Matters of the Heart
Written by: Juana
Story Summary: Ben and Felicity come back to New York as a couple! Ben talks to Tiffany and tells her like it is. And things are a little different on the relationship front…with many people.
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in my story. They belong to the brilliant writers and creators of the hit WB show.
FELICITY: (VO) Dear Sally…I don’t know how, but what seemed like the impossible…has happened. Ben and I are back together! I keep hearing myself…saying the words…but it still seems so much like a dream…the really good kind…the kind you don’t ever want to wake up from.
EXT: STEVE AND CHRISTY’S HOUSE-NIGHT
FELICITY IS STRUGGLING TO GET THE KEY TURNED IN THE DOOR. BUT BEN IS DISTRACTING HER BY HOLDING HER AROUND THE WAIST AND NIBBLING ON HER NECK.
FELICITY: I…mmm…I’m never…Jesus…never…going to get this….door…mmm…ope…screw it.
FELICITY TURNS AROUND AND STARTS KISSING BEN. BEN BACKS HER UP AGAINST THE DOOR FRAME AND TURNS THE KEY IN THE LOCK AND TURNS THE KNOB…OPENING THE DOOR. FELICITY WHO WAS BEING SUPPORTED BY THE DOOR FALLS BACK TAKING BEN WITH HER TO THE FLOOR. THEY BOTH START TO LAUGH…BUT WITH ONE LOOK IN EACH OTHERS EYES THE MOOD GROWS SERIOUS AGAIN AND THEY START KISSING AND GROPING ON THE FLOOR. WITH THE DOOR STILL OPEN.
FELICITY: (VO) It was just like before Sally…we couldn’t get enough of each other.
INT: STEVE AND CHRISTY’S HOUSE-NIGHT
FELICITY: (between kisses) Ben…the door.
BEN STOPS KISSING FELICITY WHO IS NOW HALF-NAKED AND GETS UP TO HIS FEET PULLING HER WITH HIM. HE REACHES OVER…SHUTS THE DOOR AND LOCKS IT. THEN HE PULLS FELICITY CLOSE TO HIM AGAIN AND STARTS BACK ON HIS EXPLORATION OF HER NAKED FLESH. HE BACKS HER UP AGAINST THE LIVING ROOM WALL AND STARTS DEEPLY KISSING HER WHILE HIS HANDS HAVE A MIND OF THEIR OWN.
FELICITY: (VO) It was like being intoxicated. Just a smile or a look from him could start my pulse racing. And everywhere he touched me…I felt like I was on fire. My body had never felt so alive and my nerves were so raw and aware. That Ben alone had the ability to make me feel like this…was a scary thought.
BEN SCOOPS FELICITY UP INTO HIS ARMS AND CARRIES HER UP THE STAIRS.
FELICITY: (VO) We spent all that night and the next day…well…in bed. We talked…made love…fell asleep in each other’s arms…made love some more…I think you get the picture. It was so great Sally…it was a dream come true. As close as I had felt to Ben before…now I felt undeniably…connected.
INT: BEDROOM-NIGHT
BEN IS HOLDING FELICITY IN HIS ARMS AND PLAYING WITH A STRAND OF HER HAIR. HE LEANS HIS HEAD LIGHTLY ON THE TOP OF HERS AS SHE SNUGGLES INTO HIS BARE CHEST. HE KISSES THE TOP OF HER HEAD INHALING THE SCENT OF HER HAIR AS HE DOES.
BEN: You always smell so good.
FELICITY: (giggles) Thanks.
BEN: So this is our last night…then it’s back to reality.
FELICITY: Yeah…(concerned tone).
BEN: You sound worried.
FELICITY: Maybe…just a little. Things are so good now…I just…I don’t want it to change.
BEN: It won’t…we can make sure it doesn’t.
FELICITY: I wish I felt as confident as you sound.
BEN TURNS FELICITY TOWARDS HIM SO SHE IS LOOKING INTO HIS EYES.
BEN: We’re a lot wiser now Fel…we have to trust in that…and ourselves.
FELICITY REACHES UP AND GENTLY PULLS BEN TO HER AND GIVES HIM A DEEP AND TENDER KISS.
INT: KITCHEN-DAY
FELICITY IS WRITING A NOTE. BEN COMES INTO THE KITCHEN.
BEN: Let’s go…the cab is outside.
FELICITY: Okay…just let me sign this…there.
FELICITY FOLDS NOTE AND STICKS IT TO THE REFRIGERATOR WITH A MAGNET. FELICITY STARTS TO PICK UP HER SUITCASE…BUT BEN BEATS HER TO IT.
BEN: I’ll get that.
FELICITY: (smiles) Thanks.
INT: PALO ALTO AIRPORT LOUNGE-DAY
BEN AND FELICITY ARE SITTING WAITING FOR THEIR FLIGHT TO BE CALLED. THEY REALLY ONLY HAVE EYES FOR EACH OTHER. WHICH EXPLAINS WHY THEY DIDN’T SEE BLISS UNTIL SHE WAS RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEM.
BLISS: (bitter) Well don’t you two look cozy.
BOTH BEN AND FELICITY ARE STARTLED. BEN FINDS HIS VOICE FIRST.
BEN: What are you doing here?
BLISS: I had to get home some how. What did you expect me to do?
BEN: I just…I thought you already left.
BLISS: The ticket was non-refundable…it was either wait for this flight or lose the money.
FELICITY: (shocked) You mean…you’re on the flight…with us?
BLISS: Believe me…I’m not happy about it either.
BLISS WALKS AWAY.
FELICITY: Oh my god…please tell me this is not happening.
BEN: It’s gonna be okay…it’s a big plane.
TIFFANY COMES WALKING DOWN THE AIRPORT LOUNGE TOWARDS BLISS. SHE HANDS HER A BOTTLE OF WATER.
TIFFANY: Here’s your water.
TIFFANY NOTICES THAT BLISS SEEMS DISTRACTED.
TIFFANY: (cont) Is everything okay?
BLISS: Everything is so…not okay. Ben is here.
TIFFANY: (turns and looks around) Where?
BLISS: Over by the gate. (a beat) He’s with Felicity.
TIFFANY: Really? Wow she certainly doesn’t waste any time.
THE LOUDSPEAKER ANNOUNCES THE FLIGHT BACK TO NEW YORK.
INT: PLANE-DAY
BEN AND FELICITY WALK DOWN THE AISLE TO HIS SEAT NUMBER AND SEE BLISS SITTING DOWN.
BEN: (to Bliss) I don’t suppose there is even a remote chance of you being willing to switch seats with Felicity…is there?
BLISS: (sarcastic) I’m gonna have to decline that thoughtful offer.
BEN: Come on Bliss…you know you don’t want to sit with me.
BLISS: You’re right I don’t…but I want *her* sitting with you even less…so consider me super-glued to this seat.
FELICITY: It’s okay Ben…I’ll be fine. I’m just gonna go get my seat.
BEN: (to Felicity) Maybe we can get the person sitting next to you to switch.
FELICITY: Yeah…maybe.
FELICITY AND BEN WALK BACK TO HER SEAT. THE SEAT NEXT TO HER IS EMPTY. BEN SITS DOWN NEXT TO HER…AND THEY WAIT FOR THE PERSON WHO IS SEATED NEXT TO HER. A FEW MINUTES LATER…TIFFANY COMES WALKING DOWN LOOKING AT HER PLANE TICKET.
FELICITY: (VO) It could not have been more horrible Sally. Tiffany was seated next to me…of all people. And of course she wasn’t going to give an inch either.
BEN IS STANDING NEXT TO FELICITY. HE LEANS OVER AND KISSES HER. TIFFANY GETS A DISGUSTED LOOK ON HER FACE.
BEN: (to Felicity) I’m really sorry about this.
FELICITY: I’ll be fine.
BEN: Okay. Well I guess I should go take my seat.
FELICITY: Good luck.
BEN WALKS RELUCTANTLY DOWN THE AISLE AND TAKES THE AISLE SEAT. HE TURNS BACK AROUND AND LOOKS AT FELICITY WHO IS STARING AT HIM.
BEN: (to Bliss) I can’t believe you would do this.
BLISS: (bitter) And I can’t believe you turned out to be such a bastard…but you did.
BEN: (sighs) This is going to be a long flight.
INT: PLANE-DAY
TIFFANY IS DOING EVERYTHING SHE CAN TO MAKE FELICITY UNCOMFORTABLE. HOGGING THE ARM REST…TURNING THE AIR SO IT BLOWS ON HER…AND FELICITY IS SLOWLY LOSING HER PATIENCE. WHEN TIFFANY PUSHES HER ARM OFF THE REST ONE LAST TIME…SHE LOSES IT.
FELICITY: (upset) God!…could you please move over?
TIFFANY: Or what? You’ll steal my boyfriend?
FELICITY: (irritated) What?
TIFFANY: You know I was going to mind my own business on this…but you just irritate the hell out of me.
FELICITY: Okay…I have no idea what the hell your problem is…but it’s your problem…so leave me out of it.
TIFFANY: You are the problem. You and your little “poor me” act.
FELICITY: Could you…even try…and make some sense?
TIFFANY: You are never going to be able to keep him.
FELICITY: Okay… so then this is about Ben?
TIFFANY: Yes. He still cares about Bliss.
FELICITY: Why are you telling me this?
TIFFANY: I’m trying to appeal to your common sense. Save you some heartache.
FELICITY: Look I know you have no concern for me…so you can tell Bliss for me…nice try. But I’m not buying.
TIFFANY: Bliss loves Ben.
FELICITY: Then I feel sorry for her…because Ben loves me. And nothing you say or do is going to change that.
TIFFANY: Pop.
FELICITY: Excuse me?
TIFFANY: That’s your bubble bursting. (Felicity looks where Tiffany is pointing)
BEN AND BLISS ARE TALKING…NO LONGER HEATED…JUST TALKING. BLISS SAYS SOMETHING AND BEN CHUCKLES. FELICITY TRIES NOT TO LOOK CONCERNED.
INT: NY AIRPORT-DAY
BEN AND FELICITY ARE STANDING BY THE LUGGAGE CAROUSEL WAITING FOR THEIR LUGGAGE.
BEN: You’re quiet.
FELICITY: I’m fine.
BEN: I didn’t say you weren’t. I said you were quiet. What’s going on Felicity?
FELICITY WHO HAS BEEN HOLDING HER CONFUSION IN…LETS IT ALL OUT.
FELICITY: (upset) You were laughing with her Ben.
BEN: What?
FELICITY: With Bliss…on the plane…you were laughing.
BEN: Is that what’s got you upset? (laughs and pulls her into his arms) She said something funny…I laughed…it was no big deal.
FELICITY: It’s just…I…well…I thought she was mad at you.
BEN: Felicity…Bliss and I were friends first…and regardless of what happened with us…she still wants to be friends…I kind of want that too. And even beyond that…she is my boss. And I can’t afford to lose my job.
FELICITY: I guess I kind of over-reacted…I’m sorry…it’s just…when Tiffany said…
BEN: (interrupts) Tiffany? What did Tiffany say?
FELICITY: Nothing…it’s nothing…lets just drop it. I shouldn’t have let her get to me.
BEN HUGS FELICITY TO HIM.
INT: BEN’S LOFT-NIGHT
THE BUZZER IN THE LOFT RINGS. NOEL GETS IT.
NOEL: Hello?
TIFFANY: (OC) It’s Tiffany…buzz me up.
NOEL: Who were you looking for?
TIFFANY: (OC) Dammit Ben…it’s freezing out here…buzz me up.
NOEL: Oh…you want Ben…sorry. (Noel hits the buzzer)
NOEL WALKS OVER AND KNOCKS ON BEN’S DOOR. BEN ANSWERS IT.
BEN: Yeah?
NOEL: Hey…someone named Tiffany is on her way up.
BEN: Thanks.
BEN LOOKS BACK IN HIS ROOM AT A SLEEPING FELICITY. THEN HE CLOSES THE DOOR.
THERE IS A KNOCK ON THE DOOR OF THE LOFT. BEN GOES AND ANSWERS IT.
BEN: (to Tiffany) Hey.
TIFFANY: Can I come in?
BEN: No.
TIFFANY: I’m confused. You called me and asked me to come over and now you won’t let me in?
BEN: We need to talk…but not here.
TIFFANY: Okay…where then?
BEN: Do you feel like coffee?
TIFFANY: Sure.
INT: DEAN AND DELUCA-NIGHT
BEN AND TIFFANY WALK INTO THE DEAN AND DELUCA. MARC AND JULIE ARE WORKING BEHIND THE COUNTER.
BEN: (totally surprised) Julie?
JULIE: Ben…hi! (smiles)
BEN: When did you start working here?
JULIE: Just this week. Felicity doesn’t even know. What can I get you?
BEN: Um…(laughs) Just a coffee. I remember my first week here…I don’t want to give you anything too difficult.
JULIE: Thanks…I appreciate that.
TIFFANY: I’ll take a mocha.
TIFFANY GOES AND SITS DOWN AT A TABLE.
JULIE: I’m not very good with the mochas…but Marc’s a whiz.
MARC: (grin) Yep…nobody makes a better mocha.
MARC WALKS OVER TO THE MACHINE TO MAKE A MOCHA.
BEN: (to Julie) He’s not working here to be close to Felicity is he?
JULIE: No…but I wasn’t aware…(getting excited) Did something happen with you and Felicity in CA?
BEN: I’ll let her tell you.
JULIE: God no…please tell me…tell me you guys worked it out.
BEN: (smiling) Fine. We definitely worked things out.
JULIE: Oh Ben…that’s so great. But then why are you here with barracuda woman?
BEN: Long story.
BEN TAKES THE COFFEE AND MOCHA AND GOES TO SIT DOWN AT THE TABLE WITH TIFFANY.
TIFFANY: So…what are we doing here?
BEN: Tiffany how long have we been friends?
TIFFANY: I don’t know…six years?
BEN: And in that six years…we have been pretty respectful of each other…. right?
TIFFANY: Yeah…absolutely. What are you getting at Ben?
BEN: I’m trying to understand what changed.
TIFFANY: What do you mean?
BEN: When did you stop respecting me?
TIFFANY: Never…I still do…I still consider you one of my closest friends.
BEN: Friends wouldn’t do to each other what you’re doing to me.
TIFFANY: I don’t understand.
BEN: I think you do. Tiffany...I love Felicity. And if you and I are going to stay friends. You have to respect that and her. I know that you and Bliss are friends…but we’re friends too.
TIFFANY: She’s all wrong for you Ben. Ever since you met her she’s been breaking your heart.
BEN: Tiff…I’m old enough to make my own decisions. And my decision is to be with Felicity.
TIFFANY: Well I’m sorry but my only concern is for you. And Felicity’s only concern is for herself.
BEN: (getting irritated) Okay…I tried to be nice about this but…enough okay? I’m serious Tiffany…I will terminate our friendship if you so much as look funny at Felicity. Do you understand?
TIFFANY: Yes…but I also understand something you don’t. Felicity doesn’t have the staying power to make a relationship work. Look at her track record.
BEN: I don’t know how to make this any clearer Tiff…if you interfere in any way with me and Felicity…you will be sorry. Is this getting through?
TIFFANY: Yes…loud and clear.
BEN: Good. I’ve got to get back now. But I’m trusting your word on this one. And you’ve never lied to me before.
EXT: CAFETERIA-DAY
FELICITY IS SITTING AT A TABLE WITH ELENA AND JULIE.
FELICITY: I just wanted to be the first to tell you guys.
JULIE: God…Felicity it’s so great. I mean you and Ben belong together…everyone knows it.
FELICITY: Yeah…it is pretty great.
ELENA: Maybe I should take Noel to CA…see if I can spark something in him.
FELICITY: Are you and Noel having problems?
ELENA: Not problems…exactly. Just issues.
FELICITY: What sort of issues?
ELENA: Well…Sheri for one.
FELICITY: Sheri? I don’t understand…do you mean he still feels guilty?
ELENA: Yes…and with her at the loft so much…well it just eats him up. He goes out of his way to make sure she is taken care of…”Can I get you a drink?”…”Is it too cold in here for you?” He is goes into over-compensate mode whenever she is around.
FELICITY: Wait…why is she at the loft all the time?
ELENA: That’s right…you don’t know yet.
FELICITY: Know what? What’s going on?
EXT: CENTRAL PARK-DAY
BEN AND SHERI HAVE JUST FINISHED A RUN AND THEY SIT DOWN ON A PARK BENCH.
SHERI: Thanks for coming for a run with me.
BEN: Sure…no problem. It felt good to get out and run again. I haven’t done too much running since I got to New York.
SHERI: My therapist said running is very healthy not only for the body…but the mind.
BEN LOOKS OVER AT SHERI.
BEN: So how is that going?
SHERI: Good. I really like her…she lets me call her by her first name. Which makes it feel less like a session and more like…I don’t know…girl talk (laughs)
BEN: It’s good to hear you laugh. I was a little worried about you last time we talked.
SHERI: You mean when I told you I slept with Marc again?
BEN: Yeah…that would be the time.
SHERI: It was stupid…I know. But that’s partly why I asked you to come out today.
BEN: Please don’t tell me you’re back together with Marc.
SHERI: No…it’s nothing like that.
BEN: Good. I mean I like the guy…what I know of him anyway…but I don’t want to see you get hurt.
SHERI: I know…and I appreciate it. You’ve been a great friend.
BEN: (laughs) I try.
SHERI SITS LOOKING DOWN AT HER HANDS…CONTEMPLATING HOW TO START THE CONVERSATION SHE BROUGHT HIM OUT FOR.
BEN: (cont) I’m sorry…you were trying to tell me something. What was it?
SHERI: Before I tell you…what I have to tell you…I want you to know…you’re opinion means a great deal to me.
BEN: Okay.
SHERI: So all I’m asking for is that you at least…try and understand and not be too judgmental…Okay?
BEN: Come on…how bad could it be?
SHERI: I…well…I am dating someone. Someone I like…a lot.
BEN: You are?
SHERI: Yes…and just recently…It got a lot more serious…which is why I begged him to let me tell you…instead of him.
BEN: You’re dating someone I know?
SHERI: Yes.
BEN: Who?
SHERI: (swallows) Sean.
BEN: Sean? My roommate Sean? Sean who is probably like ten years older than you? That Sean?
SHERI: Yes.
BEN: I don’t know what you to say.
SHERI: Say…congratulations…say you understand…
BEN: I’m sorry…but I can’t. Because I don’t understand. I mean you just got out of a really bad time in your life…to make another mistake like this…
SHERI: Stop it! Sean is not a mistake. He’s kind and funny and he make me feel special. I thought you would be happy that I was happy…but obviously I was mistaken.
BEN: It’s just…. I can’t see it. I mean you’re young and beautiful. You could have pretty much any guy you wanted. Why Sean?
SHERI: First of all…there is nothing wrong with Sean. You say his name like I’ve caught some disease. Aren’t you the one who told me that sometimes we can’t help who we fall in love with?
BEN: (shocked) Are you in love with him?
SHERI: It’s too soon for that…but I care about him…a lot.
BEN: Are you sleeping with him?
SHERI: I don’t think *that* is any of your business.
BEN: Jesus…you are. Sheri…what does your therapist think about this?
SHERI: (reluctant) She thinks it’s too soon.
BEN: I think she’s right.
SHERI: But she’s met Sean…and she likes him. She just…she wants me to take things slow.
BEN: That sounds like good advice.
SHERI: I’m not asking for your blessing Ben. I just wanted you to know.
BEN: I’ve got to know. How did this happen?
SHERI: I went over one day to talk to you…but you were gone. He invited me in to wait and we started talking. I’d never met anyone like him before…he was so funny.
BEN: Funny? Sean?…okay…if you say so.
SHERI: It’s going to be okay Ben…you’ll see.
BEN: We should probably be getting back. I have a class.
SHERI: Yeah…me too.
INT: OUTSIDE FELICITY’S ART CLASS-DAY
BEN IS WAITING OUTSIDE THE CLASS FOR IT TO FINISH. AS THE CLASS BREAKS UP FELICITY WALKS OUT AND SEES BEN.
FELICITY: (smiles) Hey…what are you doing here?
BEN: (kisses her) I was waiting for you.
FELICITY: That’s sweet.
BEN: So I have some news…about Sheri.
FELICITY: You mean that she’s dating Sean?
BEN: You knew and you didn’t tell me?
FELICITY: Okay…relax. I just found out this morning…I hadn’t seen you yet.
BEN: Sorry. It’s just…well it’s weird…don’t you think?
FELICITY: I guess. He is definitely a lot older than her. But I’m actually more worried about Marc.
BEN: About Marc…why?
FELICITY: I ran into him after breakfast this morning. And we talked about it. He isn’t very happy with the situation. He said she’s acting crazy.
BEN: I tend to agree with him. But she’s young…impulsive…stupid decisions are expected…but Sean…he should have known better.
FELICITY: Are you going to talk to him about it?
BEN: Do you think I should?
FELICITY: I think…if you do. Just be careful what you say…try not to lose your temper…or be too judgmental.
BEN: Maybe you should come with me.
FELICITY LAUGHS WHICH CAUSES BEN TO LAUGH.
BEN BRINGS FELICITY INTO HIS ARMS AND KISSES HER. THEN HE TAKES HER HAND AND THEY WALK DOWN THE HALL HOLDING HANDS.
SALLY: (VO) Dear Felicity…Can I predict or can I predict. I am so happy to have been right this time…about the effects of home on you and Ben. I can rest easy now knowing all is right with the world. My best friend is truly happy and I am truly happy at the same time. Mark this date on the calendar. As for Sheri and Sean…well I’ve never met Sheri…but I really liked Sean. I have never been one to believe that age should be a factor in matters of the heart. After hearing everything that Sheri went through…I think maybe an older…wiser guy may not be a bad idea. Sean may have his quirks but all in all he was a very likeable and sweet guy. My prediction…it will probably be Sean who ends up with the broken heart in this one. Sheri is still young and therefore more liking to fall prey to the charms of another…Sean on the other hand is more settled and yes…probably looking for someone permanent…to share his life. Love Sally