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.
Kat is forced to take sides when a long-simmering feud explodes between Corey and Aubry. Kat's sister Karoline announces a sudden departure leaving Kat short handed at a critical time in the shop.
Kat's new shop manager Liz is all business, and while Kat likes her no nonsense approach, she rubs the LA Ink crew the wrong way. Meanwhile, Aubry's friends, former LA Ink employees Paulie and Amy struggle to get her a job at American Electric.
Kat has shocking news about her beloved cat Ludwig and is frustrated with shop manager Liz's superior attitude toward shop basics. At rival shop American Electric, Craig challenges Aubry's competence, and welcomes a long overdue visit from his brother.
Kat tattoo's rap superstar Soulja Boy and when a shop party is planned the gloves come off between shop managers Adrienne and Liz with Kat caught in the middle. Aubry struggles with her decision to remove her LA Ink tattoo.
Kat puts an end to the back stabbing between Adrienne and Liz before it gets out of hand. Meanwhile Corey's stress begins to surface in the shop. At American Electric, Craig puts Paulie's color skills to the test and Aubry considers another tattoo.
Kat lays down the law and stops the escalating battle between Adrienne and Liz for power in the shop. Aubry over steps her bounds with plan for a makeup studio at American Electric.
Kat pushes her art to a new level when she tattoos prosthetic limbs for amputees Rob & Scott and lays down the law with Corey and the team about shop policy. At AE, Paulie's tattoo client invites him to work on a music video with Snoop Dogg.
The entire shop is feeling the pressure from the mounting tension between Kat and Corey. The lack of support at Corey's band performance leaves him wondering who his real friends are. At AE, Paulie infuriates Aubry when his meeting with Corey is revealed.
Tension between Kat and Corey escalates and the shop is on edge. Liz betrays Corey and reveals details about a private conversation. Liz's on the job frustration leads her to seek out former shop manager Aubry where she reveals her true motivations.
Kat puts her photography skills to good use in support of a Battered Woman's benefit. Without Kat's authority Liz gives Corey time off and gets caught in a lie. Aubry quits her job at American Electric to follow her true passions.
Kat discovers Liz lied and Liz pays the ultimate consequence. Kat is heart broken by Corey's painful decision and their friendship is put to the ultimate test.