Season 5, Episode 48: "Good, bad, ugly" (original air date: September 19, 2003)

Nicky has taken the news of her father's illness hard. Her mood is not improved when Chad seems to be toying with Dana's feelings. It doesn't help that she can't fully disclose her worries to Kieran (Renato Bartolomei), especially when he is planning a weekend away with Chad, his investor and new best mate.

Meanwhile Gabrielle is stressing about her planned pagan baby-naming ceremony.

And as Nicky goes to pick up an all-important dove for the ceremony, her car breaks down. With cellphone problems, she is stranded, until Anton Devcich, possible murderer, offers her a lift. Nicky feels her misgivings are silly, until Anton takes her out of her way to visit a possibly fictitious sick friend - and she notices the door handle is missing from the passenger door of the truck. She feels scared. However the sick friend, Graham, does exist, in an isolated house. He has a severe infection from a gunshot wound and is refusing to go to hospital, because of his personal beliefs. Nicky does the best she can to offer treatment, but she realises that his condition is complicated by heart problems. She also sees another side of Anton when she learns that Graham is his de facto father and mentor.

Kieran, meanwhile, finds that Chad has plans other than fishing - staying at an upmarket lodge. And when Stacey and Leanne, two young women from Morecross arrive, Kieran suspects Chad is up to no good. Chad tries to sell this as part of his work hard/play hard philosophy, but Kieran finds it repugnant - and realises why Nicky may have had her doubts about Chad. When one of the pair, Stacey, wants to leave, Kieran takes pity on her. But she sprains her ankle on the return trip - and when Kieran takes her to hospital, Dana is suspicious.

Nicky has problems Kieran is unaware of. She realises that, far from being caring, Anton may have shot Graham. Nicky tries to leave, but Anton won't let her go. Nicky feels trapped, but thrown when Anton perceives her angst about being powerless to help her father. As her only means of escape, Nicky tries to change Graham's mind, but fears she's only made matters worse. Anton is appalled that she thinks he means her harm. And when she thinks all is lost, Graham changes his mind. As the cavalry arrive, she is released.

At the baby naming ceremony, despite the dove's unfortunate day in Nicky's care, it flies. There is hope.