Over the Limit
Written by: Juana
Story summary: To make Eli more secure in their relationship Felicity tells Ben that she wants nothing more than friendship from him. Ben does not take the news well and spirals into a completely different and unhealthy lifestyle. Felicity hoping to help him goes to talk to him and is met with a big surprise.
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in my story. They belong to the brilliant writers and creators of the hit WB show.
FELICITY WALKS INTO THE “BOOMBOX.” THE DANCE CLUB WHERE SHE AGREED TO MEET ELI. MUSIC IS PLAYING AND PEOPLE ARE DANCING. FELICITY SPOTS ELI, JULIE AND TATE ACROSS THE ROOM AND GOES OVER TO THEM.
FELICITY: (gives Eli a kiss) Hello.
ELI: Hey, you made it. I was beginning to worry.
FELICITY: Eli….
ELI: What? Can’t a guy worry if his girlfriend takes longer then he expects?
FELICITY: I told you I would be an hour after closing. It’s been less then that.
ELI: Fine. I’m sorry I took the time to care.
ELI GETS UP AND WALKS OFF IN A HUFF.
FELICITY: Great…just great.
FELICITY SITS DOWN AT THE TABLE WITH JULIE AND TATE.
FELICITY: So what can I say to piss you two off?
TATE: Cut him some slack Felicity….he’s a good guy.
FELICITY: You think I’m being harsh on him?
TATE: Yes.
FELICITY: Well I’m sorry but I don’t think I am. He’s being unnecessarily…… bothered.
TATE: He doesn’t think so.
FELICITY: And I suppose you think he’s right.
TATE: I think you and Ben have unresolved issues, yes.
FELICITY: There’s nothing going on with me and Ben. How many times do I have to repeat that phrase before somebody believes me?
TATE: The question is how many times do you have to repeat that phrase before you believe it yourself?
FELICITY: What makes you think I don’t already?
TATE: For starters you refuse to talk to Ben and tell him what’s what.
FELICITY: Is that what Eli told you?
TATE: Yes.
FELICITY: Did he also tell you that he in no way wants me and Ben to be friends?
TATE: He thinks it causes problems. I tend to agree.
FELICITY: What about you Julie? Do you feel the same way?
JULIE: Um…I don’t think it’s as cut and dried as Eli or Tate. But…..yes.
FELICITY: What are you saying? You don’t think Ben and I should be friends?
JULIE: I think…..if your decision is to be with Eli….well then I think you need to limit your friendship with Ben.
FELICITY: I can’t believe your saying this. You think I should let Eli dictate my friendships?
JULIE: That’s not what I said.
FELICITY: But essentially that’s what I would be doing….if I distanced myself from Ben.
JULIE: It’s just…well Felicity…Ben’s really hurting here. He’s in this limbo, waiting for you….praying that you're going to change your mind.
FELICITY: But he knows that I’m committed to Eli.
JULIE: No…he doesn’t. Sure you’ve dropped some pretty broad hints….but you’ve never really told Ben the whole truth.
FELICITY: You're wrong. Ben knows I’m with Eli…and that he and I can only be friends.
TATE: It’s not your words that are screwing him up Felicity….it’s your actions.
FELICITY: My actions?
JULIE: Yes. You're still clinging to him…and it’s confusing him. He needs you to tell him face to face what part he plays in your life.
FELICITY: I don’t want to hurt him any more then I already have.
JULIE: Believe me….it’s better this way. Ben wants to know the truth. It may sting…but it will help him move on.
CUT TO BEN WALKING INTO THE “BOOMBOX”. HE GOES OVER TO THE BAR AND ORDERS A DRINK.
BEN:(to bartender) I’ll have a rum and coke.
THERE IS A REALLY PRETTY GIRL STANDING NEXT TO BEN AT THE BAR AS HE TURNS WITH HIS RUM AND COKE HE ALMOST COLLIDES WITH HER.
BEN: Oh…geez. I’m so sorry.
BLISS: No harm done….it looks like all the drink manage to stay in the glass.
BEN LOOKS AT BLISS AND SMILES.
BEN: Can I buy you a drink?
BLISS: No thanks. Appreciate the offer though.
BLISS WALKS OFF AND BEN WATCHES HER UNTIL HE NOTICES FELICITY. AT WHICH POINT HE DOWNS HIS ENTIRE DRINK AND TURNS BACK TO THE BAR.
BEN SHOVES THE EMPTY GLASS TOWARDS THE BARTENDER.
BEN: I’ll have another one…..and make it a lot more rum….and a lot less coke.
BARTENDER POURS ANOTHER RUM AND COKE FOR BEN. THIS ONE MUCH MORE LETHAL. BEN TAKES THE DRINK AND DOWNS IT IN ONE SWIG AGAIN.
BARTENDER: Might want to slow down on those buddy….they pack quite a hit
BEN: Thanks for the advice. But I think I’ll have another.
BARTENDER: Suit yourself….but are you sure she’s worth it?
BEN: Excuse me?
BARTENDER: The girl….are you sure she’s worth the hangover this is bound to produce.
BEN: What girl?
BARTENDER: The one that broke your heart.
BEN: Just give me the drink and save the advice for the needy.
BARTENDER POURS BEN ANOTHER DRINK AND AS BEN IS ABOUT TO WALK AWAY FELICITY WALKS UP TO ORDER A DRINK.
BARTENDER: What’ll it be miss?
FELICITY: Um…I think I’ll just have seabreeze.
BARTENDER: Coming right up.
BEN TRIES TO TURN AWAY IN THE HOPES THAT FELICITY WON’T NOTICE HIM. AS THE BARTENDER GIVES FELICITY HER DRINK AND SHE TURNS TO WALK AWAY SHE NOTICES BEN FOR THE FIRST TIME.
FELICITY: Ben?
BEN RELUCTANTLY TURNS AROUND.
BEN: Hey.
FELICITY: What are you doing here?
BEN: I came to hear the band. Julie told me about it earlier….she said they’re really good.
FELICITY: Oh….well would you like to join us?
BEN: The four of you….no….definitely not.
FELICITY: Are you okay?
BEN: Fine….I’ve just been soaking up the atmosphere.
FELICITY: Have you been drinking?
BEN: Just a little….smidge.
FELICITY: Well….I should probably get back to my table before Eli sends out a search party.
BEN: (laughs) I remember that.
FELICITY: Remember what?
BEN: In the mountains….camping. You said the same thing. We should probably get back before your friends send out a search party…..remember?
FELICITY: Funny….yeah I do.
BEN: Those were some great days….camping. I miss camping.
FELICITY: Yeah….it was fun.
BEN: No…it was more then fun….we really connected….you and me.
FELICITY: (getting uncomfortable) I should probably get back. I’ll talk to you later.
BEN: (grabs Felicity’s arm) No….please don’t. Stay and talk to me.
FELICITY: I can’t Ben. I’m here with Eli.
BEN: Eli can wait just a few minutes….can’t he?
FELICITY: Why?
BEN: So that we can talk….the long overdue…..talk.
FELICITY: I’m not sure I follow.
BEN: You know….the conversation where you tell me that we can’t be friends anymore….come on the suspense is killing me.
FELICITY: That’s not what I want.
BEN: Really?
FELICITY: I still want to be your friend…..I don’t want to not be close to you.
BEN: I knew you still felt something for me.
FELICITY: Of course I do.
BEN: I knew Eli was just a passing phase.
FELICITY: No….that’s not what I meant Ben.
BEN: Then what did you mean?
FELICITY: Friends….I want to be friends…..like we use to be.
BEN: Like we use to be?
FELICITY: You know doing our homework together….calling each other no matter what time it was.
BEN: I get it….you don’t want me to be your boyfriend….you want me to be your girlfriend…..God….how could I have been so stupid?
FELICITY: It’s not like that at all Ben.
BEN: All this time….I thought you were still pining for me…confused because of the circumstances. Did you ever care about me?
FELICITY: What? Yes of course. How could you even think different?
BEN: Then why was it so easy for you to let me go?
FELICITY: (Voice over to Sally) Dear Sally……was what Ben was saying true? Had I let him go? Or had I just let him down? Out of all the ways I pictured “the talk” with Ben…..this wasn’t one of them. With every word it escalated out of my control. Ben was forming all sorts of convoluted reasons for my decision to be with Eli. Not the least of which was that I was attention crazy….in it for the chase…..not at all interested in the catch.
FELICITY: Who said it was easy?
BEN: I have to assume it was. You haven’t second guess it or regretted it.
FELICITY: What is it that you want me to say Ben?
BEN: The truth. What part did I play in your melodramatic life?
FELICITY: What part? You think that’s funny?
BEN: I think it’s dead on….nothing funny about it.
FELICITY: Then you don’t know me at all.
BEN: Maybe I don’t….because the Felicity that I fell for…..she would rather have suffered some horrible tragedy then treat me the way you are.
FELICITY: Just because I’m not giving you what you want does not make me a horrible person.
BEN: No just inconsistent….because I thought I was what you came 3000 miles to New York for….not Eli.
FELICITY: You were….in the beginning….but Ben….I’m here because of me. And I fell for the Ben I got to know….not the one I followed here.
BEN: So then what happened to those feelings? Why did you make me fall for you if you were just planning on leaving me?
FELICITY: I never meant for it to happen this way Ben….I never wanted to hurt you.
BEN: Then leave Eli….right now….come home with me and we’ll start over.
FELICITY: (Voice over to Sally) You have no idea how much I wanted to do just that….and now looking back in retrospect….wish I had. Because that was where it all started….and ended…in that bar. I said goodbye to the one truly special friend and lover in my life and he left….to become this dark….brooding…..stranger.
TWO WEEKS LATER: FELICITY IS KNOCKING ON BEN’S DOOR. SEAN ANSWERS IT.
SEAN: Felicity….so did you come to finish him off….or have you come looking for a new victim?
FELICITY: Very funny Sean. Is Ben here?
SEAN: Yes…but he’s not alone.
FELICITY: Oh….could you go and get him for me?
SEAN: I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.
FELICITY: Please….I need to talk to him.
SEAN: Your concerned friend act is fairly untimely here….he could have used you weeks ago.
FELICITY: I know….but he didn’t exactly roll out the welcome mat.
SEAN: So why now then….feeling guilty?
FELICITY: Could you please just kill the third degree and go get him for me?
SEAN: All right…but I’m warning you….you are the last person he wants to see. It’s not gonna be pretty.
FELICITY: I’ll take my chances.
SEAN GOES TO GET BEN. ELI COMES THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR AND SEES FELICITY SITTING ON THE COUCH.
ELI: I didn’t know you were coming over.
FELICITY: Actually I’m here on behave of Javiar.
ELI: Javiar?
FELICITY: He asked me to talk to Ben….he’s been missing a lot of work.
ELI: You’re here to talk to Ben?
FELICITY: It’s a favor for Javiar.
ELI: You know you’re the last person he wants to see….next to me that is.
FELICITY: Yes….I know.
ELI KISSES FELICITY ON THE MOUTH.
ELI: Well good luck.
FELICITY: Thanks.
ELI WALKS INTO HIS ROOM AND JUST AS HE IS ABOUT TO CLOSE THE DOOR.
ELI: I’ll be in here when you're done.
AS ELI CLOSES HIS DOOR. ARGUING CAN BE HEARD COMING FROM BEN’S ROOM.
BEN: Just tell her no….it’s not that hard…..NO.
SEAN: No….if you want her to leave…..you’re going to have to tell her…..case closed.
BEN: Fine…be a jerk…..I’ll tell her myself.
SEAN: It ain’t gonna happen any other way.
SEAN COMES OUT OF BEN’S ROOM AND A VERY ANGRY BEN COMES OUT BEHIND HIM AND HEADS OVER TO FELICITY.
BEN: What are you doing here?
FELICITY: We need to talk.
BEN: I don’t have anything to say….and I have company….so we’ll just have to do this some other time.
BEN TURNS AND STARTS TO WALK AWAY.
FELICITY: Dammit Ben…..you are going to talk to me!
BEN: No….I’m not.
FELICITY: It’s for your own good.
BEN: Since when do you know what’s good for me?
FELICITY: I know it’s not this crappy lifestyle you’ve developed of drinking till all hours of the morning and bedding ever slut in arms length.
BEN: Don’t knock it.
FELICITY: Your destroying yourself Ben and I can’t stand by and watch.
BEN: That’s fine…cause last I checked….you weren’t invited.
FELICITY: I’m here because I’m concerned.
BEN: Well nobody asked you to be….so don’t be!
FELICITY: You’re going to lose your job Ben.
BEN: Whatever.
FELICITY: Whatever? That’s your reply? Don’t you even care about being able to pay you're rent….because I’m pretty sure Sean does.
BEN: I’ll manage.
FELICITY: How? Where are you going to get money?
BEN: I said I’ll manage.
FELICITY: So then you're just going to bail on Javiar….no notice?
BEN: It’s a stupid job in a coffee house….stop trying to make it sound like I murdered someone.
FELICITY: It’s a responsibility….you're responsibility.
BEN: One I’ve decided I no longer want…..get over it.
FELICITY: Ben….if it’s because you would have to work with me….Javiar will work around that…..I know he will.
BEN: You give your self way too much credit. I don’t care if you work there or not….because I don’t care about you.
FELICITY: What?
BEN: You heard me. I don’t care about you or the stupid job.
FELICITY: (hurt) If your trying to hurt me….you succeeded…..happy now?
BEN: Ecstatic.
FELICITY: You know….I came over here because I wanted to see Javiar give you a second chance….but as far as that goes…..you can choke on your second chance.
BEN: I’ve never been one for second chances…..they’re highly overrated.
FELICITY: You can go on being this tough ass and pretending that I mean nothing to you…..I can live with that….but this is your life Ben…..your future….don’t screw that up because of your hatred of me.
BEN: You're right Felicity….it’s my life…..my future. And if I chose to screw it up….well what the hell you only live once.
FELICITY: You can’t mean that Ben….it’s just your anger….it’s clouding your reasoning.
BEN: I do mean it….I’m having a good time and I see no reason to stop…..so you’ve done your civic duty for the day….you can feel all warm inside and good about yourself.
FELICITY: You think I’m subjecting myself to your malicious temperament for me? Hardly….I’m here for you Ben….because I don’t want to see you hurt yourself.
BEN: Well your concern….while touching….is a little overdue. Nothing hurts me anymore. Not screwing up in school…not losing a job…and definitely not you.
FELICITY: So then that’s just the way it is….black and white. Ben is the center of Ben’s world?
BEN: Finally…the light comes on.
FELICITY: You are not fooling me for a minute Ben. Even if you don’t care about me…I know you care about what happens to you.
BEN: To quote a former friend…if that’s what you believe…then you don’t know me at all.
BEN’S BEDROOM DOOR OPENS AND A GIRL COMES OUT WEARING ONE OF BEN’S SHIRTS AND WRAPPING A TOWEL AROUND HER HEAD. FACING AWAY FROM FELICITY AND BEN SHE WALKS OVER AND POURS A CUP OF COFFEE. THEN TURNS AROUND.
FELICITY: Megan?
MEGAN: The one and only. Are there any muffins?
SALLY: (Voice over to Felicity) Dear Felicity…Ben’s metamorphous doesn’t really come as that much of a surprise. He’s hurting…bad. Pain makes even the sweetest person do out of character things. Give him time to come to grips with losing you and things will most likely settle down. The deeper the pain…the longer the wait. Remember even though he’s surrounding himself with women…he’s still alone. Because his heart is empty.