When two children are killed by a drunk driver, their mother's grief unlocks another woman's secret and is the catalyst for Ben finally venting his anger over losing Steph. Meanwhile, Jared volunteers to look after Brittany Finlay, the new student nurse. He expects a nervous newcomer but instead is faced with an obnoxious and outspoken young woman.

Bron is worried about Ben. He has slumped into a depression since Steph's death and she is concerned he is not taking adequate care of himself. So concerned, in fact she has temporarily moved into his flat to keep an eye on him. Which is where Ben drops his bombshell; he has decided to transfer from active paramedic duties to a desk job at HQ. Bron is aghast. She knows this is an ill-considered decision borne of his depression, but Ben won't hear reason. He is quitting just as soon as he finishes the paperwork.

Brittany, under Jared's wing, has a "coming of age" working experience when Ian, an alcoholic lecturer with liver damage, and Lee, a car accident victim with a drinking habit are brought together in Room Four. Brittany develops a crush on Lee and goes so far as to kiss him. Jared spies them both and educates her on the need to separate her work from play. Brittany takes no heed until Jared forces her to do her normal nursing duties and help Lee with his toiletry. The lesson is a sorry one for romance and earns Jared Brittany's resentment.

Von's past is highlighted when a patient, Will Harrington, she nursed in a London pediatric unit is admitted to Ward 17. His memories of Von result in a lot of stirring from the rest of the staff and consequently a furious Von confronts Will, telling him she is not the person he thinks she is. Will comes to realise she may be right — he doesn't recognise this new Von at all. Besides, he does not need handholding any more — he is an adult. But, on learning he has cancer, all Will's childhood fears re-surface and Von is forced to re-enact the magic that got him through his childhood illness to help get him through this one.

Terri settles a dazed Robyn Michalandos on Ward 17 but is immediately suspicious. Robyn insists her head injuries are from a fall down the stairs at home but all the signs point towards domestic violence. When her husband Steve arrives and immediately threatens his teenage stepson, the fears of the staff are seemingly confirmed. The stage is set for a tense day on the Ward.

Bron and Ben rescue Patti Burke from a snap freezer. The woman had gone in to save her friend Jill, who appears to have wanted to commit suicide, and in so doing Patti ended up bound to her friend's hand. Unable to separate Patti from her dead friend, Ben and Bron have to wait until the shelf to which Jill is attached, is cut away. Then, Patti (still attached to the corpse) is able to be taken to All Saints. It is up to Luke, with Kylie now as his observer, to separate the two women surgically. But the scars left on Patti are not just physical. Emotionally, she carries a guilt, which goes deeper than mere survivor's guilt. Once she admits to Jared she and Jill were lovers, we sense she will be able to heal.