*We last left our heroes when Thorn had taken a trip into Kuja's subconscious.*
Kuja: I remember...
Heather: You do?
Kuja: I remember everything... I remember you and father... I remember going to school and being picked on by the other kids... I remember falling in the big lake at Harrow Park... I remember father taking me away that day to the Daichi labs...
Heather: ...That was the day... that was the day you and your father left and never came back...
Kuja: He wanted to cure me of my illness, but also further his research into Artificially Induced Magick in humans. He injected pure Magick into me... in the hope that it would make me well... But when he saw what powers this gave me... he...
Heather: He...?
Kuja: He wanted to see just how powerful I could be. He told me the most hurtful lies to make me angry, to make me upset... so that I'd let loose my full potential... But it was a little more than he expected...
Heather: ...
Kuja: I destroyed the Daichian laboratories, and him...
Heather: You... killed him?
Kuja: *Nods, tears forming in his eyes.*
Heather: Oh, Kuja...
Kuja: I... didn't mean it... You don't know what it was like... what it's always like when I'm... I'm in that form... *Cries.*
Heather: Shush... don't cry. *Hugs him.*
Thorn: She's right, Kuja, don't cry. *Hugs them both.*
Kuja: I'm sorry... I'm sorry, both of you...
Thorn: It's okay.
Heather: We're just glad you now remember the truth.
Kuja: *Dries his eyes on his sleeve.*
Heather: Now that you believe me, maybe we can catch up on the years we lost.
Kuja: I'd like that. Um, mother, could I have a word with Thorn alone?
Heather: Yes, I don't mind. *She leaves the room.*
Kuja: *Cuddles Thorn tight.* I should have listened to you in the first place... I'm sorry...
Thorn: Heh heh, that's okay, you were right to be sceptical. You don't have to apologise...
Kuja: I don't know what made me remember... Perhaps it was that old book of mine? When I saw it... everything seemed to come back to me.
Thorn: I went inside your mind. The book opened up and I stepped into it. I saw things from your past. Maybe I just unlocked them.
Kuja: You did?! *Blushes some.* Oh god... what did you see?
Thorn: I saw things that had happened in your past, the things you told Heather you remembered. I also saw some more... uh, private things... like your 'Forbidden Desire,' for instance.
Kuja: *Looks away.*
Thorn: Kuja, starving yourself will not give you the perfect physique, you know.
Kuja: I don't...
Thorn: Look me in the eyes and say that.
Kuja: I... can't.
Thorn: Hey, I'm not trying to be mean to you. I'm just worried about you, that's all.
Kuja: I don't want to be picked on again...
Thorn: No one is gonna bully you when I'm around, Kuja.
Kuja: My hero. *Grins.*
Thorn: *Smiles.*
Kuja: Do you think I'm really that skinny?
Thorn: Yes, I do.
Kuja: *Looks a little pleased.*
Thorn: But you should still be eating right.
Kuja: Oh, fine. Stop it, you sound like my mother. *Smirks some.*
Thorn: *Laughs.*
Kuja: Other than finding out my eating disorders, I hope you didn't see anything too embarrassing in my mind...
Thorn: Not really. Except... well, I'm not that scary, am I?
Kuja: *His eyes widen.* What...?
Thorn: Your 'Hidden Fear', it's me.
Kuja: I... didn't want you to know about that...
Thorn: Well, I'm sorry. And... I'm sorry I scare you.
Kuja: No... It's not like that... Don't misunderstand. It's not like you scare me in a 'Boo! Argh! Wet my pants!' kind of way... It's... sometimes I dream of you... back then... back then when we didn't like each other as much... And that time on holiday... that scared me...
Thorn: I... I will fight whatever it is inside of me. I will combat the evil inside my self, and I will destroy it. And I will do it for you.
Kuja: Thank you. *Holds him tight.*
Thorn: Anything for you...
Heather: *Peers around the door.* Aw, how sweet.
Kuja: Mother!
Thorn: *Laughs.*
Heather: What a cute couple.
Kuja: Have you been eavesdropping on us all the time?
Heather: *Looks innocent.* Maybe...
Kuja: Hey!
Thorn: Kuja, it doesn't matter. You don't want to keep any secrets from your mother.
Kuja: I guess... but what if she was watching us when we were... you know...
Thorn: *Smiles.*
Heather: Now I wouldn't do that... That's just wrong...

*It is dinnertime, and most people in the castle are not sure what to expect as Tifanel said everyone has to now take it in turns to cook the meals. Heather is trying to convince Kuja to come out from under his quilt and join everyone else in the dining hall.*
Heather: Come on, Kuja, it's time to eat.
Kuja: *Slightly muffled by the quilt.* I'm not hungry.
Heather: *Sighs.* You did this when you were younger… Come on, eating something won't kill you. *Pulls the quilt off of him.*
Kuja: Hey! What if I was naked under here?
Heather: Well, you haven't got anything I've never seen before. Come on now.
Kuja: Okay, I'm coming.
*The two of them go downstairs.**In the dining hall, the rest of the gang have gathered, waiting to see what's for dinner.*
Tifanel: Hey Kuja, who's the broad?
Kuja: My mother...
Li: Oh? *Gives Heather a pitying look.* Kuja's your son? My condolences.
Kuja: Just ignore Li and Tif… they only have one brain cell to share between the two of them.
Lierlo: *Come into the hall.* Okay, Mihako volunteered to do the cooking today... and before you ask, no it's not cookies. She's really pleased with what she's done, so don't be too hard on her, okay?
Lahrne: I'm hungry enough to eat anything!
Kitzie: Me too! *Starts to chew on Lahrne's arm.*
Mihako: *Brings in some trays with lids on.* Here it is.
Li: What is it?
Mihako: *Takes one of the lids off.* It is pie.
Tifanel: What flavour?
Mihako: Pie flavour.
Lierlo: *Cuts a slice out, to show that under the pastry is... more pastry.* Oh, how... unique...
Mihako: If you do not like that, you can have the fish.
Kitzie: Fish!
Mihako: *Takes the other lid off to show what she has made. It looks as if she has caramelised the fish.*
Lierlo: Again... original...
Kuja: *Turns to Heather.* Do I really have to eat this?
Heather: I'll let you off this time...
Li: Who wants to order out?
Most People: Me!
Mihako: *Looks disappointed.*
Lierlo: *Puts his arm around her.* Never mind. They just don't understand your... interesting cooking techniques, Mihako.
Mihako: Then you will have some of my cooking?
Lierlo: Um... of course, heh heh...
Tifanel: What does everyone want, then?
Li: I dunno. Let's check the menus.
*Whilst everyone goes over to look at the take away menus, Kuja tries to quietly slip away.*
Thorn: *Grabs him.* Where do you think you're going?
Kuja: Toilet?
Thorn: *Raises an eyebrow.*
Kuja: Dentist's appointment?
Thorn: I think it's safe to say your excuses are getting less and less believable...
Kuja: Oh okay, you got me. I just don't like take aways that much...
Thorn: Just... eat it for me, okay?
Kuja: Geez, that's your ultimate weapon, isn't it? The 'For Me' line, it gets me every time. Okay, I will.
Thorn: Heh heh, good.
*Meanwhile, the rest of the gang are arguing over what to have.*
Lahrne: I want a pizza!
Kitzie: Fish and chips!
Li: I want a curry, and I'm in charge, so I choose.
Tifanel: But I'm in charge too and I don't want a curry.
Li: I'm more in charge than you!
Tifanel: Are not! This is an equal partnership!
Li: Is not!
Tifanel: Is too!
Heather: They sound like a bunch of children...
Thorn: They are...
*Whilst Li and Tif are fighting it out, Kitzie picks up the phone and dials a number.*
Kitzie: Hewwo, I'd like 9 portions of chips and 9 fish please.
*The food is ordered, and it arrives a little later. Li and Tif answer the door.*
Delivery Guy: That'll be 15 Creds, guys.
Tifanel: Li, you're most in charge. You pay.
Li: No no, this is an equal partnership. You pay for half. I pay for half.
Tifanel: You're most in charge!
Li: Am not!
Tifanel: Are too!
Thorn: *Steps in.* How ridiculous. *Pays the guy and takes the food off him.* You really have to sort this out between yourselves...
Li: Pfft, it's all Tif's fault.
Tifanel: I'm not going to argue with you again.
Li: Come on! Argue with me!
Tifanel: No. My fish is getting cold.
*They all sit down to eat their food, and Kitzie keeps asking people if they are going to finish their fish even before they have stuck their fork into it. Mihako at first was annoyed that everyone abandoned her food in favour of the take out, but in the end, gave in and had the fish and chips with the others. Now they are all finished and Kitzie is going round licking their plates clean.*
Kitzie: Mmm, mmm.
Heather: Now, don't you feel better having now eaten something, Kuja?
Kuja: I guess.
Kitzie: Yummy fishy-wishy in Creepy Guy's tummy! *Pokes Kuja's stomach.*
Heather: 'Creepy Guy?'
Kuja: Don't ask...

*Later, Kuja is alone in his room, stood in his underwear in front of his mirror. He is eying his appearance critically.*
Heather: *Comes into the room.* Kuja...
Kuja: Mother, what do you think of the way I look?
Heather: I think you're beautiful.
Kuja: *Groans.* Always with 'beautiful' or 'pretty.' Never 'handsome...' Why do I have to look so much like a girl?! *He takes a tissue and fiercely wipes off his eye make up.*
Heather: You don't...
Kuja: I do, and that's why... that's why people get the wrong idea when they see me. *He grabs the end of his hair in one hand a takes a pair of scissors to it.*
Heather: Kuja! *Takes the scissors from him.* Don't cut your hair, it's lovely. You'd regret cutting it the moment you did. You don't look like a girl… you're just a very nice looking boy. You could do with a little more meat on your bones, but you're very nice looking all the same.
Kuja: You're only saying that because you're my mother.
Heather: I'm saying this because I am your mother, and because I think it's true. Now come on, put some clothes on. *She goes to his wardrobe and opens it.* You've got some wonderful clothes here. Now, what's this? *She takes the pink and purple robes out that Kuja got for Christmas.*
Kuja: Oh, those? I got those from a friend for Christmas. *He puts them on.*
Heather: Is purple still your favourite colour then?
Kuja: Yeah and red's okay too, I guess.
Heather: *Continues going through Kuja's clothes. She pushes past a lot of clothes and finds something that catches her eye, tucked away right at the back.* Oh... Is that what I think it is...?
Kuja: Hmm? What? *He goes over to look.* Ah, yes... that...
*It is a dress, and a very beautiful one at that. It is scarlet red, made of a silky type material, with a large bow at the back and very long sleeves. Along the trim are some red feathers.*
Heather: *Takes it out of the wardrobe.* So pretty. Is it yours?
Kuja: *Looks down.* ...Yes
Heather: *Giggles a little.*
Kuja: Don't make fun of me.
Heather: I wasn't, I just thought it was sweet. Such a nice dress, I'd love one like it myself. But I bet you'd look better in it than I would.
Kuja: No...
Heather: Go on. Try it on for me.
Kuja: No, I don't...
Heather: Please?
Kuja: Oh, all right. *He takes off the robes and puts the dress on. Heather ties the bow at the back. He looks very pretty, the dress suits him well.*
Heather: Lovely, but you know what would make it look even nicer?
Kuja: What...
Heather: We need to do your hair as well!
Kuja: Oh no...
Heather: Come on, come on, it'll be fun. *She gets him to sit down and she does his hair in little plaits, tied with tiny red ribbons.*
Kuja: I feel so stupid right now.
Heather: *Puts the red make up back around Kuja's eyes.* But you're so beautiful. We've got to show Thorn how nice you look.
Kuja: No! He'll think I'm nuts!
Heather: No, he'll think you look wonderful. Now I wonder where he is? *She looks outside the room.*
Kuja: This is silly! I'm taking it off.
Heather: *Comes back in.* No, don't.
Thorn: *Who was just passing, walks in.* Take what off?
Kuja: Thorn! *Hides behind Heather.*
Thorn: Kuja? What is it?
Kuja: Don't look at me...
Heather: Come now, Kuja, don't be shy. *Moves out of the way.*
Thorn: Oh Kuja, you look wonderful...
Kuja: No, I look like a stupid cross dresser.
Thorn: Kuja, you look wonderful whatever you're wearing. *Walks up to him and kisses him briefly.*
Kuja: *Smiles.* I'd like to wear this more often... but... you can imagine what Li and Tif would say...
Thorn: Yeah, but you really need to dress for yourself, Kuja, not for other people. You don't really take what they say to heart do you?
Kuja: Of course I don't.
Thorn: Well, there you are.
Heather: Anyway, they'd probably just be jealous of how fantastic you look.
Kuja: Heh heh...

*It is getting on for night and Heather decides it is time for her to leave. Kuja is saying goodbye to her at the castle door.*
Kuja: You'll stay in touch, won't you? Now that you've found out that I'm still alive.
Heather: And now you remember who I am. Yes, I will.
Kuja: I love you, mother. *Hugs her.* I'm sorry... things happened like they did.
Heather: It's okay, what's happened has happened.
Kuja: You're welcome back here any time.
Heather: Thank you. You should come and visit me sometime. You'll get to see your old house.
Kuja: Yes, that'd be nice.
Heather: See you soon then. *She leaves.*
Kuja: Bye…