Season 5, Episode 42: "Survival of the fittest" (original air date: August 8, 2003)

The Bassett baby boom has begun. Nicky feels criticised when William suggests that she could use the practice in doing births. Nicky tries to avoid baby duty and attend a road accident, but instead finds Monique, a young woman in labour. The girl's father, Anton Devcich seems to be going out of his way to avoid any contact with the authorities. Suspicious, Nicky can't help but get involved.

Then Monique turns up at the clinic with post-natal complications. Nicky goes to Anton's house, but finds no evidence of the baby. Her worry that the baby is dead turns out to be groundless, but she knows that Anton has recently settled bills. She tracks flowers sent to Monique and finds that the donor is a woman in her forties, staying at the Agincourt. Nicky finds her about to leave town with a baby she is sure is Monique's. Nicky feels forced to take the baby into care, and after talking to Anton, is sure that he sold the baby. However, there is no conclusive proof. Nicky decides not to report this.

Nicky also discovers that what she saw as William's disapproval was in fact phase one of his master plan to appoint her his successor when he retires. As a result of the Devcich baby, Louise decides to overcome her own discomfort and contact the mother of her own adopted child.

Kieran has problems of his own. His complaints about the noise from earthworks at the prison site are falling on deaf ears, so he decides to take matters into his own hands. To Nicky's surprise, he and Chad hammer out a solution, even though their methods are not to her liking. It's the beginning of a truce, and an unlikely friendship.

Alistair, meanwhile, is celebrating a roof of one's own. His garage, his castle, is complete. Despite William's low opinion, Alistair is happy - a man alone. His solitude is fleeting when a succession of visitors turn up, including a pair of feral neighbours. Then Alistair finds a surprise on his land - a dope plantation. Alistair decides to confront, in a non-confrontational manner, his new neighbours. He is pleased to see them removing the crop - until they call on him for aid as Ken is visiting.