At Donna's urging, Kelly returns to modeling for a few days' shoot, and later calls Dr. Monahan on his alleged conduct. Meanwhile, David gets a new job at a car wash and tries to help a troubled, gay, teenage co-worker, Ben, who's tormented by their other co-workers and shunned by his conservative parents. Steve takes the stage on comedy night at the Peach Pit After Dark to impress Carly. Also, Brandon finds Emma - who's determined to bag him - almost irresistible, while an unsuspecting Kelly stands by. Valerie schemes with David to make Noah and Donna jealous by making it seem that they are having an affair, but it doesn't work due to David's lack of lying skills.

In the week before Christmas, an administrator asks Kelly to give a speech praising Dr. Monahan, which leaves her in a dilemma, knowing his true nature. Meanwhile, Donna reacts to Noah's lack of Christmas spirit due to his history. Carly's son, Zack, questions the existence of Santa Claus, and Steve sets out to prove that he's real, with a little help from Nat. At David's urging, a depressed Ben delivers gifts to his parents, and later he and Valerie help out a suicidal Ben. Emma refuses to back off from flirting with Brandon, and gives him a valuable watch as a Christmas present; he finally gives into her charms and has sex with her.