Car Park - Lassiter's
Paul is on his mobile to a man called James, thanking him for his help with something that can only be described as 'a special Paul assignment'. He expects that the authorities will be all over said assignment soon and he can't wait to see what the day brings. (Somewhere, in a galaxy far, far away David shivers, not quite knowing why).

After Paul hangs up he notices a pair of legs twitching behind his red Batmobile. He rushes over and is aghast to see Dylan lying on the ground all beaten up. Paul angrily asks who did this to him while Dylan coughs and splutters that he's fine (uh, I think the bruises and the grass stuffed in yourmouth begs to differ, dude).

Bishops'
Lil hovers secretly in the doorway while David tries to comfort a distraught Serena - she's upset that Boyd's condition doesn't seem to be getting better. He reminds her of the vigil they kept for Lil when she was sick and how they never gave up on her. David says Serena needs to do the same thing for Boyd and that he'll do everything he can to help her.

DAVID: So will your mum. She'll be right there by your side just like she always, always is.

Serena thanks her dad while Lil sobs quietly in the background. It may prove difficult for Lil to always, always be there while she's having naughty, naughty thoughts about Paul.

Boyd's Hospital Room
Steph, Max and Summer watch Boyd sadly as a melancholy tune plays over the scene. Sky has draped herself over Boyd, also looking distressed.

Bishops'
David, Lil and Serena sit down to dinner but David would like to say grace first. "Grace." Nah, he actually has something nicer and more eloquent to say.

DAVID: Dear Lord. We thank you, not only for what we are about to receive, but for the far greater blessing of a healthy and loving family. Only you could truly know the vastness of the joy they bring to me. We also ask that you look after the other family in our thoughts at the moment, the Hoylands. Amen.

Serena tells him it was really nice and Lil fights back tears yet again. Wow, they have a microwave where the pantry used to be. Nifty.

Lassiter's Park
Paul's trying to find out what happened to Dylan. He admits that before he was beaten up he stopped himself from trashing the BMW he was attacked over because "he saw himself". The little tyke is quite angry at the world. Grr. He thinks he's a no hoper with his brother as his only friend. Paul surprises him and says that getting trashed by the bullies was probably the smarter option than him trashing something. "You're learning something at last. Anger management." (He should have a chat with Max and try that snazzy 'count down from ten' technique). Paul wants his protégé to stop being so hard on himself because he'sbetter than he thinks he is.

Hospital Corridor
Max is wondering if Boyd even knows if they're there but Steph and Summer believe that Boyd can hear them. Summer hugs her dad and says that miracles can occur and that people can come out of comas. Steph suggests that they go home for a quick shower and a bite to eat, and then they can come back and resumeBoydwatch.

Boyd's Hospital Room
Sky has placed her iPod on Boyd's chest and is playing him all the sounds she recorded for him. First up are the wind chimes that hang outside her window, then the sounds of her Beetle revving. "That's us, Boyd. That's us heading up to the coast."

Summer comes in and says that Steph has offered her a lift home (I wonder if Steph Mac sometimes answers to Carla's character name accidentally on set?). Sky says Boyd may be able to hear her and Summer defiantly responds she knows he can. Max stands by the door and says to Boyd they'll be back later. As they leave, a single tear spills from one of Boyd's closed eyes.

Scarlet Bar
Has that pool table always been there? Anyhoo, Dylan and Paul are playing a game of billiards while Paul is trying to pep talk his protégé into actually liking himself. There's more pep in there than at a cheerleader rally.

Dylan admits his jealously of people who look like they've made it in the world, all those people who wear fancy suits and have skiing holidays. Paul sees a different side to the story though and likens the suited folk to a pack of zebras he once saw in Kenya. "[They're easy prey for the lion waiting on the edge of the herd. I'm the lion. What are you going to be, Dylan?" Ooh, say monkey! Say monkey!

Paul tells Dylan that it was a hard slog to get where he is right now but with him as his mentor, he won't be let down. The checklist to being a super dooper successful person goes a little something like:

1. Stop being violent towards people
2. Be persistent
3. Have some self-discipline

"Now if you do that you're going to walk in here in a few years and know what true power really is." Except for those last two items, which are there for my own amusement. Paul's own Jedi power is to make sure that people know their future is in his hands. Cue Paul sinking a perfect shot. "Thank you very much!" Dylan looks somewhat happier. He wants to learn some light sabre tricks next.

Hoylands'
Steph, Summer and Lyn walk in with some take away. Steph's telling her mum that Boyd could be in the coma for quite a while. Summer wants to bring Boyd home and take care of him there but Steph says it would be too hard what with all the life support, physio etc.

Summer goes to get some plates and Lyn says to Steph that she'll be there 100% if she needs any help. Steph laments that Boyd's always been this kid who is full of energy so it's tough seeing him like he is right now. "Not giving up on the miracle already are you?" Max asks, overhearing them. Steph says she hopes with all her heart that Boyd gets through this but gently adds that they may need to talk about long-term care plans if things don't improve.

MAX: Can you not talk like that in front of Summer please?
SUMMER: Dad, please stop treating me like a kid.
MAX: Sweetheart...
SUMMER: No, dad. I grew up when you went away, I had to. Steph's right, we have to hope for the best and we have to be prepared for the worst because Boyd's probably not going to wake up tomorrow, is he? Dad we just have to be organized and then we can work out what's best for Boyd.

Max puts his arm around her and basks in her smartness. Steph and Lyn look on proudly at her mature approach to the situation.

Bishops'
Lil is monotonously doing the ironing but she does not have housework on the mind. Oh no. She does the 'thousand yard stare of impending slow-mo memory' as we see a nice shot of Paul smiling, plucked from her conflicted brain.

'Ironing be damned!' thinks Lil as she glances at some shirts, shaking her head. She grabs the car keys and walks determinedly out the door.

Scarlet Bar
Dylan and Paul are now chatting about the great game that is footy. Dylan asks Paul if he ever played but he says only back in primary school. "It's actually something I've always wanted to do with my boys," he admits. "Be a good father. Kick the footy with them, take them to the game on Saturday that sort of thing." But sadly Paul's priorities were all out of order. He shakes that thought and says to Dylan that he should get home because it's late and a school night. Dylan thanks him for everything, shaking his hand.

Exit Dylan, enter Liljana. Paul is surprised. "You're out late... must be something important." Liljana replies that it is.

Bishops'
David is on the mobile trying to reach Lil but pretends he's just doing some work when Serena questions him. She also wants to know if she can go and see Sky at the hospital because she's worried about her. David agrees and says he'll call a cab for her. She smiles and tells him not to work too hard. Ooh, there's a door to the hallway now. Handy.

Scarlet Bar
Lil has just told Paul that she wants to see him Clad. In. A. Towel. Oh I wish. She really just resigned from her job with him because of obvious reasons. Mainly because she'd like herself and Paul to be sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G. Lil says it's time to put all her feelings for Paul to rest for the sake of her family. "They have a hold on me. That's why, no matter how I feel, we can never be." Paul sadly agrees.

PAUL: Does he know what a remarkable woman he has, that husband of yours? Listen, if David ever does the wrong thing by you, I'm going to want to know why.

He takes her hand and kisses it like a gentleman before leaving. Lil falls that little bit more in love with him even though she really shouldn't.

Scummins'
Lyn gets her best motherly tone on and takes the TV remote off Dylan. She wants to know how his face got mangled. He says that he's been where those guys that beat him up are, and he doesn't want to continue the trend of violence any longer because it doesn't get you anywhere. "So..." Lynnie prompts. "So, I'm changing my ways," he replies. "No more using my fists to settle things. Give my brain a bit of a work out I reckon." Lyn is pleased to hear that, just as long as he uses his brain for good. Dylan says he will. Well I guess with Paul on your side how could you *not* be good? Ay? Anyone? Bueller?

Bishops'
Lil arrives back home and is met with a worried David. He'd imagined her wrapped around a telephone pole or something. He tentatively asks if everything is okay between them and Lil says it is, hugging him. She repeats 'everything is fine' to herself, almost as if she's willing herself to truly believe it.

Boyd's Hospital Room
Sky is telling Boyd all about this new band she heard that day and how he won't be able to listen to them with her if he doesn't wake up. She leans in close to his ear (we're in extreme close-up mode here, so much so I can see all the way up Boyd's nose through to his brain cavity where they took Fred the tumour out). "Boyd you've got to fight this. You've got to work your way up through the layers of unconscious and come back to us in the light again. You hear me? Please?"

It all gets too much for Sky as she starts to break down in tears. She tells Boyd that she'll be right back, she just needs some water.

Serena rounds the corner as Sky hovers near the water cooler in the corridor. She says she was worried about Sky and asks if there have been any improvements. Sky sadly shakes her head and tearfully admits she doesn't know what she'll do if Boyd doesn't pull through. Serena chooses this time to let her cousin know exactly what happened between her and Boyd. She admits that it would have been more than kissing if she had it her way - Boyd was angry at Sky and Serena says she gave him every opportunity to get back at her well and truly. " But he was loyal to you. I want you to know that no matter how much it makes you hate me." Sky is quite shocked at first but then thanks Serena for her honesty and for clearing up everything. "But now I think we should just concentrate on what's really important."

Lassiter's Car Park
Dylan races over to Paul's car all excitedly. He's brought a footy to have a kick with his pretend dad before school. Aw! Paul is happy and they run around a bit kicking and marking the ball not like I thought they would... i.e. they kind of drop it a lot. But Paul makes up for his lack of marking prowess by whooping joyously and throwing his arms up in the air all giddy-like. Whoopee! Yee-hah!

Bishops'
Sky and Serena tiredly walk out in their school clothes. Sky leaves David, Lil and Serena in the kitchen as she goes to see Summer. There's a knock at the door - why it's Detective Skinner and some fellow officers. They're there to investigate certain irregularities (hello episode title) with the Helen Daniels Trust. They want to check his computer for evidence on the hard drive. David is all understanding and complacent at first thinking it's just a routineprocedure, but then when they start to unplug the computer to take it away he gets angry and confused.

DAVID: You're acting like I've done something wrong. What are these irregularities you're talking about?
DET. SKINNER: All right, all right, Mr Bishop. You are under investigation for obtaining financial advantage by deception.
DAVID: That's fraud.
DET. SKINNER: Indeed it is.

David turns around to find Serena looking confused and Lil looking angrily hurt and outraged but in a sort of calm way... if that made any sense to you, have a cookie!