True Love and the Blues

Ben and Bron arrive at a shooting to find the victim is a Family Court judge, well known for his strong views on family values. Fearing whoever shot the judge will return to finish the job off, police arrange for him to be under strict police guard as he is taken off to All Saints. The police presence on the ward puts extra pressure on the nursing staff; it is not only the hassle of showing ID every time they enter the judge's room but the feeling that every person who walks on to the ward could be the one who shot him. The judge's son waits dutifully for him to return from theatre. On first impressions they appear to have a strong relationship. It is not long, however, before the cracks start to show. As police begin to suspect the culprit may be a lot closer to home than first thought, Nicholas reveals to Terri it was he who shot his father — having caught him in the arms of a woman other than his mother. Bearing the weight of his confession, Terri attempts to resolve the family dilemma. She finds herself entangled in a situation which, emotionally, resembles her own family. Her sympathy with the boy's feelings, if not actions, bring to the surface desires Terri had kept hidden in the deep cavities of her mind since childhood. Luke and Bron spend their last morning together before Luke heads off to a so-called medical conference in Alaska. Bron, who thinks it is unfair doctors get to have all the fun, would do anything to join him. Out on the road with Ben, it is all Bron talks about. After transporting the judge to hospital, the pair is off to a backyard accident at a suburban house. Having injured herself while committing a mischievous act, 10-year-old Tess has hidden from her mother and is refusing to come out from under the house. Ben decides that, since Bron is the smaller of them, she should go under the house to drag the kid out. Bron does so and in the process receives a nasty cut (and, unbeknownst to her, a bite from a funnel web spider). When she returns to All Saints Bron goes for the regulation tetanus shot. Soon after she begins to feel woozy. Thinking it is her weak attempt at getting sick leave so she can go overseas with Luke, Ben teases her. It is not until she collapses that Ben starts to take her seriously. With Ben's help, Mitch diagnoses her condition. It is a tense wait as the anti-venom kicks in and Bron begins to recover. Seeing the girl they love so vulnerable makes both Luke and Connor realise how important she is to them. It is Connor who finds himself on the backburner, again, when Luke tells Bron he loves her. Everyone is a little surprised when Simone Carlisle is admitted to hospital with a threatened miscarriage, not least of all Tony. Any ill feelings he has towards her are pushed aside, however, when he learns she has lost the baby. Simone's fiance, Darren, is keen to try for another child straightaway. Mitch warns Simone against this, advising that the management of her hepatitis C must take priority over becoming pregnant. Mitch says Darren needs to be aware of her condition, especially if he is to be her life partner, but Simone is afraid of revealing her past to Darren, and risking losing the man she loves. With Mitch's support, she tells Darren about her hepatitis C status, and her history of IV drug abuse. Her worst fears are realised when Darren walks out. It is Tony who helps Simone find the strength to face life alone. Von covers for Jared, who is suffering the effects of a strenuous gym routine.