Valerie and Kelly reluctantly join forces in an attempt to keep apart Valerie's mother and Kelly's father after they announce their engagement at Valerie's birthday party. Meanwhile, Brandon interviews for a job at a major daily newspaper company and is hired on the spot, but he discovers there's a little catch: Brandon must fill in as a scab for other reporters of the agency that have recently gone on strike. Brandon and Steve's newspaper assistant, Janet Sosna, begins complaining about being overworked and underpaid. Steve sets off in search for Jill's real pen pal, Ted, to introduce her to him in an attempt to mend the hostile situation he set off. Also, Noah goes too far in helping Donna with her work in bribing the fashion company to set the stage for her designs and purchases.