My tape started up a few seconds late (just a few seconds, I promise!) so I drop right in on Ben at Felicity's apartment door, whispering that his father hasn't gotten a liver for transplant yet. Felicity says that she's sorry to hear it, and closes the door behind her. Ben explains that he and his mother both got tested, and Ben isn't a match but his mother is. Felicity thinks that's good news. Ben says that it would be, except that he doesn't want his mother to have the surgery. They pause and stare at each other. Ben totally wants to kiss Felicity. You can just tell. Ben asks Felicity what she's doing over break. Felicity is, like Led Zeppelin, going to California. Pause again. Felicity asks Ben why he's there. Ben offers to leave. Felicity says that she loves seeing him, "but it always ends with you pulling away, and then it just kinda hurts all over again." Ben apologizes. Felicity gathers her courage, then admits that she wants to be with him, and is willing to start over with him in a second. Felicity suggests that that's not what Ben wants. Ben says that he doesn't know. Felicity looks down and half-heartedly smiles, wanting to let him stay but knowing that she shouldn't. She tells Ben that she has to go to bed, and goes back inside. Ben stares at the closed door for a moment before leaving.
Felicity is sitting on her bed, going through her Ben memorabilia. She picks up the necklace he gave her, stares at it for a while, then puts it down. Javier bursts in and asks if they live in "one of those…heartland places" where you leave the door unlocked so that people can drop off pies. Thank you, Javier! It's bugged me that they always leave the door unlocked, even after the shoot-out that happened in last season's winter finale. Javier notices all the stuff on Felicity's bed and asks what's going on. Felicity says that she's packing it up. Javier sits on the bed and asks if it's "Benjamin stuff." Felicity confirms that it is, and Javier says he did the same with his Samuel stuff. He did? I'm so unhappy with this splitting up of Javier and Samuel that seems to have little to no effect on Javier whatsoever. Javier advises Felicity not to read the love letters, but Felicity says that it's too late, and laughs mirthlessly. Javier thinks that it would make Felicity feel better to get all dressed up and go dancing with her friends at the winter formal. Javier already has tickets. Felicity says that she can't go, because she's flying home for winter break that day, to "figure some stuff out." Javier sighs disappointedly, and Felicity promises to return. Javier says he'll miss her, and Felicity says that she'll miss him too.
Noel is tapping away at his laptop when Sean walks into the loft, rolling a rack of Schmegan shirts. Sean asks Noel how many clients his new graphic business has. Noel says that he doesn't have any. Sean tells Noel about this sporting goods store that needs a website. Sean was trying to sell them Schmegan shirts, with no luck, but he did get a lead for Noel, and they have a meeting this afternoon. Noel thinks it's great, and then realizes that Sean said, "We have a meeting." Sean thinks that Noel needs his help. Noel isn't sure about it, and worries that it'll affect their friendship. Sean suggests doing it on a trial basis, and promises Noel that it'll be huge. Noel seems somewhat enthusiastic about it.
Ben sits in his father's hospital room, watching a game on television. Jack Tripper asks Ben to turn the television off. Ben wonders if something is wrong, and Jack says he was wondering the same thing. It seems that Lauren came to visit that morning (she's still in town?) and told Jack that Ben and Felicity broke up. Ben looks disgusted, and Jack says that Ben shouldn't be mad at Lauren, because she didn't want to talk about it. Ben says that it's not that. Jack wants to know what happened. Ben shakes his head and pauses, and then admits that Felicity cheated on him. Jack says that Ben still loves her, and asks if Ben thinks that she'll do it again. Ben doesn't. Jack tells Ben that pride is a stupid reason not to see someone. Ben says that's not it. Jack asks what it is, then, and Ben doesn't know. Jack says he's been lying in bed for a long time, and has had a long time to think about mistakes that he's made. Ben doesn't really want to hear it, but Jack says emphatically, "Love someone. That's the only thing that really matters." Ben's mom bursts in and says she just talked to the doctor. Jack insists that they're not doing the surgery where Ben's mom can be a donor. Ben's mom says that's not what she was talking about; they've found a donor, in Philadelphia. Ben's mom and dad hug, and Ben watches them and smiles. A real smile.
Javier talks on the phone to Rita. Apparently, Rita was watching some videos alone and got depressed. Felicity, Elena, and Meghan listen in, amused. Javier promises to come over soon and ends the conversation. The girls start asking about his conversation. Meghan thinks they were supposed to watch porno together. Javier informs her that it's "a video-mating service." Felicity says she has to leave, or she'll miss her flight. She puts on her coat. Javier begs her to stay one more day and go to the dance. Meghan tells Javier to leave Felicity alone. Felicity hugs Elena and Javier goodbye. Meghan doesn't want a hug, because she's not good at goodbyes. Felicity leaves, telling her friends that she'll see them in a few weeks.
Felicity walks outside and hails a cab. At the same time, Ben exits the hospital and stands there, thinking. Felicity gets into her cab, then looks up at the sky to see snow falling. Ben also looks at the falling snow, then starts walking, eventually breaking into a jog, and then a sprint. Ben runs down the crowded streets of New York in the snow.
Javier pushes the elevator call button. The elevator arrives, and Ben pops out. He asks if Felicity is there. Javier says that she already went to the airport. Ben asks which one, and when Javier says, "La Guardia," Ben hurries back into the elevator. Javier asks if Ben is going after her, and that it's so romantic. He asks if he can come with Ben. Ben says no. Javier says he understands that Ben wants to be alone with Felicity.
Felicity sits in the crowded airport, reading a book. Ben rushes in, sees her, and then stands there staring. Felicity looks up from her book and sees him. He starts walking towards her. Felicity asks what he's doing there. Ben says that when he saw the snow, he thought her flight might be delayed. Felicity confirms that it was. Ben reminds her that she wondered why he stopped by the night before. He says it was because he missed her, and he wants to start over. They kiss. Lots. When they break apart for a moment, Ben asks if she's still going to leave. Felicity laughs and says she's not, then hugs Ben with tears in her eyes. This is my favorite episode of the season.
The snow continues to fall outside as Ben and Felicity lie in bed together. They're naked! You know what that means! Ben watches Felicity sleep, then leans over and kisses her on the cheek. She wakes up and sleepily says hello. Ben tells her that it's still snowing out. Felicity is glad. Ben asks what she wants to do. Felicity replies, "Everything." Ben says he has to go to the hospital, but later he wants to take her out on a date. They stare at each other happily for a moment, and then Felicity tells Ben about the dance, even though she's sure that he thinks it's stupid. Ben says that he'll take her. Felicity also wants to go sledding in Central Park, and Ben agrees to that too. There's a knock at the door, and Ben yells out, "Go away!" Felicity adds, "Please?" Meghan says that Ben's mom is on the phone. Ben sighs, and says that he'll talk to his mom, and then they'll go sledding. Felicity giddily agrees. Ben gets up and grabs the phone from Meghan, walking out of the room. Meghan spots Felicity in bed and looks at her like, "Don't I know you? I didn't expect to see you here." Felicity giggles happily. Meghan asks why Felicity isn't in California. Felicity says that Ben came to the airport, and Meghan tells Felicity never to doubt her spells. Felicity promises not to as Ben walks back in. Meghan comments, "Nicely done." Ben walks in and sits on the bed, putting his face in his hands. Felicity asks what's wrong. Ben tells her that his dad can't get the liver, because the transport team is stuck in Philadelphia due to snow. Felicity comforts him. Man, they gave me, like, one scene of happiness before they had to bring the drama?
Sean and Noel meet with the owner of the sporting goods store, who has doubts about "this so-called website." Like, does he doubt that it's actually called a website? As if Sean and Noel just made up that name? The owner's name is Eric, and he thinks that it's a big step for a small business like his. Sean gives him the hard sell, and Eric agrees to think about it. Noel shows off his personal site to give an example of what he can do. Eric seems a little doubtful, and asks if he can see a sample first. Sean promises that they can get it done by tomorrow, over Noel's protests. Sean and Noel walk down the sidewalk; Noel says that he can't possibly do it by tomorrow, but Sean gives him a pep talk, and then they banter about the name of their business, but no one cares really.
Ben walks into the hospital room, followed by Felicity. Ben hugs his mom, who is happy to see Felicity. Ben asks how his dad is doing. His mom says that his dad has been unconscious since they hooked him up to the ventilator that morning. Ben's mom starts crying, and Ben hugs her again. This is where Felicity should step out. She whispers to Ben that she's going to step out, and Ben whispers back, "No. Stay." Ben grabs Felicity by the hand and they walk closer to Jack's bed. Ben's mom says that she talked to the doctor about donating part of her liver, and she scheduled the surgery for the day. Ben reminds her that his dad didn't want that. His mom thinks they have no other choice. Ben wants to wait a little longer. His mom says that it's not Ben's decision. Ben says that it is, actually, since he has power of attorney, and he doesn't want his mom to have the surgery. Felicity stands there like she would rather be anywhere else. And who wouldn't? Ben's mom asks Ben to talk to the doctor before he makes a decision, and runs out of the room. Ben tells Felicity that his father said he didn't want that. Felicity urges him to just listen to what the doctor has to say. Ben isn't sure, and Felicity promises to go with him. They hug.
Javier and Rita watch tapes of their potential dates. Didn't I see this same plot on thirtysomething with Ellyn and Melissa, and they both wanted the same guy, and he only wanted Ellyn back, but then he had a bratty kid, and then he ended up with Melissa for like one episode? Rita doesn't like the first guy, because he's "so cliché." Javier points out that he has a huge "yes pile" of videotapes, and she has a tiny one. Rita says that she's impossible, and she'll be alone forever. Javier thinks that he has too many to choose from, and she has too few, so they should choose dates for each other. I guess that makes some sort of sense. Rita thinks so as well.
Noel works on the sporting goods store's website amidst a giant pile of discarded junk food wrappings. Sean comes over to check out his progress. Noel asks his opinion on moveable versus non-moveable interfaces, and don't even get me started on the poor usability of that website or we'll be here all night. I'm just saying that Noel needs to read something by Donald Normal, and soon. Sean is excited that Noel used his idea of having a little snowboarder guy go across the screen, and thinks that their partnership is going to work.
Ben and Felicity sit in the hospital cafeteria as The Tinkly Piano Of The Snowed-In Liver plays. Ben says that even if the two surgeries are a success, there's no guarantee that his father won't "do it again." Felicity wonders what Ben means, and Ben says that his father might treat his mother the way he used to, even after she has literally given him a part of herself. Felicity says that there are no guarantees, and that Ben needs to take a leap of faith. Felicity says, "Maybe that's what love is. Risking a part of yourself." Wow, it's almost like they're talking about their own relationship. Except they're also talking about cutting out a piece of your liver to prove your love, which is gross when you think about it. Writers, you can do so much better than this clumsy metaphor. Ben listens to the annoying piano music for a minute while Felicity stares at him. Enough of the fading from Felicity's face to Ben's face. Felicity suggests that they go back up, but Ben wants to stay there and think about it. Felicity promises to meet him upstairs, and takes off. Ben stares at the really ugly flowers on the cafeteria table.
Felicity finds Ben's mom sitting outside her husband's room. Felicity offers her some chamomile tea, and Ben's mom thanks her and asks after Ben. They sit there for a minute, and then Ben's mom says that Ben is hiding. Felicity says that Ben is worried. Ben's mom says that Ben wants to protect her, and always has. She remembers when Ben was ten years old, and his father threw a plate at her and hit her in the chin, and Ben's mom needed stitches. Ben was by his mother's side the whole time. Ben's mom kept telling him that it was okay so that he wouldn't be scared, but she thinks that what he heard was, "It's okay. This is what love is." Ben's mom knows that it isn't, but she thinks that her liver donation is different, and that Ben could see that. Ben's mom says sadly, "But I never taught him that, did I?" I know Ben and Felicity are pretty serious and all, but wouldn't you get kind of creeped out if your boyfriend's mom told you a story like that? Maybe I'm just too repressed, but that seems like a story that you would save for later. Anyway, it is interesting to get some more details on Ben's childhood, because it does explain a lot about the character.
Noel and Sean show the prototype website to Eric, who thinks that it's really good. He's not crazy about the snowboarder guy, and Noel assures him that the snowboarder guy can go. Sean disagrees, since it's a link. Okay, that moving target is a link? Imagine how annoying it would be to try to click on that. I know, I promised to shut up about the usability or lack thereof. Anyway, there's a conflict, and Sean insists that if they can't do the snowboarder guy, they won't do the website. Noel disagrees, and gives Sean the stink-eye. Outside, they continue to argue about it. Noel thinks that Sean is just upset because Eric didn't like Sean's idea, and he took it personally. He reminds Sean that they needed the job. Sean insists that Noel can have a "zillion other jobs" lined up, or Sean will. Yeah, because with the current state of the economy, not to mention the technology sector, there are hardly any freelance web designers out there with about ten times Noel's talent and experience just dying for money. Stupid Sean.
Javier walks into a bar to meet one of his video dates. He spots the guy sitting at the bar. Javier walks up to the guy and says hello. The guy is pretty cute. Then he stands up, and he comes up to Javier's chin. Tom Cruise is taller than this guy. Javier looks uncomfortable. In another restaurant, Rita is on a date talking about how they both used to work at Coney Island. The guy tries to high-five her, which is such a rip-off of Puddy on Seinfeld. Like, thing you know he's going to have all of his radio presets be Christian stations, and wear an eight-ball jacket. Is that the only thing the writers could think of to signify a deal-breaker on a date? They couldn't have had the guy wear a mustard-colored mock turtleneck? Rita asks to be excused. Once she's away from the table, her phone rings. It's Javier, asking what the cutoff is before someone is officially considered a little person. Rita says that her date is a little too enthusiastic. Javier says that he cut his date short, "pun intended." Rita was thinking of doing the same. Javier worries that he'll be alone for the rest of his life. Rita thinks any guy would be lucky to have Javier, and suggests that they get together and trade bad dating stories. Javier agrees.
Ben walks up to his mom and Felicity in the hallway. He asks his mom if she's sure she wants to do the surgery. She says that she is. Ben thinks they should do it. His mom smiles, and Ben smiles back, tightly.
Noel returns to Eric's office, showing him a new version of the website minus snowboarder guy. Eric likes it. Noel asks if they have the job. Eric wonders about Sean. Noel assures Eric that Sean is just enthusiastic. Eric compares Noel to a swimmer with a one-hundred-pound rock on his back, the rock being Sean. Noel insists that Sean is his partner, and Eric would be hiring them both. Eric pauses, and then agrees, but only wants to deal with Noel.
Felicity and Ben sit in a waiting room, holding hands and trying to do a crossword puzzle together. The second clue that Felicity reads is, "Twelve letters. Really bad TV show." Wing Chun was at my house when we watched this, and she immediately said, "Dawson's Creek!" I counted up the letters, and we laughed and laughed. Before we can hear Ben's answer, a nurse walks up and asks to talk to Ben. He walks into a hallway to talk to her. She tells him that his father is going to pull through, but his mother is bleeding, and they can't control it. Ben walks back and tells Felicity the news. Felicity looks stunned.
Noel taps away on his laptop in his room. Sean walks in and says that he was buying a plant for Ben's parents, and he realized that the store didn't have any signage, so he set up a meeting for them. Then Sean asks Noel what he's working on. Noel tells him that it's the site for the sporting goods store. Sean thinks that Noel is just practicing, but Noel says that he got the account back. Sean is upset that Noel went behind his back. Noel says that Sean is embarrassed, but it's no big deal, because Noel is embarrassed every day to be working as a guidance counselor at the school from which he just graduated. I'm sure guidance counselors everywhere love the portrayal of their profession as something that people do when they can't get a better job. Noel says that he wants to work with Sean, but Sean is not making it easy; he says that it doesn't seem like Sean wants to be a success. Sean laughs and says that Noel was right; friendship can't survive business. Oh, no! Sean and Noel aren't friends anymore? Oh, that's right. I really don't care.
Felicity finds Ben pacing in a hallway. Felicity says that Trevor and Sean are downstairs. The Tinkly Piano Of Uncontrollable Bleeding plays as Ben tells Felicity that it's not fair. Ben asks Felicity what she talked about with his mother. Felicity says that his mom was talking about Ben wanting to protect his mom as a little boy. Ben says sarcastically, "Yeah, I did a great job this time." Felicity thinks that Ben did everything that he can do, and that his mother loves his father. Ben doesn't seem too convinced. Felicity offers to go tell Trevor and Sean to hit the road. She gets up, and Ben grabs her hand and asks concernedly if she's going to come back. Felicity assures him that she will.
Felicity sits on Jack Tripper's empty hospital bed, reading. Ben rushes in and says that his mom is going to be okay. Felicity hugs him and says that she's glad. Ben sighs and admits that he's really hungry, and suggests that they go to China Fun. Then Ben grins with relief and remembers that Felicity wanted to go to a dance. Felicity says that it's not important now, but Ben really wants to go. Felicity asks if he's sure, and they decide to meet at the dance after Ben sees his dad. Ben says that he's glad that Felicity is there, and Felicity says that it's where she wanted to be. They hug again.
Meghan tries to tie Sean's bow tie, without much success. They argue about the relative merits of the clip-on. Noel walks in and tells Meghan that he knows how to tie a bow tie. Sean pretends that he doesn't want Noel's help, but Meghan begs Noel to do it anyway. Noel walks over and shows Sean some papers that he needs to sign. Sean sees that they are bank forms. Noel opened a business account with his advance money from Eric. Sean looks disgusted. Noel offers to tie the bow tie. They still don't talk. Sean finally says that he feels like he's just hanging on Noel's coattails. Hey, nothing wrong with that. Noel points out that he's not good at sales, and Sean is. Plus, Noel likes working with Sean, but they need to lay down some ground rules. Sean thinks that doesn't sound very cutthroat. Noel has finished with the tie. Sean agrees to sign the papers, and asks Noel to go to the dance with them. Noel thinks he'll be a loser, which he will be. Sean says that he wants to go with both his partners. Am I supposed to be touched by this? Because I'm so not. And I usually like Sean.
Ben sits in his father's hospital room. Jack finally wakes up. Ben says that he and his mom pulled a fast one on his dad. Jack says that they do that a lot. Ben tells his father that he talked to Felicity, and he hopes that they don't keep hurting each other. Jack, suddenly the wisest man in town with his new liver, says that they will keep hurting each other, but life is a series of tests, and Ben and Felicity will pass them because they love each other. Ben compares it to his parents, and his father agrees. I hope Ben won't be throwing plates at Felicity.
At the dance, people…dance. Noel stands alone, feeling dumb. He sees Ben standing across the room. Ben walks over and says hello. They exchange pleasantries. Noel is happy to hear that Ben's parents are better. Awkward pause. Noel apologizes for what happened between the three of them, and takes the blame. Ben smiles and says that he's trying to forget it. Felicity walks over, and The Tinkly Piano Of Noel Being A Loser plays. Noel excuses himself. Felicity asks what Noel and Ben were talking about, and Ben says that it was nothing. Felicity invites Ben to dance, and Ben doesn't really want to, but allows himself to be pulled onto the dance floor. Scott Speedman is not such a good dancer, but he sure is cute. The whole gang dances onto the floor together, doing goofy dances, as you do.
Later, they all walk down the sidewalk in the snow. They agree to go somewhere else for more dancing. Sean wants French fries. Noel looks up at the snow, smiling. They're all laughing. Felicity says that she wonders what's going to happen to them, since they'll all be off on their own in a year. It's all very St. Elmo's Fire. Everyone laughs. The captioning claims that they were all singing It's The End Of The World As We Know It, but I didn't hear it. But maybe they were. And…that's it until April. See you then.