As the possibility that Lulu will take a job in California sparks an angry courtroom outburst by Nick, Burton is caught off guard by the arrival of Shannon's estranged father, Roy Cantwell. With Burton asking for Nick's help in fighting off Cantwell's request for custody, James tells Taliek Allen that he is responsible for his brutal beating. Although James offers to help get his life back on track, Taliek turns around and reports the attack to the police. Warning James to steer clear, Nick prepares to argue the disfigured man's case in a new custody hearing. But when the judge places their child into foster care, Taliek and his girlfriend unleash a torrent of threats that creates havoc in the courtroom.

Though Burton is granted custody, when Shannon ignores his warnings and spends the day with her dad anyway, he threatens to have Cantwell arrested. But when Cantwell turns around and accuses him of having inappropriate sexual contact with his daughter, criminal defense attorney Clay Simms steps in to defend Burton against the charges. As Shannon's story serves to bolster her dad's complaint, despite Clay's efforts to mount a strong defense, Nick convinces his dad to simply pay Cantwell to go away. However, when told she can return to Burton's home, Shannon says that she would rather live with her dad.

After Lulu is offered the job in Berkeley, Nick says that he loves her and doesn't want her to move. But when Lulu questions whether he really means what he's said, Nick tells her to forget the whole thing and leaves. Finally, though James is confident that everything has been worked out, the vengeful Taliek shoots him and a new LSP attorney. And as Nick and Burton are out for an evening together, their tension and anxiety finally boils over when, during an argument over a parking space, they gang up on an unsuspecting motorist and beat him senseless before driving away.

 

From ATV