Penthouse
Krista insists to Leo that pretending she wants to buy drugs would be a surefire way of getting Shannon to meet her. Leo can't believe she would consider diving back into that world after all she's been through. Krista insists she wouldn't be - she'd just lure Shannon to a meeting and then talk to her about Addison. Leo thinks it's too risky.

KRISTA: Leo, I can't stand by and let this happen.
LEO: Yeah, look - I love how big your heart is. The risk is not worth the reward in this situation.
KRISTA: Yeah. I see your point.

Krista tells Leo she has a work meeting, so has to go. Krista thanks Leo for talking it through, as it's 'made everything a bit clearer'...

Lassiter's Complex
JJ is shouting Addison breakfast outside the café - she's clearly been hungry, so he passes her his own plate too. Addison thanks JJ for not telling Jane that she had nowhere to sleep last night. But he says she can't keep doing it forever and asks what her plan is.

ADDISON: Just gotta find my mum, that's all.

Nicolette and Jane are nearby. Jane asks Nic if she's feeling positive about the insemination procedure. Nic thinks she did all the right things afterwards to give it the best chance of success. Jane sees Addison and JJ outside the café, and goes over to have a word, while Nic goes indoors.

Jane asks Addison how her new foster placement is. Addison says it's definitely better than the last one - the foster carers seem pretty nice and she has her own room. JJ looks concerned but doesn't challenge her story, and Jane seems to take it at face value, seeming satisfied that Addison is doing okay.

Harold's Café
Paul and Elle are talking to Terese and Susan about the grand reopening of the V- Bar under their management, which is happening tonight. They have booked ads and been active on social media; the drinks menu has been expanded, and people will get a free one if they tag the bar on their socials.

PAUL: I mean, the youth of today is such an easy market.

Terese and Susan look a bit sceptical about that! Terese says she has a few ideas of her own if they want to hedge their bets, as she has experience at marketing for different generations. But Paul responds that they don't want to 'over- egg the pudding'.

ELLE: Gen Z hate it when you try too hard.
PAUL: Absolutely. I mean, authenticity is king.

Terese and Susan still look unconvinced, but Terese wishes them luck, and she and Susan head over to another table to go over some work things. Susan observes that Terese seems to be feeling left out of Paul and Elle's plans, but Terese insists it's fine - she has enough on her plate with Eirini.

Taye approaches Nicolette, who's sorting out the staff roster. He asks if she might have any shifts for him. Nicolette takes great delight in telling him that they're fully staffed!

TAYE: This is because of the whole... thing, isn't it?
NICOLETTE: The whole way you almost burnt my face off with your toxic sludge?
TAYE: Look - for the record, the Sataye thing, it's a bust. And the investor, she's chasing me for the money. That's why I need the shifts.
NICOLETTE: I can't blame your investor for wanting her money back after you added ingredients that made it radioactive!
TAYE: Yeah, I haven't told her that part yet.
NICOLETTE: Taye!
TAYE: I just want to get the money right before I tell her the bad news.
NICOLETTE (laughing): Oh, I can't imagine what could possibly go wrong with that plan.

V- Bar
Elle and Paul are outside by the river, discussing how customers will surely be 'swarming in' tonight. They congratulate themselves on how good they are at being business- people, and agree that they've loved working together again.

PAUL: No desire to run for the hills, then?
ELLE: I think you'll be stuck with me for a while.
PAUL: Good. It's music to my ears. Oh, speaking of, I think I'd better buy some earplugs. Because the youth of today, they've just got such terrible taste in music.
ELLE (laughs): You really need to stop saying 'the youth of today'.
PAUL: Really? (...) Okay, how about 'young whippersnappers'?
ELLE (laughs): You are such a dag. It's lucky I love you.
PAUL: I love you too. Partner.

Penthouse
Leo and Nicolette are discussing her possible pregnancy. It's too early to tell, but she says she has a good feeling, and is starting to consider the logistics of their arrangement. She says it would be nice to live closer to Leo and Krista when the baby comes, so is thinking she should keep an eye out for any of the hotel's Eclipse Apartments becoming available. Leo agrees that this is a great idea.

LEO: I mean, apartments are hard to come by, but...
NICOLETTE: I know, but at least we have inside contacts.
LEO: That we do. Have you told your mum yet?
NICOLETTE: Not yet. I wanted to sound things out with you and Krista first.

Leo suggests they talk to Krista to make sure she's on board...

LEO: And then... well, we can break your mum's heart.

Power Road
Krista is sitting outside Grease Monkeys with a drink, looking apprehensive, when Addison's mum Shannon pulls up in her car. Evidently, Krista has gone ahead with her plan after all.

SHANNON: Well, well, well. Finally, Little Miss Perfect has fallen off her pedestal. I've been waiting for this call. I knew you'd be back. So, you want the usual? Or do you want to try some of the new stuff?
KRISTA: I'm not here for drugs, Shannon.
SHANNON: Then why are you wasting my time? I've got better things to do than have you yanking my chain.
KRISTA: This is about your daughter, Addison.

Lassiter's Complex
JJ and Addison are throwing Maltesers in the air and catching them in their mouths. He asks her where she's going to sleep tonight, and she says under the tram again. What if it rains, JJ asks? But she says there are lots of good places if you know where to look.

JJ: Well, if my home wasn't a potential crime scene, you could stay with us.
ADDISON: Okay, I thought we said we weren't gonna trauma- dump on each other?
JJ: No, okay, sorry. My bad.

At this point Jane and Sam turn up. Jane's been looking for Addison; she's spoken to Leila from child services, who's told her that Addison didn't go back to her fostering placement last night. Addison admits she slept rough again and apologises for lying; she didn't want Jane to worry. Jane replies that of course she is going to worry.

ADDISON: I appreciate your help, but I'm not your responsibility.
JANE: Well, I'm afraid it doesn't work that way. Because if I see a child in need, then... well, I can't look away.
ADDISON: What I need is to find my mum. Can you help me do that?
JANE: Well, it's not exactly my field of expertise. But we could go to the police. See if they can help.
ADDISON: No, that's not gonna help. I'll find her - I just need time. Thanks for trying, though.

Addison gets up and leaves, followed by JJ. Jane looks worried.

Power Road
Shannon seems rattled by Krista having brought up Addison, and says she doesn't need Krista telling her about her own daughter.

KRISTA: Well, I am doing this for Addison. You are all she's got, Shannon. She needs you.
SHANNON: I'm not gonna stand here and be lectured by an ex- junkie.
KRISTA: You know she's been sleeping on the streets?
SHANNON: ... No, she's staying with friends.
KRISTA: No. That was weeks ago. Since then, she's either been sleeping rough or in foster care.
SHANNON: ... Are they gonna take her from me?
KRISTA: Only if you don't show up for her.
SHANNON: You don't understand. This life - I don't want Addison anywhere near it. But I don't have anything else I can do. So this is just who I am for now.
KRISTA: I don't believe that. I used to be an addict, and now I have a great job. I'm married. And remember that little girl that found your stash by the lake? She's my stepdaughter now. You can *change*, Shannon.
SHANNON: But I'm not rich like you. I don't have people lining up to help me get clean.
KRISTA: I'll help you.
SHANNON: Why would you do that?
KRISTA: Because Addison is smart, and funny, and she's resourceful. And she just wants her mum. She deserves to have you in her life, Shannon. So if there's a chance that you can turn things around and be there for her, don't you want to take that risk?
SHANNON: ... Let me take care of a few things. And then I will meet you and Addy wherever you want.

Krista nods, and Shannon drives away.

Lassiter's Complex
Jane and Sam are having a cuppa when Nicolette turns up, having arranged to meet them. It seems Nic is preparing to tell them about her hopes to move into an Eclipse apartment, but is apprehensive about breaking the news - so offers to get them a fresh round of drinks first.

JANE: What's happened?
NICOLETTE: It was the cup of tea, wasn't it?
JANE (nods): Often a precursor to bad news.

Nic reluctantly sits down and explains she's been thinking about all the 'back and forth' with Leo and Krista when the baby comes - so is thinking of renting an Eclipse apartment if one comes up. To her surprise, Jane doesn't object, and says it makes sense, though looks sad about it.

NICOLETTE: I'm sorry. I know that you love having us.
SAM: I don't want you to go.
JANE (hugging Sam): So, it's just going to be you and me in that house. (to Nicolette) But we are not going to hold you back. You're right - the baby and Isla will need some stability.

V- Bar
Taye turns up outside, where Paul is still lingering. Taye pours scorn on what he sees as Paul's lacklustre marketing efforts for the bar. He warns Paul that anyone under 40 hasn't seen any of their social media efforts - and even if they did, they wouldn't look twice.

PAUL: Why not?
TAYE: The customers you're after don't want to be talked at. They're about organic content. Seeing people like them do things they want to do.
PAUL: Yeah, well, we're offering free drinks.
TAYE (laughs): Yep, that makes you look desperate.
PAUL: Are you here for a purpose?
TAYE: I actually came to ask for a job. Which is just as well. Because it looks like you could use my secret sauce to help resuscitate this place.
PAUL (laughing): Absolutely not! I've seen what you're capable of. Goodbye.

Paul walks indoors, leaving Taye looking peeved.

Penthouse
JJ and Addison have come to see Krista, who has told Addison about having found Shannon. Krista says they had a good chat, and that Shannon hated hearing that Addison was sleeping rough. Now she's coming to meet them, but Addison thinks Krista should call Shannon to make sure.

KRISTA: No, she's coming.
ADDISON: Please, Krista.

Krista goes to call Shannon, but then sees a rather garbled text from her on her phone, saying she can't make it and to tell Addison she's sorry.

ADDISON: She's taken something. She texts like that when she's off her dial.

Addison becomes tearful and heads to the lift. JJ goes after her, saying she may not feel like talking to Krista right now. Krista looks worried.

Lassiter's Lake
Addison is sitting on a bench crying, when JJ comes to sit next to her.

JJ: I'm so sorry.
ADDISON: It's not your fault.
JJ: It's not your fault either. Just in case you were thinking that.
ADDISON: Why doesn't she want me? If she loved me, if she cared about me, she'd choose me over drugs, wouldn't she?
JJ: Uh... maybe it's not as simple as that. I mean, I don't know much about addiction, but maybe -
ADDISON: I do, and she could stop if she wanted to. She has before. She doesn't care enough to stop.
JJ: Your mum loves you.
ADDISON: What would you know? You have two mums, and the fact that you even exist means they wanted you so badly. That they overcame a ton of hurdles just to get you. I was just an accident.
JJ: You don't know that, though.
ADDISON: Yeah, I do. She told me once. She never really wanted me. And I've just been holding her back. Now she's done with me.

JJ says again that he's sorry, and hugs Addison as she sobs.

No 22
Terese and Susan are having a work meeting when Elle and Paul come downstairs - they're about to head to V- Bar for the evening for the grand re- opening. Terese is surprised as she was supposed to be coming with them, but Paul says they don't have time to wait for her to get ready, and suggests she finish her meeting and he'll give her an update later. Terese looks peeved as Paul and Elle leave.

Sensing Terese's displeasure, Susan suggests they could finish their work tomorrow and Terese could still go to the bar and surprise Paul and Elle. But Terese says it's fine - they might as well continue what they're doing now.

SUSAN: Or you could admit that you're feeling a bit left out, and start to do something about it?
TERESE: No, it... it's just, I'm normally Paul's sounding board. He never does anything without running it past me. Now it's just him and Elle. He's shutting me out.

Penthouse
Krista is on the phone to some contact or other, trying to track down Shannon again, but doesn't seem to be having much luck. Leo comes in as she finishes the call, and suggests taking a break, saying that Nicolette's on her way over to discuss some things, so they can focus on that.

KRISTA: No, Leo, sorry - I can't take a break. Poor Addison was heartbroken after Shannon didn't show up for our meeting, so I have to do this.
LEO: Wait, hang on. Did you try to meet Shannon?
KRISTA: ... Yeah, I asked her to meet us up here.
LEO: Have you lost your mind?!
KRISTA: I thought this was a safe space.
LEO: Nowhere is a safe space, Krista! Did you pretend you wanted to score?
KRISTA: Yes. And I know it was risky, but it worked. At least, it worked until Shannon didn't show up, and now I got Addison's hopes up for nothing.

Leo looks disappointed and annoyed. Krista asks what Nicolette is coming for - he doesn't fully explain about the apartment idea, but says it's about their baby plans. 'Oh,' says Krista, sheepishly.

V- Bar
Paul and Elle are looking around their mostly empty new bar! Their social media promotions have proven to be a flop, as Taye anticipated.

ELLE: I'm starting to think being good at going to bars maybe doesn't equal being good at running them.

But she decides it's 'onward and upward' - they've learned a lesson and won't make the same mistakes twice. Paul agrees, but looks peeved.

Lassiter's Complex
It's dark, and Jane is (still) outside the café, on the phone to Leila. Addison and JJ come out of the fish and chip shop with a bag of chips. JJ has had messages from Cara and Felix wondering where he is, so Addison tells him he should go home.

JJ: Come with me. You can have Dex's bed.
ADDISON: Thanks, but I think I'll stay away from the added stress today.
JJ: Yeah, don't blame ya.
ADDISON: Thanks for spending the day with me. You're a good friend.

They share a long hug, before JJ goes on his way. Addison lingers around while we return to Jane, who finishes her call just as Nicolette and Krista join her. Jane explains that Leila has said Addison's current fostering placement is the only option - there are no alternative places for her to stay. Jane thinks she should stay at No 24, and Nicolette agrees. At this point, Addison comes to join them.

ADDISON: How did you go?
JANE: Well, we've decided that you're coming home with us tonight.
ADDISON: Which means no one wants me. Figures.

Trying to maintain a smile, Addison heads to the bathroom in the café. Krista looks thoughtful.

KRISTA: Jane, can I have Leila's number?

Penthouse
Leo has prepared some nibblies for Nicolette's visit and when the lift pings, he assumes it's her, shouting that Krista will join them shortly. But in fact it's Krista who has arrived, with Addison - and her bags - in tow.

KRISTA: Nicolette's not coming. I asked if we could reschedule.

Leo greets Addison as they are introduced, but asks what's going on. Krista asks for a private word with Leo, and they talk by the balcony while Addison waits awkwardly.

KRISTA: Addison doesn't have anywhere to go. I want her to stay here.
LEO: Here?
KRISTA: Yeah. I know it's not ideal. She really needs our help, Leo. I want to do this for her.

Leo sighs and looks peeved.

Coming up on Neighbours
- Taye tells his investor Monica he made a mistake; but she wants her money, or she'll take legal action
- At breakfast, Krista asks Addison if she's worried about her mum; 'I'm worried about everything,' she says
- More of Leo looking peeved about the arrangement
- As they prepare for a bike ride, Karl tells Colton there's going to be a big announcement at the council
- Zac greets Colton who is surprised to see Zac looking pained, with a hand down the back of his trousers