No 30
Another chaotic morning at the Rebecchis', as Sonya and Toadie prepare for work. They discuss Sonya's costume for Lauren's hen party, which is flying themed, but she won't reveal what it is! An emotional Steph announces she has a message from Lucas; he's on his way to Erinsborough, and he's bringing his nephew - and Steph's son - Adam.

STEPH: I am about to meet my son!

Here be titles.

Afterwards, Steph explains that she'd asked Lucas to broach the topic of her meeting Adam with Dan, his father. She never thought he'd agree, but he has. Dan and Adam are staying with Lucas and Vanessa, so Lucas has offered to bring Adam to meet Steph.

TOADIE: It's fantastic that this is happening, but you've always said you were gonna wait till Adam was older.
STEPH: I know. Yeah. But then, we've been talking about babies and family. I just felt like maybe it was the right time.
TOADIE: So what does Adam know about you?
STEPH: Well according to Lucas, Dan's been really open and honest with him. So I guess as much as six-year-old can understand. Oh, but guys, I've just been waiting for this day for so long. I don't actually know how he feels about me. He could resent me.
SONYA: Well, he wants to see you. I think that's a good sign.
TOADIE: And this is just the start, right?
STEPH: Yeah!

Steph is elated.

Ramsay Street
Ned finds that the windscreen wipers on Brad's campervan have been vandalised. Mark approaches, and postulates that either kids are responsible, or Jacka. Ned doesn't think it's Jacka's style, but then Mark notices that there's brake fluid all over the road - the brakes have been slashed too.

Mark encourages Ned to come down to the station and report it. Ned says there's no proof Jacka is involved, but Mark says it could help them get his bail revoked.

NED: Or it could just rile him up even more.
MARK: Mate, Jacka is out for revenge. And as far as he's concerned, he's on the clock to get it done.
NED: Why would he think that?
MARK: Because he knows that I want him locked up. Mate, think about your family. The best way to hurt you is to hurt the people that you care about. You can't just sit around and do nothing.

Harold's Café
A sweaty Gary comes in for a drink, and announces to an annoyed-looking Terese that he's been working out. He's unaware that she knows about his spying for Paul.

GARY: We've got urgent maintenance issues to discuss. A problem in one of the rooms.
TERESE: I'm busy.
GARY: Team Canning made it through to the next round of the Family Feud auditions. I thought we could... celebrate.
TERESE: ...
GARY: What's the matter? You don't look happy.
TERESE: I don't have time to chat. The toilet in Room 311 is playing up.
GARY: 311 - that's not our room!
TERESE: The toilet, Gary. You need to fix it.

She walks out coldly, leaving Gary confused as to her sudden lack of interest in TITTNL™!

No 26
Xanthe, Angus and Ben are hanging out; Xanthe is making the boys help her practice for Family Feud, and a question about romantic getaways comes up. Angus makes a quip about Australians not being romantic, and Xanthe bites back with a jibe about his 'unrequitable crush'.

ANGUS: Unre-what?
XANTHE: Focus!

Gary comes in, and Xanthe tries to rope him into the practice session too.

XANTHE: If you were going on the perfect date with the perfect woman, where would you go?
GARY: Depends if she's talking to me or not.

Gary heads into the kitchen, but Xanthe follows, sensing something's wrong. He admits he's been seeing someone, and asks Xanthe not to tell Sheila. Xanthe recalls Sheila not being too thrilled when Gary went on a date with Terese. Gary doesn't reveal who his mystery woman is, but says he thinks it's over, explaining that she just blanked him.

XANTHE: Dad, man up. You just need to show her your true self. Sweep her off her feet - that's what every woman wants.
GARY: I'm not gonna change who I am.
XANTHE: I'm just making you the better version of yourself.
GARY: I'd better get ready for work. There's a dunny needs fixing - at least I know I'm good at that.

No 28
It's Elly's day off, and she's cooking breakfast when Ned turns up to see her. He tries to tell her something, but she's too excited to listen because they have the place to themselves.

ELLY: Oh my gosh. Living with teenage boys is so intense - they're so moody. Every time I turn around, Angus is just right there.
NED: I'm really sorry.
ELLY: This isn't gonna be good, is it?
NED: I have to leave town again. Jacka's on the warpath. We think he may have cut the brake lines to the van. He's playing mind-games with me; he's trying to psych me out.
ELLY: So don't let him!
NED: I know how guys like him work. They keep you guessing, and then they go after the ones you care about. I'll be away until the wedding. Six weeks, okay? I just - I can't put everyone here at risk. I'd hate it if anything happened to you.
ELLY: I can take care of myself.
NED: Elly!
ELLY: Ned, you promised you wouldn't walk away again.
NED: If I distance myself, maybe Jacka will follow.
ELLY: What about Regan?
NED: I haven't seen Regan since I dropped her off. If she's smart, she's laying low. Hey, you know how I feel about you.
ELLY: No, I don't. Because you just keep disappearing. And I get that Jacka's a threat, but maybe you just want to walk.
NED: Elly, that's not true.

He kisses her, and promises to call, before leaving.

Lassiter's Lake
Steph is sitting on the grass, looking at pictures of Adam when he was a baby. Lucas arrives with a little boy.

STEPH: It's really him, isn't it?
LUCAS: Collecting leaves for his scrapbook.
STEPH: He's so beautiful.
LUCAS: Hey, Adam! Come over here. This is Steph. You wanna say hi?
STEPH: Adam! Hi!
ADAM: Hello!
STEPH: I'm Steph. I'm your mum!

Adam doesn't have much of a reaction.

STEPH: Oh, it's so wonderful to see you.

The feeling doesn't appear to be particularly mutual.

STEPH: So I've made some snacks. And I thought that maybe we could talk and get to know each other? Do you want to sit down?
ADAM: Okay!
LUCAS: All good?

Steph and Adam both smile.

Shortly afterwards, Steph is showing Adam the baby photos. They briefly talk about his plane journey from Sydney; he doesn't seem to say much, and refuses Steph's offer of food and drink. But when Lucas starts talking about sport, he does reveal that he's a cricket fan.

STEPH: Hey, do you want to come to the cricket with me some time?
ADAM: No thank you.
LUCAS: Oh, I'm sure you do, mate.
STEPH: No, that's alright. We'll find other cool stuff to do. We could maybe go to the movies, or we could test your bowling arm. What about that?

Adam is noncommittal. Lucas explains he's invited Ben along to meet Adam too (Ben's mum Libby was married to Adam's father Dan), and goes to call him to see if he's on his way. Steph looks slightly awkward as she's left alone with Adam.

The Waterhole
Elly is moaning to Aaron about Ned leaving for six weeks. Aaron tells her how dangerous Jacka is, and that Ned slept with his wife!

ELLY: Thanks for reminding me (!)
AARON: You're falling for this guy, right?
ELLY: No!
AARON: Hmm.
ELLY: Maybe. But he hasn't said he loves me.
AARON: You know, that still doesn't mean he doesn't feel it.
ELLY: If he loved me, he wouldn't walk away. Isn't that how it's meant to be?

Aaron says he's not best positioned to advise on that, since his last two boyfriends left him for Dubai and the army respectively. He says he let them go because he didn't want to leave his family and friends. But he admits that, especially with Nate, it might have been worth the risk to go with him.

Meanwhile, Gary asks Terese why his security pass isn't working - he just tried to get into her office to clean it. Terese refuses to explain, and simply walks off again, leaving Gary even more confused.

No 26
Xanthe has Gary all suited up, to help him impress his mystery woman. He continues to moan that she's giving him the cold shoulder, but that he doesn't know what he's done wrong. And what's more, he says the suit just 'isn't me'.

XANTHE: Dad, you can be whoever you want to be. That's what you always tell me.
GARY: But you're different. You're beautiful, talented - it's like you've got this light shining out of you.
XANTHE: So do you. Well, I see it. I see you clearer than you see yourself.
GARY: Mmm.
XANTHE: Stand up straight. Wear the outfit, Dad - don't let it wear you. You really like this woman, don't you?
GARY: There's chemistry. It's intense, like -
XANTHE: Woah, okay. I don't need to know all the gory details.
GARY: Well she's not like anyone I've ever dated. Strong, smart, interesting.
XANTHE: Dad, you are all of those things. You're a total catch. You just need to believe in yourself (...) That is what we need to win Family Feud, and that is what you need to sweep this woman off her feet.

Buoyed by Xanthe's pep-talk, Gary puts on a pair of sunglasses - then changes his mind and takes them, and the suit, off again!

Lassiter's Lake
Adam is still with Steph and Lucas, playing Dragon Prophesies on a tablet. Ben has joined them, and seems to be getting on well with Adam.

BEN: When I last saw you, you were a baby. And look at you now!
STEPH: And I've thought about you every single day.
ADAM: You don't need to be sad!
STEPH: I'm not sad! Hey, you're here - how could I be sad?

Lucas announces that he and Adam have to go, as Vanessa's waiting. But he suggests they pop by again tomorrow. Adam is again noncommittal, so Steph tells him to have a great time with his cousins. He nods and smiles, then leaves with Lucas. Steph looks sad at the lack of affection. As they walk away, she turns to Ben.

STEPH: Dan's done a great job. Gorgeous kid.
BEN: Yeah, he seems happy.
STEPH: Yeah, he does.

No 32
Ned takes a photo on his phone of a montage of framed pictures of the family - Brad, Lauren, Piper, Paige and himself. Elly comes in, interrupting him.

ELLY: If you're leaving, I'm coming with you.
NED: I don't even know where I'm going. And you have a job.
ELLY: Doesn't matter, I'll take leave.
NED: Elly, we can't.
ELLY: Yes, we can. Just say yes. I want to be with you.
NED: I drive you crazy.
ELLY: Yes, you do. And you're stubborn. But maybe that's why we work. Look, I know this is new. But it feels right. Like we're meant to be together - like we fit. And there's a chance I'm in love with you.
NED: ...
ELLY: Okay. At least I know.

She goes to leave.

NED: Hey, hang on. I don't want to walk away from you.
ELLY: So?
NED: Pack your stuff. I'll pick you up in an hour.

Elly hugs Ned delightedly, but he looks conflicted.

No 28
Elly is explaining her decision to leave to Susan, who is most unimpressed, accusing her of giving up everything on a whim to follow Ned. Angus comes in, and looks equally concerned. Susan reminds Elly that she was doubting Ned just a few days ago, but Elly insists it's all sorted now.

SUSAN: Ned will always put himself first. And what about Jacka? You've already been dragged into that feud. This is going to make you more of a target.

But Elly thinks Jacka will get bored and move on. She promises she'll be back for the wedding.

ELLY: I'm so in love with Ned. I've never felt like this before.

Angus's heart quietly breaks. Susan says it's nice to see Elly smiling, but that she's just starting to do great work at school. Elly says she feels bad taking leave at such short notice; Susan agrees that it doesn't look good professionally, but says she'll organise the paperwork all the same. Elly rushes to her room to pack. Angus looks worried.

No 32
Angus has come round to confront Ned. He tries to convince Ned that Elly's happy in Erinsborough, and safe. He reiterates Susan's remark that taking leave without notice is not a good look.

ANGUS: And what are you offering her? A life on the run?
NED: I know you have a crush on Elly.
ANGUS: I just want what's best for her.

Angus asks if Ned can guarantee Elly's safety from Jacka.

NED: ...
ANGUS: If he finds you, and hurts her, you'll have to live with that.

Angus leaves, and Ned looks pensive.

The Waterhole
Gary tries to talk to Terese again, demanding to know why she's blanking him and apologising for whatever he's done. Terese reveals that she knows Gary stole from her and spied on her while he was working for Paul - and says she hasn't decided whether or not to fire him.

TERESE: I'm still too angry to even think about it.
GARY: Honestly, I feel terrible.
TERESE: Yeah, you should. I trusted you. I've changed the code on your security pass. You no longer have access to my office, or any other part of my life.

Terese walks off.

No 30
Steph reports back to Toadie and Sonya on her meeting with Adam.

STEPH: Oh, he is gorgeous.
TOADIE: No surprises there.
STEPH: Yeah. He was pretty nervous at first, and then, once he relaxed, it just became perfectly pleasant, really.
SONYA: Oh, that's... that's good!
STEPH: Yeah, I guess. I mean, it's weird - I was bracing myself for all sorts of things before I met him. Like anger, or resentment. But there was absolutely no emotion from him at all.
TOADIE: Well, he's only just getting to know you.
STEPH: Exactly. Yeah. And don't get me wrong - I'm rapt that he's so well-adjusted. It's just that, with Charlie, there was this need for me underneath it all. But with Adam, there's no need - he's completely fine without me.
SONYA: That could change over time, though.
STEPH: Yeah, it could. But ultimately, it's about what's right for him. And he's happy. He doesn't need me right now. One day, maybe, but not right now. So I might call Lucas and tell him not to bring him back tomorrow.
SONYA: Why don't you just talk to Mark first? I mean, you might change your mind.
STEPH: I haven't actually told Mark about today. He's just - with all the talk of the surrogacy, and family stuff, it's pretty tough on him too. I just need some space to process it all, and then - yeah, can you just not say anything to him?

Toadie and Sonya reluctantly agree to keep quiet.

No 32
Mark tells Ned that the brake lines on the van were definitely cut; Tyler's going to check it over at the garage for any other sabotage. Ned remarks that Jacka's having fun messing with his head, but says he hasn't had any further contact from Jacka. Mark again suggests that Ned make a formal complaint, but Ned insists he'll handle it his way.

NED: I'm leaving town. Jacka's coming after my family, isn't that what you told me?
MARK: What about Brad and Lauren? Are they okay with this?
NED: I haven't told them. They'd just try to stop me. Especially when they find out I'm not coming to the wedding.
MARK: But you're Brad's best man!
NED: Yeah. I've put a lot of thought into this. I show up there on the day, that's like a red rag to Jacka. Makes the whole thing a target. You told me to look after my family - I am. This is the best solution.

Mark tries to convince Ned to let the police handle it, but Ned's all packed up and ready to leave. Mark tells him to come to him if he changes his mind, then leaves.

Ned gets a text from Elly, asking where he is. He looks thoughtful.

Ramsay Street
Ned leaves No 32 with his rucksack, and looks across at Elly's house, as if deciding what to do...

No 28
Elly gives Susan her leave request form. Angus tries to convince her to stay, but she's sure she's made the right decision to go with Ned. She hugs Susan goodbye and wonders what's taking Ned so long; however, Angus finds an envelope that's been posted under the door, addressed to Elly. He tries to read it over her shoulder, but she moves away.

NED (voice): Elly, by the time you get this, I'll be on the road. I've changed my number; you won't be able to contact me. I'm doing this for your sake. I'll see you in a few months, once things settle. And even if I couldn't say it, I feel it. I love you.
SUSAN: Everything alright?
ELLY: You were right. He was always going to put himself first.

Elly looks forlorn.

Promo
- Jack tells Paige to stay out of his life, and find someone else she can laugh at
- Paige looking worried in a hot air balloon basket
- Elly says she'll probably never hear from Ned again
- Elly looking scared in the hot air balloon basket, as people scream
- Lauren is excited for her balloon ride, and thanks Piper for dreaming it up
- Lauren, Piper, Paige and Elly looking scared in the basket
- Paige, Lauren, Piper and Elly walk towards the camera. The words 'Neighbours - Sky Fall' appear