Plot Summary:An epidemic of gay community benefits feels smothering. Even now he's unemployed and has spent most of his fortune on the election, Brian refuses to relinquish any control by accepting help, including his partner Justin's. Hunter's ma threatens Ben to go to the police with kidnapping charges, but Michael refuses to hand the kid back; once they have to, Mel promises them legal help. Finding Ted's orchid 'Droopy' dying in lesbian 'care' gets Emmet to learn his ex is in rehab, actually counseled by Blake Wyzecki, who is however committed to another man; Ted gets out, but is extremely bitter, even considers suicide. Now Stockwell is indited, Gardner Vance has to beg Brian to return to Vanguard at his terms, including a private jacuzzi and unlimited expense account. Yet the publicity genius refuses a non-competition clause, even informs his top clients he is starting his own agency; when they don't bite, he puts his loft for sale trough Justin's mother Jennifer Taylor, who waves her commission. The judge is a female who awards 'natural' custody to any mother, even drug criminals like Hunter's, but then he saves himself by telling her with a kiss on the mouth he is AIDS-positive. After a sneer about charitable fund-raisers, Brian learns the latest one is for a uniquely good cause...