Lucas and Vanessa's Flat
Lucas is scrolling through the back end of the sparsely- populated contacts list on his phone (yes, it's literally Summer, Susan, Tank (the token off- screen friend, presumably), Tash, Toadie, Vanessa). Will he ring Vanessa? Probably not, because at that moment, Steph shows up, announcing the two of them are going camping. Lucas says he can't, as he wants to be here when Vanessa comes back. But Steph insists he needs a break, particularly as he's starting radiation therapy soon for his cancer.

STEPH: Come on, you know you want to. Camping under the stars, sinking beers, as we watch a once- in- a- lifetime astronomical wonder.

Looks like Steph's been taking marketing lessons from Paul Robinson - but it pays off, as Lucas agrees to the camping trip.

Lassiter's Complex
Speaking of Paul, marketing and astronomical wonders, we cut to Lassiter's, where Paul is instructing a non- speaking henchman to hand out pamphlets promoting the Eclipse apartments development. Mason and Ajay pass by; Paul overhears as Mason explains his decision to shun Ajay's services in favour of Paul's free legal representation, courtesy of Tim Collins.

MASON: I'm really sorry if we put you out.
AJAY: No, no, you didn't put me out. I'm just worried about you being represented by Tim Collins.
MASON: What's wrong with him?

Come on, Mason - as if you have to ask.

AJAY: He's Paul's lackey. He does his dirty work for him.

Ajay points out it's rather strange that Paul, the victim of Mason's attempted robbery, is so keen to pay his legal fees. Mason says Paul's doing it for Kate, and that he doesn't want to put his parents through any more grief by forcing them to pay for his legal fees. Ajay says he could speak to Toadie and work out a reduced fee - but Mason says he's already accepted Paul's offer, and that he's meeting Tim Collins later. Paul calls Mason over, and Mason explains to Ajay that Paul gave him his job back. Mason thanks Ajay for his help, and apologises again.

Lassiter's Lake
Paul and Mason wander over to the gazebo, which is to be the nexus of Paul's promotional event for the apartment launch, set to coincide with the eclipse itself. Paul instructs Mason to make sure the area is immaculate, and says he'll be working as a waiter there on the big day. Mason says he appreciates everything Paul's doing for him, but mentions that Ajay warned him against Tim Collins.

PAUL: Tim's a top lawyer. Ajay's only miffed because he's not the one that's helping you anymore.

Mason promises Paul that he'll take really good care of Kate; he knows Paul's only helping him because of her. Paul says he'll be keeping a close eye on Mason, just to make sure.

Lucas and Vanessa's Flat
Lucas and Steph are packing up for their trip, when Vanessa arrives back with Patrick. Vanessa is bemused to see Steph emerge from the bathroom with a toilet roll, and Steph explains about the camping trip. Much awkwardness; Steph decides to go home to let them talk, saying she'll see Lucas later. Once she's gone, Vanessa makes it clear how annoyed she is that Lucas was planning on taking off with Steph, and marches off to put Patrick to bed.

Harold's Store
Toadie expresses concern as Steph tells him about the camping trip with Lucas. He also notices she's a bit 'hyper', but she claims she's just excited about the trip. He tells her to have a good time.

Lucas and Vanessa's Flat
Lucas and Vanessa argue; Vanessa can't believe he was planning to go away with Steph, given their history together.

VANESSA: Lucas, are you that naïve? It's obvious what she's trying to do.
LUCAS: She's trying to be a mate.
VANESSA: She's totally manipulated you! Was it her idea?
LUCAS: ...
VANESSA: This whole weekend away, the way she tried to be your support system when you got diagnosed...
LUCAS: Yeah, because she's been through it before. She was trying to protect you.
VANESSA: She was trying to shut me out, so she could get closer to you. And that whole bike thing - she set that up so we would fight.
LUCAS: And I suppose she's to blame for you lying about your ex- husband.
VANESSA: I should've told you about him - I'm sorry!
LUCAS: Yes, you should've!

Vanessa gets upset; she had so much to tell Lucas when she got home, and then she finds Steph there.

LUCAS: What did you want to tell me?
VANESSA: That I love you. That I hated being away from you.
LUCAS: I did too.
VANESSA: I know you think that you're some sort of consolation prize, but you're wrong. My marriage was a mistake. I was young, I was naïve. You are it for me.
LUCAS: You are the best person I know. And everything we've been through just makes me love you more and more.
VANESSA: I want to make this work.
LUCAS: So do I.
VANESSA: Then you have to cut Steph out of your life.

Lucas looks worried.

No 30
Ajay and Toadie discuss the Mason/Paul/Tim Collins situation. Ajay wants to offer his services pro bono, so Mason has a lawyer he can trust. Toadie says if he can handle it alongside his other workload, it's fine by him. Ajay rushes off to let the Turners know.

Lucas turns up for a chat with Toadie; he's decided to cancel the camping trip with Steph. Toadie thinks it's a smart move. Lucas explains Vanessa's back, and wants him to cut ties with Steph completely. Toadie thinks Vanessa has a point; Lucas can't let his loyalty to Steph as a mate come before the people who matter most to him, Patrick and Vanessa. Toadie tells him not to worry about Steph, but just to be clear with her - she's vulnerable, so needs to know exactly where she stands.

Lassiter's Complex
Steph sees one of the posters for the Eclipse apartments, and picks up a flyer. Paul immediately shows up to give her the hard- sell. It seems Steph is willing to be sold to, but when Paul tells her the one- bed properties are ideal, she says she will need at least two bedrooms. Paul suggests it might be out of her price range, but Steph thinks she can get a loan and that Lyn would help her with the deposit. Paul invites her to the launch event but Steph says she's going away, so he promises somebody will give her a call with more details. Paul seems impressed that Steph's getting her life in order.

No 28
Steph is packing up food for the camping trip, when Lucas shows up. He tells her he can't go because Vanessa and Patrick are back. Disappointed, she suggests they go next weekend instead, but Lucas then drops the real bombshell: he can't see her anymore. He has issues to work through with Vanessa and needs to focus on her. Steph immediately guesses that this is Vanessa's doing, but Lucas says it's partly his fault; he got too close to Steph when he shouldn't have.

STEPH: Oh, so now you're just going to shut me out?
LUCAS: No, it's not like that. It's just till Vanessa and I are back on track.
STEPH: I was - I was there for you when you needed me.
LUCAS: Yeah, I know, and I am grateful to you.
STEPH: Yeah, and what about me? What am I supposed to do? I don't have anyone else.
LUCAS: That's not true. You've got Toadie, the Kennedys...
STEPH: You know that's not the same.
LUCAS: They care about you.
STEPH: You're the only person I really trust. Lucas, don't do this!
LUCAS: I'm really sorry.
STEPH: No you're not. You've chosen Vanessa and that's all you care about. You've just used me.
LUCAS: Steph, that's not -
STEPH: Just go.

Lucas leaves, and Steph angrily throws camping food at the door after him.

Lucas and Vanessa's Flat
Lucas spends some quality time with Patrick. Vanessa asks if he's upset about Steph, but Lucas says it's better for everyone this way. Furthermore, Vanessa has decided she wants to quit Harold's, and do some catering instead to bring in some money. Vanessa wants to go and tell Steph now, to get it over and done with. Lucas is worried about how she'll react, but Vanessa assures him she can handle it.

No 32
Ajay turns up to tell Mason he can represent him free of charge. Mason's already met Tim Collins however, who's told him he's pretty confident he can escape jail. Ajay is worried, and says Tim is no position to make that call.

Mason insists he wants Tim to continue to represent him; he owes it to Kate to accept Paul's generosity, and adds that Tim thinks the fact Paul's lawyer is representing him will look good in the eyes of the judge, as it shows he's made amends with the victim of the robbery attempt. Ajay says it's Mason's decision, but tells him to call him if Tim Collins does anything that worries him, or that he doesn't understand. Mason also admits his meeting with Tim was very brief, which makes Ajay even more suspicious about Tim's promises to avoid a jail sentence for Mason.

Charlie's
Ajay confronts Paul, claiming Tim Collins has no right telling Mason he can get him off without a jail sentence - he's making promises he can't keep. Ajay demands to know why Tim is so confident, but Paul is tight- lipped, saying that Ajay is just disappointed that he didn't get the work.

PAUL: I have no other agenda here. Why can't you just accept that I'm just trying to help?
AJAY: Because I know you, Paul. So well.
PAUL: You know what? The only reason you're revved up about Mason, is because it's me that's helping him, not you. And if by some miracle he does get off, then I will be the hero. And that'll kill you, won't it?

Harold's Store
In the kitchen, Steph is doing her level best to qualify for the Angriest Vegetable Chopping Award 2013, when Vanessa shows up to hand in her notice. Steph coldly accepts it, but when Vanessa goes to leave, bars her way.

STEPH: Vanessa, I know you've got some issue with Lucas and I being such close friends. And I also know that you're the one that's stopping him from seeing me.
VANESSA: It's not just my decision, okay? Lucas is on board with this as well.
STEPH: I think we both know that's not true. You've had it in for me since I first arrived.
VANESSA: If that's what you want to believe...
STEPH: It's the truth.
VANESSA: Well I'm sorry you see it that way, but I would have said it was the other way around. Look, I know you and Lucas were close. But that was a long time ago; things have changed. He has a family; we're his priority.

Steph's body language is becoming rather intimidating, as she gets very close to Vanessa.

STEPH: You don't understand! Lucas and I - we're like soulmates! No- one gets me the way he gets me. And I don't know what I'm going to do without him!
VANESSA: I have to go...

Vanessa rushes out anxiously, and Steph goes back to take out her ire on the veggies.

Lucas and Vanessa's Flat
Lucas is randomly speaking Italian to Marco the toy monkey, Patrick's present from Vanessa's mum! Vanessa comes in, and explains that Steph blames her for everything.

VANESSA: I'm just glad it's over.
LUCAS: She'll be okay.
VANESSA: Yeah.
LUCAS: Okay, what?
VANESSA: Maybe I'm overreacting, but I was kind of glad to get out of there. She kind of freaked me out.
LUCAS: What did she say?
VANESSA: She just - I dunno, she was really edgy.

Vanessa resolves to let it go; Steph's not their problem, and they made the right decision. Lucas agrees - nothing else matters except them and Patrick. But as they hug, they both look worried.

No 28
Karl is on the phone to Susan, and asking after Carmel following her accident. After he hangs up, he takes the kitchen bin out. But, surprise, surprise, there's a rip in the bin liner, and Music of Intrigue precedes his inevitable discovery within - Steph's antipsychotic medication. He opens the packet, and is concerned to find it almost full.

Monday on Neighbours
- The residents of Ramsay Street gather to watch the eclipse
- Lou and Lauren are surprised to see Brad Willis and family rock up in Erinsborough
- Rani gets philosophical looking at the sky and stars, and wonders 'is there more to it?'
- Paul wonders how far someone would go to protect their family
- Mason tells Kate he loves her