Lucas and Vanessa's Flat
Steph turns up to see Vanessa; she has bought some baby- clothes for Patrick. She also wants to let Vanessa know how pleased she is for her and Lucas that they've started a family. Vanessa hugs her, and they agree they're looking forward to working together. Lucas comes out of the bedroom with Patrick, and thanks Steph for the gift.

Lucas tells Vanessa he's got to go and meet a friend this afternoon about a TAFE course, which throws Vanessa as she doesn't recall him mentioning it. She reminds him to pick up some books from Sonya too. Lucas leaves, while Vanessa makes tea and Steph stares adoringly at Patrick.

Harold's Store
Paul encounters Steph.

PAUL: Ah, I wondered when I was going to bump into you.
STEPH: Here I am.
PAUL: Good to see our justice system is doing its job. Surprised they let you out early.
STEPH: I don't have time for this.
PAUL: You know what I don't get, though? Out of all the places you could go, why did you come back here?
STEPH: Not that it's any of your business, but this was my home. I was actually happy here.
PAUL: Well a lot's changed.
STEPH: Not you though. As lovely as it's been catching up...
PAUL: Just don't go stirring up any trouble while you're here, okay?
STEPH: Why? You gonna run me out of town?
PAUL: I don't think you know what I can achieve when I put my mind to it.
STEPH: Same goes for me. I'm here to get my life back in order.
PAUL: Really. What does that mean?
STEPH: Guess you'll have to wait and see.

No 26
Sheila comes in to find Rhiannon flicking through a celebrity magazine, and suggests she could make herself useful by washing up. Rhiannon's more interested in eyeing up Kyle when he comes in from his jog, observing that he's "totes hot".

RHIANNON: Let me get this straight. You run your own business, you're not a loser, you're all kinds of hotness and you don't have a girlfriend? What's wrong with you - got a third nipple or something?

She flirtatiously lifts his top to check, but he jokes that he's just had it removed. Kyle asks what's going on with Rhiannon and Mason; she says they're over, and that she's starting to realise there's more talent in Erinsborough than she originally thought. Unimpressed with the flirtation, Sheila throws a dishcloth at Rhiannon and tells her to start drying. But Kyle is grinning from all the attention.

Ramsay Street
Lucas and Sonya talk about Steph; Sonya says she and Toadie are pleased Steph's got parole, but that she might wait till Toadie's back from Colac to go and see her as she's not sure what to say to her about jail and Charlie, etc. Lucas says Steph seems okay with it all, including him and Vanessa; Steph told him to move on before she went inside, and he has. Nonetheless, Sonya warns him to tread carefully where Steph's concerned.

Fitzgerald Motors
Steph comes in, to check everything's okay between her and Lucas. He says it's fine, and Steph explains she's already had a talk with Vanessa; she didn't want things to be awkward with them working together because of her and Lucas's history. The last thing she wants to do is cause any trouble, she adds.

Steph begins eyeing up the motorbike Lucas is fixing.

STEPH: What I wouldn't give to go for a ride again... Probably sounds weird. The last time I was on a bike I killed someone.
LUCAS: Doesn't mean you won't ride again.
STEPH: Yeah, I've been thinking the same thing. I figure if I can get past the psychological hurdles then maybe I can do anything, you know? Maybe I really can put the past to bed.

She sits on the bike, but says she'll have to wait till she has her licence back. Lucas offers to take her for a ride now, and Steph says she'd like that.

Harold's Store
Mason is sitting alone. Rhiannon comes in and starts complaining about Sheila being a nightmare to live with. Mason laughs and says Rhiannon's probably the housemate from hell and needs to pull her weight. She looks slightly hurt.

Barman Pete comes in and invites them both to a pool competition tonight at Charlie's. Rhiannon says they'll go, but Mason doesn't want to. She wants to know why he's in such a bad mood. He admits that Rhiannon showing up in Erinsborough didn't help his cause with Kate. Rhiannon's still annoyed that Mason broke up with her, but cheers up again when she tells him she put in a good word for him with Kate. This makes Mason even more despondent!

No 32
Mason fills Lou in on what Rhiannon said to Kate, which Lou thinks can't have done any harm. Mason wonders why Kate's still not responding to his charms - could it be the age gap? Lou explains briefly about the situation Kate went through with Noah, but also suggests it's possible Kate simply isn't into Mason.

MASON: No way!
LOU: Who knows? Bit of rejection might do you good, sunshine.
MASON: Gramps, look at me. Come on - she's into me, I know she is.

Lou smirks with a mixture of bemusement and admiration at Mason's lack of modesty.

Lucas and Vanessa's Flat
Not satisfied with having given Lucas her two cents' worth earlier, Stickybeak Sonya turns up to grill Vanessa about Steph too. Vanessa says it's a bit weird working for Lucas's ex, but that Steph's really been making an effort.

A road
Lucas and Steph speed along on the motorbike.

Lucas and Vanessa's Flat
Sonya doesn't think Vanessa has anything to worry about where Steph's concerned, but Vanessa asks why she hasn't been to see her yet. Sonya admits that a lot happened to her and Toadie last time Steph was in town, which Sonya had been happy to leave in the past.

VANESSA: And her being here is bringing it all back?
SONYA: Yeah. But it's nothing against Steph. I mean, what happened, it was an accident - it was so sad.

Sonya concludes that Steph's here to make a fresh start, and that they should be supporting her. But neither looks over the moon.

A road
Lucas and Steph continue their ride, before pulling up in a field somewhere. They agree that being out on the road feels amazing. As they stand admiring the view, Steph thanks Lucas, and looks at him with a curious expression.

Charlie's
Mason and Rhiannon are practicing for the pool competition later, while Paul chastises Sheila for handwriting the stock orders, rather than doing it by computer.

SHEILA: Oh, what can I say? I don't really excel in Excel.

Paul tells her she needs to learn, but Sheila shifts the blame by complaining about the clutter in the stock room, leading Rhiannon to remark that she's glad she's not the only one on the receiving end of Sheila's control- freakery.

RHIANNON: You two sound like an old married couple. You together?
SHEILA: He wishes! Old Moneybags couldn't handle all this.

Paul looks disgusted. He reminds Sheila that she's on trial - and tells her he wants the order computerised next time. Rhiannon suggests that since she's new to town, Paul should shout her a drink. He looks at her like she's something he stood in.

PAUL: You're kidding, aren't you?
RHIANNON (shrugs): It was worth a try.

Kate comes in, and Mason tells her that Lou has explained the situation with Noah - he tells her he's "not that guy". Kate admits that having Mason chase her has been fun, and that she hasn't been put off by what Rhiannon said - but that ultimately, nothing's going to happen between them. Mason looks heartbroken. But when Rhiannon drags Mason back to the pool table, Kate looks a little perturbed.

Later, Mason and Rhiannon have won the pool tournament. She's all over him, reminding him of how they used to celebrate a win back in Mount Isa - but he keeps her at a distance, and suggests they get some drinks. From another table, Kate and Kyle watch the pair with interest. Kyle is amused by how forward Rhiannon is, but Kate is not impressed - and heads to the bar herself.

Georgia comes in and joins Kate at the bar, but is immediately put off when she sees Kyle's there. Kate says Kyle just wants to be Georgia's friend - why won't she let him? Georgia doesn't answer, and runs back out of the door, claiming she doesn't feel well.

Fitzgerald Motors
Steph and Lucas are back from their bike- ride - Steph's on a high and thanks Lucas again. He's got to rush off, and Steph offers to close up for him. But as soon as he's gone, the phone rings; it's someone from the hospital checking up on Lucas. Steph tells them he's on his way, then puts the phone down, looking worried.

Erinsborough Hospital
Steph is waiting for Lucas when he emerges. She explains the hospital rang asking if he was going to make his appointment, and demands to know why he lied to Vanessa and said he was meeting his friend. Lucas doesn't answer and walks away from her, telling her to forget she saw him here. Steph insists Lucas can talk to her - and he emotionally admits he has cancer. Steph hugs him and says she's sorry.

No 32
Kate calls round on the time- honoured pretext of 'dropping off some papers' for Amber, but Mason rumbles her straight away - she was checking whether Rhiannon came back here with him. Mason's alone, however; and Kate doesn't deny it. She's annoyed that, having told her there was nothing going on with Rhiannon, Mason went on to share a 'flirt- fest' with her all evening at the pool competition. Mason insists that's just the way Rhiannon is, and says there's no way he's getting back together with her.

MASON: Kate, you know I like you. I really like you; that's why I've been chasing you for weeks. You're obviously here because you're jealous of Rhiannon, but then you tell me that you don't want to be with me. So what's the real story?
KATE:... I like you too, okay? But there is a lot of baggage here. It's really complicated.
MASON: Go back to the part where you said that you liked me. I want to hear that part again.
KATE (smiling): Sorry, I don't know what part you're talking about!
MASON: Seriously, this is torture.
KATE: Oh, is it.
MASON: Yeah, it's killing me.

Kate laughs and Mason moves in to kiss her - only to be interrupted by the sound of an enormous burp! Lou comes in in his dressing gown, admitting his heartburn's playing up. The moment's ruined, and Kate tells Mason she'll see him later!

MASON: Thanks a lot, Gramps. Nice work!

He falls back onto the sofa in frustration.

No 30
Georgia is lying glumly on the sofa, watching TV. Kate tries to call her on her mobile, but Georgia ignores it. Then she gets a text from Pete, asking if she's still coming to Charlie's for a drink - as they're about to close.

Charlie's
Georgia turns up, and Pete's curious as to why she bailed on her friends earlier yet is happy to have a drink with him.

GEORGIA: It's easier to hang out with someone who's not going to tell me to slow down, take a break or talk about my feelings!

Hmm, possibly she's living in the wrong suburb. She admits she's still feeling embarrassed about the Scotty episode, and Pete suggests she come out with him and his mates for a night on the town.

GEORGIA: I'm not in a partying mood.

Uh- oh; did somebody say 'partying'? No sooner does the fateful word pass Georgia's lips than Pete claims he can help her with that. He produces a little bag of pills from his pocket, promising they'll allow her to forget all her problems for one night.

Tomorrow on Neighbours
- Georgia walks back into Ramsay Street the following morning, with 'partying' written all over her
- Sonya finds evidence of said partying in Georgia's handbag, and is not best pleased
- Steph encourages Lucas to keep his condition from Vanessa for now
- Vanessa finds a ring in Lucas's jacket; and later he says something which makes her very emotional
- Toadie blames himself for Steph's prison spell; and it appears she blames him, too