Number 32
Steph's playing with Charlie when Lyn rushes in asking where Max is. Steph replies that he's gone for a walk and continues to baby talk to Charlie. Lyn gets her to listen to her and asks where he went, because she thinks Paul might be on his way to settle a score.

Lassiters Lake
Max and Paul are having a bit of a stand off while Paul gives his speech.

PAUL: And then you took my son away, just when I finally got to know him again. You took him away. Max, it'll take a far better man than I will ever be to let you get away with what you've done.

Scarlet Bar
Loris and her toy boy Neddy have left the party. Ned thanks her for driving him back, she says the pleasure was all her's. She had a ball, despite the little prank the cheeky tall man. Whoa Loris smacks him on the bum and Toadie looks a bit surprised.

NED: I thought we put that business behind us?
LORIS: We did and then you put your behind before me.

Oh... okaaay. Toadie's walked up, happy because it's the two people he'd like to see. The night is young and he has a few contractual details he needs to sort out over a drink. Ned says she'll have a drink even though she should be cutting back. The Toad asks for two beers then asks Ned how he went with his networking opportunity. Ned admits somewhat proudly he played someone at their own game. Toadie doesn't think that happens everyday yeah because Ned is a bit too naive.

Izzy runs up, she wants to know if she can have a word to Ned in private, so they go over to another table. She wants to apologise for everything she's done to him, she was wrong to take advantage of him and she regrets it. Ned asks if she wants anything else and a matter of fact she does, she wants some of his business cards. She wants to recommend his business to a few of her friends, some of them are really fat (how rude!). Ned thinks she's up to something but she isn't, that's the whole reason why she wanted to apologise - he used to be really trusting before her. They walk back over to his table so he can get them out of his jacket's pocket which gives a chance for Izzy to talk to Toadie about having an appointment with him, she wants to sort out some legal things before she 'goes away'. Toadie tells her he'll be in his office all morning tomorrow. Izzy gives her thanks to him and Ned, who hands over some business cards. Toadie watches her run off and says that was weird, especially the last bit. When a client wants to sort out some stuff before they go away it usually only means one thing - they're dying.

Lassiters Lake
Paul and Max are still standing out there in the dark, surely they must be feeling a bit cold by now? Anyway it's a tense situation...

MAX: I don't know what I would do if the same thing happened to one of my kids.
PAUL: Well that's a luxury you can afford isn't it?
MAX: Yeah. But I tell you what Paul, even if I could swap my position for yours, if I could trade one of my children's lives for Cameron's I wouldn't do it.
PAUL: What is this? Pathetic mind games?
MAX: No. You obviously know what you're doing, nothing's going to change your mind and I wouldn't bother trying.
PAUL: Good. Then do me a favour, just shut up or give me something I can work with.
MAX: You want me to beg for my life? Huh? You want me to say I'm sorry 'til my voice packs in? What's that going to achieve? Cameron's gone mate (starts to choke up), he's just gone. I'm sorry, if you want to pull that trigger I don't blame you. But it's not going to get you what you want. It's just not going to give you your son back.

Paul getting all teary himself drops the gun, thank god! After a second Steph comes running up calling 'Max!' and asks if he's okay. Max replies he's fine, that he and Paul needed a chat. They're right now. Max gets Paul to agree but really he isn't up for nodding much right now. Lyn asks Paul if he's alright but he can hardy answer. She walks around him and almost steps on the gun. Max and Steph head off and Lyn gets a tissue and picks up the gun, putting it into her handbag. Her and Paul also head for home.

Number 22
Carmella's over obviously to give support and Elle's on the phone to the police about the letter she's found... until Lyn comes in, grabs the phone and hangs up. She says that it's nothing, Paul was just a little bit late getting home from work there's no reason to overreact. Elle tells her she would've acted the same if she had found the letter he wrote her. Lyn is acting majorly weird, she says it's ramblings through grief it doesn't mean anything (she screws up the letter). Carmella and Elle go to help Paul to the couch but Elle thanks Carm, she thinks she can look after her dad on her own.

Number 32
Steph and Charlie are back inside and coming over to see daddy but daddy is too preoccupied in signs of him having to do more gardening. Better get fertilizing or else spring will be upon them. Steph reminds him it already is spring, and asks if he wants to talk about tonight at all. Max doesn't see the need, they sorted everything out... oh and do they need any bookshelves because some are on sale. Steph tells him that Lyn told her about the letter she found at Paul's about him wanting revenge. Max says he's angry, maybe writing the letter helped. Steph thinks he wants to hurt Max or worse (ya right there!) but Max assures her he may have wanted to, but they're fine now. Steph spots Charlie looking over at Max so she takes him over to see him. But Max avoids them, saying he needs to get up early tomorrow if he's going to get started on the trees.

Number 26
Harvey greets a sneaky Lyn at the door. She keeps giving him praise for being a good boy as she gets the gun out of her bag and ah drops it. With that red tissue from earlier she picks it up again. She's about to put it in a drawer in the lounge room/kitchen dividery bit but changes her mind, deciding that wrapping it up in a tea towel and putting it behind the frozen veggies in the freezer. She turns and says Harvey but no it's Oscar watching her from the doorway and giving her a thumbs up aww how cute. She goes to pick him up and take him back to bed.

Scarlet Bar
Ned's getting artwork from some mothers of adoring fankiddies and Loris thinks it's embarrassing. Toadie agrees, there's nothing as tragic as a woman chasing a man young enough to be their grandson but hey it happens. Ned comes back and tells them they're mum's of the Noodles fans, the kids had some presents for them. Ned has a show and tell and my god that kangaroo that kid drew looks like a slug!

Meanwhile in the background Izzy's telling Elle she won't go back to live with them. Elle thinks she should at least try and patch things up with him but Izzy doesn't seem to keen, saying Elle will find she doesn't have to do anything. Elle says that he needs her. Izzy replies that the last thing the both of them need is each other, which was his own words. Lyn's influence is much better that her's will ever be. If Izy was to go back he'd never have a chance at a normal life and she wouldn't either.

ELLE: Oh as long as it's all about you then.

Ah but for once it isn't Elle. Back at the other table Toadie says he's fine with the contract but he does have one final question for Loris though, it's nothing as personal as her age more what her name is. He's happy with Ms Beaumont but he isn't so sure the tax department would be. Loris is finding all this administration stuff very tiresome but Toadie continues.

TOADIE: It's Loris isn't it? I knew the moment you smacked his bum.
NED: I'm sorry?
TOADIE: She pulled the same move on me when I broke that crystal vase when I was mucking around in your lounge room with Dwayne. I was about five wasn't I? Ms Beaumont here is a Timmins, Kimbo's mum. You know Kimbo, as in Janae's dad. You know Janae, as in our housemate.

Ned shows all the surprise in the world... not. Loris explains she was very young when she had Kim, practically a child bride. Toadie's wondering why she's had this whole double act thing but unfortunately for him Loris makes a quick exit.

Lassiter's Lake - Day
Tis early and Lynnie's looking all suss. Ah she's put the gun in a plastic bag! She throws it into the lake and impatiently watches it float for a few seconds before sinking to the bottom. She turns to see Izzy watching her. Uh-oh.

Number 32
Aww Charlie's baby talking and Max isn't talking back. Hmm Steph comes in and asks if he's waiting for a invite to talk back, or give him a cuddle. Nah Max decides to skidaddle and work on the trees.

Lyn's over, she's been thinking about last night. She assures Steph it won't happen again. Steph knows, Max already said that. Lyn's surprised he isn't worried about it all. Steph says he's a bit shaken which Lyn can understand, she hopes the police won't be involved. She knows they should because a gun was involved... uh-oh Steph didn't know that.

STEPH: Did you say a gun?
LYN: Oh Steph, didn't he tell you?
STEPH: He doesn't tell me anything anymore mum, it's like I'm invisible.
LYN: Oh he's in shock.
STEPH: Yeah so am I. Oh my god I can't believe he would keep that from me, he could've been killed last night.

Lyn comforts poor Steph.

Number 30
Toadie and Carmella come in talking about how Elle's coping. Carmella asks if he's working on the weekend. Toadie says he has no life, and Carmella is ready to join him in that department and whoever he's meeting with mustn't have one either. Toadie thinks and says he really shouldn't be telling her this, but he does anyway - he had a meeting with Izzy to sort out all her finances and her will... and it felt final. They both ignore the knocking on the door as Carmella tells him that she offered her the car the other day, that Izzy said she didn't need it anymore. They're both now thinking something is seriously wrong with her. Hmmm.

Hello shirtless Neddy answers the door for them, it's Loris (in a black hat and big dark glasses) who is also a bit momentarily blinded by his buffness. Carmella and Toadie make a quick getaway (only to just listen in from the front door) leaving the only in a towel one and Loris. She apologises for her getup but Timmins's are everywhere. Ned asks why she's avoiding her own family. Loris thinks that it's safe to say they are estranged. Neddy says that won't change unless she keeps hiding. Loris doesn't intent on hiding forever, she doesn't have enough hats for starters. She just doesn't want to kick off on the wrong foot. What the? She knows she made a great show of enjoying the things she does have like money and connections but since she's come to town she's been entertaining a little fantasy (having a toy boy?). She's spent the better half of her life being the better half of a cheating ratbag who on his last legs is having his mistress comfort him. How rude! And her only son is god knows where so she's alone. Still... your fantasy is having a toy boy? Ned comes up with that she wants to connect with Janelle and the kids again. Loris sees it as her only chance at having a normal relationship with her family, if she doesn't tread carefully she will end up old and alone. Aww!

Number 22
Paul's staring into space while pouring water into his cup of coffee and whoa look what happens when you do that, the cup overflows and you spill coffee everywhere. Lyn has watched all this and says she thought he hated instant coffee. He does more than ever now! Lyn tells him she talked to Steph, Max won't be pressing charges and she also disposed of the gun, she trusts he won't be getting another one. He shakes his head so Lyn says good, and she's also found a way to finance the payout. With the sale of her house he'll only have to sell 10% of Lassiters Erinsborough which means he stays in control. Paul thanks her, he likes to be in control... most of the time. Lyn asks him if he was listening to any of that. He replies he is and makes some wanting to go to the bedroom now hints that Lyn isn't impressed with. She says it's copping out, Izzy was right.

PAUL: Why would you want to listen to anything she has to say?
LYN: Because she is right as it happens.
PAUL: Oh well you have to look after number one.
LYN: Well that's right you do which is why from now on Oscar and me come first Paul. I'll work for you, but that's all.

Paul's desperate, he tells her she's his rock, she keeps him in the real world. Lyn says that he'll have to find another rock, whatever it was between them is over. Paul doesn't think she means it but she insists she does. Lynnie knows what he said to Cam before he died and he's not keeping his part of the deal. He may as well be stomping on his grave.

Number 32
Steph sits down next to Max and asks why he didn't tell her about last night. Max replies that he did, so Steph says he forgot to tell her about the gun. Max doesn't think it's that important. Steph's surprised, he really thinks almost being killed is not important, that Summer, Boyd and Charlie not growing up with their dad is not important. And then of course there's her.

STEPH: Max, look I know things have been really difficult for you lately I do. But you can't keep acting like nothing's happened it's not healthy for either of us.
MAX: (struggles for words) I just feel very far away from myself, and I'm trying to snap out of it but it's hard. I think I need time.

Steph agrees he does but has a double take when he says that he needs some space. Max offers to go somewhere, or she and Charlie could go see Joe for a few days. Steph's stunned, and asks if he's been thinking about this for a while. She asks him how are they meant to sort out their problems if they're apart. Max says he has to sort out his problems first. Steph says okay if that's what he wants to do, and wants him to promise her that he'll call her if he needs to talk, she's always there for him. He agrees to that and walks away.

Number 30
Ned tells Loris she better not be using Janae as a pawn, if she wants to get the respect of her family back she has to earn it not buy it. Loris can see he's a clever one (heh) and agrees not to do anymore game playing with Janae. Which reminds her that she better leave before Janae comes home. Carmella makes a quick getaway out and Toadie walks back into the room and offers to see her out. Loris says that's very chauvinist for a Rebecchi. Toadie just tells Ned to go put some clothes on. Loris asks him to make it quick she's got a facial to go to. Toadie says Ned's the little brother of his mate and for better or mainly worse the Timmins's are blood so if she screws any of them over there will be hell to pay, he's watching her. He's running the show so she should play nice. Loris replies she always does and sees herself out.

Steph lets herself in and asks if he has a spare thermos, she and Charlie are going away for a few days; Max needs some time. Toadie thought her going away would be the last thing Max needs. They sit and Steph tells him it's like Max has given up on life now and Steph's not sure how far she can push him to bring him back. She thinks she should just shut up and cook some muffins. Toadie says she's a great wife, and that Max knows that. Steph says he seems to have given up on her, their marriage, Charlie... Max really isn't himself anymore and Steph thinks she's lost him. Toadie gives her a hug aww.

Scarlet Bar
Izzy's hurriedly packing away in the office when Carmella comes in and asks what's up with the box. Izzy replies she's sorting things out before she goes, like invoices and stuff. She babbles about Max thinking he's the only one that's good at maths. Carmella interrupts and asks what's going on with her, is everything okay. She's been acting so differently with all the making amends and things, she even offered Carm her car which is weird because she won't even lend her her shoes. Izzy asks which ones, Carmella can have them. Carmella asks outright if she's sick. Izzy says she's feeling fantastic, is it so weird she just wants to make a better life for herself. Carmella says she just wanted to make sure she was okay. Izzy insists she is. Carmella leaves and when Izzy goes so sit down, she doubles over in pain.