Life Goes On
Written by: Juana
Story Summary: Ben is still hanging on to Felicity, but Felicity is beginning to move on with her life, slowly but surely. Ben’s new roommate may be the cause of major heartache for him in the future. Eli has captured Felicity’s attention…but has he captured her heart?
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this story, they belong to the brilliant writers and creators of Felicity.
INT. KELVIN HALL-NIGHT
ELI HAS WALKED FELICITY HOME. THEY ARE STANDING IN FRONT OF HER DORM ROOM DOOR.
FELICITY: Well this is where I live….thanks for walking me home.
ELI: It was my pleasure. So….
FELICITY: Yeah…So…
ELI LEANS IN TO GIVE FELICITY A GOOD NIGHT KISS WHICH FELICITY READILY ACCEPTS. AS ELI IS KISSING HER THE PHONE IN HER ROOM STARTS RINGING. ELI CONTINUES KISSING HER.
FELICITY: (reluctantly backs away) I should probably get that.
ELI: Okay.
FELICITY OPENS HER DORM ROOM DOOR AND GOES TOWARDS THE PHONE.
FELICITY: (turning back to Eli) Why don’t you come in I’ll just be a minute.
ELI COMES INSIDE FELICITY’S DORM ROOM AND SHUTS DOOR. SITS DOWN IN CHAIR.
FELICITY: (picking up phone) Hello?….Hello? (hangs phone back up) They hung up.
ELI: (walks over to Felicity) I guess it couldn’t have been too important. Probably just a wrong number.
FELICITY: You're probably right. I don’t know anyone who would be calling me at (looks at watch) Oh my gosh it’s 3:00 a.m.
ELI: Exactly. Well I should probably be going now that your home safe.
FELICITY: I really appreciate the escort.
ELI: You're welcome. (starts to walk away then turns back) I had a really good time tonight.
FELICITY: Yeah…me too. I really did.
ELI: So I was wondering….Would you like to give me your number so we can do this again sometime?
FELICITY: My number?
ELI: Yeah…you know the seven digit combination that makes your phone ring. (phone rings)….just like that .
FELICITY: My number….sure….Just let me get that and I’ll write it down for you….it’s probably just another wrong number. (picks up phone) Hello?
CUT TO BEN ON THE PHONE IN HIS APARTMENT.
BEN: (whispering) Felicity?
FELICITY: Yes?
BEN: It’s me…Ben.
FELICITY: (surprised and uncomfortable) Oh….hi. What’s up?
BEN: Nothing. I just wanted to….no needed to hear your voice.
FELICITY: Oh….I see.
BEN: Is everything okay?
FELICITY: Um…fine….yes everything is fine. It’s just that it’s 3:00 a.m. right now.
BEN: I know….I’m sorry. I tried to call you earlier…but there was no answer.
FELICITY: Um…yeah. I was out with Julie.
BEN: Oh. Well it’s really none of my business…..So did you have a good time?
FELICITY: (hesitates) Yes…but I can’t really talk right now. I need to go.
BEN: Did you just get in?
FELICITY: I really have to go.
BEN: Okay...but….could you just answer me one question?
FELICITY: What’s that?
BEN: Are you alone?
FELICITY: (Voice over recording to Sally) Was I alone? No….but did I want Ben to know that? Okay…no. But even more complex Sally…..Did I want to lie to Ben?
BEN: Felicity? Are you?
FELICITY: Not….completely….but I can’t discuss this right now….I have to go. Goodbye.
FELICITY HANGS UP PHONE AND TURNS TO LOOK AT ELI WHO IS SITTING IN THE CHAIR AGAIN STARING AT HER.
ELI: So….is there something you want to tell me?
FELICITY: What do you mean?
ELI: I’m a pretty smart guy Felicity and I’m guessing that wasn’t your tax attorney on the phone.
FELICITY: It wasn’t.
ELI: Boyfriend?
FELICITY: Ex actually.
ELI: I see. Okay….let me make this really easy for you. I have a set of rules that I kind of live by. Not a long set….just a few rules….but number one is that I don’t do second string.
FELICITY: Eli…
ELI: Wait…let me finish. I really like you Felicity but all the sudden I’m getting the impression that maybe you aren’t as uncomplicated as I first thought….that maybe you don’t have the room in your life that I was hoping for.
FELICITY: I don’t know….
ELI: That’s what I thought. Maybe I should just go before this gets any more intense.
FELICITY: (Voice over recording to Sally) So there he was….Eli….headed out the door and possibly out of my life if I didn’t do something quick….so I did.
FELICITY: Wait!
ELI WHO HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY HEADED FOR THE DOOR TURNS BACK AROUND.
FELICITY: (grabs a slip of paper off dresser and jots down her number) At least take my number and….think about calling me….okay?
ELI: (pushing paper with number back towards her) I can’t take that.
FELICITY: Why not?
ELI: Because if I do….I’ll call. And that would break all my rules…including number 35.
FELICITY: Number 35?
ELI: If the girl gets a 2:00 a. m. call from the ex….head for the hills…okay it was 3:00 a.m. but the same principal applies.
FELICITY: Okay…I guess that’s fair.
ELI: I mean maybe if I understood better what kind of territory I was headed into I would be less reluctant to take it.
FELICITY: (Voice over recording to Sally) As I stood there with the piece of paper in my hand Sally….I realized something. I really wanted him to not only take my number…but to use it. So for the second time in my life I decided to take your advice and I told him the truth….all of it….even the more embarrassing parts like how I followed Ben 3000 miles to college. He took it all surprisingly well….I think.
ELI: Okay….that’s certainly a colorful relationship saga. I’m not quite sure what to say.
FELICITY: It was too much….wasn’t it?
ELI: No…I’m glad you were honest….Really…..but I would be lying if I told you there weren’t certain things that set off the warning bells.
FELICITY: Really? So I guess I’ve pretty much killed any chance for this?
ELI: Not necessarily…..I think I just need some time...to digest some of this.
FELICITY: Are we talking a lot of time here?
ELI: I’m going to be moving pretty much all weekend. How about I take that time to decide if I’m up for …..well….the challenge and I’ll give you a call and let you know?
FELICITY: Okay….I guess I can live with that.
ELI BRINGS FELICITY INTO HIS ARMS AND STARTS TO KISS HER. FELICITY RESPONDS BACK WITH A KISS HE WON’T SOON FORGET.
ELI: Okay….well you’ve definitely given me a lot to think about.
NEXT MORNING-BEN’S APARTMENT.
BEN WALKS IN CARRYING A COUPLE OF BOXES, NEXT COMES SEAN LUGGING A COUPLE MORE BOXES.
BEN: Thanks for volunteering me to help Sean….cause lord knows I don’t know how I would have managed to fill up my already busy day.
SEAN: Relax…he has like two more loads and then you can go.
BEN: Two more loads? Are you insane? This is it for me buddy. I already made plans for this afternoon with Lyssa.
SEAN: Without you it will take forever.
BEN: I guess you should have thought about that before you volunteered me.
BEN SETS BOXES DOWN IN THE EXTRA ROOM. SEAN FOLLOWS AND SETS HIS DOWN TOO.
AS BEN AND SEAN ARE IN THE ROOM THEIR NEW ROOMATE COMES IN LUGGING MORE BOXES.
ELI: Who knew that you could accumulate so much crap in such a little time.
BEN: My sentiments exactly.
ELI: Hey thanks for the help Ben. I’m bone tired….and you guys have made it so much easier for me.
BEN: No problem.
SEAN: Yeah that’s what he was just saying before you came in….that doing this together is making it so much easier and that if we really knuckle down when can get the last two loads up here in no time flat.
ELI: That’s great. I was afraid you guys were getting ready to call it quits.
SEAN: Us…no. Were in it all the way. (turns to Ben) So what do you say we go get another load.
BEN: I’d say…..sure. (walks out with Sean)(to Sean) I also just like to say….You suck.
SEAN: I’m not out to be the best liked person in the apartment.
BEN: And that my friend is a damn good thing.
CUT TO FELICITY WORKING AT DEAN AND DELUCA. JULIE WALKS IN WITH ELENA.
JULIE: Hey Felicity…..how are you this morning?
FELICITY: Fine….what is that look for?
ELENA: Because she is dying to know the details.
JULIE: Elena!
ELENA: Well it’s the truth isn’t it?
JULIE: Do you always have to be so blunt?
ELENA: Wouldn’t have it any other way. Beating around the bush is just a waste of breath.
JULIE: (to Felicity) So?
FELICITY: If your asking how things went with Eli….good….really good. I like him.
JULIE: So are you going to go out with him again?
FELICITY: I don’t know.
ELENA: But girl….you just said you liked him.
FELICITY: I do….but well it’s pretty much up to him at this point.
JULIE: What do you mean?
FELICITY: Well…Eli walked me home last night and Ben called when he was there.
ELENA: So.
FELICITY: So….I told Eli all about Ben and Noel….
ELENA: What are you mental? You never tell a guy your history on a first date. Do you think if I’d been honest with Blair he would have stuck around.
FELICITY: Yes.
ELENA: Well I don’t. Other guys in love with you….that’s something you ease into….not bulldoze them with on your first outing.
FELICITY: Well what’s done is done….right or wrong…..it’s his decision now.
JULIE: Do you want him to call?
FELICITY: More then you could possibly imagine.
ELENA: What about Ben?
FELICITY: What about him. I can’t have him…..so I’ve decided to move on….is that so bad?
JULIE: You just sound so healthy….I would still be a basket case if I loved someone like that and lost them.
FELICITY: (contemplates this) Yeah….I suppose that’s how I should feel….maybe I’m just in denial.
ELENA: Or maybe this new guy has really scrambled your brains with his kisses.
FELICITY: (to Julie) You told her?
JULIE: It just slipped out.
FELICITY: Just slipped out? Like how are you today or Gee have you heard Felicity kissed another guy? Do you see how that’s not your normal everyday conversation?
CUT TO BEN’S APARTMENT/ BEN AND ELI ARE CARRYING IN THE LAST OF THE BOXES.
ELI: Thanks. I really appreciate the help….especially since Tate ended up backing out on me at the last minute.
BEN: (tired) Yeah….well that’s it for me. I’m pretty tired.
ELI: Yeah…me too.
BEN: Where’s Sean?
ELI: He bailed about thirty minutes ago….something about plans he made earlier.
BEN: That…..just figures.
ELI: Um I was going to order a pizza….Are you interested?
BEN: That’s a great idea. There’s some coupons on the fridge for the place down the street. I’ll split the cost with you.
ELI: No man….my treat.
BEN: Even better….I’ll order….What do you like on your pizza?
ELI: Pepperoni…cheese…..mushrooms.
BEN: Okay…Pepperoni it is.
BEN HEADS FOR THE PHONE TO ORDER.
CUT TO FELICITY SITTING AT HER COMPUTER IN HER ROOM. PHONE RINGS.
FELICITY: Hello?
CUT TO ELI AT HIS NEW APARTMENT.
ELI: Felicity?
FELICITY: Yes.
ELI: It’s Eli.
FELICITY: (surprised) Eli? I didn’t expect to hear from you so soon….actually I didn’t expect to hear from you at all.
ELI: That would probably be the wise thing….but I can’t stop thinking about last night. I had a great time with you.
FELICITY: Yeah…me too.
ELI: So I was thinking…..maybe tomorrow….if you're not busy we could get together?
FELICITY: I would really like that.
BACKGROUND VOICE: BEN: Pizza’s here!
FELICITY: Who was that?
ELI: That’s my new roommate…we ordered a pizza. I guess I should go….so tomorrow?
FELICITY: Tomorrow.
ELI: Goodnight.
FELICITY: Nite.
CUT TO BEN AND ELI’S APARTMENT: ELI WALKS OUT OF HIS ROOM. SITS DOWN ON COUCH AND GRABS A PIECE OF PIZZA AND A BEER.
BEN: Sorry man….I didn’t realize you were on the phone.
ELI: No…it’s okay. I was just talking to this girl.
BEN: A girlfriend?
ELI: No….we just met…..but she’s pretty amazing. I see definite girlfriend potential there. What about you do you have a girlfriend?
BEN: Yeah….I guess that’s what she is.
ELI: That was sort of lukewarm enthusiasm.
BEN: It’s kind of a luke warm situation….if you know what I mean.
ELI: Not exactly…but I’m sure you have your reason’s for being in a relationship of that type.
BEN: Yeah….she’s pregnant.
ELI: Oh.
THERE IS AN AWKWARD SILENCE IN THE ROOM.
BEN: It’s okay….I’m okay with it.
ELI: So I take it you don’t…..love her then?
BEN: No. I wish I did….but that’s sort of my luck.
ELI: Your luck?
BEN: Yeah….to fall in love with someone….but then get someone else knocked up. I can’t win.
ELI: So there’s someone else?
BEN: Yes and no.
ELI: Tad confused here.
BEN: It’s over….she knows about the baby and we’ve remained friends. Which is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do in my life.
ELI: So….how do you do that?
BEN: Be friends?
ELI: Yeah…..I broke up with someone last year that I had been with for several years and friends is the last thing we are now.
BEN: We just do. I’m not saying that there’s not temptation there….because there definitely is…..but I’d rather have her for my friend then have to say goodbye to her for good.
ELI: She sounds pretty special.
BEN: Yeah she is…..well to quote you amazing….definitely amazing.
ELI: I’d like to meet her someday.
BEN: Maybe you will….but if I have my way it will be when I introduce her to you as my girlfriend. Speaking of which….when do I get to meet your girl?
ELI: Well technically she’s not my girl….but soon….I just want to develop things a little farther before I go sharing her with everyone. Do you know what I mean?
BEN: Completely. The beginning of a relationship is always the best part. Meant to be spent alone.
ELI: Exactly….and if our previous encounters are any indication of what I have to look forward to…well alone is a good thing.
BEN: I think I’m gonna hit the sack. Goodnight.
ELI: Goodnight and thanks again for your help.
BEN WALKS IN TO HIS ROOM AND TURNS ON THE LIGHT. GOES OVER TO THE PHONE AND STARTS TO DIAL.
CUT TO FELICITY’S ROOM. FELICITY IS JUST GETTING READY TO RECORD A TAPE TO SALLY WHEN THE PHONE RINGS. FELICITY PICKS UP.
FELICITY: Hello?
BEN: Hey Felicity…it’s Ben.
FELICITY: (Voice over recording to Sally) Why does just the sound of Ben’s voice have the ability to make me doubt everything I previously thought I had figured out….most importantly Eli. I know I want to see him….but should I tell Ben? I know he would say he was okay with it….but I also know that it would hurt him……I don’t want to hurt him.
FELICITY: Ben? Is everything okay?
BEN: Yes. I just……I just….miss you.
FELICITY: (starting to tear up) Oh….I miss you too. What brought this on Ben?
BEN: My new roommate…..he met this girl and just hearing him talk about her….well he’s lucky.
FELICITY: Lucky?
BEN: Yeah…he gets to start a relationship with her….Do you know what I would give to go back to that stage with you….knowing what I know now?
FELICITY: Yes. I feel the same way…but Ben….no matter how much we would want that…we can’t go back….Life goes on and we have to move forward.
BEN: I know….it doesn’t hurt to wish though….does it?
FELICITY: No….I guess not.
CUT TO ELI IN HIS ROOM. ELI IS GETTING INTO BED AND REACHES FOR HIS CORDLESS PHONE. HE PICKS UP THE PIECE OF PAPER FELICITY GAVE HIM AND DIALS AFTER A FEW SECONDS WE HEAR THE BUSY SIGNAL. ELI LISTENS FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN HANGS UP AND DIALS AGAIN….STILL BUSY. ELI HANGS UP PHONE AND TURNS OUT THE LIGHT.
SALLY: Dear Felicity….Ben will always have the ability to make you doubt your decisions…because you love him. He has a part of you that no one else will ever be able to touch….that makes him unique. Don’t confuse wanting to please Ben with making the right decisions. My educated guess would be that Ben will be heart broken when he finds out about Eli. I don’t wish that on him. I don’t wish that on anybody….but it’s inevitable. To try and avoid hurting Ben is to give up living your life. He has made decisions regarding his future and it’s fast approaching time for you to do that also. Your priority’s have changed….Ben can no longer be number one…..believe me he knows that…..the question is do you?