Tasha fights to save the life of her unborn baby. Macca and Ric face off in a fiery battle over Cassie. Alf pushes himself to the limit as the chopper crash rescue continues.
Extended Summary
Tasha is gripped by fear as the contractions continue – Irene is panicked! The nurses are doing all they can to calm them both, but the fear and pain overwhelm Tasha. Dr Price rushes in and begins her checks. Irene says she’s 26 weeks, surely this can’t be labour?! It could be false contractions – they’ll have to wait and see. They try to help Tasha with her breathing – this stress isn’t good for either of them! The contractions continue as she holds on for dear life – breathing quickly, gripped with fear. The doctor returns, it looks like Tasha is in labour! A baby born so early has low chances of survival. They try to stop the contractions, but there’s no guarantees. The pain gets worse as Tasha starts to hyperventilate. The doctor assures Irene they are doing all they can. There’s nothing they can do to calm her – she wants Robbie to be there! The contractions continue, despite the medication. Her pulse is rocketing off the scale – she doesn’t want to lose the baby and Robbie! If Tasha can’t control her breathing, things are going to get out of control. Jack passes by the room and sees the commotion – he takes Tasha by the hand and orders her to look him in the eyes, for Robbie’s and the babies sake, she has to settle down! It starts to work – he’s made her focus! All are amazed at his ability to get through to her – everyone is relieved as the contractions slow off. Thanks to Jack, the doctor reports, that baby will stay where it’s at. Tasha and Jack share a smile, understanding where each other is at right now.
Alf is tense as he mans the radio, keeping up to date with the chopper search. Tony reports that the Summer Bay team have just reached the other SES teams to head off into the scrub, but the area is huge and dense. He promises to stay in touch as Alf slumps, he looks terrible, having had no sleep. Sally orders him to rest, but he refuses as Cassie heads out and asks what’s up with Ric? Sally can’t believe Cass needs to ask – he wanted your support and you were with Macca, leaving Cass with food for thought…
Cassie arrives to see Macca listening to the radio report about the crash, it’s very negative and it’s working Macca up. He wants to get out there and search for his sister! The last time they spoke was in an argument! Alf continues to get busier and busier, taking calls, manning the radio – Sally and Colleen watch on, concerned. Colleen takes him a cuppa but Alf bumps into her – he snaps at her as Sal steps in to calm him down, he lashes out at Sally too! He jumps on the radio demanding an update!
Tony responds to Alf’s call – nothing new to report – it’s rough out there and they haven’t got too far yet. Ric is out there too – he wonders how the crash survivors would be doing in this terrain, it’s hard going… Meanwhile, Cassie waits in the corridor, confused about her feelings for Macca and Ric – when she turns back to Macca’s door way she sees he’s missing, the radio on the floor! Back at the house, Alf comes off another call, he rubs his arm, pins and needles are running through it. Sally approaches, Alf hides his arm – she’s worried about him. Alf says he’s worried about Martha, his priority! She’ll have to drag him away from the radio!
Cassie races in reporting that Macca has done a runner from the hospital! Alf Radios it through, and Ric hunts him down, chasing Macca into the bush, calling out for him to stop – but Macca is a man possessed, he has to find his sister! An argument soon erupts between the pair, a face off about Cassie becomes the focus – who’s best for her? Ric says if Macca loved Cassie he’d go back to hospital so she wasn’t worried – but he doesn’t care. Fed up, Ric leaves him out there, Macca shakes his head as he winces in pain, then hears Ric calling out for help, Macca finds Ric hanging over a deep ravine!