Only Time Will Tell
Written by: Juana
Story Summary: Felicity and Eli resolve the past…giving him the freedom to move forward with his life. Ben and Felicity have decided some things that will help give them the freedom they both need to move towards the rest of their lives also. Bliss is starting to understand that Ben is still struggling with letting go of Felicity…a realization that will have direct impact on some of her future decisions.
Disclaimer: I do not own the main characters in my story. They belong to the brilliant writers and creators of the hit WB show.
INT. FELICITY’S ROOM-DAY
FELICITY: (VO) Dear Sally…you could have knocked me over with a feather…One minute I was in Ben’s arms and the next moment…by simply opening a door…I was in Eli’s.
FLASHBACK TO FORMER NIGHT
FELICITY IS STANDING DUMBSTRUCK AS ELI HUGS HER. BOTH HER HANDS REMAIN DOWN AT HER SIDE…NOT RETURNING THE HUG. ELI STEPS BACK FROM HER.
ELI: Okay…so I take it you’re not happy to see me.
FELICITY: Should I be?
ELI: No…absolutely not…but I was hoping…that you would at least give me a chance to explain.
BEN COMES WALKING OVER TO THE DOOR.
BEN: (angry) You're crazy…she doesn’t owe you anything.
ELI: (sarcastic ) Ben…yeah…big surprise…you being here.
BEN: You need an escort to the elevator? Or can you find your way alone?
ELI: (to Felicity) I didn’t know you would have company…I’ll just come back later.
BEN: No you won’t.
ELI: (to Ben) I think…no I know…this has nothing to do with you. This is between Felicity and me.
BEN: (getting up in Eli’s face) I see you anywhere near her…and I will take you out…and I’m not talking about the movies and a bite to eat.
ELI: Yeah…that’s big talk. Sorry you can’t stay to make good on it.
BEN: What are you talking about?
ELI: I went by the loft first…Seems your girlfriend is waiting there for you. Should I go back and tell her you’ve been detained…at Felicity’s?
BEN: Stay away from Bliss.
FELICITY CRINGES AS SHE HEARS BEN SAY BLISS’S NAME.
ELI: Seems like you’ve got a choice to make here Ben…you can go back and save your girlfriend from me…or you can stay here and save your…what exactly are you two? Well anyway…times a wasting…who do I get to talk to Bliss or Felicity? I’m gonna need an answer.
BEN JUST STARES AT ELI…COMPLETELY HATING HIM.
BEN: I’m not leaving.
ELI: Well then I guess I’m off. (Eli turns and heads toward the elevators)
FELICITY: (to Ben) What are you doing? You can’t let him tell Bliss.
BEN: I’m not gonna let him hurt you again.
FELICITY: Ben…you can’t protect me from everything…I think…well I think… that I should talk to him.
ELEVATOR DOORS OPEN UP AND ELI STEPS IN. FELICITY GOES RUNNING DOWN THE HALL TO STOP HIM FROM LEAVING.
FELICITY: (cont.) Eli…wait.
ELI PUTS HIS HAND IN THE ELEVATOR DOOR TO STOP IT FROM CLOSING.
ELI: Yes?
FELICITY: I’ll talk to you…but let me make it perfectly clear…it’s not because of your pathetic blackmail attempt.
ELI STEPS OUT OF THE ELEVATOR AND THE DOOR CLOSES.
ELI: I never would have told her…what’s going on with you and Ben…that’s your business…I just wanted to take him down a notch.
FELICITY: Why?
ELI: Because I expected him to take care of you when I left. I was floored when I found out he has a girlfriend…but then…to find him here with you…knowing that. I mean he’s the one who’s got some nerve.
FELICITY: Me and Ben…we’re…well it’s…complicated.
ELI: Enough said…I didn’t come here to get the rundown on you and Ben…and you’re twisted ideas of love…I came here to talk to you…to find out how you are…and to try and explain…all the really bad choices that I made.
FELICITY: Okay…let’s go back to the room.
FELICITY AND ELI HEAD BACK TOWARD THE ROOM. BEN HAS BEEN SITTING ON THE BED WAITING FOR FELICITY TO COME BACK. AS SHE ENTERS THE ROOM WITH ELI…HE STANDS UP. SHE CAN TELL HE IS ANGRY.
BEN: I can’t believe you’re going to talk to him.
FELICITY: There are things he doesn’t know yet Ben.
ELI: (to Ben) You’re welcome to stay…so you don’t have to wonder.
BEN: (to Eli) Wonder about what?
ELI: What’s going on behind the closed door…I know…not knowing…it would literally kill you.
BEN: Excuse me…but could you be more of an ass?
ELI: I’m just trying to help you out with the old insecurities…I promise you…I’m not here to sleep with Felicity…feel better now?
BEN: That’s it (moves toward Eli) You're dead!
ELI JUMPS UP AND OVER THE BED TO GET AWAY FROM BEN. FELICITY GRABS BEN’S ARM.
FELICITY: Ben…please…stop this.
ELI: (on other side of bed from Ben) Still got that temper I see.
BEN: Where do you get off…coming back. You left her…you have no right to be here.
ELI: (tone of truth) And you do? Let’s review here Ben…she came to me because YOU did something that hurt her.
BEN: Yeah and you were more than willing to oblige.
ELI: I’m not going to apologize for your inability to realize you had something really good and you drop kicked it out the door.
BEN: How about apologizing for sleeping with my girlfriend.
ELI: (being sarcastic) I didn’t touch Bliss.
BEN: That’s your answer to everything…isn’t it?…just laugh it off.
ELI: You want serious…fine…I don’t think I did anything wrong by being there for Felicity that night.
BEN: Unbelievable…so the fact that she was in the middle of an emotional crisis… you don’t think you took advantage of that?
ELI: No.
BEN: I can’t believe you. There’s not a moral bone in your body. Is there?
ELI: Look…you’re the one who got all bent out of shape. Felicity and I understood it for what it was.
BEN: Which was what?
FELICITY: Ben…I don’t think…
BEN: No…let him tell me.
FELICITY: Not like this Ben.
BEN: (to Felicity) Why? What are you afraid of?
FELICITY: That you won’t understand.
BEN: There’s only one way to find out.
FELICITY: (to Ben) I don’t understand…why are you okay to talk to Eli about this…when you wouldn’t with me?
BEN: There’s nothing about this that I’m okay with…I just think it’s time.
FELICITY: This won’t help Ben…believe me.
BEN: How do you know?
FELICITY: Because…it’s the same thing with you and Bliss. I know that you slept with her…I don’t need to know why.
BEN: That’s completely different.
FELICITY: No…it’s not. Because even if I knew why you chose to have sex with Bliss…it would still hurt. In fact maybe more…if I didn’t like your reason for doing it.
BEN: So what you’re trying to say is that I wouldn’t like your reasons for sleeping with Eli?
FELICITY: I’m simply saying that something that made sense that night…didn’t seems so right to me in the morning. But I couldn’t take it back.
BEN: (turns to Eli) Why did you have to come back man? I was so close to letting it go…and now…well now it’s just this raw pain again.
FELICITY: Ben…
BEN: No…you know what…I don’t want to do this…again. I just…I think it’s best if I just go.
ELI: (genuine concern) Ben…man I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to bring up bad memories for you…I was out of line.
BEN: I’m fine…I just…I need to get out of here.
BEN LOOKS BACK AT FELICITY AND THEN AT ELI…THEN HE EXITS THE ROOM. LEAVING FELICITY AND ELI STANDING THERE.
FELICITY: (VO) How could Eli’s timing have been so terrible?…Ben had admitted he was close to letting it go…getting past what had happened with Eli…but now…I was pretty sure we were back to square one.
LUNCHROOM-NEXT DAY
FELICITY AND ELI ARE SITTING AT A TABLE EATING. ELENA COMES IN WITH NOEL…SHE SPOTS FELICITY AND STARTS WALKING OVER TO HER. AS SHE GETS NEARER SHE REALIZES THAT IT IS ELI SITTING WITH HER. SHE CHARGES OVER TO THE TABLE.
ELENA: (in Eli’s face) What the hell are you doing here?
ELI: Elena…nice to see you too.
ELENA: I repeat…what is your bony ass doing sitting at this table?
FELICITY: It’s okay Elena…
ELENA: (to Felicity) Don’t you even defend this low-life…sorry excuse for a human being.
FELICITY: Fine.
ELI LOOKS AT FELICITY IN DISBELIEF.
FELICITY: (VO) So I let Elena have her say…it seemed to make her feel much better. And in some sort of sadistic way…I think it helped me too. It’s not that I didn’t understand Eli’s actions, we had had a fairly lengthy talk to straighten every thing out…I knew why he had left. Short version…too much pressure to become a dad. He had pretended that he could do it but finally had to admit to himself…he wasn’t ready…not unlike what I had gone through…only leaving…that was never an option for me. And I knew why he had come back…to do the right thing. Seems he had done a lot of soul searching on his travels. And he had reached the conclusion that ready or not…he was going to be a father. So he had hopped the next plane back to New York…to come and tell me this. To take responsibility for his child…it was kind of sad…he had arrived in New York…pumped about being a father. It was really hard to tell him that…well things had changed. And even harder to watch his reaction when he found out…the baby was gone. Sal…he broke down and wept.
INT. BEN’S LOFT-DAY
BEN AND BLISS ARE SITTING AT THE TABLE. BLISS IS DRINKING COFFEE AND BEN IS PICKING AT A PIECE OF TOAST.
BLISS: Ben?
BEN’S MIND IS COMPLETELY SOMEWHERE ELSE. HE DOESN’ T REALIZE BLISS IS TRYING TO GET HIS ATTENTION. SHE TRIES AGAIN.
BLISS: Ben!
BEN REALIZES BLISS IS TALKING TO HIM.
BEN: What?
BLISS: Finally…now that I have your attention…can you tell me what’s going on with you?
BEN: Nothing…I’m fine.
BLISS: Ben…you’re not fine…you’re distant…and obviously preoccupied.
BEN: I was just thinking about some things…I’m sorry.
BLISS: You were like this all last night…why won’t you tell me what’s wrong?
BEN: It’s just…I don’t know…I guess I thought…maybe you wouldn’t want to hear it.
BLISS: Ben…I care about you…and therefore…I care about your problems. So tell me…what’s going on?
BEN: Eli is back.
BLISS: (confused) You’re upset because your old roommate is back?
SEAN WHO HAS BEEN SITTING IN THE KITCHEN…INTERJECTS.
SEAN: He’s Felicity’s old boyfriend.
BEN: Thanks Sean…I was getting to that.
SEAN: No problem…I just sped you up a little.
BLISS: (realizing) That’s the guy that broke the two of you up?
SEAN: Yeah…got her pregnant too.
BEN: Yeah…Sean…I can handle this…thanks.
BLISS: (to Ben) You never told me that.
BEN: (glares at Sean) I was trying to respect her privacy…about it.
BLISS: And he’s back now? And this upsets you?
BEN: I’m just worried about Felicity…that’s all.
BLISS: So that’s where you were last night…at Felicity’s?
BEN: (uncomfortable) Um…yeah…I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I was going over there…I just…I needed to talk to her about something.
BLISS: What’s going on with you two Ben?
BEN: What do you mean?
BLISS: I mean…are you still just *friends?*
BEN: (pauses) Yes…we are.
BLISS: You wouldn’t lie to me about this would you?
BEN: (feeling extremely guilty) No.
INT. FELICITY’S ROOM-DAY
FELICITY AND ELI ARE SITTING IN HER ROOM. ELI HAS A PACKED DUFFLE BAG. HE IS SAYING GOODBYE.
FELICITY: I can’t believe you’re leaving again.
ELI: It just seems like the right thing to do. Finding out you’re no longer pregnant…well it changes things. There really is no reason for me to stick around here.
FELICITY: What about your friends?
ELI: I don’t really have any true friends here…except you. Everyone else…they just tolerate me. Besides there is someone…back home.
FELICITY: Really?
ELI: Yeah…I love her…but she convinced me that I needed to do the right thing. I came back largely because she was able to talk some sense into me. I’m glad she did…but honestly…I can’t wait to get back to her and tell her about the change of events…and that she and I can be together.
FELICITY: I’m happy for you. I hope some day I get a chance to meet her.
ELI: Yeah…maybe you never know. (pauses) I’m sorry about the mess I made of your life.
FELICITY: I had a pretty big hand in it too. You don’t need to take all the blame.
ELI: I can talk to Ben for you…if you want.
FELICITY: That’s sweet…but probably not such a good idea.
ELI: I can tell him it was *all* me.
FELICITY: I’m not gonna have you lie to him. If Ben is going to get over this…he has to do it on his own terms…and based on the truth. Lying at this point…it would just make things…worse.
ELI: I guess my timing couldn’t have sucked worse.
FELICITY: I thought so…at first…but looking back now…I think your timing was perfect.
ELI: I don’t understand.
FELICITY: It’s pretty simple actually…I thought Ben and I were working things out…but in all honesty…. nothing has changed. Having sex…great as it was…isn’t the solution. If Ben and I are ever going to work it out…we are going to have to *talk* it out. We sort of skipped over that all-important step.
ELI: Well if it’s any consolation…I think you two will get there.
FELICITY: Thanks…I hope one day to be able to tell you…that you were right.
ELI: I should probably get going…or I’ll miss my flight.
FELICITY AND ELI HUG. THERE IS A KNOCK AT HER DOOR. FELICITY AND ELI BREAK APART AND FELICITY GOES TO ANSWER THE DOOR WITH ELI RIGHT BEHIND HER…ITS BEN.
FELICITY: Hey.
BEN: (looking at Eli) I didn’t know you were going to be here…(to Felicity) I’ll just catch you later.
ELI: You don’t need to leave because of me…this is my exit. (Eli picks up his duffel bag and kisses Felicity on the cheek) You take care.
FELICITY: Thanks. I will.
ELI WALKS PAST BEN AND HEADS OVER TO THE ELEVATOR. BEN LOOKS AT HIM GO THEN TURNS TO FELICITY.
BEN: (to Felicity) I’ll be right back.
BEN WALKS OVER TO ELI AT THE ELEVATOR.
BEN: You’re not leaving because of me are you?
ELI: I would have thought that would make you happy.
BEN: Look…I know we haven’t exactly been the best of friends…but you don’t have to leave because of that.
ELI: Don’t flatter yourself Ben…I’m leaving because I want to. I don’t have any thing to stay for.
BEN: I’m not dating Felicity.
ELI: I didn’t ask you if you were.
BEN: I just meant…
ELI: I know what you meant…and I’m frankly…shocked that you are giving up so easily.
BEN: What do you mean?
ELI: I remember how you use to talk about her…before you knew she was my girlfriend. You were so in love with her…what happened?
BEN: You happened.
ELI: But I’m not the issue anymore…so why do you continue to deny yourself and your true feelings?
BEN: Because…things have changed. I have a girlfriend now…a really good one. And she cares about me.
ELI: Felicity cares about you…she even *loves* you.
BEN: Yet she slept with you.
ELI: It was *comfort sex*…nothing more. She was hurting…really bad. And things just happened. She wasn’t trying to hurt you…or keep it from you…she wanted to tell you…I asked her not to. So if you should be mad at anyone…it’s me.
BEN: If you were in my position…would you be able to forget?
ELI: You forget Ben…I was in your place. In fact…I was in a worse place…I loved her…and she loved you. I wish it had just been that she slept with you. But you know what…even knowing that she loved you…it didn’t stop me from wanting to work things out with her…because she meant that much to me.
BEN: I never knew that.
ELI: It’s because you don’t listen. I tried to tell you so many times…that she was the one for me…but you just didn’t hear it. I had resolved myself to the fact that I was always going to be second in her heart. I was willing to settle for that just to be with her…but you…you’ll always be first…and that’s not good enough for you…you want her to be perfect. But I’m sure if you match your mistakes up head to head with hers…well I’m sure you’ll see…she’s forgiven you for a lot of things…things she probably shouldn’t have, but she did it because she knows…something you are obviously so far from figuring out.
BEN: What’s that?
ELI: It’s not something I can explain to you Ben…I only hope for your sake you figure it out before it’s too late.
ELI PUSHES THE ELEVATOR BUTTON AGAIN.
ELI: (cont.) Life isn’t always going to go the way you want it too. Remember that…and start appreciating that it has already been pretty generous to you. It gave you Felicity.
ELEVATOR DOORS OPEN AND ELI STEPS IN.
ELI: (cont.) Figure it out…before it’s too late.
ELEVATOR DOORS CLOSE…BEN JUST STANDS THERE…LETTING EVERYTHING ELI SAID…SINK IN.
INT. FELICITY’S ROOM-DAY
FELICITY IS SITTING ON HER BED IN HER ROOM. BEN WALKS BACK IN.
FELICITY: What was that all about?
BEN: I just wanted to make sure he wasn’t leaving because of me.
FELICITY: Oh…he’s not.
BEN: Yeah…I know. (a beat) I’m sorry I left so abruptly the other day.
FELICITY: It’s okay…I understand.
BEN AND FELICITY LOOK AT EACH OTHER…BOTH UNSURE WHAT TO SAY. FINALLY BEN SPEAKS OUT.
BEN: I think we need to talk.
FELICITY: Okay.
BEN STARTS TO COME IN AND SHUT THE DOOR…BUT ON SECOND THOUGHT…HE LEAVES THE DOOR OPEN.
BEN: I’m just gonna leave this open…
FELICITY: That’s probably a good idea.
BEN COMES IN AND SITS DOWN IN THE CHAIR. FELICITY SITS CROSS-LEGGED ON THE BED ACROSS FROM HIM.
FELICITY: Did you want me to go first?
BEN: No…Um…I came here today to tell you that. I love you…I think I probably always will. I thought what I felt with Tiffany…I thought that was what love was all about…but what I feel for you…it’s so different. It’s deeper and it has the ability to wound me like nothing else.
FELICITY: I know…I feel it too.
BEN: I never wanted to hurt you. I hate hurting anyone. Which is why I’m here.
FELICITY: I don’t understand.
BEN: What we’ve been doing…well it’s wrong. I realize that you’re single…but I’m not. I made a commitment to Bliss…and if she found out about us…it would hurt her…I’m not prepared to do that.
FELICITY: Do you love Bliss?
BEN: No. But I respect her…and I care very deeply for her. I told her when we got together that I was getting over you and trying to move on with my life…and she trusted me…and believed me.
FELICITY: What are trying to say Ben?
BEN: I have been trying for so long to figure out a way to let you go…and every time I start to feel okay with it…I just keep letting myself get sucked back in. There is nothing in my life that makes me feel like I do when I’m with you. I hate that. I hate that the one thing I’m trying to let go of is the one thing that I want desperately to hold on to.
FELICITY: Maybe we can figure it out together.
BEN: I think…that’s a dangerous idea. Even sitting here now…there is nothing I would like better than to shut the door lock it and forget about the rest of the world…and forget about all our problems. But I can’t. Because I have realities I would eventually have to face.
FELICITY: We all have realities Ben. But I understand what you’re saying…and I agree. I’m not sorry about what happened with us…but I know it didn’t fix anything…I wish it had…I wanted it to. But having the power to make you forget for a night…isn’t what I’m searching for. I’m searching for the long-term cure. The one that involves waking up next to you forever…not to an empty place next to me because guilt made you go home to your girlfriend.
BEN: Exactly.
FELICITY: So where does that leave us?
BEN: I guess where we were before we slept together again. I have to see if I can work things out with Bliss…and you need to do…whatever you need to do. And if that involves dating someone else…I will deal with it silently…I will not interfere.
FELICITY: Can you do that?
BEN: I’m not making any promises…I have kind of a jealous streak when it comes to you…but I give you my word…I will try.
FELICITY: So…I guess this is the solution?
BEN: It’s an attempt at a solution. Well call it step one.
FELICITY: Do you think there’s a twelve-step program for this?
BEN: I think…no…I think we’re pretty much on our own on this one.
BEN GETS UP OFF THE CHAIR AND GOES OVER AND PULLS FELICITY OFF THE BED WRAPPING HIS ARMS AROUND HER.
BEN: (sighing) Thanks for not hating me.
BEN FINISHES THE HUG. LOOKS INTO HER EYES AND PUSHES A PIECE OF HAIR AWAY FROM HER FACE. SHE SMILES.
BEN WALKS OUT WITH SAYING ANOTHER WORD AND FELICITY SITS BACK DOWN ON THE BED.
SALLY: (VO) Dear Felicity…well good news Emmett and I worked things out. We have reset the date for the wedding…its going to be next summer. It gives me time to deal and him the feeling of moving forward. I hope your still up for the maid of honor duties by then. Who knows maybe by then you’ll be my matron of honor. Just kidding. I’d have to kick myself if you got married before me. Again just kidding. I would be elated if you called me tomorrow and told me you and Ben had tied the knot. But I guess until he unties the frayed relationship knot…that probably won’t happen. I’m glad you and Eli got the chance to work things out. I know that it probably wasn’t easy for him to come back after bailing like that. As for what you and Ben have going on…I guess only time will tell.