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.

Lucille is acquitted as the pieces of Travis's death finally fall into place, but her subsequent actions may lead to her downfall; Lane and Jason's chance at friendship is cut short by a violent act of revenge by Jack. Meanwhile, Reese gets caught in the crossfire when she tries to stop the Massick-Burton feud; and two of Peyton's worst nightmares come true.

A tragedy ruins the captive Lane's hopes for escape; and Eleanor sets out to tarnish Peyton's image, although Brian's father takes a shine to her. Meanwhile, Tom makes a deal to implicate Veronica in Reese's drug bust; Nick and Peyton learn of the emerald's whereabouts; Dean and Reese grieve together after a friend's ""death.""

Reese and Dean search for Lane as the conditions of her prison turn deadly; Peyton unknowingly helps Nick get rid of the emerald - earning her a sparkler of her own from Brian. Meanwhile, Tom turns the tables on the police after he fails to goad Veronica into confessing her crimes on tape; and the Alexanders turn out for Edward's fund-raiser.

Peyton becomes a pawn when some racy photos of her with Nick land in the wrong hands; Jason's reaction to Lane and Dean's engagement causes concern for all; and Nick gets a new job - plus a role in his employer's fantasies. Meanwhile, Reese learns of the part Tom played in getting her drug charges dropped; and Peyton has it out with both of her blackmailers.

A cash-strapped Dean and Lane hit it big at Veronica's charity auction; Brian makes it clear that his engagement to Peyton is over; and Edward's senatorial campaign develops a media leak. Meanwhile, Reese's fantasies with Nick become reality; Tom aligns himself with Edward's hidden foe; and Peyton takes a swing at landing another Alexander man.

Reese recovers her mother's lost will-giving her half of Burton Industries. But she may lose Nick, who spends a steamy night alone with Peyton. Meanwhile, Lane's story on Edward places her and Dean in harm's way; Cassie begins to exploit her roommates for information on the Burton family; and Reese has a run-in with Veronica.

Reeling from Nick and Reese's reunion, Peyton turns to Tom to make the new lovers pine for former flames; Lane continues to investigate Burton Industries while on a steady diet of painkillers. Meanwhile, Reese makes herself the company's new partner; and Cassie's sting at the River Run factory collapses, endangering her father.

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.

Dean is shocked by Lane's past when a man she knew in New York arrives in Savannah; Nick helps Reese plug the leak on Edward's election committee, as he makes amends with Veronica. Meanwhile, an amorous Charles helps Peyton deliver a vicious birthday surprise for his wife; a prominent resident is targeted by death threats; and Reese decides to sell her share of the riverboat.

Tom points fingers to clear himself of the riverboat fire; Lane's innocent kiss with Terry sets Dean ablaze with anger, but it's she who cools to the idea of spending more time with her lying ex. Meanwhile, Peyton blocks Nick's funding for his part of the boat; and Edward loses Reese as an employee when she meets a shady character on her father's payroll.

Peyton schemes to keep Reese from Nick-and his fortune; Wheeler is reunited with his daughter, whose homecoming is shrouded in mystery; Reese learns her mother's dying wish. Meanwhile, Lane clashes with her publisher on a story about the closing of a Burton factory.

Edward's unholy union to Eleanor shocks the women in his life, especially his mistress; Dean is knocked for a loop when Lane's mood swings intensify; and Cassie's singing career hits a snag. Meanwhile, Peyton moves in on Nick, who finds himself single after Reese learns of his deadly past dealings; and Veronica gets herself a new, equally vengeful partner in crime.

On the day of Lane and Dean's wedding, Peyton steals away for a close encounter with Nick; Edward and Veronica almost get caught in a steamy engagement of their own; and the bride tries to numb her cold feet by mixing drugs and alcohol.

Eleanor receives tragic news while dealing with the fallout from the scam; an enraged Nick interrupts Tom's evening with Reese; and Lane takes illegal steps to feed her growing addiction. Meanwhile, the loss of her job at the Treasury steers Cassie into a new career; and a proposal is made to keep Edward and a grieving Eleanor from testifying against each other.

A familiar face returns to town, causing double trouble for Peyton and Reese, who barely avoids Veronica's trap for Tom; and Lane's kidnapper makes explosive plans for Dean's demise. Meanwhile, Lucille settles the score with her own captive, Edward.

Reese Burton is more than happy to become the new Mrs Peterson -but that doesn't mean that Travis is ready for the same commitment. And when his indiscretions are revealed to Reese, their marriage is suddenly scandalised and Reese goes out for revenge.

Reese and Travis make up but their relationship is again ruined by Peyton who hires a stripper to pose as ""Bunny"". Travis goes to get revenge on Peyton and their encounter leads to death.

Veronica arouses Peyton's suspicions when she offers to tend to a recuperating Edward; Dean leaves two women distraught...for different reasons; and Tom's brother hits town after his release from prison. Meanwhile, Reese reconciles with her father; Lane finds a job; Peyton discovers Veronica's past and makes Tom an offer he can't afford to refuse.

Edward's senatorial campaign is jeopardized by Lane's story about his affair with Veronica, together with Lucille's letter of confession to Reese about daddy's other little girl. Meanwhile, Jason objects to Dean's relationship with Lane; Tom gets a third partner on the eve of the riverboat casino's grand opening.

Veronica and Tom make indecent proposals to their respective Burtons, one of which stokes Vincent's jealousy; Lane uncovers Jeannie's private affairs after Jeannie warns her to stay away from Dean. Meanwhile, Lucille shares the Gothic history of Massick-Burton relations with Peyton; and Edward is shocked to learn of Veronica's own equally torrid past.

As news of Travis's ""accidental"" death spreads, Peyton scrambles to find a damning video he made of them; a less-than-grief-stricken Reese decides to go on her honeymoon; and Lane considers returning to New York. But Dean's findings keep all three in Savannah. Meanwhile, Edward takes a huge gamble during a poker game with Tom.

An arrest is made for the murder of Travis after Reese, Peyton and Lane supply Dean with alibis. Meanwhile, Peyton shows who's boss when ""Bunny"" returns to Savannah for more hush money; Edward's nonchalance about losing the riverboat enrages Tom, who targets Reese; and the real murderer is revealed following a robbery at the Burton estate.

Peyton provokes a feud between Edward and Reese; Reese finally finds a job thanks to Tom; and heartbreak looms for lovers Lane and Dean when a woman from Dean's past resurfaces. Meanwhile, Veronica cozies up to Edward; and Lucille beseeches Peyton to forgive.

Veronica blows Tom's cover to protect herself from Edward's accusations; Dean learns the truth about Jeannie with the help of Lane, his son and Jeannie's mother; and Vincent offers to fill Reese in on the background of her newest fiancee's intentions. Meanwhile, Peyton confronts Tom about his childhood, then teams with him in business...and pleasure.