Episode 4306

Australian Air Date: 30th October 2006

Gang pressures continue to become more intense for Rocco. Meanwhile, Brad and Sally’s mutual attraction continues to grow as Johnny takes terrorizing Brad to a frightening level. Lee announces that she’s putting her baby up for adoption – everyone is stunned!

Extended Summary

Lucas is shocked to see Lee on his doorstep – she explains to him that she was fighting with her parents again, so moved in with her boyfriend Dane. Lucas wonders where Dane is now? Lee explains that the whole baby thing got too much for him and he needed some time out. Charming. Lee then doubles over in pain – Lucas wants to call and ambulance, but Lee won’t let him – the police are after her for shoplifting and they’ll get her for sure if she goes to hospital! Lucas head’s spinning – Lee insists that she’ll have the baby here in the house – but Lucas knows that’s crazy. He frantically calls Rachel for help. She races over and soon Lee’s water breaks. Rachel convinces her to get to hospital. Once there, Rachel is alarmed at how much Lee doesn’t know about pregnancy – she’s had no check ups or ultra sounds and is hating the fact she’s the size of a house – her boyfriend must find her hideous. A frazzled Lucas watches on as Lee goes into labour – Rachel can’t believe how negative Lee is being about the entire experience – she can’t wait to have the baby out of her.

Rachel is astounded by her lack of connection – a harsh reminder of what she and Kim will never get to experience together. After much screaming, Lee gives birth to a little boy and when he is placed in Lee’s arms she is sad and detached – not knowing how to feel. She soon tells Lucas and Rachel that she’s putting him up for adoption – she isn’t cut out to be a mother. They can’t believe it. Lee explains that she and Dane have plans to move north and they can’t take a kid with them – he’ll be better off with someone who knows how to raise him. Rachel is left standing there, holding the little baby. Kim joins her – the couple sadly look down at the new baby, aching for what they can never have and what Lee is so easily giving up.

A moment of URST takes Brad and Sally by surprise when she is walking along and he runs into her – wet and shirtless from the surf. Both flustered, Sal reminds him about dinner tonight at her place – is he still coming over? You bet. Brad asks how Rocco is settling in – Sally thinks pretty well and suspects Johnny might’ve left town, she hasn’t seen him around. Brad isn’t so sure – that guy’s having too much fun to walk away now. The pair head off separately and Brad finds himself stealing glances at Sally as she walks away – the tension palpable. Then Brad turns to see Johnny staring at him, sitting in his car. He gives a little wave, revs his car, then speeds off. Brad is far more rattled than he’s letting on and it’s only going to get worse. Back at Summer Bay House, Sally is making dinner and asks Rocco if he’d like to join them. He would – then slumps when he gets a text from Johnny asking him to meet him – what does he want now? Rocco finds Johnny and The Boys waiting. Johnny quizzes Rocco – Sal must have some money, her dead hubby was a doctor and that caravan park would bring in some cash. He asks Rocco to get some for them – but when he doesn’t seem enthusiastic Johnny plants a few solid hits into Rocco’s stomach. A beaten Rocco hobbles into the house and is forced to find things to steal. He finds an expensive looking necklace and reluctantly takes it. That night at dinner he hides the pain he’s in from Sal, Alf and Brad and quickly makes his way to bed. Sal is concerned – she hopes he knows that if Johnny is hassling him that he can talk to them openly. Brad soon leaves to head home and another moment of URST arrises between him and Sally. He kisses her on the cheek and leaves Sally to close the door, a cosy smile playing on her lips.

After a great dinner at Sally’s, Brad drives along on his way to Yabbie Creek to pick Rachel up from work. Suddenly a set of headlights appear in the rear-view mirror – on high beam. Brad shakes his head, annoyed, and readjusts his mirror, but then the car roars up behind him and aggressively tailgates him. Brad jerks forward suddenly as the car behind rams his rear bumper. He scrambles to take control of the car as it happens repeatedly. Brad is rattled, angry and scared as he tries to speed off, but the car behind won’t let up. It rams him again and causes Brad to lose control, swerve off the road. His head bashes against the wheel as it comes to an abrupt halt. Brad can hear the faint sound of laughter as the other car speeds off – Johnny has upped the stakes and it’s chilling Brad to the bone…