Erica is arrested for prostitution and released into Kelly and Brandon's custody. Brandon writes a story about her, but promises to leave her name out of it. The assistant district attorney needs the name of Brandon's source to build a case against Erica's abusive pimp. Despite Kelly's objections, Brandon insists on protecting Erica from possible retribution. Erica stands up to Riggs and helps a friend get off the streets. The assistant district attorney threatens to send Brandon to jail unless he cooperates. Jodi claims that Steve is the only man who could have possibly fathered her child. He tries to convince her to give the baby up for adoption. Carly persuades Steve to take a paternity test. Mel helps David file for bankruptcy and pay back Donna, but he still owes a large debt to the loan shark. Donna spends the day on her parents' boat with Noah while David moves out of the apartment. Valerie catches Donna and Noah kissing and shares the news with David. Sands' thug beats up David

Brandon is arrested for obstructing justice. Erica agrees to participate in a sting operation so that Riggs can be arrested on another charge without her testimony. Riggs gets busted for buying drugs from an undercover cop, and the police pretend to arrest Erica so that he will not suspect her involvement. Iris transfers custody of Erica over to Dylan so that she can live with her brother. A dedicated doctor impresses Kelly when she takes Erica to his hectic clinic. Kelly asks for a transfer to the clinic, where she will help with administrative duties. David moves into the office at the After Dark and accidentally starts a fire. He has lost his insurance and cannot pay for repairs, so the landlord terminates his lease. Donna takes pity on David and asks him to move back into the apartment. He takes her up on her offer, only to see her kissing Noah on the porch after a date. Valerie visits Sands and learns that Noah paid off David's debt. She lashes out at Noah for lying to her, and fo