702 Eclipse Apartments
Terese is having a cuppa with Krista and Leo, and telling them how she's sure she's done right thing for Eirini Rising in stepping back. Leo sympathises, saying it can't have made her homecoming easy.

TERESE: I'm handling it, between counselling and the support of your father.

At this point, Sebastian comes in, suggesting to 'Krusty' that they have some fun tonight. He then sees that Krista has company. He introduces himself.

TERESE: Ah, the infamous best friend!
SEBASTIAN: Don't believe everything you hear.
TERESE: Ah, not everything. But I did catch the tail end of you streaking through the complex.
LEO: A nudie run through the complex? Was that before or after you ran up that ridiculous bill at the Waterhole?

Terese leaves them to it; once she's gone, Krista explains to Sebastian about Terese's hard time and that they were swapping rehab stories. Seb is surprised that Terese was in rehab; Krista pointedly observes that it just shows how it's always possible to turn your life around.

No 32
Sadie and Byron are on the patio, preparing to go for a night out; Sadie's regretful that Holly isn't coming, but Byron says she won't come out of her room. Max and Nicolette return from No 24; Nicolette says her eyes still haven't recovered from walking in on Shane and Jane.

MAX: When do I start calling you 'stepsister'?

They explain to the others what happened.

MAX: Your mum must have some skills, though, because my dad looked satisfied.
NICOLETTE: Eww!
MAX (to Byron): I get it. That's where you get your escorting skills from.
BYRON: You keep talking like that, and that cut on your hand won't be the only injury you have. Got it?
MAX (smirking): Didn't mean any offence, *bro*.

Shane and Jane arrive, wanting to 'explain'.

NICOLETTE: Oh, don't do that. It was very self- explanatory.
JANE: It's just something that happened - we got caught up in the moment.

Byron and Nicolette really don't want to hear any more, but Max continues to wind Byron up, saying he's sure he wants to hear all the details! Max asks Shane and Jane if it's a one- time thing or whether they're picking up where they left off 'like, a gazillion years ago'. Shane and Jane glance at one another, uncertain of the answer.

Ramsay Street
Cara is in the front garden of No 30 having just finished hosing down some of the furniture she's refurbishing, and is still clearly suffering from abdominal pain. Remi emerges from the house and tells her off for exerting herself. Noticing Cara's sweating, Remi asks if she's feeling okay. Cara insists she is.

CARA: I might've just pushed myself a little too hard, that's all.

Krista turns up for a (30- second) check- in with Cara, telling her not to rush coming back to work, and to take all the time she needs. Krista leaves, while Remi orders Cara to head indoors and put her feet up.

The Waterhole
Krista and Leo have dropped in for a meal, but Krista thinks of getting one as a takeaway for Seb too. Leo objects to this, saying she doesn't need to baby Seb - he can organise his own food.

KRISTA: Could you give him a chance, please? Look, he responded really well to the chat about Terese's progress. And he's even having a quiet night in tonight.
LEO: Right, yeah. And one night's gonna really make a difference (!)
KRISTA: Okay, could you be a little bit more supportive, for my sake?
LEO: Yeah. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. It's just, from what I'm seeing, he's not making the same amount of effort that you are.

As if to prove his point, Leo gets a message from Byron, who is at the Back Lane Bar with Sadie. Apparently, Seb's there too, 'drinking up a storm'.

LEO: So much for a quiet night in.

Back Lane Bar
Seb has taken advantage of the bartender leaving the bar to take a phone call, and has gone behind the bar himself to pour free shots for all the punters! Sadie and Byron are at a table and not participating in Seb's antics. Byron is annoyed when Max comes in.

BYRON: What's he doing here?
MAX: What? I just want to get to know my future stepbrother better!

Byron is simmering. Sadie tells Max to quit it with the 'step jokes', and says he and Byron need to find a way to get along now they're living together.

MAX: For what it's worth, I'd much rather have you as a stepsibling than (vomit noise) Holly Hoyland.
SADIE: Uh, rude!
MAX: You don't really think she's innocent with all the outback stuff?
SADIE: The podcast did a number on her.
MAX: Look, even if she got a villain edit, she still said those things.

Byron sarcastically queries Sadie's assertion that they all need to get along. Meanwhile, Seb is still behind the bar and pouring spirits into his mouth directly from the bottles, much to the delight of whooping extras! Max declares Seb 'off tap' and goes to get a free drink. Sadie and Byron look unimpressed.

No 24
Sam and Jane are preparing dinner. We learn that Sam's spending Christmas with her mum; Jane says they'll miss her. Nicolette comes out of the bedroom having put Isla to bed. Jane sends Sam outside to turn the barbecue on, then makes another attempt to explain to Nicolette about hooking up with Shane.

NICOLETTE: Mum, I actually don't care who you sleep with. It's just not like you to be hopping from one guy to the next.
JANE: I'm not hopping!
NICOLETTE: Okay, yeah. From what I saw it was more like bouncing!

But Nic points out that Jane's only just broken up with Vic, so wonders if she's feeling lonely or 'just horny'! Jane says that Shane's visit started innocently enough, but then admits she got a text from Melanie, saying she's at Vic's pub in Gippsland and that they are now officially an item.

JANE: And as happy as I am for them, it still hurt a little. So, Shane was here to comfort me, and things just snowballed, you know?
NICOLETTE: You do realise that you constantly rebound with your exes? So, you were married to Des, and then you were engaged to Mike, and then you revisited Dad, and now you've hooked up with Shane. I mean, we're just lucky you didn't turn to Paul and end up back in his bed.
JANE: Do not be ridiculous!
NICOLETTE: Is Clive single? You gonna give him a call, too?
JANE: Ha ha ha (!)

Back Lane Bar
Max and Seb are getting drunk together at one table, while Sadie and Byron watch disapprovingly from another. Seb suggests that Max distract the bar staff while he swipes another bottle!

MAX: I dunno, man. I'm new to the area - I've kind of got to keep my nose clean.
SEBASTIAN: Boo, you're no fun. Guess I'll have to do it myself.

Leo and Krista come in, and Seb gives Krista an overdramatic hug.

KRISTA: God, your breath could fuel a car!

Krista wants to take Seb home, but he just dances off to hang out with some extras! Leo thinks this is a waste of time and suggests he and Krista leave. Krista is reluctant to leave Seb in this state. Byron asks Leo if he and Sadie can get a lift back home, and Max is ready for home too; Leo agrees to take them. Krista rolls her eyes at Seb's antics before leaving with them.

Once they've all gone, a dodgy bloke called Joe emerges from behind a corner, and ominous music plays as he watches Seb. Shortly afterwards, Seb takes a seat to have a breather from the dancing, and Joe goes over to talk to him.

JOE: It's not like you to need a recharge.
SEBASTIAN: Joe! Small world - what are you doing in Melbourne?
JOE (menacing): I think you already know the answer.

Byron has come back in to collect his jacket which he'd left by accident. Sensing an atmosphere between Seb and the newcomer, he checks in with Seb to see if he's okay. Seb unconvincingly insists he's fine.

BYRON: Who's your friend here?
JOE: I'm no friend.
BYRON: Right, well, I might stick around for a bit, hey?
JOE: Suit yourself. (To Seb) I'll see you around.

Joe leaves, and Byron asks Seb what it was all about.

SEBASTIAN: No idea. Guy was trying to hit on me or something.

Seb heads for the bar for another drink, but looks worried, while Byron appears to leave.

No 24
The following morning, Jane answers the door to Shane, who's come round for a chat. He admits that Max's question yesterday about whether their hookup was a one- time thing or the start of something more has thrown him.

SHANE: You didn't jump in with an answer. It left me wondering what you might have been hoping for.
JANE: Well, you didn't jump in either. And I've been wondering the same thing about you.
SHANE: I need to be upfront with you, because I don't want to mess you around. I'm not in the right headspace for another relationship.
JANE: I think it would be unwise for us to start anything when we're both coming off a bad run.

They hold hands, relieved to be on the same page.

SHANE: Don't get me wrong - it was fun. There was nothing 'Plain Jane' about it!
JANE: Well, I had fun too. But as Nicolette has reminded me, I keep turning to old friends and exes whenever I want romantic comfort (...) Maybe I'm searching for a redo, you know. Fix past mistakes. Or maybe I'm trying to recapture something that I've lost. The old me.
SHANE: 2024 Jane is brilliant just the way she is.
JANE: Well, the thing is, I keep thinking my happiness lies in the past. I need to break that cycle. No, if I date again, it's gonna be a fresh start with someone that I don't already know.
SHANE: I wish it was that easy for me.
JANE: Well, things will get better. You'll get Izzy out of your system, and everything will be alright.
SHANE: Speaking from experience?
JANE: Many times over.

They laugh, and he hugs her.

Lassiter's Lake
Leo and Byron are passing through the rotunda with coffees while chatting about Melanie and Vic having decided to give it a go. Conversation moves to the latest Crimesborough podcast drop; Byron tells Leo that Holly isn't doing too well as a result, but that it's hard to know how to help.

Presently, Leo and Byron notice Seb nearby, having a major altercation with Joe, the guy Byron saw him with last night. Joe has grabbed Seb and appears to be threatening him. Seb looks shaken after Joe has left, and Byron and Leo approach to find out what happened. Seb tries to maintain the lie that Joe is hitting on him, but Leo and Byron aren't buying it. But Seb doesn't want to talk, and storms off.

Deciding that Seb is hiding something, Leo goes to follow him, promising to catch Byron later.

The Waterhole
Seb is at a table, looking spooked following his encounter with Joe. Leo comes in.

LEO: Who was that, Seb? Is he connected to the drug dealer Byron saw you with the other day?
SEBASTIAN: It's sad that you have nothing better to do than this.
LEO: You may as well tell me, I'm not gonna drop it.
SEBASTIAN: ... He's a loan shark. From Sydney.
LEO: Right. And you owe him money, and he's here to collect.
SEBASTIAN: Well done. You should be a detective, mate... I have 48 hours to cough up the cash, or I'm toast.
LEO: Right, yeah. And that's why you're really here. You want Krista to bail you out.
SEBASTIAN: That's not true. I came here to shake off the loan shark. I didn't think he'd find me so quickly. But the reason that I chose Melbourne is because I miss Krusty. Nothing else.

Krista then shows up, and tells Seb they need to talk about last night - but senses the atmosphere between him and Leo, and asks them both what she's just walked in on...

No 24
Shane and Jane are having a cup of tea. Shane is flying back to Queensland today, now that Max is settled; he says he needs to go and lick his wounds over Izzy!

SHANE: I was gonna ask you if you could keep an eye on Max while I'm gone.
JANE: Well, of course.
SHANE: I've already asked Paul. It puts my mind at ease, knowing people I trust are looking out for him.
JANE: Is there something going on with Max that I should know about?

But before Shane can answer, Sam comes in and tells them she's booked her flight to Perth, where she's spending Christmas with her mum; Mike is going to join them there too.

Shane says he needs to go and hugs Jane, thanking her for everything. He then wishes Sam a great time in Perth.

SHANE: Say hi to your old man for me.
SAM: I will.

Jane asks Shane to give her love to the Queensland crew, and he heads off. Jane looks mildly disappointed.

Power Road
As they walk from The 82 to the garage, Shane tells Max that he could stick around if it would make him feel better, but Max tells Shane he needs to go.

SHANE: My ego is officially bruised.
MAX: No, come on, we've been over this. If Erinsborough is gonna be my new home, I can't have you around smothering me.
SHANE: Well, I hate leaving you. But you're right. I'll end up sticking my nose in somewhere it's not wanted. I know what your independence means to you.
MAX: Yeah. I mean, we've both inherited Grandad's stubbornness. Can you imagine the barneys we'd have?
SHANE: You've got a lot of good people around you here. If anything happens, you've got Paul, Jane, Harold.

They arrive at the garage.

MAX: Dad, you've really gone above and beyond. Not just with the garage, but making sure I'm safe and everything.
SHANE: It's what fathers do. I don't say this enough - but I'm proud of you. You're one of my greatest achievements.
MAX: Is that you finally admitting I'm your favourite?
SHANE (jokingly): No. That trophy belongs to your sister.

They hug.

MAX: Okay, burn!
SHANE: Now your ego has officially been crushed.

They playfight a bit and Max tells Shane to get out of here!

Ramsay Street
Cara is collecting the mail when she gets another stabbing pain her abdomen. Remi notices and rushes over to her. Cara initially insists she's fine, but then admits...

CARA: The pain meds aren't taking the edge off anymore.
REMI: Okay, that's it. I'm making an appointment for you at the hospital.
CARA: Is that really necessary?
REMI: Yes. You need to be checked over by the surgeon. They can up your pain meds.
CARA: (...) Please, I only just left the hospital. I don't want to go back.

Remi tells her it's happening, calling her 'literally the worst patient ever'.

CARA: Love you too (!)

Remi goes back into the house to make the appointment.

Lassiter's Complex
Krista is outside the hotel when Byron turns up. She admits she's frustrated with Seb, as he isn't even taking small steps to try and change, even though she knows he wants to deep down. Byron tells Krista to persevere - he's sure Seb will come around. Krista admits that having to juggle Leo's feelings about all this with Seb's needs is making things even harder. Byron says Leo's just trying to protect her.

KRISTA: Yeah, but if he had a friend who needed help, I would support him the whole way.
BYRON: I know, it's just... when it comes to Seb, your judgement can get a bit cloudy.
KRISTA: Yes, I get it, alright? Sometimes I get tunnel vision when I'm with him. But I mean, Leo's not even willing to meet me halfway on this.

Lassiter's Lake
At the rotunda, Seb asks why Leo didn't tell Krista about the loan shark.

LEO: I have my reasons.
SEBASTIAN: She'd probably send me packing if she knew about the loan shark. Isn't that what you wanted?
LEO: Look, we both know she would've bailed you out and come to your rescue. You wanted me to tell her. This isn't her mess to clean up.
SEBASTIAN: I know. I don't want her involved.
LEO: Yeah, you do. She'd continue to fix all your problems, and you'd just take advantage of her. But I'm not gonna let that happen. Look, you need to leave, today. I don't care where you go, or what you do, but you need to leave Krista alone for good.
SEBASTIAN: I don't take orders from you, mate.
LEO: Well, I don't want you to undo all the good Krista's done. All you've done is bring trouble and danger to her. Look, you don't want to get sober. You just hate the fact that she's made something of herself, and you're still a pathetic loser. For once in your life, don't be selfish, and do something for someone else. Just go.
SEBASTIAN: And if I don't?
LEO: It won't be the debt collector you have to worry about. Ask around, I'm a Robinson. My dad's got quite the reputation. Leave, or your life won't be worth living.

Ramsay Street
It seems Remi has got Cara an emergency appointment, and she emerges from the house shouting to her that they'll be late if they don't go now. But Remi's horrified to find Cara collapsed on the pavement by the mailbox.

CARA (weakly): Something's not right.

Remi calls an ambulance.

702 Eclipse Apartments
Leo comes round to see Krista, and they agree to talk. But Leo says nothing about having threatened Seb into leaving town.

KRISTA: I can't keep going on like this, Leo. You need to accept Seb and appreciate what I'm trying to do.
LEO: I know. Look, I know I've been so unfair, and I could've handled the situation a whole lot better. But I'm fully onboard now.
KRISTA: What made you change your mind?
LEO: Well, just seeing the impact it's had on you. Look, I'll support you in helping Seb in any way I can.
KRISTA: You really mean that?
LEO: Yes. You have my word.
KRISTA: Thank you. That's exactly what I needed to hear.

Krista goes to get Seb from his room, so they can all chat about next steps. But when she goes in, she finds that Seb has gone - as well as all his stuff.

KRISTA: He's taken off! Why would he do that?!

Leo feigns surprise...

Coming up on Neighbours
- Toadie is back in town, and Terese doesn't look thrilled about it
- Nell is here too, and hanging out with JJ - but he gets a message saying Cara's been rushed to hospital
- Dex and JJ turn up at the hospital; Dex asks if Cara will be okay. Remi looks worried
- Krista is worried for Seb's safety; Leo assures her 'this isn't on you'. But she replies that it is