L.A. Ink

Kat returns to her beloved Los Angeles after being away for months on her book tour - the longest she's been away from LA Ink. The shop's more successful than ever - and even busier now that Hannah and Kim are gone.

The shop is slammed so Kat goes against her policy of only hiring people she knows, bringing in Amy as a possible new tattoo artist. While Aubrey does her best to learn the ropes, Amy tries to prove herself.

Kat bares it all at a New York photo shoot to promote her new cosmetic line rendering her tattoo-less. Kat convinces her good friend, Nikko, to guest spot for a couple days and he wows everyone with a gory portrait.

Aubry's on thin ice with the shop when she tries to win the team over with her crazy antics. She finally crosses the line when she tries to redecorate Kat's station and her future as shop manager is in jeopardy.

Aubry's efforts to fit in have been causing tension in the shop, so Kat calls on everyone to make her feel welcome. In her own attempt to reach out, Kat sets Aubry up on a blind date with a good friend, where Aubry drops the "I want a baby" bomb.

When Kat finds out she must travel back to New York City to help promote her new fragrance line, she brings in tattoo artist, Dan Smith, to help out in the busy shop. Meanwhile, Aubry's antics wear Adrienne down as the work piles up.

Kat begins a second book based on her private tattoo journals--work that triggers deep emotional reactions. Aubry ponders getting a tattoo, Paulie worries about not getting any clients and his feelings hit the boiling point.

When Kat learns Aubry's getting a tattoo she's concerned that Aubry isn't doing it for the right reasons. Aubry was planning to get a tattoo anyway but she's also hoping that getting one at the shop will have the added bonus of earning her some respect.

Kat's been clean and sober for two years and the shop wants to mark the occasion with a special surprise. Kat celebrates her own way by tattooing her sister Karoline. In the meantime, Aubry is planning to hit the stage and perform stand up comedy.

Kat is caught off guard when Dan reminds her that he's taking time off from the shop to record some songs with his band. Meanwhile, Paulie's frustration with not getting any work at High Voltage builds to a head, leading to a heated confrontation.

Kat's moving toward a new positive energy in her life, and she's celebrating by dying her hair blonde and getting a tattoo of one of her musical idols: Johnette Napolitano. Kat's mood quickly changes when Aubry plays hooky leaving LA Ink shorthanded.

Breast Cancer affects everyone in the shop and Kat reveals how one doctor's visit changed her life forever. Meanwhile, Aubry attempts to win over the crew, but Corey is not impressed.

Pushed to the limit, Corey finally unleashes his pent up anger at Aubry when she does the unthinkable with one of his clients. Now at the breaking point, he questions his role at LA Ink and backs Kat into a corner forcing her to make a critical decision.