Brian is diagnosed with testicular cancer. The prognosis, however, is good; once the afflicted testicle is removed he'll have a 99% chance of survival. Brian is also warned that if he opts not to have surgery, the cancer will spread. Brian decides to keep the news to himself and begins to push everybody away-including Justin.

Knowing Ted needs to focus on himself right now, Blake decides not to continue a physical relationship with him. Feeling dejected, Ted visits Babylon where his old crystal buddies tempt him. He discreetly purchases a vial from Dr. C, but rushes out of the club when he spots Emmett and Justin at the bar.

Michael and Ben catch Hunter smoking a joint. Later, he gets into a fight with a fellow student at school. They begin to understand Hunter's self-destructive behavior after he indicates that Vic's death has confirmed his own mortality. Ben helps him understand that HIV is not a death sentence-he's going to be around for a long time.

It's the day of Vic's funeral, and much to everyone's surprise Debbie is handling her emotions well. She later discovers a letter Vic wrote to her when he first became ill. It was right before Christmas, and Vic made her promise that even if he were gone, they'd still have the best holiday ever. In an attempt to make up for the awful things she said to Vic before he died, she throws a Christmas party in his honor. But her plan for forgiveness is shattered when she accidentally breaks the angel that topped their tree.