Lane's addiction worsens after her friends' intervention; Second Chances gets a new leader; Dean gets an arrogant new partner; and Madeleine meets a new ""Reese,"" who diffuses Veronica's plot to expose Tom's past. Meanwhile, Cassie secures financing for her album, then sees Benny's true colors; and a heartbroken Dean finally gets Lane to seek help.

Reese gets more than she expected during a romantic getaway with Tom-thanks to excessive drinking and Peyton's quick thinking; Lane seeks help in kicking her drug habit and gets a sponsor who turns out to be problematic for Dean. Meanwhile, Veronica and Nick set into motion their plan to destroy the new Burton regime.

The newlywed Massicks plan to annul, until family and friends persuade them to give marriage a shot; Lane's new job sends her after a sex-scandal story involving Sen. Burton; and Wheeler plays cupid for Sam. Meanwhile, Peyton tricks Nick into getting a roommate, along with a new place; and Rita helps Lane verify the charges against Edward.

Sonny Lee declares her tie to Nick's family - which Tom and Peyton instantly try to sever; Lane and Cassie set out to unite their feuding beaus; and Rita tells Edward the ""truth"" about who was behind the photos. Meanwhile, Reese gets a nasty piece of mail; Peyton's latest scam backfires; and the Burton marriage crumbles-again.