The Waterhole
Leo is explaining to Krista and Aaron what a waste of time his trip to Winterton was. He found the place he was looking for, but Sebastian wasn't there. He saw Jordan, the drug dealer, but she just did a runner as soon as she saw him.

LEO: But I chased her into the bush, and she didn't tell me anything useful.
AARON: So, what happened to Seb?
KRISTA: He came back yesterday (...) He needed a place to stay.

Leo doesn't look very happy about this. Krista says she should get back to the apartment before Seb wakes up, to avoid the risk of him doing another runner. Leo offers to come with her, but she suggests he check in with Paul instead.

KRISTA: Think I need to handle this one alone.

They kiss, and she leaves. Leo looks worried.

Harold's Café
Holly and Yasmine are working. Yaz asks for an update on the crew situation for the Lights Up project; Holly reports that they're one short, but she's working on it.

YAZ: And how are you doing today?
HOLLY: Excellent. I... I love Christmas.
YAZ: Well, I... just because of the other day, I figured I'd check in.
HOLLY: Oh. I'm fine. I actually feel a little bit bad for the way that I acted, umm... so I got you something, to say sorry and merry Christmas.

Holly passes Yaz a giftwrapped box. Yaz is momentarily lost for words.

YAZ: Uh, you shouldn't have.

She immediately goes to put it in her bag.

HOLLY: You don't want to open it?
YAZ (muted): I'll open it later, thanks.

Holly looks a little disappointed. Nicolette turns up, and invites Yaz to the open mic carol event at the hotel piano bar to 'slay some cheesy tunes'. Yaz can't promise to 'slay' but is happy to come and support Nic. She swiftly makes excuses to cut short the meeting with Holly and leaves with only a perfunctory 'bye'. Holly is again left feeling underappreciated.

702 Eclipse Apartments
Seb is in the guest bedroom looking a little worse for wear. He gets up and goes out into the living area, where Krista is waiting for him.

KRISTA (unimpressed): Up at last.
SEB: Thanks for letting me stay... I'm so, so sorry for all the trouble that I've caused.
KRISTA: I know that Leo pressured you to leave.
SEB: I don't blame him. I left because I didn't want to cause you any more grief. I was getting desperate... and when Jordan mentioned that you were out there looking for me, after everything, I realised that I still needed your help after all.
KRISTA: With the loan sharks?
SEB: You say that like you don't believe me.
KRISTA: The loan sharks that you never mentioned when you arrived.
SEB: I guess I better tell you everything.

Lassiter's Hotel
In the piano bar, a pianist is playing some carols while guests (or more accurately, Ramsay Street residents) provide the vocals! Remi is currently impressing with her rendition of 'The Twelve Days of Christmas', while Cara mimes each of the twelve gifts to help her along. Nicolette and Yaz are amongst the audience. The compère, Bradley, asks who's up next. Nicolette volunteers to do 'Deck the Halls'.

While Nic is singing, Remi shows Cara some super- cheap flights she's found for their New York trip - the only issue being that it's quite short notice, as they depart on Christmas Day.

CARA: At that price, I'd fly right now. But do you think that we can?
REMI: I mean, you're fine. We'd take it easy. There's only a few seats left - if we want them, we gotta hustle.

Cara's keen, so decides they should go and see if she can book leave. They rush out, just as Nic finishes up her rendition.

Penthouse
Paul and Terese arrive. They have the penthouse to themselves, as Leo is at the pub and Abigail is over at Jane's place.

TERESE: So...
PAUL: So...
TERESE: Back in the real world.
PAUL: Yeah, we are. What now?

But Terese is a little awkward, and says she should probably check in on work. Paul decides to go and find Leo, as he'd feel better seeing for himself that he's okay.

TERESE: The last 24 hours have been...
PAUL: Pretty intense, yeah.
TERESE: Slightly.
PAUL: But very memorable.
TERESE: Yeah, that too.

They smile at one another.

TERESE: Should I join you when I'm done?
PAUL: Yeah. I'd like that.

She's about to head off, but Paul calls her back, and they share a kiss.

702 Eclipse Apartments
Seb and Krista are still talking. He explains how he hit up some old friends in Sydney when he first got back to Australia.

KRISTA: Party friends?
SEB: Yeah. I got into some really, really serious debt. I was trying to sort out a payment plan when I got here.
KRISTA: You ran up another huge debt at Yorokobi as soon as you arrived.
SEB: To get your attention. Like the old days.
KRISTA: It forced me to cover for you. And then I helped you out a second time, and you still asked for more money.
SEB: The people that I owed money to charged me interest.
KRISTA: Okay, but you see why I'm having trouble believing you. Because you weren't transparent about any of this when you arrived.
SEB: I was ashamed!
KRISTA: Then when you found out that Leo was looking for you, you said that he was in danger. And then you disappeared. Do you realise how worried we were?
SEB: I never asked Leo to go to Winterton. Or Paul.
KRISTA: Well, they did! And now I have to think of them too.
SEB: ... The thing is, I'm still on the hook for the 20K. If you could just help me out one more time, I'll never ask for money ever again.
KRISTA: What if they charge you more interest?
SEB: That'll be it. I swear.
KRISTA: ... I need some time to think about this.
SEB: Of course.
KRISTA: I wasn't asking for your permission.

She walks out.

The Waterhole
Leo apologises to Paul for giving him such a scare in Winterton. Paul draws him in for a hug.

PAUL: Oh, god. If anything had happened to you, I...
LEO: Hey, it wasn't dangerous. It was just Seb wasting my time.

Leo explains that his jacket got caught on the fence (where Paul found a piece of it) while he was chasing Jordan the drug dealer. Then he gave up and made it back before the road closure that trapped Paul and Terese overnight. He apologises to Paul for their having to waste the whole night out there.

PAUL: It wasn't *completely* wasted time.

But before he can tell Leo about his reunion with Terese, Leo gets a message, and has to rush off to pick something up. As Leo goes, Terese comes in. She and Paul are just getting flirtatious while discussing their night in the wilderness when Aaron shows up with menus - and Terese pulls away, seemingly keen for Aaron not to know they're an item. Paul looks a bit surprised...

Lassiter's Hotel
In the piano bar, Nicolette has just finished another rendition, and Yaz is suitably impressed. Nic suggests doing a duet, but Yaz isn't keen on the prospect of singing in front of strangers.

YAZ: I'd much rather watch you do your thing. Then maybe we can go back to my room and I'll show you my idea of fun.
NICOLETTE: Oh, wow! Was it 'Deck the Halls' that did it?
YAZ: It really did it for me (!)

Bradley the compère asks who's up next, and with no willing speaking characters left in attendance other than Nicolette, she's forced to volunteer again! This time she wants to do 'O Holy Night' - but this appears to trigger something in Yaz, who suddenly looks sad as Nic begins to sing.

Holly turns up; she's finished work early and asks if Yaz minds her joining them. Yaz doesn't even reply, and gets up and walks out. Holly looks worried. Nicolette is disconcerted, and loses the train of her song...

The Waterhole
Terese asks Paul if he wants to check out the open mic event. He replies that he just wants to be wherever she is. They hold hands - but when Terese sees Cara coming towards them, she again pulls away from Paul.

Cara asks Paul if she can take three weeks' leave from Christmas Day to go on the New York trip. Paul remarks that it's a bit short notice, but he asks Cara to tell Krista, and they'll see what they can do. Cara's a bit surprised to have such a positive answer, and wishes them a merry Christmas! When she's gone...

TERESE: That was really nice of you.
PAUL: Must be full of Christmas spirit, hey?

They both chuckle and are all over each other again!

Lassiter's Hotel
Yaz has come up to her room, and is crying on the bed when Nicolette comes in to check on her. Nic sits on the bed next to Yaz.

YAZ: I'm fine. I'm sorry - I hope I didn't ruin your big moment.
NICOLETTE: Don't worry about that. What's going on?
YAZ: That carol you were singing - my brother and I used to sing it to our parents on Christmas Eve. When we were kids, we would put on this show, and... it was just, you know, kind of like a tradition. And 'O Holy Night' was our big finish.
NICOLETTE: That sounds lovely.
YAZ: It was.
NICOLETTE: I hate to ask, but did he pass away?
YAZ: This is my first Christmas without him. Not that we were speaking last Christmas, but... families are complicated, I guess.
NICOLETTE: Tell me about it. So, this is why you knew exactly what to say when I told you about David. I'm so sorry.

Nicolette hugs Yaz to her and they hold hands.

Penthouse
Paul and Terese arrive back; Terese gets a text from Susan, saying that Karl is healing really well following his surgery, but will need quite a lot of rehab. Paul is just standing there smiling at Terese, so she asks what's up.

PAUL: I just like seeing you here.
TERESE: Well, I like being here.
PAUL: Hey, listen - I was thinking about Christmas. Why don't you spend it over here, instead of going to Jane's?
TERESE (evasive): Umm... well, I mean, I could. But I don't want to let Jane down.
PAUL (disappointed): Oh. Okay.
TERESE: Leave it with me. I'm sure we'll see each other somehow.

702 Eclipse Apartments
Krista is looking pensive as she returns to the apartment, where she finds Seb eager to hear what she's decided about giving him the money.

KRISTA: First up - are you sober?
SEB: I could tell you that I was, but I don't want to lie to you. I scored from Jordan yesterday, but... she didn't charge me. She knows that my money's gone to loan sharks.
KRISTA: You're an adult. You make your own decisions. But I'm the one who got you into the scene, so I've decided to give you the $20,000.

Seb moves towards her to thank her, relieved, but she stops him.

KRISTA: There's a condition. If you stay, you *have* to get clean. And I mean it this time - no secrets, no games.
SEB: Do you want me to stay?
KRISTA: I want you to get your life together. But if you can't commit, then I'm sorry, but I never want to see you again.
SEB: ... Right.
KRISTA: There's too much at stake for me. I love Leo, and I have to consider him in all of this.
SEB: Of course.
KRISTA: So? What's it going to be?
SEB: I want to get clean - I really do.
KRISTA: There can be no slip- ups. None.
SEB (emotional): But I... I can't promise that. And... I can't guarantee that some other trouble won't eventually find me. So, thinking of you... I'll gratefully accept your money, and... I'll be out of your hair for good.
KRISTA: I'll make the transfer now.
SEB: I'm so sorry.

Krista tries to hold her composure, but is struggling not to cry as Seb goes to leave.

Lassiter's Hotel
Yaz and Nicolette are still in Yaz's room, and now sharing a bottle of wine. Nic tells Yaz about the Christmas fair last year, and how Santa bailed at the last minute, so Paul had to put on the suit.

YAZ: My brother used to put on the Santa suit and play Santa for our nieces and nephews.
NICOLETTE: Can I ask how he passed away?
YAZ: ... I wasn't there. So I don't know all the details.
NICOLETTE: There must be some unresolved feelings there.
YAZ: There are.
NICOLETTE: Counselling seems to work for a lot of people.
YAZ: Mm. So I hear.
NICOLETTE: It's a safe space - you can let it all out.
YAZ: People do really tell everything to their therapist, don't they?
NICOLETTE: Yeah.
YAZ: Thank you. But I'll be okay. Truly.
NICOLETTE: What are you doing on Christmas?
YAZ: Drinking wine and doing prep for Lights Up.
NICOLETTE: What?! You are not!
YAZ: Yes I am.
NICOLETTE: You're crazy. You're coming to my mum's for lunch.
YAZ: No, I couldn't!
NICOLETTE: Yes, you can! You can't be alone on Christmas Day. Yaz...

Yaz leans in to kiss Nic.

YAZ: Is that alright?
NICOLETTE: Yeah, of course. It's just... you're kind of having a moment. I don't want to do this if you're not in the right headspace.

By way of reply, Yaz simply puts their wine glasses on the bedside cabinet, then leans in again for another pash...

Penthouse
Paul and Terese are having a pash of their own on the sofa when Leo emerges from the lift. He isn't sure whether he's interrupting; but once again, Terese seems to be uncomfortable with the idea of people knowing she and Paul are back together, and rushes off, saying she was leaving anyway. But she's in a fluster and walks right into Leo!

LEO: Don't forget your shoes.
TERESE: Oh, my shoes!

She awkwardly retrieves them and then leaves.

LEO: What was all that about?
PAUL: Haha - we are back together. Yeah, it happened while we were away.
LEO: Wow! Good for you guys. But what's with all the secrecy?
PAUL: Yeah, I'm not quite sure, you know? It's Terese's choice, not mine.
LEO: Maybe she's just waiting for the dust to settle.
PAUL: Yeah, of course, that's all it is.

Paul has poured them whisky and they clink glasses as Leo congratulates him again.

Harold's Café
Remi has received her booking confirmation email for the flights for the family New York trip.

CARA: I can't believe you booked flights before you knew we'd get leave!
REMI: Discount airfare? To hesitate is to lose the battle. Besides, I knew we'd get it. Power of positive thinking and all that.
CARA: Hmm. You played the sick wife card, didn't you?
REMI: Yes. Yes, I did.

They kiss. JJ comes in, and his mums excitedly tell him that they've booked for New York, leaving on Christmas Day for three weeks.

JJ (strained smile): Three weeks?
CARA: A little excitement wouldn't go astray!
JJ: Yeah, well, it's just... that's sort of a really long time. Nell's gonna be back from Colac.
CARA: Well, you can see her when we get home.
JJ: Do we all have to go? Can I just stay here?
CARA (faux sympathy): Aww, sorry, mate. You gotta go on a once- in- a- lifetime trip to New York. You gonna be okay?

Cara leaves to go and tell Dex, and sort out the insurance. Remi tells JJ that he has Year 12 coming up next year, and Dex has Year 11 - there might not be another chance for a holiday.

REMI: And more importantly, your mum's been through a lot. She deserves this. We all do.
JJ: Yeah, you're right - sorry.

Remi teases him for not being more excited!

702 Eclipse Apartments
Leo is with Krista, who admits she's feeling like an idiot.

LEO: You shouldn't.
KRISTA: Why not? I hoped he'd decide to stay.

Power Road
Seb is walking along with his bag, near the old Dial- a- Kyle/Handywoman yard. Krista and Leo's dialogue continues in audio over this.

LEO: You always think the best of people.
KRISTA: I let him get between us. I should've listened to you.
LEO: I should've trusted you more.

The yard is locked up, but Seb throws his bag over the fence into the yard, and then manages to push the gate far enough ajar to squeeze through. He heads towards the old sales office within the yard.

702 Eclipse Apartments
Leo and Krista are still talking.

LEO: Well, we both did everything we could. So from now on, no more guilt, okay?
KRISTA: Sounds good. I really did appreciate you going after him.
LEO: I love you.
KRISTA: I love you too.

Power Road
Seb creeps towards the sales office, and finds the door unlocked. He lets himself in, turns the lights on, and closes the door behind him.

Lassiter's Hotel
It's night, and Nicolette wakes up in Yaz's bed. She calls out for Yaz, but she doesn't appear to be in the room. Wrapping a sheet around her, Nic gets out of bed and checks the bathroom, but it's also empty. Nic looks disappointed.

Del Rubio & Associates Counselling Centre
Across town, music of intrigue as Yaz lets herself into the office of Rhonda Del Rubio, counsellor extraordinaire. Turning on a torch, she searches the desk, then heads to the filing cabinet, where the client files are kept. Opening the drawer marked 'A- K', she soon retrieves a file marked 'Holly Hoyland'. It includes a notebook and various other papers. We close on Yaz in the torchlight, looking inscrutable...

Coming up on Neighbours
- Jane is surprised to see Max looking for a new place to live, and asks if Shane knows about this
- Holly arrives for a session with Rhonda Del Rubio, who is concerned by some things having moved on her desk
- Nicolette tells Aaron that Yaz did a runner from her own room in the middle of the night
- Nicolette goes to confront Yaz, presumably about last night's disappearing act