Power Street
Clive grabs Charlie by the collar and demands to know what he was doing poking around in the back of his ute.

CLIVE: Who sent you to spy on me? Was it the mayor? Or one of her friends? Or that cop mate?
CHARLIE: Nobody told me to come here!
CLIVE: Well, what are you doing here?

Charlie looks scared.

Cue titles.

Afterwards, we rejoin Clive and Charlie - who claims he was looking for snakes.

CLIVE: You're in so much trouble, boy.

Charlie begs to be let free, but Clive says he'll stay here until he figures out what to do with him. A passing car distracts Clive, and Charlie manages to escape his grasp, running into some nearby trees. But Clive chases with a stick he's holding.

No 30
Sonya is moaning to Mark and Steph about Clive's intransigence over the bike lanes. Mark goes to fetch Charlie from his room, but finds he's not there. Sonya says he's not in the yard either. Mark admits that Charlie was asking questions about the snakes before he went to his room around an hour ago. Steph immediately heads out to look for him, while Sonya starts ringing around.

No 32
Lauren is on the phone to Steph, and promises to keep an eye out for Charlie. Brad is surprised Charlie wasn't sticking closer to home after the dumpster incident. Piper brags to Lauren, Brad and Ned about how Clementine the cat is a feline superhero having fought off The Snake™.

Ned is worried about being unemployed, but Lauren mentions there's a bar job going at The Waterhole. Ned says he'll call Sheila and ask about it. He suggests to Piper that they go outside for a swim, when he hears the sound of a motorbike - which Lauren says will be Steph going out to look for Charlie. Ned seems disconcerted by the sound of the bike.

PIPER: Since when did bikes make you jumpy?
NED: They don't. Are you coming for a swim or not?

Power Street
Steph is riding around on her bike looking for Charlie, while Clive also patrols the area with his stick, shouting out for Charlie to show his face.

CLIVE: Come on, kid. I'm not gonna hurt you. I only want to know who sent you round here to spy on me. Didn't your mother ever tell you it was rude to walk away from someone when they're trying to talk to you?

Steph arrives on the scene, and Charlie rushes towards her. She's relieved to see him, then turns angrily to Clive.

STEPH: What the hell are you doing with my son? Did he hurt you? Are you okay?

Charlie doesn't answer, just looks traumatised.

No 28
Aaron is hanging around with Susan, Karl and Elly, apparently for want of anything better to do. He's trying to persuade Elly to come out for a drink with him, but she doesn't seem all that keen. Aaron explains he's just found out on Facebook that Nate has a new boyfriend - 'some guy from the army' - and admits he'd find a night out a welcome distraction. However, Elly's still not up for it.

Karl agrees that it's a good idea for Elly to take it easy; she hasn't been out of hospital for long. Susan reminds Elly that they have to go round to Brad's house for a staff meeting.

No 32
Susan and Brad are discussing ways to be creative with school funding after the money for remedial tutoring went to the bike lane project. Brad suggests using the leftover formal money, but Susan wanted to use that for computers. She asks for Elly's opinion, but she's engrossed in her mobile phone, and it's clear she's not really interested - she says they should make an executive decision.

Piper comes in from her swim, and is not pleased to see Elly.

PIPER: Great, you're here (!)
ELLY: Aww, you missed me since I've been off sick (!)
PIPER: Oh, you've got no idea how much (!)

Brad tells Piper to stop being rude, but Elly says it's fine - they just 'stir each other up'. Ned comes in, in a towel, and Elly immediately takes a liking to him. Brad explains that Ned is staying for a while, and Susan introduces Elly.

NED: Nice to meet you!
ELLY: You can just call me the girl next door.

Ned says he'll get out of their hair, but Elly declares the meeting nearly finished anyway, which gets an eyebrow raise from Susan! Elly goes to put the kettle on.

Power Street
Mark arrives in a police car to speak to Clive, following Steph's report of what happened. He accuses Clive of chasing Charlie; Clive retorts that Charlie was snooping in his stuff.

MARK: If I find out that you've harmed one hair on his head...
CLIVE: I didn't touch the kid. He's the one you should be giving a talking to.
MARK: Charlie thinks you might have snakes hidden in there.

Clive says that's absurd, and tells Mark to take a look. He doesn't find any snakes in the ute, but he does find a load of bricks similar to the one thrown through the window at the Rebecchi Law office. Mark claims it's more than enough evidence for a warrant to search Clive's property. Clive says that's harassment, but Mark promptly arrests him.

No 32
Brad, Susan and Elly are still talking about work. Brad is suggesting that they get top-performing students to help the struggling ones, to make up for the loss of the remedial tutoring. Susan is keen, but once again Elly is not listening - she's too busy eyeing up Ned!

ELLY: What kind of student were you at school, Ned?
NED: Sorry?
ELLY: Were you a good boy, or a bad boy?
NED: Probably somewhere in the middle.
ELLY: We probably shouldn't put him on the list to community volunteer, then.
NED: Probably not.

Brad says he wants some input from Ned on the graphic design programme (?) and Elly is interested to learn that Ned is a tattoo artist.

ELLY: I've been thinking of getting one, but I'm not sure where. Any suggestions?
NED: ...

Piper looks highly unimpressed with Elly's flirtation strategy, and leaves to check on Clementine. Ned smiles bemusedly at Elly.

Erinsborough Police Station
In the interview room, Mark presents Clive with a brick - the one used to vandalise Rebecchi Law. Mark claims that the police have 'run some tests' on the brick compared to the ones from Clive's ute, and that they're identical and were bought from the same place.

MARK: So why don't you stop playing games, and tell me the truth?
CLIVE: Alright, alright. I threw the brick. But the mayor and her mates left me no choice.
MARK: I doubt the judge will see it that way.
CLIVE: Course not. He's part of the system. Helping to build this nanny state. Whatever happened to people's liberties? It's supposed to be a free country.
MARK: It doesn't give you the freedom to destroy property and terrorise people.
CLIVE: No-one would listen to me, so I had to take action.
MARK: Right, so running down those bikes wasn't enough? Do these actions include spray-painting threats on the mayor's car? Or releasing deadly snakes into her street?
CLIVE: I told you, I had nothing to do with those things.
MARK: Right.
CLIVE: Look, I'm the victim here (...) I was trying to make my voice heard. In the face of oppressive bureaucracy.
MARK: You deliberately intimidated a child.

Clive says Mark's already decided he's guilty - there'll be no justice for 'little old me'.

MARK: You get the same justice as everyone else, Clive. I hope you've got a good lawyer.

No 32
Ned comes off the phone from Sheila, and tells Brad and Lauren he's got an interview for the job at The Waterhole - but he says it's only temporary. Lauren remarks about how Elly was acting around Ned; he says she was probably just being friendly. Brad suggests Ned ask Elly out for a drink, but Ned points out that Piper didn't seem to like Elly much, and that it might be awkward if he dated her.

Given what has happened between Piper and Elly since Elly arrived, Ned says it's best he keeps his distance, and Lauren agrees. Brad looks disappointed, as Ned leaves the house to put the bin out.

Ramsay Street
Mark is filling in Sonya on the Clive situation, which she wishes she'd handled better from the start. Mark is worried about Steph, who was annoyed with him for letting Charlie slip out - but Sonya says she'll calm down.

SONYA: She was just scared. And she wasn't the only one. I saw your face when you realised Charlie was gone.
MARK: Yeah, I was terrified. Especially after what he went through in that dumpster. The thought of anything else happening to him makes me sick in the stomach.

Sonya thinks it's cute that Mark is so concerned for Charlie.

SONYA: You've always wanted a family, and now you've got one.

She encourages Mark to go and talk to Steph, but Mark wants to let her spend some time alone with Charlie first.

Meanwhile, Ned runs into Elly as he's putting the bin out. She continues her flirtation by walking in the same direction as him, and he's awkward about it.

NED: Maybe we should just bite the bullet and admit that we are walking together. I'm heading towards The Waterhole if you want to join me.
ELLY: Oh, look, you seem really great, and obviously, you're cute. But I'm not looking to date anyone right now.
NED: I'm just heading down there for a job interview. I just meant we could walk together, not...
ELLY: A date.
NED: Yeah.
ELLY: Gotcha.
NED: You seem really lovely, but I'm still sort of getting over someone.
ELLY: Yeah. Course.

Elly then sees The Snake™ slithering around near the pavement, and starts yelling for Mark. Sonya calls the snake-catcher, while Mark tells everyone to stand back until he gets here.

ELLY: What do you mean stand back? Go in there and get it!
NED: Yeah, go on, mate. Arrest the snake!

Mark doesn't seem too keen!

Shortly afterwards, Ari Philcox, the snake-catcher, has arrived, and manages to get the snake in a bag, which he then puts in the back of his van. Steph comes out to join Elly, Sonya and Mark; Elly has identified the snake as the one that tried to kill her. As Ari drives off in the van, Elly wonders what will happen to the snake. Mark and Steph say it will probably just be relocated.

ELLY: So that's it? It just gets off scot-free? No punishment? That's unacceptable!
MARK: ...
SONYA: Erm, well, it's an endangered species, so, you know, I'm sure it'll be out of harm's way.
ELLY: There is no justice in this world.

Elly marches off. Sonya, Steph and Mark can't believe what they've just heard! Mark says he's heading back to work, and tells Steph he'll catch up with her later. She agrees, but is somewhat cold. Once he's gone, Sonya accuses Steph of being a bit harsh on Mark. She concedes she probably is, but can't believe he didn't notice Charlie had gone. Sonya says Mark's beating himself up enough as it is.

No 32
Lauren and Brad are practising their bridal waltz! Lauren isn't keen on the music they're using, and wants something 'more original, more us'. They agree to keep looking, and start kissing. Ned comes in and it's awkward. He tells them he got the job at The Waterhole, and Brad congratulates him.

Ned says he doesn't want things to be awkward between them all after what happened last time; Brad insists they've put it all behind them, and Lauren agrees.

BRAD: I want you to be here, and I want you to feel welcome.
NED: Well, I do.

Ned leaves them to it.

BRAD: Michael Flatley.
LAUREN: ...
BRAD: Okay, what about a flashmob or something?

Lauren throws a cushion at him.

No 28
Aaron is still hanging out with Elly and the Kennedys; they've invited him round for dinner in a bid to cheer him up since he learned the news about Nate's new beau.

ELLY: We can stuff our faces and laugh at dumb boys. I mean, can you believe Ned said no to this?
KARL: You shouldn't care, given you were going to reject him!
ELLY: I just wanted to say no. I haven't rejected anyone in ages.
SUSAN: Are you sure you're not interested? Cos you were flirting up a storm at Brad and Lauren's.
ELLY: I was bored, Susan. Flirting entertains me.

Elly explains how Ned said he was still getting over someone, which she thought was just a code for not being into her. But Susan and Aaron pull faces, indicating that there's more to the story. Elly demands that they spill. Aaron says that Ned wasn't lying about getting over someone.

AARON: He kind of got hung up on Lauren. His dad's fiancée.
KARL: Why didn't you tell me?!
SUSAN: I know it didn't get serious. And I also know they'd be mortified if they knew we were talking about it!

By coincidence, Ned then arrives at the door! He invites Elly for a drink at The Waterhole, and she agrees. She asks for a few minutes to get ready, and Ned goes to wait for her outside.

SUSAN: Well, that was a quick about-face!
AARON: What happened to not wanting to date anybody?
ELLY: Well, that's before I knew he had an Oedipus complex. How could one refuse that kind of intrigue?

Karl, Susan and Aaron all laugh as Elly goes to get ready.

KARL: And Cyclone Elly is back!

No 30
Steph is laying down the law to Charlie; she tells him he mustn't leave the house again without asking an adult first. She then hugs him.

STEPH: You are my world.
CHARLIE: I used to think about you lots. Before I came here. I used to wonder if we'd be together like this, or if you'd just stay a memory. This person that was only half-real.
STEPH: I was always determined to be back in your life. That's what helped me to get better.
CHARLIE: Good, good. Cos you're my mum, and being here has made me really happy. And I don't have to imagine you anymore, because you're real.

Steph hugs him, just as Mark comes in. Charlie apologises to him for running off - in the process referring to Steph as Mum - and then leaves them to it. Mark apologises to Steph for not keeping a closer eye on Charlie. Steph's emotional.

STEPH: It's all worked out in the end. It's brought me and Charlie a whole lot closer. He called me Mum.

Mark hugs her, saying she's worked really hard for this.

MARK: You're family now. And I hope in some way I can be part of that. I don't know what I'd do if I lost either of you two. And this whole ordeal has made me realise that I love that kid like he's my own son. And I love you too.

They kiss as Steph cries.

STEPH: I love you too. We'll just love each other and look after each other, and that's all that matters.

The Waterhole
On their date, Elly demands to know about the woman Ned is still getting over. When he's evasive, she admits that she's heard he had a thing with Lauren. Ned makes it clear they didn't have a thing, and says it's in the past.

NED: Right now, I'd like to get to know more about you.
ELLY: That's easy. I'm an open book.
NED: Well how about I get us another round, and you can start at page one?
ELLY: Done.

Ned goes to the bar - but when he gets there, he encounters an old biker gang comrade of his, Tugg Nelson. They discuss their mutual friend Jacka Hills getting locked up for the Lassiter's explosion.

TUGG: Why are you here?
NED: Oh, you know. Just keeping out of trouble.
TUGG: Sweet. Well I'll tell the boys. Organise a catch-up.
NED: Nah, don't do that. They don't want to see me.
TUGG: ... Whatever you reckon.

Offended by Ned's lack of interest in 'the boys', Tugg moves a seat away from Ned. Ned looks worried.

Lassiter's Lake
Mark tells Steph that Clive 'abused the sarge', so will be locked up ahead of his bail hearing. He adds that Clive will be representing himself, and that it's likely he'll be locked up for quite some time. Steph's relieved, especially with the snakes gone. However, as they walk through the hotel car park, they fail to notice Ari Philcox, the snake-catcher, looking suspicious in the back of his van.

He closes the van door, and we see he's surrounded by boxes labelled 'danger, venomous snakes'. He picks up a dead mouse and feeds it to The Snake™ which is still in the bag he used to catch it.

ARI: Here's a special little treat for doing such a good job. We've still got a lot of work to do.

Promo
- Paige turns up for a Father Jack sermon; he tells the congregation that he fell in love
- Creepy snake- catcher Ari watches No 24 from the bushes
- Paige attends confession with Jack, telling him she can't pretend about her feelings anymore
- Toadie finds a picture of Belinda, and thinks someone's been in the house
- Ari hiding in the bushes watching a car pull out of Ramsay Street