Best Interest At Heart
Written by: Juana
Story summary: Felicity discovers something about Julie that she wishes she didn’t know. Marc becomes less of an enigma to Felicity in her quest to protect her friend.
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 ROOM-EARLY MORNING
BEN IS SITTING IN A CHAIR ON THE SIDE OF THE BED. HE IS WATCHING FELICITY SLEEPING AS HE TIES THE SHOE- LACES ON HIS TENNIS SHOES. FELICITY STIRS AND OPENS HER EYES SLIGHTLY.
FELICITY: (groggy) Hey.
BEN: Hey.
FELICITY: What time is it?
BEN: It’s about 4 am.
FELICITY SITS UP IN BED.
FELICITY: You look like you’re going somewhere.
BEN: Yeah I thought I’d go out for a walk. I can’t sleep.
FELICITY: You’re going out for a walk at 4 in the morning? Do you think that’s a good idea?
BEN: I’ll be fine.
FELICITY: Come back to bed Ben.
BEN: I told you…I’m restless. I would just keep you up.
FELICITY: Well then wait for me to get dressed and I’ll come with you.
BEN: Really?
FELICITY: Yes.
BEN: You’re not tired?
FELICITY: Of course I am. It’s 4 in the morning…but I’ll be fine. Just give me ten minutes and I’ll be ready.
BEN: Okay.
INT: MARC’S ROOM-EARLY MORNING
MARC IS SLEEPING IN BED WITH HIS ARM SLUNG OVER ANOTHER PERSON. THE ALARM GOES OFF. AND THE OTHER PERSON REACHES A HAND OUT AND TURNS IT OFF AND THEN TURNS TO MARC AND SHAKES HIM. IT’S JULIE.
JULIE: I’ve got to go.
MARC RUBS HIS EYES AND PULLS HER CLOSER TO HIM.
MARC: I don’t want you to.
JULIE: Marc…I have to. Lyn is going to be home from work soon.
MARC: (miffed) So.
JULIE TRIES TO PULL AWAY BUT MARC JUST HOLDS HER CLOSE TO HIM.
JULIE: Marc let me go…I can’t stay. And you know that.
MARC LETS JULIE GO AND THEY BOTH SIT UP IN BED.
MARC: I’ve got to know Julie…are you going to break it off with Lyn…or is that just what you’ve been telling me?
JULIE: I will…it’s just…I don’t want to hurt him.
MARC: And I don’t want to keep having to meet in secret and waking up at 4am so that you can get home before Lyn.
JULIE: Just give me a little more time…okay?
INT: FELICITY’S DORM ROOM-EARLY MORNING.
FELICITY WALKS IN THROWS HER KEYS DOWN ON THE BED AND GOES TO GET A JACKET FROM HER CLOSET. SHE PUTS IT ON AND HER AND BEN EXIT HER ROOM.
FELICITY: I can’t believe how cold it got out there. I’m sorry about forgetting a jacket.
BEN: It’s okay. Hurry or we’ll miss the sunset though.
BEN PUTS HIS ARM AROUND FELICITY AND THEY HEAD TOWARD THE ELEVATOR.
FELICITY: God…I’m such a ditz. I forgot my keys on the bed. I’ll be right back.
FELICITY WALKS BACK DOWN THE HALL AND JUST AS SHE IS STARTING TO OPEN HER DOOR SHE HEARS SOMEONE COMING OUT OF MARC’S ROOM. SHE LOOKS UP AND SEE’S MARC AND JULIE KISSING.
FELICITY: (shocked) Julie?
JULIE AND MARC IMMEDIATELY SPLIT APART.
JULIE: (surprised) Felicity? Um…hi. I uh…I know this probably looks bad…but it’s not.
MARC: Yeah…we…I’m not really sure how to finish that sentence.
FELICITY: You were kissing.
MARC: Okay…yeah…that would work.
BEN COMES WALKING BACK DOWN THE HALL.
BEN: (to Felicity) What’s taking so long…Julie…hey.
JULIE: Hi. Well I’ve got to be going. Thanks for walking me home Marc.
MARC: Yeah…sure. (Yawns) Well I’m tired. Goodnight everyone.
JULIE WALKS OFF AND MARC RE-ENTERS HIS ROOM. LEAVING FELICITY STANDING THERE FLABBERGASTED.
BEN: Are you ready?
FELICITY: (VO) Dear Sally…I had never been so annoyed in all my life. Apparently by walking away and not acknowledging what I had witnessed Julie was sending me a silent message. Keep it quiet. But how could I Sally? Lyn was Ben’s best friend…not to mention how uncomfortable I was keeping something this huge from Ben.
INT: DEAN AND DELUCA: DAY
FELICITY IS SITTING AT TABLE WITH BEN ON HER BREAK. JULIE AND MARC ARE WORKING BEHIND THE COUNTER.
BEN: Are you okay?
FELICITY: (distracted) Huh? Oh…I’m fine. (trying to focus her attention on Ben) So have you decided about your dad yet?
BEN: Yeah. I’m going to talk to him.
FELICITY: (surprised) You are?
BEN: Yeah. I don’t think it’s going to solve much. But my mom really wants me to try…so I’m going to.
FELICITY: I think that’s great.
BEN: You do?
FELICITY: Yes. Like you said, it may not change anything. But looking forward…I think ultimately if you didn’t at least try…well I think that you would regret that.
BEN: You're probably right.
FELICITY: When are you going to see him?
BEN: I called and made plans to see him tonight.
FELICITY: Did you want me to go with you?
BEN: I would…but I think I should do this on my own. I foresee a lot of anger and tension being unleashed…it’s probably not going to be pretty.
FELICITY: Ok. But if you change you mind, let me know.
BEN: It’s a deal.
BEN REACHES OVER AND GIVES FELICITY A TENDER KISS. FELICITY SMILES.
BEN: (cont.) I should probably get going and let you get back to work.
FELICITY: If you must.
BEN LOOKS OVER AT JULIE AND MARC TALKING AT THE COUNTER. TO HIM THEY SEEM KIND OF CLOSE.
BEN: Can I ask you something really quick?
FELICITY: Sure.
BEN: Do you think Julie and Marc seem…close?
FELICITY: I didn’t know what to do Sally. It seemed like the moment of truth was at hand. I didn’t want to lie to Ben, but I hadn’t really had an opportunity to discuss it with Julie.
FELICITY: (to Ben) Um…what do you mean by close?
BEN: I don’t know exactly. I hadn’t really given it much thought till Lyn asked me the same thing.
FELICITY: Lyn asked you if you thought that Marc and Julie looked close?
BEN: Yeah…something like that. It’s kind of a long story. One I don’t think you really have time for now, but long story short…Julie walked in on him and Kiki kissing at the club.
FELICITY: Lyn kissed Kiki?
BEN: Yeah. It was totally innocent…more like a peck. But one thing led to another and Lyn had to tell Julie that he used to date Kiki.
FELICITY: Lyn dated Kiki?
BEN: Yeah…which he lied to Julie about. I guess he said they had a pretty nasty fight about it. She hasn’t told you anything?
FELICITY: No. Did Lyn and Julie break up?
BEN: No…but I think things are on pretty shaky ground.
FELICITY: I’ll bet.
BEN: So what do you think yes or no…do they seem close?
FELICITY: It’s hard to tell.
FELICITY: (VO) Which wasn’t exactly a lie…just an avoidance.
BEN: Yeah.
BEN STANDS UP AND LEANS DOWN AND KISSES FELICITY GOODBYE.
BEN: Are you staying over tonight?
FELICITY: Let’s see how you feel after you get back from your dads.
BEN: Okay. (waves to Julie) Bye Julie.
JULIE WHO IS ENGROSSED IN TALKING WITH MARC DOESN’T EVEN LOOK UP. BEN JUST GIVES HER A WHATEVER LOOK AND LEAVES.
FELICITY WALKS OVER TO JULIE AND MARC AND TAKES JULIE BY THE ARM AND STARTS PULLING HER WITH HER TO THE BACK ROOM.
FELICITY: We need to talk.
JULIE: Yeah…okay.
FELICITY: Marc watch the front.
INT: BACK ROOM: DEAN AND DELUCA-DAY
FELICITY: Okay…I think you owe me an explanation.
JULIE: I know.
FELICITY: Well?
JULIE: I don’t know where to start.
FELICITY: Start by telling me why I just had to lie to my boyfriend to cover your butt.
JULIE: (paranoid) What did Ben say?
FELICITY: He wanted to know if you and Marc seemed close to me.
JULIE: He did? What did you tell him?
FELICITY: I told him it was hard to tell. But I’m not going to continue to do that Julie. I don’t like lying to Ben.
JULIE: I know. I don’t want that either…I’m just so confused.
FELICITY: About Marc or Lyn?
JULIE: Both.
FELICITY: How did this happen Julie? I thought you and Lyn were happy.
JULIE: We were.
FLASHBACK:
LYN AND JULIE ARE IN HIS ROOM ARGUING.
LYN: It’s not what you think Jul.
JULIE: Don’t call me that…you don’t get to call me that again.
LYN: Come on…you’re over reacting.
JULIE: I thought you were different Lyn…You said you would never cheat on me and I believed you.
LYN: It was a kiss Jul…ie. A small…tiny kiss. I don’t like her anymore.
JULIE: Anymore?
LYN: I mean at all.
JULIE: But you said anymore? Lyn did you ever date Kiki?
LYN: (reluctant to answer) Uh…yeah. I did.
JULIE: But when I asked you before you said…you told me straight to my face that you didn’t. Are you saying you lied before?
LYN: I suppose you could look at it that way…but it was to protect you.
JULIE: To protect me? Don’t you mean to protect you?
LYN: Julie…I’m sorry…I really am.
JULIE: I can’t deal with this right now. I have to go to work.
LYN: We can’t just leave it like this.
JULIE: Maybe it’s better this way…I need time to process all this…the lies…the cheating.
LYN: I didn’t cheat on you.
JULIE: Maybe not in your eyes…Look I’ve got to go.
JULIE WALKS OUT OF THE ROOM.
INT: DEAN AND DELUCA-NIGHT
JULIE WALKS IN UPSET AND MARC IS BEHIND THE COUNTER. IT IS MODERATELY SLOW.
MARC: Hey beautiful.
JULIE: Hi Marc.
MARC: Why the long -face?
JULIE: It’s nothing…it’s personal.
MARC: Personal? Boyfriend problems?
JULIE: (half-smiles) How did you know?
MARC: Because I know we men can be bastards when we want.
JULIE: (laughs) Why is that?
MARC: Something about the whole instant gratification gene. I don’t know I skipped that class.
JULIE: Really? I didn’t realize it was an elective class. I thought all men were required to participate in learning how to rip a woman’s heart out.
MARC: Ouch! Somebody stung you bad.
MARC PUTS HIS ARM AROUND HER SHOULDER.
FLASHFORWARD: DAY
BACKROOM: DEAN AND DELUCA
JULIE: And one thing led to another that night. I was hurt…he’d been hurt…we talked…we laughed. We really connected.
FELICITY: So you slept with him?
JULIE: Yes…I’m not proud of it…or myself. But I did. And it just sort of escalated from there. I can’t let go of Lyn and I won’t let go of Marc. So I’m caught.
FELICITY: You have to choose one Julie. You can’t keep playing both ends.
JULIE: I know. Believe me I know this. It’s just a lot easier to acknowledge than actually do. I have been in front of Lyn’s room like a half dozen times to tell him it’s over. And then I see him…and I convince myself to end it with Marc…and then I see him. It’s this back and forth battle I wage everyday.
FELICITY: So how does Marc feel?
JULIE: He says he thinks he’s falling in love with me. But how could I do that to Lyn? Everyday he tells me he loves me and he doesn’t want to lose me.
FELICITY: I think you should tell Lyn about Marc.
JULIE: Are you crazy?
FELICITY: No…And this is why. If you tell Lyn about Marc he will do one of two things, he will leave or he will stay. If he loves you enough to forgive you…it may be worth working things out.
JULIE: And if he doesn’t?
FELICITY: I guess that’s the catch. He could be so upset he leaves. I just know that Ben and I have scaled a lot of walls very similar to this one…and we survived.
JULIE: Are you going to tell Ben?
FELICITY: Probably…yes.
JULIE: Then I guess I don’t have much of a choice.
FELICITY: I’m not trying to force the issue Julie. Or make this decision for you…I just can’t keep this a secret from Ben. I hope you understand.
JULIE: I guess.
FELICITY: If it’s any consolation it probably won’t be tonight. He’s got some things he’s dealing with right now…he doesn’t need the added pressure of knowing this.
JULIE: Thanks that will at least give me some time to work up my courage to talk to Lyn.
JULIE HUGS FELICITY
JULIE: (cont.) I’m sorry I put you in this position.
JULIE WALKS OUT. FELICITY LEANS BACK UP AGAINST THE WALL AND SIGHS. SHE WATCHES JULIE AND MARC TALKING THROUGH THE WINDOW IN THE DOOR. JULIE SAYS SOMETHING AND MARC SMILES AND HUGS HER. THEY FINISH THEIR CONVERSATION AND MARC COMES BACK INTOTHE BACKROOM. HE GOES UP TO FELICITY AND HUGS HER TOO.
MARC: Thank you so much. I don’t know exactly what you said, but I have been trying to get her to talk to Lyn forever.
FELICITY STEPS BACK FROM MARC.
FELICITY: Make no mistake Marc. I did this for Julie. Lyn is my friend and I think what you are doing to him right now is horrible.
MARC: It just happened. It wasn’t a pre-planned attempt to hurt anyone.
FELICITY: Yeah…nothing you do seems to be. Yet you keep on hurting everyone close to you.
MARC: What?
FELICITY: Let me just say this Marc. If you hurt Julie you will answer to me.
MARC: I’m not going to hurt her.
FELICITY: I’m sure you said the same thing about Sheri.
MARC: What does this have to do with Sheri?
FELICITY: Julie trusts you right now and she believes you when you tell her you think you’re falling in love with her…that gives you a lot of power…don’t abuse it.
MARC: Are you through?
FELICITY: Yes.
MARC: Good…cause now it’s my turn. First of all you’re pre-conceived notions about me are dead wrong. I’m not a jerk. Sheri and I were together a long time. I didn’t cheat on her and I didn’t treat her bad. We simply out grew each other. I can’t help that she had a harder time letting go than I did. Secondly…I wouldn’t tell Julie I was falling in love with her if it wasn’t true. I’m not power hungry or looking for the next score. I want to be in a relationship. I want someone to share things with. It just so happened that when I found that someone…she was already taken.
FELICITY: That’s my point Marc. Julie was technically off limits but you pursued her anyway.
MARC: I like her Felicity…a lot. I can’t help that. I wish that things could be different and I hate the secretiveness of our time together…but I’m not ready to give up yet on something that I think given the right atmosphere has a lot of potential.
FELICITY: So what makes your needs and wants any more important than Lyn’s?
MARC: I’m not saying they are. I’m just saying that yes I’m prepared to be selfish if it means ending up with Julie. You know so little about me, yet you're willing to pass this huge judgement on my morals and me. I spent a lot of high school sacrificing who I was for Sheri. Trying to make her happy, even though I wasn’t. It’s my turn to be happy.
FELICITY: I’m sorry. It’s just…I understand that you have reasons to believe that being happy should happen no matter the cost. But for me it seems like a losing proposition. I mean all Julie agreed to do was tell Lyn about you. He could still love her enough to stick around.
MARC: Maybe. It’s a chance I’m willing to take.
SALLY: Dear Felicity…the things that go on behind close doors are usually best left behind closed doors. But in this case Julie opened up that door to you. So my advice is this…let her make the decision what to do now. As for telling Ben? Yes I think you should. He is your best friend now and I’m pretty sure he will understand your need to talk to Julie first before telling him. I know you have a hard time believing that Marc has Julie’s best interest at heart, but everyone deserves a chance to prove themselves…maybe this is his chance. He got kind of a raw deal in the whole Sheri saga because of her drastic actions. Everyone believed that if she was willing to go that far that she must have been wronged somehow, but the fact is suicide is a direct effect of severe depression. Which could be brought on by what Sheri thought of as a pre-mature break-up. I don’t know both sides of the story, so I can’t say for sure. But my point here is neither do you. Everyone knows Sheri’s side…out of respect for Marc…maybe you should find out his.