Learning Lessons

Written by: Juana


Story summary: Ben and Felicity have another go at trying to reach some compromise. And an unexpected guest brings Ben an unexpected surprise. Felicity turns to a familiar source for some comfort and understanding.

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in my story. They belong to the brilliant writers and creators of the hit WB show.


INT. BEN’S APT-DAY

BEN IS SITTING ON HIS COUCH IN HIS PAJAMA BOTTOMS, DRINKING A CUP OF COFFEE AND READING THE PAPER. THE BUZZER RINGS.

BEN WALKS OVER AND ANSWERS THE BUZZER.

BEN: Yeah?

FELICITY: Ben…it’s me. Can I please come up?

BEN: (hesitates) I don’t think that’s such a good idea.

FELICITY: Please Ben…just for a second.

BEN: Why?

FELICITY: I think you know why.

BEN: I’ll let you up…but I’m telling you now…I don’t want to fight with you.

FELICITY: O.K.

BEN BUZZES FELICITY IN.

CUT TO BEN OPENING THE FRONT DOOR TO FELICITY. HE HAS PUT A T-SHIRT ON OVER HIS BARE CHEST.

BEN: It’s kind of early.

FELICITY: I know.

BEN: So?

FELICIT: So…I was hoping we could talk.

BEN: About?

FELICITY: Last night. You left really angry.

BEN: (sarcastic laugh) And this surprises you? God you’re priceless.

FELICITY: Ben…

BEN: I mean really…why should I be upset? Oh yeah…I remember…you gave me back my ring.

FELICITY: I wasn’t trying to upset you by doing that.

BEN: Well…you did.

FELICITY: I just thought it was the right thing to do.

BEN: Fine…point taken. So are we through here? Cause I need to go take a shower and get out of here.

FELICITY: If it was the wrong thing Ben…I’m sorry.

BEN: What are you really doing here Felicity?

FELICITY: I told you.

BEN: No…I mean…really.

FELICITY: Well when you left…things just seemed…I don’t know…unresolved.

BEN: Really? Cause they seemed pretty resolved to me.

FELICITY: You’re just not gonna give an inch…are you?

BEN: What do you want from me? Because I gotta be honest with you…I think…I’ve given everything I’ve got to this.

FELICITY: I want you to help me make things right between us.

BEN: How?

FELICITY: Tell me what you want from me.

BEN: I’ve already done that…but unfortunately it’s just not what you’re ready to give.

FELICITY: So where does that leave us?

BEN: Miles apart.

FELICITY: It…it…just can’t end…not like this.

BEN: I don’t know what else to do.

FELICITY: Be my friend…stay my friend. And then maybe…who knows.

BEN: I am your friend…I’ll always be your friend…but I need some time…some space…to….

FELICITY: To what?

BEN: To let you go…to figure things out…to deal.

FELICITY: So then what I said last night…it didn’t mean anything to you?

BEN WALKS OVER AND OPENS HIS APARTMENT DOOR.

BEN: You need to go Felicity…I don’t have the answers you’re looking for…I’m sorry.

FELICITY: Ben…

BEN: Please Felicity…just go.

CUT TO INT. DEAN AND DELUCA

FELICITY IS BEHIND THE COUNTER WORKING. ELENA COMES WALKING IN.

ELENA: (slightly embarrassed) Hey girl.

FELICITY: Elena…hi.

ELENA: So how are you?

FELICITY: Definitely not as good as you…you’re absolutely glowing.

ELENA: God I know…it’s sick…isn’t it?

FELICITY: No…it’s good. Noel is a good guy. You deserve a good guy.

ELENA: So then you’re not upset with me?

FELICITY: Not at all. Things with Noel and me are way over.

ELENA: Good…cause I would never do anything to hurt you…You know that don’t you?

FELICITY: Of course I do.

ELENA: So why are you wearing such a long face?

FELICITY: It’s Ben…I’m just so confused Elena.

ELENA: Ben? What happened to Eli?

FELICITY: God it has been a while since I’ve seen you. Eli and I broke up.

ELENA: Oh…I’m sorry. Are you okay?

FELICITY: Honestly? I don’t know. I mean the thing with Eli was unexpected…but it’s Ben who has my heart all tied up in knots.

ELENA: I guess if Eli is history that clears  the way for you and Ben. I’ve always liked Ben you know.

FELICITY: Thanks…but it’s hardly a fairytale ending at this point.

ELENA: I don’t understand.

FELICITY: I gave him back the ring.

ELENA: You did what?

FELICITY: His grandmothers ring…remember I told you he gave…

ELENA: Oh no…I know what ring you’re talking about…I just can’t believe my ears. Girl what were you thinking?

FELICITY: What do you mean? Do you think I did the wrong thing?

ELENA: Yes…Y E S.

FELICITY: But it didn’t have the same meaning…

ELENA: Have you completely forgotten the speech?

FELICITY: The speech?

ELENA: This man poured his soul out to you when he gave that ring to you…he told you he would wait for you…he told you…

FELICITY: Okay…okay…I don’t need the rehash. I’ve done a horrible thing…haven’t I?

ELENA: Uh huh…now go find him and fix it…before it’s too late.

FELICITY: I’m kind of working here.

ELENA: Well then as soon as you get off…put don’t put this off any longer.

FELICITY: It’s a four hour shift…what could possibly happen?

FELICITY: (Voice over to Sally) What indeed…when was I going to learn to expect the worst…and stop getting blind sided by it.

CUT TO BEN’S APT.

BEN IS GETTING READY TO LEAVE WHEN THERE IS A KNOCK AT THE DOOR. BEN ANSWERS IT. IT IS HIS GIRLFRIEND FROM HIGH SCHOOL TIFFANY.

BEN: Tiffany?

TIFFANY: (hugs Ben) Ben…I’m so happy to see you.

BEN: Yeah…me too. What are you doing in New York?

TIFFANY: I moved here a couple of months ago.

BEN: Really?

TIFFANY: Yeah…I just couldn’t take Palo Alto anymore…I was suffocating.

BEN: So what made you decide to look me up?

TIFFANY: I guess I got a little homesick for a familiar face.

BEN: That’s great…and I would love to stay and chat but I’ve kind of got to go job hunting.

TIFFANY: Job hunting? I was hoping we could spend some time together.

BEN: Sure…I’d like that…but rent kind of takes precedence over that right now…I’m real sorry.

TIFFANY: Well it just so happens I may have a solution to both of our wishes.

BEN: And that would be?

TIFFANY: I’ll get you a job where I work.

BEN: Really?…that would be great. Where do you work.

TIFFANY: Come with me…and I’ll show you.

BEN: Okay.

CUT TO FELICITY’S DORM ROOM.

FELICITY HAS JUST GOTTEN HOME FROM WORK AND IS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO WEAR OVER TO BENS. THERE IS A KNOCK ON HER DOOR.

FELICITY: (answers door) Julie? What’s wrong?

JULIE: God Felicity…do I have a big neon sign on my forehead that says dump me?

FELICITY: Um…no…oh wait…Tate…did he…did he dump you?

JULIE: Yes.

FELICITY: I don’t understand…why?

JULIE: We had this huge…horrible fight. Did you know he blames me for yours and Eli’s breakup?

FELICITY: What? Why? That’s just ridiculous.

JULIE: I know. And I tried to tell him that…but he said if I hadn’t been so pro-Ben from the start…Eli never would have freaked out and broke it off with you…Is that true?

FELICITY: Absolutely not…I mean sure Eli was insecure about Ben…but it’s my feelings for Ben that ruined it.

JULIE: It doesn’t matter…I mean if wants to break up with me…well he’s just gonna find a reason…right?

FELICITY: Right…yeah I guess so. So are you okay?

JULIE: I’m numb…I still love him…that’s the part that really sucks.

FELICITY: Yeah…that does suck.

CUT TO INT. OF THE LUCKY LADY.

BEN AND TIFFANY WALK INTO THE LUCKY LADY, WHICH IS A COMBINATION BAR AND STRIP JOINT.

BEN: (to Tiffany) You work here?

TIFFANY: Yeah…it’s great money.

BEN: So you…you strip?

TIFFANY: I prefer exotic dance if you don’t mind.

THERE IS A GIRL STRIPPING UP ON THE STAGE. BEN LOOKS AT HER AND THEN QUICKLY LOOKS AWAY.

BEN: I don’t know about this Tiff.

TIFFANY: You need a job right?

BEN: Well…yeah.

TIFFANY: Well this is a job.

BEN: What exactly would my job be?

TIFFANY: Lets go talk to Bruno…I’m sure he can find you something.

BEN: Bruno…you work for a guy named Bruno?

TIFFANY: He’s a pussycat…you’ll see.

TIFFANY WALKS BEN BACK THROUGH THE STRIP CLUB DRESSING ROOM WHERE GIRLS ARE CHANGING. THEY ARE COMPLETELY UNFAZED BY HIS PRESENCE. BUT BEN IS DUMBFOUNDED.

TIFFANY WALKS BEN TO A BACK TABLE WHERE A WEASELY LOOKING MAN IS COUNTING SOME RECEIPTS AND DRINKING A SCOTCH.

TIFFANY: Hey Bruno.

BRUNO: You're late.

TIFFANY: I’m not working tonight. I brought someone to meet you.

BRUNO LOOKS UP AND NOTICES BEN FOR THE FIRST TIME.

BRUNO: She ain’t very pretty….can she dance?

TIFFANY: Very funny Bruno…HIS name is Ben…I thought maybe you could give him a shot at the bouncer job. You know Lyn needs the help.

BRUNO: He don’t look like no bouncer.

TIFFANY: Just a shot that’s all I’m asking.

BRUNO: Fine…(to Ben) Can you start tonight?

BEN: Sure…yeah I can do that.

BRUNO: (to Tiffany) Go show him the employee  rooms and introduce him around. Are you sure you’re not suppose to work tonight?

TIFFANY:  Positive. (kisses Bruno’s cheek) You’re the best…Thanks!

CUT TO EXT. BEN’S APT.-MORNING

IT IS 3:00 AM AND FELICITY IS SITTING OUTSIDE WAITING FOR BEN. SHE GETS COLD AND WALKS ACROSS THE STREET TO THE TWENTY FOUR HOUR MINI MART TO GET A CUP OF COFFEE. AS FELICITY IS PREPARING TO WALK OUT OF THE MINI MART FELCITY SEES BEN COME WALKING DOWN THE STREET WITH TIFFANY.

FELICITY BACKS BACK INTO THE MINI MART AND WATCHES.

BEN: I can’t thank you enough Tiff for getting me the job. Sean is going to be pretty jazzed too.

TIFFANY: It’s my pleasure. It will be just like old times…you and me working together again. Remember that’s how we met.

BEN: Yeah…I remember. But you didn’t work naked then…at least not that I remember.

TIFFANY: It’s not like you’ve never seen me naked Covington.

BEN: No…I guess it’s not.

TIFFANY: Besides you haven’t even caught my show yet.

BEN LAUGHS

TIFFANY: I could give you a preview if you’re interested.

BEN: A preview?

TIFFANY: Sure…invite me up. You won’t regret it.

TIFFANY STEPS IN CLOSE TO BEN AND STARTS KISSING HIM. BEN RESPONDS BACK AT FIRST BUT THEN STOPS.

BEN: Um…you should probably go.

TIFFANY: Why? Is there somebody else?

BEN: Sort of…well actually…no…but…

TIFFANY: But what?

BEN: Well you and I both know that if you came up tonight…it would just be for tonight…and I don’t want to do that to you.

TIFFANY: I don’t mind.

BEN: I do.

TIFFANY: When did you become so…saintly?

BEN: I’m sure you probably mean more like…crazy…but I just think as much as I would like to take you up on your offer…I can’t. Not right now at least.

TIFFANY: I see. So I’m curious…whatever happened between you and Felicity?

BEN: (very uncomfortable) It didn’t work out…let’s just leave it at that.

TIFFANY: Ok…for the time being. (kisses Ben full on the lips) Goodnight Ben.

BEN: Night Tiff.

FELICITY: (Voice over recording to Sally) So there I stood in the mini mart Sally…hurt and angry…watching his old high school flame put the moves on him. I couldn’t hear what was going on which just made my imagination run rampant. Was he going to ask her to come in? Was this the next obstacle in our already obstacle laden relationship? I wanted so much to just go to him…tell him how sorry I was…make things work. But my pride wouldn’t let me. Instead I did something…really stupid.

CUT TO INT. KELVIN HALL-EARLY MORNING

FELICITY IS KNOCKING ON NOEL’S DOOR. NOEL ANSWERS LOOKING DISHEVLED AND TIRED.

NOEL: (opens door) Do you know it’s 4 am?

FELICITY: Yes…I just really need to talk.

NOEL: And it can’t wait till later…say like regular waking…after I’ve had my coffee hours?

FELICITY: No…please Noel…I have nowhere else to go.

NOEL: All right…come in.

FELICITY WALKS INTO NOEL’S ROOM AND THEY BOTH SIT DOWN ON THE BED.

NOEL: So what can I do for you?

FELICITY: Hold me.

NOEL: Excuse me?

FELICITY: I just need to be held…I need an understanding friend.

NOEL: What happened?

FELICITY: I’ve completely screwed up my life.

NOEL: Can you be a little more specific?

FELICITY: Why don’t you hate me?

NOEL: What?

FELICITY: I mean it…I’ve been nothing but self absorbed since I met you.

NOEL: Where are you going with this?

FELICITY: It’s just…you liked me and I never fully appreciated that.

NOEL: Ok.

FELICITY: I mean yes…you slept with Julie…but you probably thought that I had slept with Ben…right?

NOEL: Why exactly are we doing this now?

FELICITY: Because it’s long overdue…because I need to search my soul and find out why I do the things I do.

NOEL: And you thought 4 am was the perfect time to do this?

FELICITY: Yes…please Noel…concentrate on what I’m saying here.

NOEL: Fine…I don’t hate you because I’m just not that type of guy…and because well you were right.

FELICITY: I was?

NOEL: Yes…what we had was doomed from square one. You are always going to love Ben. I know that now.

FELICITY: But what…what if I was wrong?

NOEL: I’m not following you.

FELICITY: What if I’m not meant to be with Ben…what if I made the wrong choice?

NOEL: What are you saying?

FELICITY: What if I was suppose to choose you?

NOEL: Okay…wow…that’s flattering that you would second guess yourself now…at this late date…but it wouldn’t have worked…we both know that.

FELICITY: I’m not so sure now.

NOEL: Look Felicity, I’m sorry things didn’t work out the way you planned…but I’m gonna have to ask you not to do this to me.

FELICITY: Do what?

NOEL: Keep using me as your safety net.

FELICITY: You think that’s what I’m doing?

NOEL: Yes. I think there’s a good possibility that that’s what you’re doing.

FELICITY: I feel pretty stupid right about now.

NOEL: You don’t have to feel stupid…we all do things like this from time to time.

FELICITY: I mean…Elena is my friend…what was I thinking coming here?

NOEL: It was harmless…don’t beat yourself up about it.

FELICITY: I’m so sorry.

NOEL: It’s okay.

FELICITY: Are we still friends?

NOEL: Of course we are.

FELICITY: Thanks Noel.

FELICITY HUGS NOEL AND FOR A SPLIT SECOND WE SEE THE PART OF NOEL THAT STILL CLINGS TO WHAT THEY HAD…IN A PROLONGED HUG…BUT THEN IT’S GONE…FOR THE MOMENT.

FELICITY: You’re a good friend.

CUT TO BEN’S APT. BEN IS SITTING ON HIS BED LOOKING AT THE PICTURE OF HIM AND FELICITY CAMPING IN PALO ALTO AND IN HIS OTHER HAND HE IS CLUTCHING THE RING.

SALLY: (Voice over recording to Felicity) Dear Felicity…time marches on and on and on. We cherish the moments we make because we know that they are fleeting.  The rift between you and Ben may appear to be widening right now, but appearances can be deceiving. Ben cares about you in a way no one has before remember that when pride rears it’s ugly head and refuses to let you follow your heart. I know you don’t want to lose Ben so my advice is simply this…Give of yourself…to get what you want. Let go of the fear.


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