*We last left our heroes after Lierlo went to meet his birth mother.*
Lierlo: *Is stood outside, his shoulders shaking with anger.*
Thorn: She had her reasons for what she did, Lierlo.
Lierlo: But she has no idea what I have been through... She has no idea...
Thorn: No... Only you can know what you felt those times, Lierlo. You can't blame your mother for what your father did to you.
Lierlo: Yes, you're right. I shouldn't have yelled at her like that. There's so much I wanted to say to her… so much she could have told me… but I didn't give us a chance.
Cassandra: *Comes walking out of the house.* I've brought you both a small grapefruit.
Thorn: Oh, well... thank you.
Lierlo: Cassandra, now that you're home, perhaps you should stay?
Cassandra: No, I want to stick with my super-duper-pal Apathy. *Clings to his arm again.*
Lierlo: *Sighs.* Okay, let's go home then.

*The three of them return to the castle.*
Thorn: I'm sorry, Lierlo.
Lierlo: It's all right, Thorn. It was my choice to see her, whether it was a nice meeting or not.
Thorn: *Nods.*
Lierlo: Now, I'm going to see if Tifanel has any power tools I can remove this with. *Gestures to Cassandra.*
Thorn: *Laughs.*
*Lierlo and Cassandra walk off.*
Thorn: *Sighs and turns around. He is instantly smacked in the face. When he gets up, he sees a young man with shoulder length black hair.*
Man: It hurts, doesn't it?
Thorn: Tobias...
Tobias: You remembered. I'm surprised. You seemed to have more important things on your mind when we last met, say, the destruction of my world?
Thorn: *Looks around to see if anybody heard.* Don't talk about that here...
Tobias: Why not? Oh... let me guess, you're a changed man and the people you live with in this castle think the world of you?
Thorn: Yes, actually.
Tobias: Hmph.
Thorn: Okay, look, I have changed. I'm not the same person who tried to destroy your world.
Tobias: Really? 'Cos you look the same.
Thorn: I mean...
Tobias: You haven't changed. You were evil back then, Thorn. Evil... and that kind of evil will never wash off. *Seems to be trying to make up his mind.* Then... I'd be doing the world a favour... seems... to be for the best.
Thorn: What are you talking about?
Tobias: *Draws a small glass with a long handle. It is full of icy blue flames.* I've been looking for you for a long time, Thorizas. I'm going to finish what I started. You will pay for what you nearly did to my world. *Tobias jumps into the air and kicks Thorn in the face.*
Thorn: *Stumbles back.*
Tobias: Fire! *A large fireball erupts out of the glass he is holding and heads straight towards Thorn.
Thorn: *Rolls over and the fire blasts a large hole out of the floor. He stands up.* Tobias, if I fight you, I will kill you.
Tobias: *Punches Thorn again.* Then I'd better kill you before you can kill me.
Thorn: Vinchente! *Performs the holding spell on Tobias. The blue energy erupts from his hand towards him.*
Tobias: *Swings his glass down, large sparks are created and the holding spell is dissipated.* It seems you've got a worthy adversary, Thorizas.
Thorn: How can I stop you with out using violence…?
Tobias: Come on Thorn, unleash the darkness inside... *Starts punching Thorn repeatedly in the stomach.*
Thorn: *Black energy starts to flash and spark in Thorn's hands. He looks up at Tobias and unleashes a powerful dark energy attack at him. Tobias is hit with the attack and is knocked backwards several meters.* I'm sorry...
Tobias: *Gets up.* No matter. *Holds up his glass again.* Let's see how you like the opposite, Thorn. You like darkness, correct? Well, let's see how the light affects you. *A beam of light shoots out of the glass.*
Thorn: *Is engulfed in the light and screams.* Help...
Tobias: There's no one who can help you now, Thorn.
Adrienne: You wanna rethink that, asshole?
*Adrienne, Laurenza, Kuja and Tifanel arrive, weapons drawn.*
Tobias: *First looks worried, but then he laughs.* Well, well, well. Looks like the King of all Assholes has got himself some friends. What did he do? Put spells on you all?
Kuja: Just for your sake, I hope your fighting is better than your insults.
Tobias: *Gestures towards Thorn, who is struggling in the orb of light.* See for yourself.
Thorn: Kuja...
Kuja: Thorn! *Turns to Tobias.* If I were you, I'd give up now. The odds are not in your favour. How do you fancy five on one?
*The gang stand in battle stances.*
Adrienne: No one messes with my Thorny! *She throws an electrified dagger at Tobias.*
*Lightning power surges through Tobias. He struggles against it and manages to rip the dagger out of him. The dagger flips through the air, hits the light surrounding Thorn and the it breaks with a smashing glass sound.*
Tobias: *Breathing heavily.* Damn...
Laurenza: Thorn, are you all right?
Thorn: I'm fine...
Tobias: You are? Hmm... My job obviously isn't done then. You're right, cowlick boy. The odds aren't fair. And I'm sure 'Thorny' would want the battle to be so. *Raises his arms, and shouts.* Venah! Come to me! Aid me in this battle!
*A burning hole appears in the air and a large, Dragon-like creature swoops out of it. It is grey and has a large eye in the centre of its body.*
Tobias: *Points towards Thorn.* Kill him...
*The creature starts to fly towards Thorn, but stops in mid-air. It turns around and spots Adrienne.*
Tobias: No, leave them! Kill him!
Thorn: Leave her alone!
*The creature blasts fire energy at Tobias and Thorn and starts to fly towards Adrienne.*
Thorn: *Struggling in the flames.* No...
*The creature stops in front of Adrienne and bears down on her.*
Adrienne: Hey big and ugly, get lost! *Throws a lot of her electric daggers at it.*
*The Dragon beast flaps its wings and the daggers are blown away. The creature then speaks in a low, growling voice.*
Venah: Cielnoir...
Adrienne: So?
*The creature blasts a huge sphere of black fire on Adrienne, who is engulfed in it.*
Thorn: No! *Rushes to Adrienne, as she is surrounded in the orb of fire.* I have to get you out of this thing!
Adrienne: It's too late, Thorn. I'm...
Thorn: No, it's not...
Adrienne: ...Sorry…
Thorn: Why are you sorry?
Adrienne: *Looks down, her eyes shining with tears.* I'm pregnant.
Thorn: *Gasps.*
*The fire around Adrienne flashes, and when the light is gone, so is Adrienne.*
Thorn: No... *Slumps onto the ground, tears forming in his eyes. He then screams and cries harder.*
Tobias: *Steps towards Thorn.* My god, Thorn. I never meant to hurt her...
Thorn: *Looks up at Tobias, his eyes shining with tears.* Get out.
Tobias: *Looks at Thorn with a face full of pity.*
*Laurenza, Kuja and Tifanel all start shouting random insults at Tobias.*
Tobias: I didn't mean to... It wasn't...
Kuja: Yes, it's so hard to find good help these days. They all go around killing the wrong people.
Thorn: *Gets up, still shaking. He takes his hand at grabs Tobias' neck in a swift movement. He lifts Tobias up in the air.*
Tobias: *Struggles, trying to take Thorn's hand away.*
Thorn: *Clasps his hand tighter around Tobias' neck, so hard Tobias starts to dribble blood. He then throws Tobias down.* Get... OUT!
Tobias: *Dissipates the Demon and runs out of there.*
Tifanel: And don't you ever come back, ya hear?
Thorn: *Is staring into space, with a look of sheer misunderstanding.*
Laurenza: *Goes over to Thorn, puts her arm around him and looks at him, her eyes full of sympathy.* Thorn, I'm so sorry...
Thorn: *Doesn't seem to hear her.*
Laurenza: Thorn? Are you okay?
Kuja: *Goes over to him and clicks his fingers in front of his face.*
Thorn: *Still doesn't respond.*
Laurenza: You think he's in shock?
Kuja: *Shrugs.*
Tifanel: Poor guy, he's just lost his girl...
Thorn: ...And my baby.
Laurenza: Oh Thorn... I don't know what to say. How simply awful of that man it was to do such a thing...
Thorn: It wasn't his fault. I... I tried to kill him once. He...
Kuja: Came for revenge? Two wrongs make a right, eh?
Tifanel: But still, Adrienne never did anything to him.
Thorn: Cielnoir... That Demon is raised to kill those who have roots of darkness...
Kuja: Pfft. You'll go a long way to find someone that doesn't.
Tifanel: Gee, you must feel pretty bad, huh Thorn?
Thorn: *Turns to Tifanel.* You cannot conceive how I am feeling. *Runs to his room.*
Tifanel: *Looks a little hurt.* I've had my share of losses too…

*Laurenza and the others spread the bad news to the rest of the gang. They are all quite upset and feel very sorry for Thorn.*
Ana: No, no, no! It's not fair! Why? Why?
Kuja: Ana, I didn't know you and Adrienne were that close.
Ana: She promised to buy me a fur coat!
Laurenza: You selfish child, where did you get this lack of sympathy for others? *Looks to Kuja.* Hmmm.
Kuja: What? I'm sad that Adrienne is dead, honest. Boo hoo, she's dead. See?
Laurenza: *Shakes her head.*
Lierlo: I know how Thorn feels, being separated from the one you love is very painful.
Tifanel: Hope he doesn't do anything crazy. Oh, no offence, Lierlo.
Lierlo: *Smiles, though with a slight resentment.* None taken.
Li: So, who's up for a game of Scrabble?
Laurenza: Uh... Not now, Li... You and Kuja should form a club: 'People Who Don't Seem To Give A Damn.'
Kitzie: A club! Can I join?
Kuja: No, because you give a damn too much. It's very exclusive, only for unfeeling gits like me.
Laurenza: Kuja, I was only kidding.
Kuja: So was I. *Grins.*

*A couple of days pass by uneventfully, unless you count Li managing to get a beer can into the bin without leaving the sofa, but only he thought this was a major achievement. Kuja decides to check on Thorn, as he hasn't been seen outside his room for a while.*
Kuja: *Knocks on Thorn's door.* Hey Thorn, are you okay in there?
Thorn: I'm fine.
Kuja: You haven't come out in a while. Have you got porno in there or something?
Thorn: No.
Kuja: Okay... I'm going to try my best attempt at sympathy. You're upset about Adrienne, aren't you?
Thorn: *Opens the door.* Of course I am.
Kuja: Drat, that wasn't any good at all, was it? Like something Tif would say...
Thorn: It's not just her... she had a baby inside her...*Starts to cry again.*
Kuja: Oh, I made you cry. I'm... sorry. *Pats him on the back.* She wouldn't want to see you crying, now would she?
Thorn: No...
Kuja: Crying won't bring her back.
Thorn: I know...
Kuja: Okay, I've used up most of the clichés now...
Thorn: *Laughs a little, but keeps on crying.*
Kuja: Come on. Stop it. I'll have to build an ark in a minute if you don't.
Thorn: *Wipes his eyes.* I'm sorry.
Kuja: Now that's better. Oh, I just remembered another one. You have to try and forget about her and move on.
Thorn: *Glances at Kuja.* No one gets you over the last one like the next one, right…?
Kuja: I guess so.
Thorn: *Nods.*
Kuja: Put a personal in the papers...
Thorn: Hmm... Maybe not.
Kuja: Yeah... 'Lonely man whose pregnant girlfriend has just died seeks woman to help him get over it.' Nnnno...
Thorn: *Nods again.*
Kuja: I'm not helping, am I?
Thorn: No, Kuja, I'm glad for the company. I'm not going to feel any better being on my own.
Kuja: Yeah, but my advice is useless. You always said stuff to me that made me feel better. Hey, you should give yourself advice.
Thorn: *Laughs a bit.*
Kuja: That's all I'm good for, getting a bit of a giggle out of people.
Thorn: Maybe it's what I need right now.
Kuja: Okay, just let me get my rubber chicken and custard pie.
Thorn: *Laughs again.*
Kuja: You think that's funny? You should come to my Friday night stand-up.
*Thorn is looking at Kuja, smiling.*
Kuja: *Doesn't notice this, as he cups his hand as if he's holding a microphone.* Two blondes walk into a building. You think one of them would've seen it.
Thorn: *Doesn't laugh, but he's still looking at Kuja.*
Kuja: Yeah, I suppose Li and Lierlo would be offended by that... *Looks at him.* What? Is there something on my face?
Thorn: Hmm...? No... It's nothing.
Kuja: Thorn... You're not... having those kind of thoughts again, are you?
Thorn: *Turns away quickly.* No... I'm not.
Kuja: Because you've just lost your girlfriend... You're bound to be hurting for love.
Thorn: Maybe...
Kuja: Do you want a hug?
Thorn: Maybe it would help. *Hugs Kuja.*
Kuja: *Hugs back.* Any better?
Thorn: A little...
Kuja: *Lets go.* Good. *Laughs some.* Maybe I should get a Friday night stand-up session.
Thorn: Yeah...
Kuja: Except not many people think I'm funny.
Thorn: I do... sometimes.
Kuja: *Smiles.* So, uh, I guess you're a bit better now, so I'll leave you to your own devices. *Gets up.*
Thorn: *Nods a little.*
Kuja: *Leaves the room and starts to walk towards the stairs.*
Thorn: *Comes out of his room.* Kuja...
Kuja: Yes? *Turns back.*
Thorn: I don't think... I'm better enough for you to be gone.
Kuja: Okay... You want me to come back in?
Thorn: Only if you want to.
Kuja: Nothing better to do than watch Li and Tif have little fights with cocktail sticks. *Goes back in Thorn's room. He sits on Thorn's bed and swings his legs, whistling.*
Thorn: *Sits next to Kuja on the bed.*
Kuja: *Whistles more.* What is that song? It's been stuck in my head for ages...
Thorn: I don't know...
Kuja: I think it's... from a washing up liquid advert... Oh god.
Thorn: Hmm.
Kuja: I'm talking about adverts for dishwashing liquid. Wow, I'm the best company you could ever have...
Thorn: …Maybe you are.
Kuja: Why? Are you really into washing up liquid?
Thorn: No. I mean you still make me feel special when you're around.
Kuja: Hmm... *Looks away from him.* To be perfectly honest... I've thought about you a few times recently... Well, actually, quite a lot…
Thorn: You have...?
Kuja: *Sighs.* Yeah. It's funny. I thought Laurenza was the only person I'd ever feel for... But when I met you, something stirred inside me. I tried to ignore it, because… well, you're a guy, and I all I was interested in was Laurenza. It didn't help that we both started off with mutual hatred for each other, either. But things between us have changed and since that time at the inn, it's like... you've had your hand around my heart.
Thorn: That's a nice way of putting it.
Kuja: I did used to write poetry, you know.
Thorn: Yes, I know.
Kuja: Oh, Thorn, what I'm trying to say is… It's something I've been denying for too long… trying to pretend I don't feel it. You'll probably think I'm weird, crazy or a combination of the two, but I think I... I think I'm... *Lowers his voice.* I think I'm in love with you.
Thorn: There's nothing weird about it, Kuja.
Kuja: But not too long ago we were after each other's blood. More importantly, we're both men.
Thorn: You always were observant.
Kuja: *Laughs.* So, you're not creeped out?
Thorn: No, I have special feelings for you too. They haven't gone, not even after... what happened.
Kuja: But do you love me?
Thorn: I don't know...
Kuja: *Takes hold of Thorn's hand.* Would you like to find out?
Thorn: *Looks into Kuja's eyes and nods.*
Kuja: *Moves towards Thorn and kisses him with great passion.*
Thorn: *Raises his hand towards the door so it locks.*
*Thorn and Kuja collapse onto each other on the bed, fondling and caressing each other. Following this they participate in some… male bonding.*

*Afterwards, Kuja is laying next to Thorn, holding him close.*
Kuja: So, are you any clearer of your feelings?
Thorn: Kind of.
Kuja: Well, if you don't want to be with me...
Thorn: What I said before... that was the grief talking. I do want to be with you Kuja. I am in love with you.