Erinsborough Hospital
Haz tells an unresponsive Mackenzie to 'please, stay with me' as Remi rushes in. Seeing Mackenzie's heart monitor, she tells a colleague to let ICU know they're on their way, and tells Haz that sepsis from Mack's gunshot wound is the most likely cause.

HAZ: Is she gonna be okay, Remi?
REMI: I'll put her on a drip and get her some antibiotics. It'll be fine.
HAZ: Can I please stay with her?
REMI: Not for the moment. We'll take good care of her, okay?

Mackenzie is put on oxygen and prepared to be wheeled off to ICU, as the beeping continues. Haz looks panicked.

The Waterhole
Cara and JJ are at a table, chatting to Aaron, who says that he saw Terese this morning, looking 'spaced out'.

CARA: As you would be.
AARON: Yeah. Just seems to be disasters everywhere at the moment.

Cara gets a message from Remi, telling her that Mackenzie's taken a bit of a turn, so she's going to do a double shift. She goes outside to call Remi to learn more. JJ seems perturbed by this.

AARON: Hey, your ma is a super doc. She'll sort it out. So what time's the surprise party this arvo?
JJ: Well, I guess that's all off now.
AARON: What?
JJ: Yeah. I mean, she doesn't even like having a birthday. And we were supposed to set up at Haz and Mack's place, and we can't do that anymore.
AARON: Can't you just have it somewhere else?
JJ: Do you think anyone really wants a party, though? Also, I have to set up everything because Ma's working now, and Dex is doing his group assignment.
AARON: Alright, it's your call, but I do think it'd be a nice chance for everyone to get together.

Lassiter's Complex
Having taken Aaron's advice, JJ consults with Wendy and Andrew, who agree that it would be a shame to cancel Cara's birthday party, especially as Wendy's already made a cake. Andrew suggests that the Rodwells could host at No 26.

WENDY: Yeah, we'd be honoured. And people want to be around each other at times like this.

She tells JJ to let everyone know the change of venue, and she'll text him with some more jobs to do later. Andrew points out that Wendy has some work to do getting materials together for her mentorship placement; he tells her to focus on that, and he and JJ can take some of the burden off with the party organisation. JJ looks happy that the party is back on.

Erinsborough Hospital
Byron and Sadie rush into the hospital and greet an anxious Haz in the waiting area; he hasn't had any more news on Mackenzie's condition. Remi emerges with good news; they've got Mackenzie stabilised, and her blood pressure is back up. She's not awake yet, but they're hoping she will be soon.

REMI: For the moment, stable is all we can say. We just need her to start responding to the antibiotics before we can be more definite about her recovery.
SADIE: Mack is so strong. She's got this.
HAZ: (...) But Remi, what if she doesn't respond?
REMI: There is no reason to think the worst at this stage. Hey, hey - hang in there. We will know more soon.

Remi leaves them to it, and Byron puts a comforting arm around a still worried Haz.

The Waterhole
JJ comes back in and signals positively to Aaron that the party is back on. He then rejoins Cara, who has also returned, at the table. Cara asks what JJ's been up to; he innocently says 'nothing', before asking after Mack. Cara just says they're keeping their fingers crossed. She's looking at a bit of paper and Aaron asks if it's a birthday letter.

CARA: Remi and I have this tradition where every five years, we write our future selves a letter. We put down a goal, a challenge, and a dream for the future self.
AARON: I love that. Did you tick it all off?
CARA: Uh- uh. I was gonna build us a house.
JJ: You built us a new sunroom!
CARA: Mm. But I was gonna try a lot more new things. Could've done better at that, too.
AARON: Hey, it's never too late to start.

Cara agrees, and as Aaron leaves them to it, an idea occurs to her.

CARA: You know, I keep seeing that sign for axe- throwing on Anson's Corner. We should do that.
JJ: Oh yeah? Yeah, sure.
CARA: I'll see if they've got slots for us now. I know, I know - it's not like me to want to do an activity on my birthday.
JJ (worried): Yeah, that would be the first time in my lifetime.

Visibly concerned that this is going to scupper the surprise party plans, JJ objects that Dex might kill them if they go axe- throwing without him.

CARA: Yeah, but we'll get more turns if we do it without him.
JJ: ... Uh, well, sure, I guess it's only an hour or so.
CARA: Well, depends how much I like it.

JJ nods along, unsure how to square this with his party preparation.

Erinsborough Hospital
Mackenzie is out of ICU but still asleep. Haz, Sadie and Byron are crowded around her bed. Byron's reading about septic shock and says it's good they caught it quickly to reduce the risk of complications. Haz then wants to know what complications there might be, but Sadie whacks Byron when he starts reading them out!

Luckily, Remi comes in with more good news - they've had Mackenzie's blood test results, and her infection markers are already down; her heart rate and blood pressure are also looking better.

REMI: I think cautious optimism is appropriate.
HAZ: And what about her heart? You know, she had issues before.
REMI: Oh yeah. We would've seen if that was affected. I think we can rule that one out. She is doing as well as we could hope.

Nonetheless, Remi decides that Running Some Tests™ would be a good precautionary measure, so ushers everyone out of the room, including Haz despite his desire to stay.

Lassiter's Complex
Sadie is updating Wendy on Mackenzie's condition and Remi's prognosis, when she spots Quinn across the courtyard. Sadie is visibly displeased, and asks why he's here. Wendy explains Quinn is helping her with her mentorship placement, assisting with getting together some leftover corks, foil and bottle tops for a Grade 8 art class. Quinn spots them and comes over, explaining he's made a playlist for him and Wendy while they work!

SADIE (dubious): How many songs does it take to bag up corks and bottle tops?

Wendy admits she will need to be quick, as she has prep for Cara's party to sort out too.

WENDY: Lucky I've got Quinn, or I would be in stress city.
QUINN: I'm your guy!

But Sadie looks concerned by their borderline flirtation with one another...

Erinsborough Hospital
In the corridor, Byron is trying to reassure a still- worried Haz that Mackenzie will be okay.

HAZ: It was just her face when she passed out. It was like, I had this flood of panic.
BYRON: Okay, I get it. You're still in shock from the other day.
HAZ: I guess so. But now I'm just dealing with this awfully.

Byron assures Haz he's dealing with it fine.

HAZ: I'm pretty sure Mackenzie didn't freak out and turn into a stupid mess when I went into a coma.
BYRON: Yeah, she did... a bit.
HAZ: Well, she ran my business probably better than I could.
BYRON: Look, Mackenzie is strong, okay? That's how I know she's gonna be okay. And you are as well.
HAZ: I'm gonna have to be, for her.

Haz is about to go back in to sit with Mack, but Byron offers to get him a coffee first - and isn't taking no for an answer. Once Byron's gone, Haz lets himself back into Mack's room...

Erinsborough Police Station
Sadie calls in to see Andrew, but he's too busy to chat - he has lots of work to do and then Wendy's given him lots of tasks to prepare for the party later. Sadie queries why Wendy can't be doing some of them herself; Andrew says she's too busy with her uni work.

SADIE: It's that important, is it?
ANDREW: (...) What's that face for?
SADIE: I saw her. And she's got Quinn helping. It's turned into a good old hang- out sesh.
ANDREW: Okay...
SADIE: He made her a playlist.
ANDREW: Sades, is there an issue here?
SADIE: There's something going on between Mum and that guy. When we walked into the party, he seemed to be into her. And what, now he's trying to impress her with his music taste?
ANDREW: Come off it. You know exactly why they get on so well.
SADIE: Yeah, but I'm not wrong. They've got a really... vibey vibe.
ANDREW: ... I don't know what that means.

Sadie then gets a text message, and has to rush off, but tells Andrew to think about what she's said.

Harold's Café
Cara is at the counter. Nicolette comes in and spies JJ on the sofa, and creeps over to chat to him. She says she got his message about the change of party locale, and asks how the prep is going.

JJ: Nah, not good. Still got a lot to do. Mum's making me go axe- throwing.
NICOLETTE: Is that why she's dressed like a female lumberjack? Lumberjill?

Sadie rushes in, and tells Nicolette she needs her help.

SADIE: My make- up folio is due in two days, and my model just bailed on me. She said her cat died or something.
NICOLETTE: I've used that one before. Hungover.

Sadie asks if Nic will stand in as her model, but she's not keen; she was looking forward to a few hours to herself while Isla's at daycare.

JJ: Sadie, what about Mum? I really need some more time to set up for the party, and I think that could be the perfect distraction.
SADIE: She's definitely a blank canvas...

At the counter, Cara is taking a sip of her cappuccino, oblivious to the conversation going on behind her. When she returns to the table, she has a moustache from the foam and chocolate on her top lip!

CARA: Hey, guys! What's up?

The Waterhole
Andrew is ordering wine for the party, including Yorokobi pinot, evidently undeterred by recent events! Quinn and Wendy emerge from the storeroom, laughing and chatting about the music from Quinn's playlist. Andrew watches them carefully, Sadie's words playing on his mind.

Wendy and Quinn approach him, and Andrew tells Wendy they're all sorted with supplies for the party. But much to his consternation, it prompts Wendy to invite Quinn too, saying he's met Cara at uni.

QUINN: Sure. I'd... love to.
ANDREW: Don't feel obliged to, mate. It's just, umm... close friends and family.
QUINN: Oh, I love family stuff. Want me to bring anything? I make a great pav.
WENDY: Fancy!
QUINN: Well, I learned it to impress a girl.
WENDY: I bet it worked!

If Andrew was unconvinced by Sadie's suspicions, he looks far more convinced now!

Erinsborough Hospital
Haz is talking to a still- sleeping Mackenzie. He says his parents called, and he told them they'd go to visit once she's back on her feet.

HAZ: I'm gonna take the best care of you.

She begins to move and murmur in her sleep.

HAZ: Mack? It's okay, I'm here with you.
MACKENZIE (sleeping, woozy): Let's get married in Paris.
HAZ: What was that, love?
MACKENZIE (clearer): Let's get married in Paris.

Byron comes in with the coffees, and overhears this. Haz says it's probably just the meds talking, but he's smiling...

Harold's Café
Sadie is trying to bribe Cara into being her make- up model, with cake.

CARA: No, no, and more no.
SADIE: Pretty please with a cherry on top?
JJ: Mum, it's cake!
CARA: It's what it represents!
SADIE: What, a delicious treat, and the chance to look super hot?
CARA: Do I look like I want giant eyelashes and big red lips?

Sadie assures her that it would be more tasteful than that; the module she's doing is 'actually very elevated'.

CARA: Green and orange eyeshadow like Weird Barbie?
SADIE: Uhh, we'll workshop something together, so you feel more comfortable.
JJ: You know, I thought you said you would try new things, Mum. Not being closed- minded.
CARA (sulky): Yeah, but that's why we're going axe- throwing!
JJ: Yeah, I know, but is axe- throwing really out of your comfort zone? Also, you're all about women supporting women.

Sadie gets a text.

SADIE: Mackenzie just woke up (...) Maybe she can be my model! I mean, all she has to do is lie there!
CARA: Okay. Fine. You've had a bad day - I guess I can help you out. Just as long as it's not too embarrassing.
SADIE: As if I would.
JJ: You'll be a whole new you.
CARA: Yeah, that's exactly what I'm worried about. And no smoke eye!
SADIE: If there's no smoke, there's no fire.

Erinsborough Hospital
JJ has brought Sadie's bribe- cake to the hospital for Remi!

REMI: Oh, you're absolutely the MVP today!

She thanks JJ for reorganising the party, but he says it's not been too hard - Cara's probably suffering the most due to her make- up session, and they may need to take her axe- throwing to make up for it! Remi's amused at the thought of Cara getting plastered with make- up; JJ hopes she keeps it on for the party, but Remi doubts it She asks if JJ's let her old friend Felicity know of the address change for the party. He has.

REMI: Is Terese coming? Have you spoken to her or Nell?
JJ: Uh, no, I wasn't sure if I should go over there or something.
REMI: Hmm. I'm sure Nell would appreciate seeing you.

They agree that having the party will make everyone in Ramsay Street feel better, after a fairly torrid week. JJ heads off, promising to see Remi at the party.

No 26
The house is all set up for the party, and Wendy reports that her mentor Ambia was really keen on her project for the school art lesson. Andrew is distracted, and asks who Ambia is again. Wendy reminds him that she's her mentor, and that he met her at the presentation ceremony and took Wendy's photo with her.

While Wendy's checking the bathroom, Andrew pulls up photos from the presentation ceremony on his phone. He finds one with Wendy and another woman, seemingly assuming this is what Wendy meant (though unless this is a continuity gaffe, the woman in the image is actually Edith Jameson who presented the award, not Ambia). He then scrolls through and finds a photo of Wendy, Sadie, Quinn and Parker. He zooms in. Quinn is gazing rather affectionately at Wendy, and has his arm around her.

Wendy comes back in, and Andrew decides it's time to broach the topic.

ANDREW: Hey, umm... what is going on between you and Quinn?
WENDY: ... What do you mean?
ANDREW: Can you please just be straight with me on this?
WENDY: When am I not being straight?
ANDREW: Wendy...

Erinsborough Hospital
Mackenzie is asleep. Byron remarks to Haz that sometimes people's deepest feelings come out at times like this, alluding to Mack's sleepy comment about getting married in Paris.

HAZ: You're hilarious (!) She probably won't even remember.
BYRON: And if she doesn't? Are you gonna tell her?
HAZ: I just don't think I'm gonna lead with that after she's nearly died twice.

Mackenzie comes round, and is pleased to see Haz. He explains that her wound got infected and that she went into septic shock, but that Remi has sorted it all out. Mack says she can't remember any of it.

HAZ: What, like, not even anything from just now, when you were waking up?
MACKENZIE: Maybe... maybe voices. Why?
HAZ: No reason. I'm just so glad that you're awake, and you're yourself. It's a miracle.
MACKENZIE: I scared you again. I promised you I wouldn't.
HAZ: Well, you couldn't help it.

They hold hands.

MACKENZIE: Did you survive okay?
BYRON: He was a trooper.

Byron goes to tell Remi that Mack is awake. Haz tells Mack that he's 'so, so happy' she's okay, and kisses her on the forehead.

No 26
Wendy has created a cake for Cara with tools made of icing on the top to reflect her work expertise - a saw, drill, spanner, hammer and paintbrush! But she is still talking to Andrew about Quinn.

WENDY: You know I bonded with Quinn - you wanted me to.
ANDREW: Because I didn't realise that he was into you! Which I assume you know?
WENDY: Yes. But it didn't impact our friendship.
ANDREW: Him having the hots for you?
WENDY: He was very respectful.
ANDREW: Really? Which is why you haven't shut him down?
WENDY: I have!
ANDREW: When?
WENDY: ...
ANDREW: Did something inappropriate happen?
WENDY: At the traffic light party - you know, he thought I was single. He found out I wasn't, and then he just backed off. He's a good person, Andrew. He really is.
ANDREW: So there's nothing else?
WENDY: ... Uh... there might've been a tiny, small Moment™. Which I pulled back from, I swear!

Andrew processes this news...

Coming up on Neighbours
- Toadie hates what he's putting Terese and the kids through; Susan hates seeing them all go through it
- Cara cringes as Sadie prepares to give her a makeover
- Andrew is furious when Quinn turns up at the party
- Nell tells JJ she doesn't know where things stand between them; he says he's been thinking about that