Episode 6648

Extended Summary

Zac is wheeled into the ED with Leah panicking by his side. He’s bleeding from the ear but semi-conscious. Tori takes charge and asks Leah to wait outside. Soon Nate, Hunter, Roo and VJ join Leah at the hospital as she anxiously waits for news on Zac’s condition. After some scans, Tori informs Hunter that Zac needs to have surgery for a subdural haematoma but then Zac crashes and Nate pitches in. Tori tells him to leave, he’s no longer an employee at the hospital. Zac stabilises and is taken to surgery. Tori suggests the family all go home to get some rest, but Leah and Hunter want to stay. Hunter lashes out at Leah, blaming her for Zac getting injured. Hunter storms off and Leah, VJ and Roo head home to get some rest and wait for news on Zac’s progress. At home, VJ and Leah chat about how much Zac means to them. The next day at the diner, Leah apologises to Irene for slapping her. Irene, hopeful this is the first step on the road back to friendship, waves her apology away – they’ve both done things they regret. But Leah, cold, insists she is only apologising for slapping her, everything else still stands. When she needed Irene, Irene wasn’t there, in fact she was fighting against her. Leah will never be able to forgive Irene for not standing by her. It seems their friendship is really over.

Tori apologises to Nate for kicking him out when he tried to help an arresting Nate, but Nate covers his anger, claiming he understands she was just doing her job. Tori, who is convinced something is bothering Nate, pushes until Nate snaps and admits that he blames her for forcing him to give up his career. Tori counters that it was his decision to quit but Nate insists she put him in an impossible situation. Northern Districts is the only hospital in the area and he’d have to leave the Bay if he wanted to continue to be a doctor. Forced to choose between his home and his career, he chose his home and his life in the Bay. Nate asks her to leave and Tori’s happy to. Their future as a couple is uncertain.

Hunter visits Zac after his surgery, the operation went well and Tori’s confident he will make a full recovery. Zac smiles as he remembers that Leah held his hand when he was wheeled in. Leah visits Zac and holds his hand, telling him how glad she is he’s okay. When Zac recovers and confesses his love for her, she insists she will always care for him but it’s over, they’re better as friends. Hunter listens in from the hallway. After witnessing Zac’s heartbreak re: Leah, Hunter makes it clear to Zac that he will always be there for him. Hunter’s heartfelt admission prompts Zac, who is still groggy following surgery, to question what his life would have been like if he never ended things with Charlotte. As he reminisces about their painful Christmas Eve break up a worrying thought strikes Hunter – he was always told he was a New Year’s Eve baby. Reeling, Hunter admits to VJ – I don’t think Zac is really my dad.

Marilyn is upset and acting strangely. She’s worried about Leah and Irene. John moves to comfort her but Marilyn backs away and offers him a takeaway coffee. John again asks her what’s going on. Maz admits she doesn’t think admitting guilt to arson is anything to be pleased about, but when John tries to talk about it she makes an excuse and heads off to rest, leaving John to ponder her discomfort. John goes to Marilyn and demands she tell him what’s wrong. Marilyn says he doesn’t need to worry, she’s working through it. John argues he’s her husband, he wants to help. She admits he can’t. John realises he’s the problem. Marilyn doesn’t want to talk about it, again, and goes to check on Irene. Irene’s despondent, she doesn’t know if she’s done the right thing with Leah and Luc, she should have just let it be and now she can’t even be there for Leah while she goes through stress with Zac. Marilyn offers to stay the night to keep Irene company, she’s actually looking to avoid John but waves off Irene’s concerns. In the morning, Marilyn wants to head straight to the diner to avoid going home and seeing John. Irene convinces Marilyn to finally talk with John. At Palmer House, Marilyn admits to John that she’s not sure he’s the man she married anymore. She doesn’t want to hurt him, but since he went to gaol, her feelings have changed. Hurt, John tries to be understanding and presents Marilyn with her wedding and engagement rings. They were cut off in hospital but he’s had them fixed for her. He gives her his word that he will be once again the man she married, if he will let her. She puts the rings on but still seems cagey. Will she ever be able to forget?