Beyond Reason
Written by: Juana
Story summary: Felicity remains hospitalized while Ben and Eli try to deal with the fast growing tension between them. Elena and Noel who have been bonding during his breakup with Felicity grow even closer and start to explore their growing feelings for one another. Eli’s solution to help Felicity avoid an extended hospital stay may turn out to be the wrong one.
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in my story. They belong to the brilliant writers of the hit WB show.
OPENING: BEN WALKS OUT OF THE ELEVATOR AT THE HOSPITAL. IT IS EARLY MORNING. HE GOES TO FELICITY’S ROOM AND PEEKS INSIDE. ELI IS ASLEEP IN A CHAIR BY HER BED. AS BEN SITS DOWN IN THE CHAIR OUTSIDE HER ROOM THE ELEVATOR OPENS AND FELICITY’S PARENTS EXIT.
MRS. PORTER: Ben….oh thank you so much for calling. We got here as soon as we could. How is she doing?
BEN: She’s better. She regained consciousness yesterday and the doctor said everything was looking really good. They’ll probably keep her a couple more days for observation.
MR. PORTER: Are you okay?
BEN: I’m fine. I wasn’t involved in the accident….she was in a cab.
MRS. PORTER: Well I’m sure this goes with out saying…but I’m glad that you’ve been here for her Ben. Felicity couldn’t ask for a better boyfriend.
ELI WALKS OUT OF FELICITY’S ROOM TO SEE WHO IS THERE.
ELI: Hi….you must be Felicity’s parents.
MRS. PORTER: Yes…we are. Are you a friend of Felicity’s?
BEN: This is Eli Mr. and Mrs. Porter….Felicity’s boyfriend.
MR. PORTER: Her boyfriend?
ELI: I…um met her pretty recently. (extends hand for a handshake) It’s nice to meet you Mr. Porter…Mrs. Porter.
MR. PORTER: Yes….good to meet you too.
ELI: I was just headed down to the cafeteria. Does anyone want anything?
MR. PORTER: No….thank you though.
MRS. PORTER: I’m fine…thank you.
ELI: Ben?
BEN: I’m okay.
ELI: Okay.
ELI WALKS TO THE ELEVATOR AND ENTERS ONE.
MRS. PORTER: Ben….I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize you and Felicity had broken up.
BEN: It’s okay….it’s kind of a long story.
MRS. PORTER: I had such high hopes for you two.
MR. PORTER: Okay dear….that’s enough.
BEN: Um…she can only have one to two visitors at a time right now….so I’ll just wait out here.
MRS. PORTER: Thank you Benjamin.
MR. AND MRS. PORTER ENTER FELICITY’S ROOM AND STAND BY HER BEDSIDE.
MRS. PORTER: Felicity…hon…it’s mom.
FELICITY’S EYELIDS FLUTTER OPEN.
FELICITY: Mom? (opens eyes fully) Dad? I can’t believe you’re here.
MRS. PORTER: We came as soon as we heard.
FELICITY: You shouldn’t have….I’m fine. They are going to let me out of here in a couple of days.
MR. PORTER: Nonsense….of course we should be here….We’re your parents.
FELICITY: Don’t get me wrong….I’m glad you’re here. It just seems like such a long way to come to find out I’m okay.
MRS. PORTER: You’ve just been through a very traumatic experience…..of course we want to be here. Besides it will give us a chance to catch up on things…..it seems some pretty major things have changed in your life since the last time we talked.
FELICITY: I guess you met Eli?
MRS. PORTER : Yes…we did.
CUT TO NOEL’S ROOM. ELENA IS KNOCKING ON HIS DOOR. NOEL ANSWERS.
NOEL: Elena…hi.
ELENA: I need to talk to you Noel.
NOEL: Sure….come on in.
ELENA WALKS INTO NOEL’S ROOM AND SITS DOWN IN HIS CHAIR.
NOEL: Is everything okay?
ELENA: Felicity has been in an accident.
NOEL: What kind of an accident?
ELENA: Car….she was in a cab and it got hit.
NOEL: Oh my god…is she okay?
ELENA: She seems to be doing better….I just thought you might want to know.
NOEL: Thanks….I really appreciate that you remembered me. It seems like ever since Felicity and I broke up I’ve become the invisible man to most people.
ELENA: Well I’m going over there later today….if you want to come along. I think she would be really happy to see you.
NOEL: Thanks….I just might do that.
CUT TO HOSPITAL. ELI EXITS THE ELEVATOR AND WALKS UP TO BEN WHO IS SITTING IN A CHAIR OUTSIDE FELICITY’S ROOM.
ELI: Hey….you don’t look like you slept too well.
BEN: I didn’t….tossed and turned most of the night.
ELI: So Felicity’s parents seem pretty cool.
BEN: Yeah…they are. They really made me feel like a part of the family when Felicity and I were there for Christmas and Thanksgiving.
ELI: That’s good…they seem to really like you.
BEN: Yeah…I guess.
ELI: Ben I know your having a hard time with the fact that Felicity is my girlfriend and I just wanted to let you know that if there is anything I can do to help this situation….just name it.
BEN: I appreciate the gesture Eli….but honestly….knowing Felicity was seeing someone else was hard enough…but now….well this is what you call an impossible situation. You’re my roommate Eli….not just some stranger that I will never have to meet or envy.
ELI: So where does that leave us?
BEN: I’m not sure. Felicity is pretty much the most important person in my life….I would do almost anything for her….but watch her date and fall for my roommate?….somehow that seems beyond reason.
ELI: It’s not like your completely alone Ben…you have Lyssa.
BEN: No…not anymore.
ELI: What do you mean?
BEN: I’m saying good bye to Lyssa and all the havoc she brought to my life as soon as she is out of the hospital.
ELI: But the baby….I thought that you were sticking around for the baby.
BEN: There is no baby.
ELI: You mean she lost it? Ben I’m sorry.
BEN: No need to be sorry….she didn’t lose the baby…..she isn’t pregnant.
ELI: Okay…now I’m confused.
JULIE AND TATE EXIT THE ELEVATOR AND HEAD OVER TO BEN AND ELI.
JULIE: (hugs Ben) How are you doing?
BEN: Good as can be expected.
TATE: (to Eli) How are you holding up man?
ELI: I’m okay…just worried.
TATE: Yeah…we all are.
JULIE: So what we’re you and Ben talking about?
ELI: Lyssa and the fact that she’s not pregnant.
JULIE: What?
BEN: That’s right….she’s not pregnant…for all I know…she never was.
JULIE: You mean she lied to you? But why?
BEN: I think that’s fairly obvious…she wanted to break me and Felicity up.
JULIE: Does Felicity know?
BEN: I’m not sure….but I’m going to tell her.
FELICITY’S PARENTS EXIT HER HOSPITAL ROOM.
MRS. PORTER: Well this is quite a gathering out here.
BEN: Just some concerned friends.
MRS. PORTER: I’m glad she has so many friends. (takes Ben aside) Benjamin Mr. Porter has a convention that he needs to leave for this afternoon. I was going to stay…but Felicity seems to think that’s unnecessary. I was hoping maybe you would just keep an eye on her for me….I’d feel much better knowing you were.
BEN: That’s not a problem. I would gladly do that for you.
MRS. PORTER HUGS BEN AND GIVES HIM A PECK ON THE CHEEK.
MRS. PORTER: You’re a good man Ben….Felicity is lucky to know someone like you.
MR. PORTER IS STANDING OVER BY ELI.
MR. PORTER: (to Eli) Take care of my little girl.
ELI: I will.
MR. AND MRS. PORTER EXIT TO THE ELEVATORS.
JULIE: Does anyone mind if I go in and talk with Felicity?
BEN AND ELI: No go ahead.
BOTH BEN AND ELI LOOK AT EACH OTHER ANNOYED.
JULIE ENTERS FELICITY’S ROOM. FELICITY IS PROPPED UP LOOKING AT A MAGAZINE.
JULIE: Morning.
FELICITY: Hey….so tell me the truth….do I look like hell?
JULIE: No…you’re fine. I only wish I looked as good as you do after being in a three car crash.
FELICITY: Okay Pinocchio your nose is growing.
JULIE: It’s true…I swear.
FELICITY: So who’s out in the waiting room?
JULIE: There’s Tate, Eli and Ben.
FELICITY: So how are Eli and Ben doing?
JULIE: You mean since the discovery?
FELICITY: I feel so awful about this….I didn’t know Eli was Ben’s roommate. I never would have done this to Ben.
JULIE: I’m sure he knows that.
FELICITY: Are you? Because I’m not convinced. I’m almost hoping for an extended stay in here…just so I won’t have to deal with this.
JULIE: I don’t think there’s much you could do. Ben has to pretty much deal with this on his own.
FELICITY: I know…but I hate that I can’t help him.
JULIE: He’ll be fine…don’t worry.
FELICITY: What about Eli? How did he take the news?
JULIE: He feels awful for what this is doing to Ben….like you he doesn’t know what to do. Especially now with Ben finding out about…..(stops abruptly)
FELICITY: Ben finding out about what? What we’re you going to say?
JULIE: I think Ben should tell you.
FELICITY: Don’t do this Julie….tell me what?
JULIE: I’ll go get Ben.
FELICITY: (calling after Julie) Julie…come back here!
CUT TO NOEL’S ROOM. ELENA IS ONCE AGAIN KNOCKING AT HIS DOOR.
FROM INSIDE THE ROOM HE YELLS FOR HER TO COME IN. ELENA ENTERS.
ELENA: Hey…I was getting ready to head over to the hospital. Are you coming?
NOEL MOTIONS FOR ELENA TO SIT DOWN AND SHE NOTICES FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT HE IS ON THE PHONE AND THAT HE IS REALLY UPSET.
NOEL FINISHES HIS CONVERSATION AND HANGS UP THE PHONE.
ELENA: Are you okay?
NOEL: (visibly upset) That was my brother on the phone….He told me the guy that he is involved with found out a couple of days ago that he has AIDS….and now my brother has to be tested…..He’s really scared…. Elena I’m scared for him.
ELENA: Noel…I’m so sorry. (gets up and goes over to Noel and hugs him)
NOEL ENCOMPASSES ELENA IN HIS ARMS AND HOLDS HER TIGHTLY TO HIM. THEY SIT IN EACH OTHERS ARMS FOR A FEW MINUTES JUST ENJOYING THE CLOSENESS. AT THE SAME TIME NOEL AND ELENA SEPARATE JUST A LITTLE.
NOEL: You have been such a great friend to me…..I know no matter what I can always count on you to be there.
ELENA: That’s what friendship is to me….it’s all or nothing.
NOEL: I don’t know how to express to you all the gratitude I feel right now. Everyone else has pretty much deserted me but you’ve stuck by me….Why?
ELENA: Because I’m your friend Noel….and I care about you.
NOEL: I care about you too….thing is Elena….I think I care about you a lot….say as more than a friend. Does that freak you out?
ELENA: Freak me out? Not exactly. I guess to be honest….I’ve been feeling a lot of the same things….but we have such a great friendship….Anything else might ruin that.
ELENA AND NOEL CONTINUE TO LOOK INTO EACH OTHERS EYES.
NOEL: That’s always a possibility…but frankly….knowing how I feel right now….I don’t view you as just a friend….I’ve had these not so pure thoughts about you.
ELENA: So what are you suggesting?
NOEL: I don’t know….maybe the timing’s all wrong but…. I’d like to….go out with you.
ELENA: On a date?
NOEL: You don’t have to sound so shocked. Yes on a date.
ELENA: I don’t know.
NOEL: Come on…what do you have to lose?
ELENA: Alright on one condition.
NOEL: Name it.
ELENA: Let’s just keep this to ourselves…until we’re sure what this is.
NOEL: If that’s what you want…Fine…it will be our little secret.
CUT TO FELICITY’S HOSPITAL ROOM. BEN IS PRACTICALLY SHOVED INSIDE BY JULIE.
BEN: Julie said you wanted to talk to me?
FELICITY: Yes….Julie told me you found something out….but she wouldn’t say what.
BEN: I was going to tell you when you were out of the hospital.
FELICITY: That’s okay…whatever it is…you can tell me now.
BEN: I’m breaking up with Lyssa.
FELICITY: What? Why?
BEN: She’s not pregnant.
FELICITY DOESN’T RESPOND TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.
BEN: Did you hear me? I said she’s not pregnant.
FELICITY: Oh yeah…I’m sorry. I heard you. It’s just I think I already knew that.
BEN: You did? And you didn’t tell me?
FELICITY: (memories start rushing back) I was coming to tell you….and then the cab crashed.
BEN: That’s why Lyssa was with you?
FELICITY: Yes…she was trying to convince me not to tell you.
BEN: Unbelievable…how long did she think she was going to be able to get away with a fake pregnancy?
FELICITY: She told me that…she did it because she loves you.
BEN: No she doesn’t….Lyssa loves Lyssa. You don’t do something like this to someone you love.
FELICITY: I’m sorry Ben. I’m glad you know now though.
BEN: Yeah me too…. I was thinking Felicity…. this could really change things for us.
FELICITY: How?
BEN: Well….we can be together now.
FELICITY: Ben….I have a boyfriend….you know that.
BEN: Yeah…but you love me.
FELICITY: Yes. I do….nothing can change that. But I’m committed to Eli.
BEN: You're committed?
FELICITY: Yes….things are serious with me and Eli.
BEN: How serious?
FELICITY: Ben….I don’t want to hurt you.
BEN: Felicity? Are you sleeping with Eli?
ELI ENTERS THE ROOM AT THIS STATEMENT.
ELI: Not that it’s any of your business…but yes.
BEN: I don’t believe this. How long have you two been dating?
ELI: Ben….I’ve been trying to be really understanding about this whole situation…but your crossing the line. Felicity is my girlfriend…please accept that.
BEN: Oh I accept that Eli…but try and wrap your brain around this….Your girlfriend? She loves me. Accept that.
FELICITY: Both of you stop it….this is ridiculous.
BEN: Just tell him the truth Felicity….tell him what you told me earlier….that you love me.
FELICITY: Ben…please don’t do this. What’s between you and me is between you and me. And the same goes for mine and Eli’s business. I’m not going to justify myself to either of you.
JULIE ENTERS THE HOSPITAL ROOM.
JULIE: What’s going on in here? We can hear you in the hall.
BEN: (still angry) I was just leaving.
BEN EXITS THE HOSPITAL ROOM LEAVING ELI, FELICITY AND JULIE STARING AFTER HIM.
LATER THAT NIGHT: NOEL AND ELENA COME IN FROM THERE DATE. ELENA INVITES NOEL INTO HER ROOM.
ELENA: I had a great time tonight Noel….thanks.
NOEL: You’re welcome. I forgot how much fun just cutting loose could be. You’re a great dancer.
ELENA: You’re not so bad yourself.
ELENA PUTS SOME MUSIC ON HER RECORD PLAYER.
ELENA: Care to share some more of those moves with me?
NOEL: I thought you’d never ask.
NOEL WALKS OVER TO ELENA AND TAKES HER IN HIS ARMS AND STARTS SLOW DANCING WITH HER. AS THEY ARE SWAYING TOGETHER TO THE MUSIC NOEL GINGERLY KISSES ELENA AND WAITS FOR HER REACTION.
ELENA: Okay…that was sweet…now show me some heat.
ELENA PULLS NOEL CLOSER AND STARTS KISSING HIM PASSIONATELY. NOEL RESPONDS WITH EQUAL PASSION.
CUT TO FELICITY’S ROOM THE NEXT MORNING. FELICITY IS IN WITH HER DOCTOR AND ELI.
ELI: So how is everything Doctor?
FELICITY: Yeah and when can I get out of here?
DOCTOR: I’d release you today if you had somewhere to stay and someone to watch over you.
FELICITY: Oh….and if I don’t?
DOCTOR: Two…possibly three more days.
ELI: I could watch over you.
FELICITY: What?
ELI: You can come and stay with me….and I’ll keep an eye on you.
DOCTOR: That would be fine with me. I’ll get the release papers ready.
DOCTOR EXITS FELICITY’S ROOM.
FELICITY: Okay…Are you nuts?
ELI: What it will be fine…you’ll see.
FELICITY: After the scene Ben pulled in her yesterday? You really think he’s not going to have a problem with me staying there?
ELI: I only have to answer to Sean.
FELICITY: I don’t think this is such a good idea Eli.
ELI: So you want to stay here another three days?
FELICITY: No…but.
ELI: Then it’s settled….You’re coming home with me to recuperate.S