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Out of the Comfort Zone
Season 3 · Episode 10 · Aug 24, 2010
Ben is forced to step outside his comfort zone when a moral stand clashes with workplace politics.
Ben's troubles begin when Melissa reveals she isn't keen on starting a family for years - partially because they can't afford kids. Determined to prove himself as a potential father, Ben asks boss Derek for a pay rise but is turned down. What's worse is being forced to discipline Lexi, friend and employee. Already having trouble giving her a written warning, with Derek on his back, Ben is forced to fire Lexi when she once again arrives late for a shift. However, she reveals her sister is in hospital - and soft hearted Ben agrees to talk to Derek.
Ben's aims are thwarted when Ted recognises Derek's daughter Hayley as the leader of the girl gang who assaulted him and Chel. Ted confronts Derek with the unpalatable truth - and is deeply insulted when Derek dismisses him. Unable to let it go, Ted contacts the police, leading to Derek playing personal tit-for-tat and kicking Friend Finders out of the boat club - and ordering Ben to do his dirty work. Torn between keeping his job and standing up for what's morally right, what will Ben decide?
Julie steps out of her comfort zone too by joining a local mother's group. Despite Dave's reassurances that the group will be full of normal mothers, all Julie's fears come true when she is welcomed as a senior mum to the group by Stephanie, a young, trim, and highly competitive mother. Despite herself, Julie is drawn into Stephanie's competitive world. However, the presence of Hamish, a charming stay at home dad, helps bring Julie back to earth and politely resolve matters with neurotic Stephanie.
After Rachel's refusal to stay at Jake's untidy house, he has been sleeping every night at the Rafter place. The comical Mexican standoff seems destined to continue forever and Jake realises he has to change tack. He jumps at the chance to babysit Ruby, a plan forming to erode Rachel's resistance. However, his plans go awry when Rachel is called into work and Ruby won't stop screaming. Desperate, he hands Ruby to Ben and Melissa - who prove to be more than capable. In fact, Melissa has finally become clucky, and throws away her contraceptive pills - she's ready to have kids if he is.
Julie and Dave meanwhile return home none the wiser and ask Rachel and Jake to babysit again on the weekend. To Jake's delight, Rachel capitulates - better Jake's house than constant babysitting duty.
Resisting the negative impression Tom Jennings gave Dave in the previous episode, Nathan decides to give him a second chance, and asks Dave's permission to see him. Dave refuses, citing Tom's boorish dismissiveness of Chel, but Nathan is inspired by Ben's new-found ability to stand up for himself and politely informs Dave that he will visit Tom against Dave's wishes.
