Brooke plans her presidential campaign with Felix; her opponent is confident, never-defeated Erica Marsh, who lives for the job. Dan asks Lucas to move in with him while offering Keith to pay for a grand wedding with Jules. Nathan discovers lovers e-mail to Chris from Haley on their computer, believes her most are from Taylor and they decide the stirring sister must leave. Jake is back for good, moves in with Peyton and asks coach for a good word at school. Erika plays the campaign dirty, so Brooke decides to pull all the stops and asks Lucas to write her a killer speech- he suggest a J.F. Kennedy address. At the club Tric, Chris Keller is back, as artist opening act; he also dares Nathan about Haleys love, and once the main act 'the Wreckers' has asked him along on their tour invites Haley to join them- she tells Nathan she wants to, solely as a unique career opportunity, and is told to choose: the tour or him, and yet she goes. Karen fails to stop Lucas moving to Dan or at least find out why: he will pay for Lucas' medication, as he was not tested negative but showed her Keiths results.

Deb is angry to hear from Dan Lucas moves in, but hopeful now Haley has left Nathan he might also return. Nathan is a wreck, and seems determined to wreck his school-prospects; he won't listen to anyone, even hits the still taunting Dan. Jake and Jenny live in Peyton's room, but she is reluctant to become intimate again. Erica stops at nothing to defeat Brooke, but clever speeches by her and Mouth still turn the tide. Lucas seems to feel at home with Dan.

Coach tells the students of Tree Hill High to make a video recording for the traditional time capsule they expect to be open in 50 years. When Mouth tells it's sometimes opened early, Anna convinces him to help erase hers- they can't resist watching some other. Lucas moves in with Dan; Andy helps Karen to fight Dan in court, but she fails to remain rational. Nathan continues his self-destruction, believing Haley will never return, quits his job at Dans garage and gets Lucas and him arrested; they fight over Dan and Keith so Lucas tells his true motivation, and Dan understands when Nathan tells when he bails them out. Peyton and Jake go on their first date. Brook starts to really think about what she can do as president. When Jules tells Dan she'll tell Keith the truth, he says he may just keep off anyway. Jake and Peyton are becoming comfortable with intimacy.

Deb's cool younger brother, race pilot Cooper 'Coop' Lee, visits his favorite nephew Nathan and invites him and Lucas to Lowe's Motor Speedway (now Charlotte Motor Speedway), where the boys and his kid brother Jarret get a crash course from competitor Ray Green's daughter Daytona 'Toni' in not crashing for a taste of the race. Dan informs college about Andy's improper relationship with Karen- he must choose and gives his notice. Mouth fakes being drunk so Brooke can 'drive him home'; Erica is a real client, and hits on with him, kissing. Dan finds Deb wasted in the garden. At the day of the (private) race, competitive athlete Nathan's pride is hurt, so he tries to break the track speed record but crashes with bad long injury; the doctors tell Deb her blood is too 'rich' in pills to donate; Toni thinks Nathan was suicidal. Coach tells Peyton Jenny is safe in a small Florida town.

The class's last essay assignment is about what they lost during the year, which sets some thinking. Karen attacks Dan when she learns he tries to get Andy deported; Andy cleverly trick him to check the black books hiding place. Jake has high hopes to get Jenny back now his attorney found Nikki lied under oath about attending college; but the day before, Nikki visits him to show she found Jenny already... Coach encourages Nathan to go to Highflyers, as he has grown in character enough, but Dan claims his ma Deb will collapse again if he leaves after her return. Karens club TRIC fills for Jimmy Eat World. Lucas and Brooke visit New York for an overnight stay with Haley; Chris says they never had sex, but she refuses to give up her musical life. Jake tells Peyton to forget him as his quest for Jenny looks desperate.

Lucas and Brooke's relationship becomes more intimate when they travel to New York for an overnight stay with Haley.