Tension runs high as Needles holds the guys accountable for their lack of judgment. Tommy steps up and takes responsibility for Damian's future in the firehouse. Sheila provides Tommy with an oasis as a sign of her gratitude but it may not be enough to save him from the wrath of Mike, Dwight, and the ghosts of Tommy's past.

Tommy and Mike must find a way to mend their fences at work; Sheila tries to get Tommy to control his drinking with her leverage; Lou must relive an unpleasant memory; Franco heads back to the boxing ring; and Sean has his heart-to-heart talk with his mother.

Though Tommy's pacts with Sheila and Janet have begun to unravel, there is one Gavin who remains sexually adventurous much to Tommy's chagrin. Garrity divulges his medical secret, Tommy proclaims he's been drinking at AA, but its Mickey who will offer the final surprise.

The guys visit Sean in the hospital; Katy is home from school and wants a family dinner---one that includes Colleen and Black Shawn; and Lou and Tommy make a wager concerning the women in their lives.

After dealing with a particularly horrific accident on the job, Tommy questions his feelings in a dream sequence with his dead father, brother and son, and Jimmy Keefe. Meanwhile, Sean has an unwanted visitor at the hospital; and Lou has a very-much-wanted visitor to his apartment.

Franco has his first FDNY-tournament fight, and he and Carla (Tawny Cypress) have an encounter outside the gym; Candy cooks dinner for Lou; the guys have a surprise for Sean when they visit him in the hospital, and he has one for them. The guys also plan an outing for the kids in the cancer ward.

As Damien joins 62 Truck, Sheila reminds Tommy of his promise to watch out for him. Meanwhile, Janet gives Tommy guidelines for their relationship; the guys attend a memorial dedication for a firefighter who died on 9/11; and Sean is released from the hospital, vowing to live life "to the fullest."