again silence

"This just gets better and better, because I have been lying here how long because of you…..how long tell me….TELL ME "

Carly spoke through her tears "A year, you were shot last March"

Michael's words were like a knife through Sonny and Carly's hearts

"I have been lying here an entire year, I have lost a year of MY LIFE"

Jax had enough, at least now hopefully Carly will leave Michael to his grandparents, frankly if they want the damaged, brain damaged boy, they can help themselves to him, what a pity he never got his hands on Michael's inheritance.

"Carly, come on let's go you need to rest and it is clear, that Michael wants to be alone, think of the baby for G-d sakes"

"Yes, please go my grandparents will be here any minute"

"I will be back in the morning, so that we can talk"

Michael did not say anything as Carly left.

Sonny knew that Alan and Monica were on their way and the last thing he wanted was to go to war with them right now, or have them catch him.

"You will not speak to your mother like that, you're angry take it out on me or Jason…"

Michael interrupted him "I would never take it out on Jason, at least he loves me, and you have no say over my life any longer because You are not my father"

Sonny was not going to allow Michael to hurt him or his mother…

When who should walk in but…

"Sonny stop it right now, your upsetting him, leave now, there are too many people in here to begin with."

Monica rushed over to Michael who by now was visibly upset.

Sonny left with a heavy heart.

Morgan had heard everything, how Michael blamed Mom and Dad for what happened and how he now hated them so much. How could he not remember all of the great times they shared together as a family? When they had locked mom and dad in the basement to try and get them back together, or when they along with Kristina had tied up Max and Milo when they tried to put them to bed? So if Michael did not remember mom and dad does that mean that he has forgotten him as well?

Does he hate me too?

After further test results and further analysis of the situation Patrick came to the following conclusion on Michael's condition.

Patrick continued "I have heard of medical cases, where a patient awakening from brain trauma, remembered a portion of their life IE his toddler years in the Quartermaine mansion, and then magnifying that portion of their lives, as if it was their entire life. His memories of living in the Quartermaine Mansion are heightened so he is going to remember them and everything about them in great detail.

"Will he ever regain his memory?"

Robin looked at Patrick, hoping that he had good news

Unbeknownst to them, someone also heard this news, and felt the need to test Patrick theory, for it was time to bring their cousin home.