Number 22/Harold's Store
Paul tells Rebecca he's going to the office to work late, leaving her to wallow alone in her misery. She rings Michael, who is doing some wallowing himself in Harold's Store, but he just ignores her call.

Number 22 - Next Morning
Rebecca's in such a depressed state she can't even bother to put on a cheery facade for Paul. When he questions her solemn mood she just says that yesterday's work shift really took it out of her. Rebecca loses her composure as soon as Paul leaves for work, but she quickly wipes away her tears when Declan joins her. He can see she's hurting, though, and wants to know why she's upset.

REBECCA: I told Michael the truth. I had to, I was going to lose him.
DECLAN: You told him everything?
REBECCA: Now he won't take my calls (she bursts into tears). And Paul nearly went for the affidavit... I would have been free.
DECLAN: He wouldn't do it?
REBECCA: No, he didn't want to make things worse between us by dragging it all up again. (She takes a few deep breaths) Everything I've done was to get us out of here, and Michael was going to be waiting for me.
DECLAN: If he's the man you say he is, he's not going anywhere. He loves you, mum, and he knows how much you love him.
REBECCA: No, you didn't see the way he looked at me.

Declan tells her to just give Michael some time and to "hang in there". He says he loves her and that he knows she can get through this - she can't give up yet. Summoning strength through her tears, Rebecca says she won't as Declan gives her a comforting kiss on the cheek.

Harold's Store
Summer's sitting alone reading when Andrew walks in. She's pleased to see him until she realises that Tash is hot on his heels. Michael, who is getting a coffee, asks Tash when her next hospital appointment with Doug is. Tash mutters something about "a few weeks" before telling her dad to get off her case about it. She's in for more baby talk with Andrew, though, who shows her some nutrition info he got from the internet. Tash is annoyed at first, but when she sees him glancing Summer's way she pretends she's super interested in the print- outs. When Summer grabs her things to leave, Tash stops her for a 'friendly' chat, rubbing it in about how much Lyn and Charlie miss living with her.

Lassiter's Complex
Declan finds Michael finishing up his coffee and makes him stay for a chat about Rebecca. He doesn't blame Michael for freaking out but he has to know what his mum did was an accident. Michael doesn't understand why they couldn't just go to the cops and tell them that. Declan explains that Rebecca tried to but he convinced her to wait it out until they knew how bad Paul's condition was - but then he woke up from his coma and all hell broke loose.

DECLAN: Ever since then he's had a hold on her and he won't let go. It's driven me crazy. I didn't know what was going on, I didn't know how anyone could put up with that.
MICHAEL: Well you know now.
DECLAN: She gave up her freedom for me. She sacrificed so much. It blows my mind, she always puts me and Indy first. The only thing getting her through the last few weeks was you. Put yourself in her position and see how much she needs you to step up for her. After everything she's been through she deserves to be happy.

Michael looks affected by Declan's words, but he doesn't give him an answer either way, just picks up his bag and walks off. Declan prays he's made a difference.

Harold's Store
Andrew chides Tash for making Summer feel worse about leaving #32 then gives her a stern look when she orders a latte - caffeine's a no- no for the baby. Michael returns to pay his bill and tells the kids they should head off to school, but they have a free period. Paul and Rebecca walk in and Paul can't wait to show Michael some information he got from his solicitor about paternity tests. Andrew warns his dad to lay off but Tash bursts out that she's not doing the "stupid test".

PAUL: Alright, if I'm wrong I apologise.
MICHAEL: Look, they say the baby's theirs and I believe them. If you don't have enough faith in your son that's your problem, but I trust Tash and we're not doing the test.
PAUL: Should have known you'd cave.
MICHAEL: I'm not caving I'm protecting my daughter. I will not have the people I love bullied. This ends now, Paul.

The sentiment's not lost on Rebecca and she can only quietly hope that Michael's throwing her a much- needed lifeline.

Charlie's Bar
Paul angrily says to Rebecca that he hopes Natasha is lying because he couldn't stand having anymore to do with that family. Paul adds that Michael is arrogant and infuriating and tells Rebecca she can jump in at any time with another adjective. But Rebecca has got some groove back and simply states that Michael was only defending his daughter - "I think that's admirable". Paul says he's doing the same with Andrew and then says he wants to know that he and Rebecca are on the same page about everything.

PAUL: I just want us to be together as a family again. Put what happened in the past behind us.
REBECCA: I want that too, but how can we with all that stuff hanging over our heads? (She tries her luck again) Maybe the affidavit is a good idea? That way no one can come between us again. Just think about it, that's all I'm saying.

First Commercial Break

Charlie's Bar
Paul stops Declan for a chat before he can reach Rebecca. He sincerely asks how everything at work's going, which makes Declan suspicious, but Paul says he just wants to make things right between them again. Declan says that's going to be tough considering the damaging information Paul has on his mum - unless he has some magic wand to make it all disappear of course. While Paul ponders on this, Declan fakes some enthusiasm and tells him that he's willing to work on the family side of things if Paul is too. Rebecca watches from the bar and gives her son a hopeful smile having overheard their conversation.

Pirate Net
Summer is helping Zeke clean out some old CDs and records from the studio. She talks about Lyn and feels silly for missing her when she's just up the street, but Zeke says he understands. Changing the subject, Summer asks if Zeke's started to pack yet for London but he says he's still got a week left. Andrew and Tash appear for no reason and Tash immediately goes into 'annoy Summer mode' by signing Andrew and herself up to host a "couples" show. Summer leaves to grab some lunch and Andrew quickly follows her, leaving Tash to fill in some forms to be on air.

Pirate Net - Exterior
Andrew chases Summer up the stairs and apologises for all that stuff with Tash. He adds that it's good to see her smiling again; it's been a while.

ANDREW: It's good you've got someone to hang out with.
SUMMER: What do you mean by that?
ANDREW: Nothing, he's a cool guy.
SUMMER: Well I'm glad you approve.
ANDREW: I didn't mean anything by that, OK.
SUMMER: (angry) Do you have any idea how hard it is for me to watch you and Tash play happy families? You're there for her, I get it, but I hate it. I need to move on with my life now, Andrew. But I can't do that with you and Tash everywhere I go.
ANDREW: I would give anything to be with you.
SUMMER: Yeah but this is the way it is. I've got to go.

He watches her walk away.

Charlie's Bar
Paul gets Rebecca to sit down with him and says he's got something for her. She can't believe her eyes when he hands her the one thing she's wanted for so long - an affidavit stating that the mezzanine incident was an accident. The statement mentions that Paul provoked Rebecca and that the push was an act of self defence.

REBECCA: Do you mean it?
PAUL: (nodding) It just has to be signed and lodged.

Paul says that Tim Collins will take care of it in the morning for them, because tonight they're going to celebrate this new chapter in their lives by spending the evening at Lassiter's. Rebecca says she thinks that's a wonderful idea and Paul smiles along with her, believing her tears of sheer relief are tears of joy at their union.

Second Commercial Break

Number 22/Pirate Net - Exterior
Rebecca's looking over the affidavit in the bedroom when her phone rings. She beams when she realises it's Michael. He apologises for walking off on her yesterday and just wanted to check in with her. Rebecca says she's good - really good - and has some exciting news for him, but she wants to tell him in person.

Harold's Store
Declan and Kate banter about the calendar competition while Kate delivers some lunch to Tash. But when Andrew finds her he tells her off again for her eating habits - she's got ham on her plate and deli meat is bad for pregnant women. Tash declares that being pregnant is boring, but their bickering dissolves when they see Summer and Zeke walk in. Andrew is a bit miffed by how much fun they're having chatting together (about Aqua yet again) and Tash deals out more revenge by commenting on that very fact.

Pirate Net
Michael envelopes Rebecca in a big hug as soon as she walks in and apologises again for his behaviour yesterday, but Rebecca says she understands. "So do I," he replies. Rebecca takes his hand and sits down with him to deliver her big news.

REBECCA: Paul's agreed to sign an affidavit, which will stop him from pressing charges. And Declan and I can finally leave the house.

Michael breaks into a grin and hugs her again. He thinks she's moving out tonight and offers to help her, but Rebecca says Paul's not signing anything until tomorrow. She still has to give him the impression that everything's fine between them.

MICHAEL: So tomorrow he signs the papers and you're out of there?
REBECCA: And you and I can be together.
MICHAEL: (he smiles but is still wary) And tonight?
REBECCA: Is my last night with Paul.
MICHAEL: Bec...
REBECCA: It's one night, Michael.
MICHAEL: What if he's playing you? You can't trust him, he's always got an agenda. He could have worked it out.
REBECCA: Well he hasn't and I can't afford to think like that.
MICHAEL: Come with me now, just leave him.
REBECCA: We can't win against him.
MICHAEL: Well you don't know if you don't try.
REBECCA: Michael I've been through this whole thing with Declan.
MICHAEL: You've got me now.
REBECCA: You said that you would support me no matter what.
MICHAEL: No, not anymore. I can't let you do something that you'll regret. Just pack your bags and leave, come to my house tonight. Please.

Michael gives her the pleading eyes and Rebecca looks very conflicted.

Third Commercial Break

Number 22
While Rebecca packs a bag she thinks over everything she's heard today. First is Paul's voice, saying that they're going to celebrate at Lassiter's tonight. Then it's Michael's voice running through her mind, telling her to stay with him tonight. Making a decision, Rebecca grabs her bag and walks out of the bedroom.

Channel Eleven Preview
- Rebecca and Paul in the hotel room
- Paul consents to signing the affidavit
- Rebecca makes a call to Declan, telling him to pack everything
- Paul finds Rebecca and Declan right before they leave
- Rebecca tells Paul they're over and to move out of her way
- Paul starts smashing everything in sight, much to Andrew's alarm

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