Donna's boss becomes ill and asks her to coordinate the photo shoot. The event proves to be an unmitigated disaster, and the photographer berates Donna by accusing her for ruining the shoot. Noah Hunter, a male model participating in the shoot, defends Donna; he also responds to an insult by punching the photographer. Donna's boss takes the blame for forcing her to shoulder too much responsibility. Valerie spends the entire trip trying to get closer to Noah, although she is put off by the fact that he performs boat maintenance for a living. Brandon runs into Tracy and her new fiancé, a grad student at the University of Hawaii. Donna becomes unnerved when Brandon and Tracy frolic and play in the water. She places an emergency call to Kelly, who immediately flies over from L.A. Kelly is embarrassed after learning that Tracy is engaged. During a hike, David slips off some rocks and crashes into the water. Noah and Brandon dive in to rescue him, and David receives treatment for his injuries. Noah decides to return to Los Angeles with the gang, as he has an offer to work on a boat. Donna suggests that he stay on her parents' boat. The gang arrives at the L.A. airport late at night, and Brandon finds that his car has a flat tire. He insists on changing it immediately, rather than getting a ride from the others. Brandon confronts two men who are stealing a car nearby. They drive away, but come back to the lot and start shooting. Kelly catches a bullet in the abdomen.

Brandon is heartbroken when Kelly is unable to remember their relationship. Kelly develops a crush on Noah, whose blood donation saved her life. Noah takes Kelly for a stroll on the beach, and she regains some of her memories. Brandon confronts Noah and warns him to stay away from Kelly. The identity of Kelly's shooter comes under scrutiny because the man Brandon picked out did not have gun residue on his hands. Brandon considers a job offer from the Seattle Times. Steve's career as a sports agent comes to an end after he nearly puts Charlotte's career in jeopardy with an illegal gift. Rush gives Steve his own business, a defunct newspaper. Steve wants Brandon to be his editor, but he initially turns him down. Brandon accepts Steve's offer so that he can write, yet remain close to Kelly. Donna panics when she loses her boss's beloved dog en route to the veterinarian. Valerie helps organize Donna when she has trouble keeping track of her clients. Donna decides to make Val her business partner.