 Kelly is an 11-year-old boy who keeps running away from foster homes that are not accepting of his pet otter Kate. Convinced that his father, missing for two years in a small plane accident will one day return, Kelly stays on the run lugging Kate around in a pet carrier. The episode opens with Kelly wandering around the docks at Gibsons telling Kate that they ll soon find a boat in which "some yazbo" has left the ignition keys. Kelly actually finds a boat with the engine running and is soon under way. Owners Max and Susie report the missing boat to Constable John at the Reach where Nick suggests they offer up a reward of $250 to ensure its recovery. Relic suggests an amount of $300 which is enough to get him on the case. Relic catches up with Kelly and the boat and demands the reward money from Max and Susie. John Constable has to attend to a serious accident and leaves Kelly with Nick. Upon learning that his father most likely perished in the place crash, Kelly plans to talk off again. Nick, John and social worker Mary Ross try to find Kelly a stable home where Kate will also be accepted.