After showing up to reconnect with Mackenzie (Emily Weir), four years after their engagement was broken off, Gabe (Akos Armont) has become a well-known figure in the Bay. He has been assisting Mack with the business while becoming acquainted with the surf community.
But when Gabe is struck in the head by a surfboard and stumbles onto the beach from the waves, calamity strikes. Hospital is suggested by Xander (Luke Van Os), but Gabe dismisses the notion. However, Xander brings Gabe to the hospital after he trips in Salt.
When Bree (Juliet Godwin) inquires about Gabe’s medical history while he is in the hospital, he is compelled to admit a sinister fact: a year prior, he was receiving cancer treatment. Bree believes bloodwork is necessary to ensure that the Non-Hodgkin lymphoma hasn’t returned, but Gabe is unable to accept reality.
Bree successfully crosses the finish line with Gabe and organises the blood tests after some gentle prodding. Her intuition was correct, and the results of the tests are abnormal. Bree is forced to inform Gabe that his cancer has returned, which is sad news.
Gabe doesn’t want to hear about treatment choices after learning the disease has spread to his bones and there is little they can do, despite Bree’s best efforts.
After leaving the hospital, he is faced with a brand-new issue because he recently got Mackenzie back. How will he inform her of the news?
