Chapter 5

As Felicity slowly walked the length of the hall to the loft, she was conscious of heads turning in her direction and the attention she was receiving. All day Elena had been telling her that this was the right thing to do but now that she was here, she was not so sure. The person walking down this familiar hallway was definitely not her. She felt that everything about her tonight was phony. From the makeup to the dress to the shoes Felicity felt it was another person walking into the party.

That morning Elena had taken her to Bloomindales and convinced her to take advantage of the free makeup makeover. The beautician had been so helpful that when Felicity found out she worked on commission she bought some expensive cream that she couldn't afford. Next they went to the resell it shop in the village where Elena picked out the tomato red dress, which definitely wasn't Felicity. Although she had to admit the silky feel of the slip dress felt so good next to her skin. She was very conscious of the way it clung to her and the impression she was creating as she walked through the door and found Sean at the makeshift desk.

"Wow, is that really you?" Sean exclaimed. Felicity just smiled shyly and nodded her head. "Wait until Ben gets a look at you. You look amazing. He better watch out or he might have some competition."

"Where is Ben?"

"He's around here some place. Go on in." Sean turned his attention to the crowd waiting to get into the party as Felicity began looking for Ben.

As Felicity moved through the crowd she could feel the stares and even heard a soft whistle. She finally spotted Ben sitting on the stairs to the upper level of the loft in an animated conversation with Nicole. Ben seemed to be describing something while Nicole hung on his every word. Felicity stood and watched for several seconds as Nicole laughed at something Ben said and then placed her hand possessively on his knee. As she moved toward them Ben glanced up and saw her. At first she was not sure he recognized her. His expression never changed as he stared at her. As she got closer he rose quickly and came forward to meet her. "Hey where ya been? I was getting worried."

"Sorry," Felicity murmured. "I was with Elena and it just took longer than I thought."

"That's okay. Do you want something to drink?"

"Yeah. I'll have a beer."

"Wait here and I'll be right back."

Felicity smiled as she watched him walk over to the keg. Suddenly she cringed as she heard Nicole at her elbow. "So I see you decided to try and play with the big girls. Not bad for a first try," she sneered. "But I have to warn you that you're out of your league." Felicity was unable to move as she watched Nicole slither away and join Julie on the other side of the room.

Felicity looked around the room frantically searching for Ben. She finally spotted him standing at the bar talking to a couple of guys while he was waiting his turn at the keg. She was trying to decide if she should go over and wait with him when she heard her name being called. Felicity saw Elena standing with Noel and Ruby motioning for her to join them. Felicity smiled as she hurried over to the group. "Boy I'm glad to see you guys here."

"Yeah, it looked like you were about to panic," Elena said sympathetically. "Nicole giving you a hard time."

"I don't know why I let her get to me like that."

"It's a hard habit to break. I know," Elena empathized. "Just forget about it and enjoy the buzz you are causing around the room with your hot new look."

"You look fabulous," Ruby exclaimed.

"Hey. You look great too," Felicity said smiling at Ruby and Noel. "Are you guys having a good time?"

"This is my first college party," Ruby bubbled. "I've been looking forward this ever since I got to school because they say people always remember their first college party." Felicity, Elena, and Noel exchanged glances and suddenly started laughing. "What's the joke," Ruby asked looking from one to the other.

"It's nothing really," Noel was finally able to sputter. "Just a little touch of deja vu," which caused everyone to start laughing again.

"Hey," Ben said softly as he walked up with two cups and handed one to Felicity.

"Thanks. I really needed this it is so hot in here," Felicity said taking a sip.

"Hi, Ben. I haven't seen you since school started. How's it going?" Elena asked with a smile.

"Things are good. How about you?"

"Things would be a lot better if my lab partner hadn't deserted me and left me with all of the work," Elena said half joking. "But I'm making it."

"Hey, it's a party. You're not supposed to make me feel guilty tonight," Felicity pouted.

"Okay, okay. I'll let you off the hook for one night but tomorrow all bets are off." Everyone laughed at the exchange. Felicity had to smile when she noticed that even Noel was laughing. It felt so good to be with her friends and not feel the awful tension of the past few weeks. She started to think that maybe things were going to work out.

Sean came over to the group and was ecstatic about how successful the party was going to be financially. As they were talking someone turned on the stereo and Sean immediately started gyrating to the music. He grabbed Elena and pulled her onto the dance floor. Noel and Ruby soon followed them. Felicity and Ben were standing at the edge of the dance floor watching when Sean danced over and pulled Felicity out onto the floor. Ben hesitated for several minutes watching his friends trying to decide if he should join them. He really didn't like to dance but the pull of the music and Felicity in that red dress made him overcome his shyness. Soon they were all dancing with abandon lost in the rhythm and energy of the music. When the song ended they stood around talking and laughing trying to catch their breath. Ben asked if anyone needed a drink and Noel volunteered to go with him to get their orders. Felicity was in heaven seeing the two walk across the room together.

The party was in full swing when Ben heard the first strains of "Fade Into You" coming from the stereo. He put down his glass and reached for Felicity's hand with a smile leading her onto the dance floor. Their bodies melded together as the swayed to the music. Felicity tightened her arms around his neck when she heard him whisper "You look amazing."

"Thanks but don't think I wore this for you," Felicity giggled.

"Oh really and who did you wear it for? Should I be jealous?"

"You never have to be jealous," Felicity said firmly. "I just wanted to prove to myself and a few other people that I wasn't still the shy, mousy girl that they laughed at in high school."

A shiver of delight went through Felicity as Ben pulled her closer and whispered huskily, "Trust me, in that dress no one is laughing, especially me. I'm having a hard time remembering that there are other people here. I can't wait until everyone leaves and I can show you how you in that dress is really affecting me." Felicity looked up and smiled happily. Ben leaned down and kissed her lightly on the lips. The kiss deepened as Felicity's grip around his neck tightened. It was like the rest of the room had disappeared. When the kiss ended they continued to remain wrapped in each other's arms lost in their own world.

Suddenly Sean's voice broke the spell. "Hey, buddy I hate to spoil things but I really need your help." He went on to explain that something happened to the beer tap and he needed someone to go to the liquor store for another one. "I wouldn't ask but people are getting restless. I'm afraid they are going to ask for their money back if I don't get the beer flowing again." Ben reluctantly agreed to go to the store. Felicity volunteered to go with him but Ben told her to stay and he would be right back.

After Ben left the loft Felicity looked around for her friends. She finally located Elena on the dance floor. Noel and Ruby were no where to be found. Felicity was watching the people at the party when a young man came over and asked her to dance. She said no thanks and told him that she was waiting for someone.

"Is it okay if I wait with you? I really don't know anyone here."

"Sure, I'm Felicity."

"Thanks. My name's Jim," he said holding out his hand. They talked for several minutes exchanging histories and comparing classes before Jim offered to get her a drink. When he returned he handed her a screwdriver and apologized because there was no beer Felicity told him about Ben going to get another tap. "So is this Ben your boyfriend?" Jim asked.

Felicity's face lit up as she shook her head yes. "He actually lives here at the loft."

When they finished their drinks Jim grabbed her hand and pulled her onto the dance floor. "Come on. One dance before your boyfriend gets back." Felicity giggled as she followed him. They were only on the dance floor for a few minutes when all of a sudden it seemed like the room was spinning and her vision became blurry. She felt like she was going to fall and reached for Jim to steady herself. She could hear him talking to her but her mind was so foggy that she couldn't make out what he was saying. And then nothing.

Ben entered the loft and looked around for Felicity. As soon as he spotted her he knew something was wrong. Some guy had his arm around her waist and seemed to be holding her up. Julie was crying and pleading with the guy. Ben ran over to Felicity. "What the hell's going on? What happened?" As he took Felicity in his arms she seemed like a rag doll. He picked her up and carried her to the sofa which had been pushed up against the back wall.

Julie was sobbing and babbling. "I didn't think she'd... I tried to stop... Oh my God."

As Sean pushed his way through the crowd that gathered around the couch he saw Ben leaning over Felicity. At first he thought she was unconscious but them he realized that she was mumbling incoherently. "What's the matter? Is she okay?"

"I don't know. She just...," Ben sputtered.

"Ben, I'm so sorry. I didn't think it would go this far," Julie sobbed. "I didn't think Nicole would..."

Ben jumped up and grabbed Julie by the shoulders shaking her hard. "What the hell are you talking about? What did you do?"

"No, no. I would never hurt Felicity. I just wanted to..." Julie cried.

Sean tried to get Julie out of Ben's grasp before he hurt her. "Ben. Ben, I know you're upset but take care of Felicity. I'll find out what happened." Ben held onto Julie for several seconds before he let her go. He dropped to his knees beside Felicity's outstretched figure. Elena was putting a damp cloth on Felicity's forehead.

"Is she going to be okay?" he asked hopefully.

Elena tried to calm his fears. "Yeah, I think she's going to be fine. Her pulse is strong and she seems like she can follow some directions. We just have to find out what she took."

Sean hurried over to where Elena and Ben were taking care of Felicity. "Julie told me that she thinks it was a Roofie. From what I can get out of her it seems like Nicole put this guy up to it. When she told Julie what was going on Julie freaked."

Ben jumped up and looked around for Nicole. "Where is she? Where is the guy? I'm going to kill them."

"Ben, listen. Listen to me. Both of them took off as soon as you got here. I've called the police and they'll take care of them." Ben looked at Sean with frustration and rage on his face.

Elena stood up and tried to calm Ben down. "Ben I think Felicity just needs to sleep this off. Why don't we get her to bed?"

Ben looked helplessly at Elena as he tried to get himself under control. He realized that what she was saying was the best thing for Felicity. Finally he took a deep breath. "Okay. You're right." He leaned over and slipped his arms under Felicity and lifted her off the sofa and carried her into his room with Elena following closely behind. When they got Felicity settled on the bed Elena told him to go and talk to the police with Sean and that she would take care of everything until he got back. Ben looked down at Felicity and hesitated not wanting to leave. Finally he leaned over and kissed her gently on the temple. "I'll be right back. It's going to be all right," he whispered. "I love you."

Felicity woke with a blinding headache. She tried staying very quiet to minimize the pain. She lie there trying to remember exactly what had happened the night before but everything was a blank. The way she felt, she decided that she must have had too much to drink. She hoped that she hadn't made a fool out of herself. Finally, she decided that she couldn't avoid getting up. Her mouth was dry and she had to go to the bathroom. As she rose up and swung her legs off the side of the bed a wave of nausea hit her and she lay back down.

Ben entered the room and quietly walked over to the bed. He smiled when he saw that Felicity was awake. "Hey. How are ya feelin'?"

"Don't ask. Between my head and my stomach I don't know which is worse."

"Can I get you something? How about some tea?"

"I'd love a cup of tea." Felicity took a deep breath before sitting up on the side of the bed. "But first what I really need is to go to the bathroom and brush my teeth."

Ben leaned down and gave her a quick kiss. "Okay. How about while you go to the bathroom I get you some tea and bring it back here?"

"That sounds great." Felicity looked down sheepishly. "Thanks for taking care of me last night. I didn't realize that I drank that much but it really hit me."

Ben put his arms around her and pulled her close. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left you alone."

Felicity pulled away and looked up. "It's not your fault I drank too much. I should have known better."

"Listen, why don't we talk about this when you get back?"

Felicity shook her head and mumbled "Okay but I still think you're amazing."

When Felicity returned to the bedroom she found Ben already there. "I brought you some toast too. I thought maybe it would help settle your stomach."

Felicity walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. "Thanks. This is just what I need."

Ben looked at her and noted the dark circles under her eyes. "Are you sure you're okay?"

Felicity smiled as she took a bite of the dry toast. "I feel a lot better than I did before. I bet I feel a lot better than I look."

Ben leaned over and kissed her gently. "You look great to me."

"Thanks for saying that but... I still can't believe how that hit me last night. You know it's funny but I don't even remember you coming back from the liquor store."

Ben took a deep breath. "Listen, uh... Listen none of this was your fault. That, that guy you were dancing with he drugged you." Felicity's hands flew up to her mouth and a look of panic was in her eyes as a small cry escaped her lips. Ben grabbed her hands and squeezed them. "Look its okay. We found out what he gave you and you just had to sleep it off. You're going to be okay."

"Ohmigod." Felicity stared off into space with tears running down her cheeks unable to speak.

Ben folded her into his arms rocking her back and forth. "Please don't cry. It's going to be okay." He held her close until she seemed to be a little calmer. Finally she inhaled deeply and straightened up.

"I just can't believe this is happening," she said in a raspy whisper. "Why would somebody do that? I don't understand."

Ben chewed on his bottom lip as he tried to hold back his anger. Finally he exploded. "That bitch Nicole! Nicole is the one who got that guy to give you the drug." All Felicity could do was stare at him in disbelief. He tried to get himself under control but as he told her what had happened and about Nicole's involvement the angrier he became. By the time he finished he was flushed and Felicity noticed that his hands were shaking slightly.

"I can't believe that Nicole would do something like that. I know she didn't..., didn't..., like me but this is...," Felicity stammered.

Ben got up and started pacing back and forth. "I feel if I don't do something about this I'm going to explode." Felicity wanted to do something to help him but her mind was frozen. She sat helpless as his voice became lower and more menacing. "If I ever see that bastard again I'll..." Before Ben could continue there was a light knock on the door. "Yeah?"

"It's, it's Julie. Uh, can, can I come in?"

Ben stomped across the room and jerked the door open. "Haven't you done enough? Why don't you just get the hell out of here?"

"Ben, please let me explain," Julie pleaded. "I have to talk to Felicity, please"

Felicity hurried over to the doorway. "Ben, what are you doing?"

"She says she didn't know what Nicole was up to but if she hadn't brought her around none of this would have happened," Ben snarled.

"I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry," Julie cried. "I never wanted you to get hurt. I didn't think Nicole would go that far. I just wanted... I just wanted you to feel as bad as I did."

Ben moved in front of Felicity. "Okay, you said what you had to say, now stay out of our lives."

Julie stood in the doorway looking from Felicity to Ben with tears streaming down her face. Finally she turned and started to walk away when Felicity suddenly pushed past Ben and ran into the hallway. "Wait! Wait!" Felicity grabbed Julie by the arm. "Don't go. Let's, let's talk."

"Why are you even listening to her?" Ben asked with disgust.

"Ben, I never meant for anything like this to happen. When I found out what Nicole had done I got sick to my stomach. All I could think about was Zach and what that did to me. I would never want that to happen to anybody else, especially Felicity," Julie turned to Felicity. "You have to believe me. Please, please."

Felicity threw her arms around Julie's shoulders. "I know. I know." The two girls hugged tightly both crying and talking at once. Ben stood back and watched with a skeptic look on his face. When Felicity looked over Julie's shoulder and saw his expression, she smiled lightly trying to reassure him. He could only give her a slight grin before turning and walking back into the bedroom.

Ben walked over and sat down on the bed. He could hear Felicity and Julie talking excitedly in the hallway but he couldn't make out everything they were saying. He had to smile when he heard Felicity laugh. He knew how excited and happy she was about renewing her friendship with Julie but he was having a hard time forgetting about all of the trouble that Julie had caused by bringing Nicole into their lives. When he thought about what could have happened he got a knot in his stomach and he felt like he was going to be sick.

"Hey, what are you thinking about so hard?" Ben looked up to see Felicity walking toward him with a big smile on her face.

Ben exhaled slowly and reached for Felicity pulling her onto his lap. "Come 'ere, come 'ere. I'm just thinking about everything that happened and how glad I am you're okay." Felicity hugged him tightly burying her face into his neck. He tightened his arms around her and rocked gently.

Felicity snuggled closer and nuzzled his neck. "Isn't it amazing how everything is working out?" When Ben didn't answer she pulled back slightly so she could look into his face. What's the matter? Why are you so quiet?"

Ben shrugged his shoulders and sighed. "Nothing. It's just, uh... It's just I don't want you to get hurt."

"What do you mean? I don't know what you're talking about. Who is going to hurt me?"

"I don't know. It's just you... You're so, so anxious to see the good in everything and everybody that I'm afraid that... I don't know maybe, maybe it's just me. Just forget about it." Ben took a deep breath and expelled it loudly.

Felicity was not about to let it go. "No, I want to know what you're worried about. Ben, if something is bothering you, you have to tell me."

"Look, I know you want all the trouble with Julie to be over with. I do to. But, but I think you should take it a little easy. I just don't want you to get your hopes up."

"But I'm sure she wants this as much as I do. I know things might not be exactly the way they were before, I mean not right away, but now we're talking and that's a start." Ben shook his head slightly and looked away. "Please don't worry. I know everything is going to work out for the best."

When Ben heard the hope and happiness in Felicity's voice he could only smile softly and pull her back into his arms. He prayed that she would not be disappointed and that he could always keep her safe.