Number 32
Emmett tearfully tells Aaron and David that his Aunt Linda is moving back to New Zealand and wants him to join her. But Emmett doesn't want to leave Brent, his mum and Aaron and David behind. The boys are thrown when Emmett asks if he can move back in with them instead.

The Waterhole
While Harlow's at the bar, Brent gets a text from Holden that says: 'Keep ignoring me and I'll pay another visit'. Brent quickly shoves his phone into his backpack but accidentally knocks the skull ring out onto the floor. As he's retrieving it, Paul sees him and asks why he's looking so jumpy. Brent hides the ring and is saved from further scrutiny by Harlow returning with their drinks. Terese tells Paul to get a wriggle on so she can check in on Chloe before it gets too late. After Terese and Paul leave, Harlow apologises for Paul's behaviour. Brent says he can take it but Harlow points out he shouldn't have to. Brent then gets a message from Aaron updating him about Emmett.

Number 24
Nicolette is over for movie night and chats with Chloe about Emmett. She says how good Aaron and David are with the teen and can't wait to see them in action with the baby. Chloe's worried Aaron and David won't have the "emotional energy" to take on Emmett's problems so soon after Fay, but Nicolette promises to keep an eye on them. As they settle in to binge watch something, Chloe gets a visit from Terese who is concerned about Chloe returning to work too early.

TERESE: Chloe I appreciate where you're coming from but I really think that coming back to work tomorrow is too soon.
CHLOE: I'm keen to get out of the house and have something to focus on.
TERESE: I understand that.
CHLOE: I knew you would. You're the master of throwing yourself into work when life gets tough, right? And I also knew what you would say if someone tried to tell you you weren't ready.
TERESE: Okay fine, you got me. You can start back tomorrow - but only light duties and only from home.

Chloe insists the office will be fine, but relents when Terese doesn't back down. When Terese leaves, Nicolette says that Chloe easing herself back into work isn't the worst idea. But Chloe doesn't think staying at home will be the right option either.

Number 32
Aaron and David observe as Brent has a chat with Emmett. Brent says their aunt can't just whisk Emmett away when his family is here. He reassures his little brother that they'll figure something out. The teens head off to Harold's before Emmett has to return home, leaving Aaron and David to talk about Emmett's request to move in.

AARON: So what did Linda say when you told her Em was here?
DAVID: Basically just what Em said. That she's struggled to find work and settle in and she's been offered her old role for more money back in NZ.
AARON: Right. I guess if she's struggling generally it might explain why things weren't great between them.
DAVID: I thought the same thing. I mean, maybe they would be better off over there?
AARON: So what about Em asking to stay here?
DAVID: But your mum's just passed. Are we in the right place to give him what he needs?

Lassiters Complex
The next morning, Harlow, Paul, Terese, Roxy and Kyle are sitting outside The Waterhole having breakfast. Harlow suggests they all have lunch together as well, which everyone is agreeable to, until Harlow grins and says she'll invite Brent to join them. Suddenly, Paul remembers a very important business call he can't miss - and he's pretty sure Terese is meant to be in on it also.

HARLOW: For someone who has had so much practice lying you're actually not very good at it.
ROXY: (laughing with Kyle) How'd that burn feel, Paul?
HARLOW: Look, I know you guys aren't the biggest fan of Brent but can you just give him a chance?
PAUL: Don't you think he's had enough already?
HARLOW: No, I don't actually. And you can give him one more for me.

With a resigned demeanour, Paul says he'll attend the lunch.

Number 32
Nicolette, David and Aaron chat about Emmett while they have breakfast. David was tossing and turning all night, worried about what to do. Nicolette says she wouldn't have any trouble with Emmett moving in, but unfortunately the agency would with her criminal record. Aaron optimistically says they should talk to the agency anyway, just in case. Brent joins them for brekkie and is hopeful they're going to let Emmett move in with them.

DAVID: Obviously we don't want Emmett to leave the country.
AARON: No, not at all. It would be amazing to have him here, but at the end of the day it's up to the agency, not us. And a lot has changed with this place since he was last approved to live here.
BRENT: What, like me? That's fine, I'll move out then, that's easy.
AARON: No that's not what we're suggesting.
DAVID: And it's not the only factor. We have our baby on the way, and Nicolette and Jane live here too.
BRENT: If Jane was cool with me living here she'd definitely love Em. And besides, the agency would go nuts about having a teacher in the house.
NICOLETTE: It's me they're going to have a problem with. I've had a few issues with the law.
BRENT: Really? What kind?
NICOLETTE: That's a story for another day. But Az and David are right, it's going to be tricky.

Aaron promises Brent they're going to try everything they can to have Emmett stay with them, but they have to be realistic about it. There's a big chance they're going to get turned down.

Lassiters Complex
Brent has sought out Toadie for advice about Emmett, but Toadie says it's a bit hard to judge without reading up on Emmett's case. Brent says he wants to do everything in his power to stop his aunt. Toadie advises him to perhaps cross that bridge when David and Aaron actually hear back from the agency or his aunt. As Toadie leaves, Harlow joins Brent and asks how everything's going. Brent despondently tells her about Aunt Linda wanting to take Emmett to NZ with her. Harlow is sympathetic towards him and says she was going to invite him to family lunch, but he probably doesn't feel like it at the moment. Brent agrees that he's not in the right headspace to put up with Paul today.

A short while later, Harlow finds Paul, Terese and Roxy coming out of the hotel and lets them know that lunch with Brent is postponed. "What a shame," Paul sarcastically replies, but Terese thinks they should still have lunch together regardless. Harlow doesn't think she'd be able to keep food down with Paul grinning at her in his Cheshire Cat way, though. Terese and Paul head home, but Roxy decides to stick with Harlow. She reminds Harlow not to let Paul get to her.

ROXY: There will be other lunches.
HARLOW: No, not if granddad has his way. I hate the fact that he thinks he's got Brent all figured out when he actually doesn't.
ROXY: You can't blame Brent for not wanting to be around him.
HARLOW: I don't. He's got so much hardcore stuff going on with Emmett right now that this is the last thing he needs. The thing is that they have this mutual love for Emmett, but they're never going to realise it if they keep trying to avoid each other.

Harold's Café
Chloe approaches Nicolette and wonders why she urgently texted about needing to borrow her work laptop. But Nicolette actually got Chloe to come to the Café because she thought she'd have a nicer time working there instead of at home. Nic even reserved the best booth for her, and will have food and coffee on tap while she works. Chloe looks touched that Nicolette is looking after her.

The Flamingo Bar
Brent finds Harlow and says that Roxy let him know how important the family lunch was to her. He wouldn't have blown it off if he'd known how much it meant to her, but Harlow says that Emmett should come first. But Brent also says that Roxy mentioned how much Paul was gloating.

HARLOW: You're happy to hang out with granddad as long as it annoys him?
BRENT: No, of course not. I'm happy if you're not disappointed. Plus, sticking it to Paul is a bonus.
HARLOW: You're willing to do this?
BRENT: (taking Harlow's hand) Of course. Anything for you.
HARLOW: You're an excellent boyfriend.
BRENT: (breaking into a surprised smile) Am I your boyfriend? I mean, I want to be.
HARLOW: (grinning back at him) Then yeah, you are. And you're an awesome all-around human.

Brent says he wouldn't go that far, but Harlow knows that as soon as her family sees him like she does, they won't be able to stop themselves from liking him too.

Lassiters Complex
David is on the phone while Aaron makes small talk with Emmett about school. But Emmett is more intrigued by the new Flamingo Bar set up. Aaron promises they'll let him check it out once they've had some food at Harold's. David encourages Emmett to go find them a table inside and they'll follow him soon. Once Emmett's out of earshot, Aaron asks David what the agency said on the phone. David grimly replies that it's a definite no if Nicolette's still in the house. Aaron wonders if their next step is to speak with Linda. While David's willing to give it a shot, he doesn't quite know what it will achieve. Aaron thinks Linda might be willing to move back to NZ alone, but David points out that still doesn't solve the dilemma of where Emmett's going to live. "Well if we can't figure something out, Emmett's going to New Zealand," Aaron sighs.

Number 22
Paul grumbles about Brent joining them for lunch after all, but Terese warns him to play nice. Kyle tells Roxy he's going to stay on kitchen duties so he doesn't get caught up in the drama. Ned has also joined them and seconds Kyle's pledge. When Harlow and Brent arrive, Harlow apologises for being late and Brent says it's his fault. "Yeah, obviously," Paul snits, but Terese ignores him and goes to chat with Harlow and Brent about Emmett. Brent feels bad for messing Terese's plans around because he's been preoccupied with family stuff, but Terese tells him not to worry. Paul on the other hand has decided to serve up sarcasm for lunch.

PAUL: Anyway, you're going to have to put up with a casual menu. It's the best we could achieve with all this flip-flopping of yours. It's Harlow you should be saying sorry to. She was the only one who was disappointed when she thought it wasn't going to happen.
HARLOW: Maybe this was a bad idea.
BRENT: No, it's all right. (He glares at Paul) Look mate, I know you don't like me. But Harlow does and I really like her. You can be rude to me as much as you want, but whether you like it or not, we're going to be together.

"Ooh, schooled!" Roxy sings out from the kitchen, where she, Kyle and Ned are snickering to themselves. Brent thanks Terese again for having him over, but ends with another glare in Paul's direction, who isn't impressed with the mouthy teen.

Harold's Café
Aaron and David are taken aback when they realise Brent has filled Emmett in on them trying to get him approved to live in #32 again - and that Nicolette has broken the law. David says they only kept quiet because they didn't want to get Emmett's hopes up, but they promise to keep him updated when they know more. Emmett says he hopes Brent's lunch at #22 is going okay and wishes that Paul would treat his brother the same way he treats him. "I'm sorry, buddy, but I wouldn't really count on that," Aaron says. "Speaking from experience, it can take Paul just a little while to warm up to anyone who wants to date someone in his family."

Nicolette checks in with Chloe to see how her work is progressing. Chloe says she got everything finished, which is great in one regard, but it also means she has to head home. Things look up, though, when Chloe realises Nic is nearly finished her shift and can keep her company. Nicolette just needs to speak with David and Aaron first and heads over to their table.

NICOLETTE: I've got a proposition for you three - I move out of number 32
DAVID: What?
NICOLETTE: I've been thinking about it over my shift and it really is the only chance you have of the agency agreeing to let Emmett move back in.
AARON: Yeah but we're not going to do it at the expense of you.
EMMETT: It's your home.
NICOLETTE: You need it more than me. But I won't go far, especially because of the baby.
DAVID: Where would you go?
NICOLETTE: Details I haven't quite figured out yet. But I'm sure I can convince mum to move in with me when she gets back from her trip. And I'll just crash on someone's couch until then.

The boys aren't keen on Nicolette couch surfing while she's pregnant, and Aaron asks Chloe if she'd let Nic move back in. Nicolette quickly says that was only a temporary thing while Fay needed her, but Chloe says that if it means Nic can stay close to the boys then she wouldn't mind. Nicolette hesitates for a moment then agrees, but only until Jane returns home.

Number 22
Ned and Kyle decide they need another beer, but Paul thinks he needs the harder stuff and reaches for the scotch. Roxy's on board with that too, as is Brent, much to Paul's chagrin. Paul comments that scotch is too sophisticated for Brent's palate, "especially since I don't have any cola." But Harlow retorts that Brent's a guest and it would be the hospitable thing to do.

ROXY: (taking a glass from Paul's hand) Ditto for family!
PAUL: We are not related blessedly.
ROXY: Well, step-fam; same difference.

Terese chats with Brent about him helping Ned clean up all the walls that were vandalised at the uni. Brent says it sucked that it happened in the first place, and Roxy says it's a shame finding her attacker wasn't as easy as clearing up all the mess. "It just sucks that there's someone so creepy out there wandering around," she laments. Harlow wonders if Roxy's thought about seeing a counsellor, but Roxy figures unless a counsellor is going to "catch the grub" for her then there no point. Harlow asks what Brent thinks, but he's distracted by a text message from Emmett. Brent's stoked when he hears about Nicolette moving out and David and Aaron potentially fostering Em again. He hurriedly says his goodbyes and says he better head home leaving Harlow looking a bit put out and Paul looking happy he's free of the teen. What Brent doesn't realise is that he accidentally knocked the skull ring out of his backpack and now it's nestled under the couch.

Number 24
Nicolette tells Chloe that she spoke with Jane and she's happy for them to get a place together once she returns. Chloe can see that Nic's not entirely keen on the idea, and Nicolette agrees that not having David and Aaron as a buffer between them could get dicey, but she can handle it. Chloe then wonders on how Nicolette will handle living at #24 - she saw her hesitation when Aaron suggested it.

NICOLETTE: I didn't want things to be awkward after the other night.
CHLOE: They're not, I promise. And we sorted that out didn't we?
NICOLETTE: We did.
CHLOE: I really appreciate what you did for me today. The idea of being here by myself after mum, I wasn't sure I would cope.
NICOLETTE: It's going to be like that for a while. Losing her in your home is tough. But I'm here for you, I hope you know that.
CHLOE: (smiling) My own private booth at Harold's kind of gave it away.

Nicolette says she'll pop the kettle on before they go back to get the rest of her belongings. Chloe takes a moment to look at the framed photos Nicolette put together, especially the one of her and Nic together, and appears as though she's contemplating something significant about her feelings towards Nicolette.

Number 22
As everyone cleans up, Roxy comments that lunch wasn't the "dumpster fire" she was expecting, apart from Brent doing a runner. Paul's happy to hear that he's not the only one who thought that was rude, but Roxy points out she didn't say that word specifically. Harlow doesn't think it was rude either, and reminds Paul that Brent was just worried about Emmett. "Being a good brother is one of his many qualities," Harlow adds, qualities that everyone will find out about next time they all have a meal together. Paul states that they didn't agree to a next time, but Terese says to leave her out of it. Harlow drags Roxy over to the lounge room to continue cleaning and when Roxy picks an empty glass off the floor, she narrowly misses finding the ring under the couch.

Number 32
Aaron tells Emmett he'll call him once they hear something concrete from Aunt Linda and the agency. Emmett hopes everything goes their way. Aaron then reminds Brent not to tell Emmett anything else before he and David get the chance to first. The brothers head out to the car where David is waiting for them. Nicolette and Chloe walk in with boxes of Nic's belongings to take over to #24. Chloe says she hopes everything works out with Emmett, and Aaron thanks them for moving in together as it's really helped their chances. While Nicolette heads out to grab more of her stuff, Aaron checks in with Chloe on how she really feels about Nicolette moving in. He feels bad when Chloe looks slightly uneasy and assumes things are still awkward between the girls.

CHLOE: It's seriously fine. Nic's been great with mum, caring, a really good friend.
AARON: So what's the problem?
CHLOE: Something happened before. We'd been talking and she'd been super nice and making tea and I felt something.
AARON: Something? Oh! As in *something*.
CHLOE: I think I like her.