I thought it was about time for me to try my hand at a full GH story. Okay, so I've taken a couple of liberties with the storylines. This takes place a couple of weeks from now. Carly's awaiting trial for AJ's muder, Michael's doing much better, Sam's pregnant, and a couple more surprises to come in this chapter ;). All reviews are greatly appreciated and suggestion are fabulous!

Disclaimer: From here on in, I don't own any of the pop culture references, General Hospital locations or characters, songs that I will be poping in every one in awhile.

"Congratulations!" Elizabeth cried as soon as I'd stepped off the elevator at GH. She bounced over to me and wrapped me in a hug.

"My mom told you?" I asked.

"I got it out of her. I can't believe it Em, first in your class! That's so awesome."

"Thanks," I smiled. After being positive that I had failed all my final exams for the semester, I had gotten a call earlier this morning from the Dean telling me that I had finished first in my class. I was more than a little shocked, and I was still having trouble grasping it. For the first time in a long time, I felt like a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I had four months off. Four months free from studying and classes. Even more, if I really wanted.

Suddenly, I noticed that Elizabeth was beaming too much for it to just be about my grades. Something else was up. In her usual scrubs and ponytail, she was absolutely radiant. With a girlish smile on her face, she ushered me over to the chairs, clutching her charts to her chest.

"Okay, what's going on? You look like the cat that swallowed the canary."

She angled her body to face me, and dropped her charts, revealing a sparkling diamond ring on her left hand.

I shrieked. I couldn't help it. Tony gave me a dirty look, but I ignored him.

"Oh my God," I finally managed to cry. "When did this happen?"

"Last night. He had this elaborate meal planned at Kelly's, with flowers and candles and music, and in the middle of pouring the wine, he just dropped down on one knee and said he couldn't wait all night to ask me."

I melted and picked up her hand to examine it. It was beautiful, a perfect fit for her delicate hand.

"Any ideas for a date?"

"Yeah, we want to have a winter wedding. December. Maybe Christmas. And Em, you have to promise to be my maid of honour."

"I'd be honoured!" It was my turn to hug her. I couldn't have been happier for her. No one deserved it more than Elizabeth. She had been through so much, and had stayed so strong.

She pulled away, then gave me the once over. "What a minute. What are you doing here? You're on vacation. You don't have to be back here until September!"

"I know, I'm not here for work. Jason asked me to come in to see Michael."

"Is there anything new with him?"

"He's mentally fine, but he's still not ready to leave with Jason, Sonny or Carly."

"I still can't believe what AJ did to him. How could anyone ever be so sick?"

I shook my head. "I don't know. But there are so many people who love him so much, we're going to get him through this."

"Liz," one of the other young nurses asked, coming up behind me. "Do you mind checking on Miss Huber? I've got a bit of a situation with one of my patients."

"Sure Heather," she promised, then looked back at me. "I have to go, but I'm so proud of you! We have to do something to celebrate! Okay?"

I nodded. "How about drinks on Friday? If Lucky can take Cameron."

"I'll talk him into it. Now, don't stay here too long. Go on, relax. Have some fun! You could go get a tan. The weather's perfect for it today."

"I will, I promise."

"I'll talk to you soon."

"Bye."

As we said our goodbyes, I couldn't help but envy Elizabeth. She really did deserve everything that was happening, but they were a painful reminder of everything that I didn't have right now: Nikolas, my life, my confidence. My life had slipped away from me, slowly but surely, and it seemed impossible to get it back.

"Hi Michael," I exclaimed cheerily as I entered his hospital room. Over the past few weeks, he had made amazing progress, and the two of us had grown much closer than before. I guess to a certain extent, I could relate to him, having lost my own parents.

"Himily," he mumbled, not looking up from his book. His voice was low and depressed. I sat at the edge of his bed and put my hands over the page.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

He sighed and let go of his book. "They're sending me home today."

He looked so down. "Isn't that good."

He shook his head and lowered his voice. "I don't want to go home with Sonny and Carly. Not now."

I nodded sympathetically and ruffled his hair, getting his attention. "I know it seems scary right now, but I promise I won't let the doctors let you go anywhere you shouldn't be going, even if I have to block the doorway right now."

He giggled. "You're too ticklish to ever block anyone."

"Well they don't have to know that."

"Millie?" he asked, his special nickname for me. I hated it, but I wasn't going to tell him that. "Can I come see you when I get scared?"

"Anytime," I promised. "Just tell Sonny or Carly to bring you over. I could use some company."

"Em, you're here!" Jason exclaimed from the doorway. "I didn't think you'd be here so soon."

"You asked me to come. Besides, I'm done exams, I don't have anywhere to be anymore."

"Right. Did you get your results yet?"

I nodded, and a grin spread across my face, despite the best of my intentions. This was Michael's time, not mine.

"And?"

"I finished first."

"Em, that's fantastic! Congratulations! You hear that Michael? Emily's going to be the best doctor in Port Charles."

"I've got a couple of years yet," I reminded him.

"Then you'll be the best doctor in the world!" Michael exclaimed.

I smiled. "Thank you guys, but I'm here to see Michael."

"Right. I need to talk to you."

Michael made a face at him. "Why don't I get to listen to what grown-ups say?"

"Because when we do tell you to do something, you don't listen," Jason laughed. Michael tried to stick out his tongue, but a smile took over. I followed Jason into the next room, where Steven Webber and Reese were waiting.

"Hi Emily," Steven said with a smile. "I understand I have reason to congratulate you."

"You're not pregnant, are you?" Reese exclaimed suddenly.

Self-consciously, I put my hand to my stomach. I thought I'd lost a couple of pounds in the past while, not gained anything. Was I looking fat?

"She's not pregnant," Steven informed Reese pointedly. "She finished first in her med school class."

"That's great!" she said, most likely sincerely. I hadn't made up my mind about Reese yet.

"Anyways, what's going on?"

"Why don't you sit down?" Jason suggested, having already made himself comfortable in one of the plush red chairs. I followed, butterflies in my stomach. I thought this was about Michael . . . why were all these people here to talk?

"Michael's being released from the hospital today," Reese began slowly. "Much to his discontent."

"There's no reason to keep him here," Steven explained. "And I don't think the hospital's a great place for him."

"Our problem is that he doesn't want to be released into Sonny or Carly's care."

"Yeah," I agreed. "He mentioned that. What about Jason?" I turned to him. "Why doesn't he stay with you?"

"I don't think that staying with Jason would be beneficial to Michael at this time," Steven explained. "He's still having trouble with wrapping him mind around the concept that a parent can love a second child while still loving the first, and with Sam pregnant, it could be a dangerous situation for him in such a fragile state."

"So where's he going? Not foster care, right?"

"We hope not," Reese said. "That's where you come in. You and Michael have formed quite a close connection in the past couple of weeks. I know you're living alone right now, but how would you feel about taking on the role of Michael's guardian for the next little while? I know it would mean a lot to him."

My mind immediately started racing. Me? They wanted me to take care of Michael? I loved him, but that couldn't possibly be enough to make me his. . . his caretaker. His. . . almost like his mother?

"I- um. Is Sonny okay with this?"

"As okay as he's going to be. But he's not fighting it," Jason told me.

"And Carly?"

"Carly's not in much of a state to be arguing right now." It was true. She was out on bail, awaiting her trial for AJ's murder. I still couldn't believe that they were going through with the charges.

Despite my mind screaming reasons not to, I found myself nodding. Michael needed me. "I'll do it."

Maybe this could be a new start for Michael. Maybe even a new start for me. Yes, this is what I needed to turn my life again, regain control of what had been taken away from me. This was perfect. A new start for both of us.