An esteemed award ceremony takes place within the bustling precincts of Station 118, honoring Hen, Chimney, Buck, Eddie, and Tommy for their unwavering bravery during the perilous cruise ship rescue mission. Chief Simpson also presents a Medal of Valor to Bobby, who politely declines to adorn it, instead redirecting the applause and accolades towards his comrades.
The jubilant afterparty is abuzz with chatter and laughter, yet a tense encounter ensues as Buck, Tommy, and Chimney cross paths with Captain Gerrard, whose sarcastic jibes target both Tommy and Chimney. Meanwhile, Maddie and Athena witness a heated exchange between Bobby and Chief Simpson in the loft, their voices rising amidst the festive atmosphere.
Hen finds herself in an emotional encounter with Councilwoman Ortiz, whose son, Kyle, perished in a tragic incident earlier in the season. The councilwoman briefly meets Denny and Mara before continuing on her way, leaving Hen with thoughts of loss and remembrance.
At home, Bobby confides in Athena that he has tendered his resignation. He confesses that he's weary of striving and feeling unworthy of the hero's mantle. Athena, though concerned about his apparent lack of clarity, vows to stand by him through this trying time. She also reveals that the Chief wishes to keep the resignation hush-hush until he can devise a strategy to mitigate the fallout.
Eddie and Kim paddle peacefully in a rowboat on a serene pond. Kim inquiries about the familiarity she senses in Eddie's gaze, attributing it to a fleeting television appearance in her past. Eddie responds with a tender smile, admitting that he enjoys admiring her and wonders why he hasn't yet dared to plant a kiss upon her lips.
Amir arrives at the hospital, expecting to be summoned due to a patient's dire condition. Instead, he's greeted by Athena, who had instructed the nurses to summon him. Their conversation turns profound as Athena implores Amir to assist Bobby, who she believes has reached a precipice where he has nothing left to lose.
As the team scrambles to respond to an unfolding emergency, Bobby steals moments to bid farewell to his compatriots. He exchanges heartfelt words with Hen about her impending adoption of Mara, instructs Ravi on the art of swiftly detaching a hose, presents Eddie with a Catholic prayer book, and purchases groceries for Buck to prepare a heartwarming dinner.
After the meal, Bobby and Buck engage in a profound conversation in the locker room. Bobby acknowledges Buck's remarkable growth and transformation over the seven years he's been a part of the station, prompting Buck to express his gratitude for everything.
As Buck exits the station, he happens upon Kim, who's on her way to deliver a batch of brownies to Eddie. Buck gratefully accepts the treats on Eddie's absence. Later, Buck ventures to Eddie's house, curious about the budding friendship between Eddie and Kim. Eddie shares their serendipitous encounter and admits to being perplexed about his feelings for her. He confesses that he's unaware of Kim's resemblance to Shannon and is grappling with what he wants from their relationship.
Maddie, Chimney, Hen, Karen, and the children gather for a cozy dinner. The mood is interrupted when Karen receives a call from Dierdra, informing them that their adoption hearing has been abruptly canceled. Dierdra suspects foul play, surmising that someone may have intervened with the judge. Hen's expression darkens as she whispers that she knows the culprit.
Eddie takes Kim on a poignant journey through his past, showing her pictures of Shannon and apologizing for withholding the truth. He confesses that he hadn't realized how deeply he'd missed Shannon until he met Kim, who reminded him of her in unexpected ways. Kim offers compassion, acknowledging that Eddie and Shannon had unfinished business and that he'd never had the chance to express what was in his heart.
Amir arrives at Bobby and Athena's home, prepared to offer support. As he surveys the photos adorning the walls, his gaze falls upon Bobby's lifesaving award, triggering a surge of emotion. He stands abruptly, preparing to leave, only to encounter Bobby returning home. Amir's tone is stern as he tells Bobby that if he truly desires redemption, he and Athena must steer clear of him.
Bobby and Athena engage in a heated argument, and once again, she presses him on why he resigned. Bobby confesses it's because he feels like a fraud, but Athena urges him to stop weaving lies. She's petrified that he's once again hovering dangerously on the edge of a building.
Bobby then reveals to Athena the existence of a book he once kept, piquing her curiosity as to why he never mentioned it before. Later, Hen approaches Councilwoman Ortiz's office, offering an apology for the misfortune that befell her son. She pleads with the councilwoman not to use Mara as a pawn in her revenge schemes. Ortiz insists she's trying to salvage Mara's future, adding that during her investigation into Hen's past, she's noticed a consistent pattern in her records.
Karen's call interrupts Hen's thoughts, and upon returning home, she's horrified to find Mara being taken away. The family bids her a tearful farewell, vowing that their bond as a family will never be broken.
Meanwhile, Kim assumes the guise of Shannon and visits Eddie's home, urging him to confess his feelings to her. Eddie confesses his reluctance to let her go and wonders why Christopher received a letter while he did not. He reveals his broken state, expecting her to be there for him. As they embrace, Christopher and Marisol arrive home, and Christopher gets a fleeting glimpse of what he thinks is his mother.
Bobby awakes from a deep sleep on the couch, startled by rattling sounds emanating from the kitchen. He finds his father there, pouring them both a drink to celebrate his latest award. The medal hangs heavily around Bobby's neck, and he laments that it feels like a burden.
Tim shows him the hero book he once made for him, and Bobby apologizes for not being able to save him. Tim reassures him, saying that he should have saved him and now it's time for him to save himself.
Suddenly, Bobby is jolted awake by a fire raging in his house. He rushes to save Athena, who's unconscious, and manages to drag her to safety. He performs mouth-to-mouth resuscitation until she regains consciousness, just before the paramedics arrive.
As Bobby stares at his burning home, his heart seizes up, and he collapses, unconscious.
