Be My Guest
Written by: Juana
Story summary: Felicity is recuperating at Eli’s apartment, which also happens to be Ben’s. Elena and Noel are getting closer and closer. When Ben is forced into taking care of Felicity in Eli’s absence he endears himself to Felicity even more. And Julie in an attempt to help Eli only alienates him in to defending his position even more.
Disclaimer: I do not own the character’s in my story. They belong to the writers and creators of the hit WB show.
FELICITY AND ELI ARE AT HIS APARTMENT IN HIS ROOM. FELICITY IS IN THE BED AND ELI IS PROPPING UP HER PILLOWS FOR HER.
ELI: There is that comfortable?
FELICITY: Yes…thanks.
ELI: So would you like me to turn the television on for you….or maybe get you something to drink?
FELICITY: No…I’m fine. I think I’m just going to get some rest.
ELI: Okay….I’ll be out in the living room if you need me.
FELICITY: Thanks.
ELI WALKS OUT INTO THE LIVINGROOM AND SITS DOWN ON THE COUCH. TURNS ON TELEVISION. BEN COMES WALKING IN.
ELI: Hey…do you have a minute?….There’s something I need to tell you.
BEN: I’m not sure I can take any more news from you.
ELI: I’m really sorry how this has worked out for you Ben.
BEN: So you say.
ELI: Anyway….I wanted to let you know that we’re going to have company for the next couple of days.
BEN: Company?
ELI: Felicity’s doctor released her today….on the condition that someone was there to take care of her….I’m that someone.
BEN: Felicity is staying here? With you?
ELI: Yes….I’m sorry I didn’t ask you first. It’s just that she really wanted to get out of there and this was pretty much the only way that was going to happen.
BEN: You should have asked me.
ELI: I honestly didn’t think you would mind.
BEN: You didn’t? At what point in this whole chaotic nightmare did you feel like I was okay with any of this?
ELI: I understand that this isn’t easy….I just thought your concern for Felicity would outweigh your discontent with this situation.
BEN: What do you want me to say…the damage is already done….let her stay.
FELICITY APPEARS IN THE DOORWAY AS BEN IS SPEAKING.
FELICITY: I don’t have to stay here Ben…the doctor has already released me….I’ll just have Eli take me home.
BEN: I didn’t mean that Felicity….sometimes I don’t contain myself when I should….you can stay…really it’s no problem….I’m gonna go to my room now.
BEN EXITS TO HIS ROOM. FELICITY CONTINUES TO LEAN AGAINST THE DOOR FRAME.
FELICITY: I can’t stay here Eli….this isn’t fair to Ben.
ELI: You heard him…he’s fine with this.
FELICITY: I heard the words…but I know Ben…he’s not okay with this.
ELI: What is it with you two? Is it over or not…because your starting to worry me.
FELICITY: I’m just concerned that’s all…..
ELI: Maybe staying here is a good thing….it will help Ben to see that you’ve moved on.
FELICITY: (Voice over recording to Sally) Dear Sally, Eli wanted me to show Ben that I’ve moved on…..that I’m okay without him. But moving on would require letting go….and letting go of Ben when he had Lyssa that was hard enough…but letting go when he was available…..could I? Better question….would I?
NEXT DAY: FELICITY IS SLEEPING IN ELI’S ROOM. BEN ENTERS AND STARTS TO SET SOME PAPERS DOWN ON A CHAIR. FELICITY STIRS AND TURNS OVER SO SHE IS NOW FACING THE SIDE OF THE BED THAT BEN IS STANDING ON. BEN LOOKS LONGINGLY AT HER.
FELICITY: (waking up) Hey.
BEN: Hi….I was just leaving your English papers for you. I told the teacher I would get them to you.
FELICITY: Thanks. (sitting up) the concept of school just seems so foreign to me now.
BEN: You’ll be back in a couple days and it will all come back to you….I promise.
FELICITY: I’m going to feel so far behind.
BEN: You’ll be fine…so where’s Eli?
FELICITY: (uncomfortable) Um…he had a class and then an interview for an intern position at the hospital.
BEN: Isn’t he a little young to be an intern?
FELICITY: Well…not a real medical intern….more like a male candy striper…but for grades.
BEN: (sits on bed next to Felicity) You're looking a lot better today.
FELICITY: Thanks…my back still hurts sometimes though.
BEN: Do you need any more of your pain pills?
FELICITY: Actually…I went to the doctor today and he gave me a prescription for a stronger medication. I was waiting for Eli to come home so I could get it filled.
BEN: I can do that for you.
FELICITY: You don’t need to do that.
BEN: I know I don’t need to….I want to.
FELICITY: Okay then….it’s on the dresser.
BEN GOES OVER TO DRESSER AND PICKS UP THE PRESCRIPTION.
BEN: I’ll be right back.
FELICITY: (Voice over to Sally) It was comforting being taken care of by Ben again….even if just for a fleeting moment.
CUT TO JULIE AND TATE IN HER ROOM. THEY ARE ARGUING.
JULIE: God…why can’t you see the obvious?
TATE: I’m not sure what you think is so obvious.
JULIE: She loves him.
TATE: Fine. She loves him….does that mean that she can’t actually feel something real for Eli?
JULIE: I just think it would be better for all concerned if Eli just stepped aside.
TATE: Look Jul….I understand that Ben is your friend…but that does not necessarily make him the better man.
JULIE: Oh and Eli is?
TATE: Eli is a great guy….I would love to have someone like Eli date my sister.
JULIE: You don’t have a sister.
TATE: Yeah…but if I did….
JULIE: Well Ben is a great guy too.
TATE: And Ben had his chance….remember?
JULIE: God…you are being so stubborn about this.
TATE: Me…stubborn…Please….they should have your picture posted in the dictionary under the word.
JULIE: I’m gonna pretend you didn’t say that….and I’m going to talk to Eli about this whether you like it or not.
TATE: He’s gonna laugh in your face…trust me.
JULIE: I’ll make him understand how deep the devotion is between Ben and Felicity.
TATE: He knows…believe me. The one thing you don’t seem to understand here Julie is that Eli really likes Felicity.
JULIE: I would think that you would want to protect your friend.
TATE: Eli is a big boy now. If he thinks he and Felicity have a chance to make things work despite the obstacles I say more power to him.
JULIE: I hope you remember those words when he comes to you nursing some serious wounds.
TATE: You honestly believe that Ben has that much influence over Felicity?
JULIE: Yes. I do.
TATE: Well whether that’s the case or not…I refuse to stick my nose in where it hasn’t been invited. So count me out.
JULIE: Well unlike you….I can’t just stand aside and watch the poor guy get his heart broken when Felicity decides to be with Ben.
CUT TO BEN’S APARTMENT. BEN COMES BACK WITH FELICITY’S PRESCRIPTION AND ABOUT HALF A DOZEN MAGAZINES.
BEN WALKS INTO FELICITY’S ROOM. FELICITY IS LAYING FACE DOWN ON THE BED AND ELI IS MASSAGING HER SHOULDER. BEN’S FACE FALLS BUT HE QUICKLY RECOVERS WHEN ELI LOOKS UP AND SEE’S HIM.
BEN: I was just bringing this to Felicity….it’s her medicine and some magazines I thought she might like.
ELI: Thanks.
FELICITY: Thanks so much Ben.
BEN: Okay…well I’m going out now…so I’ll just talk to you later.
NEXT SCENE: BEN IS KNOCKING ON ELENA’S DOOR. AFTER A FEW MINUTES ELENA YELLS FOR WHOEVER IT IS TO COME IN. BEN OPENS THE DOOR AND GOES INSIDE.
ELENA: (surprised) Ben…what a surprise. What’s up?
BEN: Do you have a minute?
ELENA: Um…sure…have a seat.
BEN NOTICES THAT ELENA IS WEARING A ROBE AND LOOKS LIKE SHE JUST WOKE UP.
BEN: Did I come at a bad time?
ELENA: (looks down at robe) Oh no….I was just getting ready to go take a shower…I’m fine…so tell me what brought you over here.
BEN: It’s about Felicity.
ELENA: What about her? Is she okay?
BEN: She’s fine. She’s already out of the hospital.
ELENA: Oh…I’ll have to go over and see her later today.
BEN: She’s not in her dorm. She’s at my apartment.
ELENA: She is?
BEN: Yeah…she is staying for a couple of days.
ELENA: You seemed to be bothered by that.
BEN: I am.
ELENA: If you didn’t want her to stay…why did you invite her?
BEN: I didn’t…Eli did.
ELENA: Eli? How do you know Eli?
BEN: He’s my roommate.
ELENA: Let me get this straight…Felicity is dating your roommate?
BEN: Yep.
ELENA: Okay….well that explains the long face.
BEN: I thought I could handle this…but today I walked in on him giving her a back massage and honestly Elena….I wanted to deck him.
ELENA: This is not exactly an ideal situation.
BEN: I don’t understand how things got so screwed up. All I ever wanted was to be with her….now I think I’m beginning to understand how Noel must have felt.
ELENA: Noel?
BEN: Yeah…I mean this is basically what he had to go through…watching her with me…it must have killed him.
ELENA: I’m pretty sure he’s okay with it now.
BEN: Sure…now…I wish I knew what it was he did to get over her….the way I feel right now….I’d run right out and do it too.
ELENA: (blushing) I’m pretty sure the solution is different for everyone.
BEN: I should go….thanks for listening.
ELENA: Anytime.
BEN EXITS AND ELENA CLOSES THE DOOR.
ELENA: You can come out now.
NOEL EXITS THE CLOSET WRAPPED IN A BEDSHEET.
NOEL: That was a close one.
ELENA: So…I’m sure you heard?
NOEL: Yeah….I don’t feel a bit sorry for the bastard though…serves him right…he deserves to feel a little of the pain he dished out so well.
ELENA: Still a little bitter are we?
NOEL: Just because I relish the thought of Ben suffering? Okay….maybe a little…but that’s in the past.
ELENA: Are you sure?
NOEL SITS DOWN ON THE BED NEXT TO ELENA AND WRAPS HER UP IN THE SHEET WITH HIM.
NOEL: (starts to play with the sash on her robe) Why would I look back (unties sash) when this is what I have to look forward to?
NOEL OPENS ELENA’S ROBE AND DROPS IT OFF HER SHOULDERS AND WE SEE HER NAKED BACK. NOEL AND ELENA LOCK LIPS IN A PASSIONATE KISS.
CUT TO BEN’S APARTMENT: BEN WALKS IN AND SEES SEAN SITTING ON THE COUCH FRANTICALLY THUMBING THROUGH BEN’S PHONEBOOK.
SEAN: Thank god…you’re home.
BEN: What’s up?
SEAN: I need you to do me a favor?
BEN: As long as it doesn’t involve hours of manual labor.
SEAN: No…but it is kind of huge.
BEN: Then…no.
SEAN: Please…I told Eli I would stay here with Felicity…but I got a call from an investor about twenty minutes ago….he is thinking of investing in my Lacto Cereal.
BEN: Let me guess….he hasn’t tasted it?
SEAN: No…not yet…that’s what he wants to do tonight…I’ll only be a couple of hours at the most.
BEN: You're taking the cereal to someone to taste? Sounds like you won’t be gone long….alright I’ll do it.
SEAN: She started some new medication….it’s not sitting too well….so he just said to check on her every thirty minutes or so.
BEN: Fine…go….I’ll take care of it.
SEAN: Thanks man….I owe you.
BEN: Just promise me you’ll be back here before Eli gets home.
SEAN: Yeah. No problem…I promise.
CUT TO ELI SITTING IN THE LIBRARY. JULIE WALKS UP TO HIM.
JULIE: Hi.
ELI: Hey Julie. What’s up?
JULIE: I was just getting some books that I need for midterms…how about you?
ELI: Same…studying for a really harsh med mid term.
JULIE: So I understand Felicity is staying over at your place?
ELI: Yeah for one more day. She can go home tomorrow after the doctor checks her out.
JULIE: So how are things going with the two of you?
ELI: Are you aware that you're fairly transparent?
JULIE: Excuse me?
ELI: Your reason for coming over here….it’s Ben and Felicity…isn’t it?
JULIE: I just thought maybe if you needed someone to talk to….
ELI: About what? Felicity and I are fine.
JULIE: And Ben?
ELI: He’s adjusting.
JULIE: Is he? Or do you just think he is?
ELI: I’m not following you.
JULIE: I’ve seen Ben and Felicity apart….it doesn’t make either one of them very happy.
ELI: Felicity is happy.
JULIE: Just hear me out.
ELI: I’ll hear you out…but I think it’s only fair to tell you that I am offended by this conversation.
JULIE: I’m not trying to offend you….I’m trying to help you.
ELI: How is telling me that you think Felicity and Ben belong together suppose to help me?
JULIE: Because maybe if you hear all the facts about their relationship….you’ll reconsider.
ELI: Whoa…wait a minute….I have no intention of reconsidering my relationship with Felicity….it’s solid….we’re solid.
JULIE: Eli…her heart belongs to Ben.
ELI: Wait a minute…did Ben send you?
JULIE: No…Ben doesn’t know I’m here.
ELI: Well Julie…I appreciate your concern for my heart…but I’m sticking. So you can tell Ben that.
JULIE: I told you…Ben doesn’t know I’m here.
ELI: Yeah…you said that….anyway…I have a lot of studying to do here…so if you don’t mind.
JULIE: Eli…I’m sorry…I wasn’t trying to make you angry.
ELI: Well you did. I thought you we’re Felicity’s friend….now I’m not so sure.
JULIE: I was just trying to help.
ELI: Okay…maybe your intentions were honorable…but Ben is not getting my girlfriend without a fight.
JULIE: Well then I hope your prepared for a bloody one…because I suspect Ben feels the same way.
ELI: Difference being…she’s not Ben’s girlfriend….she’s mine. Kind of gives me that homecourt advantage.
JULIE: Many a player have lost the game playing on their homecourt….so I wouldn’t exactly count that as an advantage.
CUT TO FELICITY IN ELI’S ROOM. BEN IS IN THE LIVING ROOM AND AT THE SOUND OF SOMETHING FALLING RUNS INTO ELI’S ROOM.
FELICITY IS LAYING ON THE FLOOR. TRYING TO CRAWL TOWARDS THE BATHROOM.
BEN: Felicity!
BEN RUNS OVER AND HELPS HER UP TO A SITTING POSITION.
BEN: Are you okay?
FELICITY MUMBLES SOMETHING.
BEN: I’m sorry did you just say…..space cadet?
FELICITY SHAKES HER HEAD AND POINTS TOWARDS ELI’S WASTEBASKET.
BEN: Oh wastebasket.
BEN REACHES OVER TO GRAB WASTEBASKET AND GETS IN TO FELICITY JUST IN TIME AS SHE UPCHUCKS INTO THE BASKET.
BEN: Ooh…that’s pretty gross.
FELICITY: (looking exhausted and sweating) I’m sorry.
BEN: It’s okay….do you need to throw up some more?
FELICITY: I don’t know.
BEN: Maybe we should get you into the bathroom.
BEN PICKS UP FELICITY AND CARRIES HER INTO ELI’S BATHROOM. BEN SITS HER DOWN IN FRONT OF THE TOLIET.
BEN TAKES A WASHCLOTH AND WETS IT AND STARTS TO WIPE DOWN HER FACE AND THE BACK OF HER NECK TO TRY AND COOL HER DOWN.
BEN: So I guess the new pills didn’t go over so well?
FELICITY: I feel….horrible.
BEN: Do you want your hair up?
FELICITY NODS HER HEAD YES. BEN GOES INTO ELI’S ROOM TO SEE IF HE CAN FIND SOMETHING TO TIE HER HAIR BACK. NOT FINDING ANYTHING HE HEADS TO HIS ROOM AND OPENS THE TOP DRAWER OF HIS DRESSER AND TAKES OUT A MULTI-COLOR HAIRBAND.
BEN WALKS BACK INTO BATHROOM. WHERE FELICITY HAS HER HEAD RESTING ON THE BATHTUB.
BEN: This is yours…you left it awhile back….I sorta kept it.
FELICITY: You kept it?
BEN: It’s going to sound insane….but you had this in your hair the first time that we….well the first time that we made love.
FELICITY: (weakly smiles) I remember…I thought I had lost it.
BEN: Surprise…
BEN MOVES CLOSER TO FELICITY AND CLUMSILY PUTS HER HAIR UP IN THE HAIRBAND.
BEN: (surveying handiwork) There…that’s…..well it’s up…sort of.
FELICITY: Thanks….oh god.
FELICITY LUNGES FOR THE TOLIET AND THROWS UP SOME MORE. WHEN SHE IS DONE AND SITS BACK, BEN GINGERLY WIPES HER MOUTH AND MOVES HER HAIR AWAY FROM HER FACE.
FELICITY: (Voice over to Sally) Ben is being such a good guy about this whole…mess. I know eventually I’m going to have to make it clear…draw the lines….but Sally after he took care of me that night….suddenly the lines blurred. Ben is so much more than a friend to me….but defining what he is to me is suddenly not so simple.
CUT TO JULIE AND TATE SITTING IN DEAN AND DELUCA.
TATE: Okay…what’s going on? Tate declined to meet me here when he found out you were with me.
JULIE: I talked to him.
TATE: Julie…you didn’t!
JULIE: I’m sorry….I just thought it would help.
TATE: You have to apologize to him.
JULIE: For what? Being honest?
TATE: Julie…Tate is my best friend and one of the easiest going guys I know. If you pissed him off enough that he does not want to be in the same room with you….I’m comfortable in saying you owe him some sort of apology
JULIE: Fine…I’ll apologize.
CUT TO BEN AND FELICITY ASLEEP IN EACH OTHER’S ARMS IN ELI’S RESTROOM. ELI WALKS INTO THE APARTMENT AND SEEING NO ONE HEADS INTO HIS ROOM TO SEE FELICITY. ELI NOTICES THE BATHROOM LIGHT ON AND HEADS OVER THERE.
ELI STANDING IN THE DOORWAY TAKES IN THE SCENE BEFORE HIM.
ELI: What the hell is going on here!
SALLY: (Voice over to Felicity) Dear Felicity….I’m sorry to hear about your accident. Your mother called me. Staying at Ben’s place while you recuperate? Let me just say that I think it’s a good thing you’re physically weakened because otherwise being where you are would not be safe. I’m not surprised to hear about Lyssa’s deception though….some women think that dishonesty is the only way to keep a man….but if your lying to keep him the only person you're fooling is yourself. Ben definitely deserves better then that. I don’t know what to tell you is the correct thing to do from here….just take it easy for a while….I’m sure in time you’ll know what you want to do.