future

Felicity, Ben, Noel and Sean are sitting around having beers at the loft when Lauren stops by to talk to Ben. She sees Felicity and realizes they're back together. Lauren and Ben go out into the hallway. She tells him that she's pregnant and she's sure the baby's his. He asks if she's going to keep it. She says she is, but she's not asking him to do anything - she just thought he should know. She tells him to call her if he wants. Ben says 'ok.' Guilt ridden, Ben goes inside and can barely look at Felicity.

Felicity records a message for Sally. She says things were getting to her - just the way everybody is - how they all seem to know exactly where they're going. The future was barreling towards her and she had no idea what to do with it. She tells Sally Owen convinced her to go with him to some galleries to show their work. They started in Chelsea. Apparently, that's where all young artists in New York go to face rejection.

Noel and Sean compete for an account with Zoe Webb and her father. Noel hadn't seen her since her father fired him. He goes out with Zoe. Noel is shocked when he and Sean are chosen over the more established Webbs. Sean tells him that Mr. Webb (Webb Graphics) is so desperate to have the C.G.G. account that they want to hire Noel and Sean as independent contractors. Sean tells him it's a great way for them to get in there, prove themselves and then steal all their accounts and/or form relationships. Noel says he doesn't think he can work for Mr. Webb - he tells Sean he went out with Zoe last night. He tells Sean that he waited for someone who wanted to be with someone else for 3 ½ years, now he thinks he's found someone he can care about. He tells Sean he needs some time to think about it.

Professor Hodges asks Ben and Trevor to be research assistants on a study he's doing for a publication on carbon nanotubes. They jump at the opportunity. He tells him it's serious work and they can't make any mistakes.

Meghan ends up in drama class with Javier. She needs the credits to graduate. She unsuccessfully attempts to bribe the professor to just give her a passing grade. Javier's excited and invites Meghan to be his acting partner.

Felicity has dinner with her mother. She's concerned about Felicity making a living as an artist. She tells Felicity she's becoming a real estate agent and suggests Felicity consider becoming a realtor. Felicity tells her mother that she's not going to become a realtor. She's an artist. She asks her mom what happened with all the writing courses she took and the short stories she's written. She tells Felicity it wasn't practical.

Ben goes to visit Lauren. He tells her he knows she's convinced the baby is his, but he's not. He wants a paternity test. Lauren agrees. He tells her he'll set it up.

Felicity tells Owen it's depressing going around to galleries and being rejected, not selling any of their work. She wonders if she shouldn't be doing something with a clear path that's well marked like a doctor, lawyer or real estate agent. Owen tells Felicity it depends on what she wants. She tells him she really doesn't know what she wants.

Elena gets a letter from Columbia Med School. She's too nervous to open it. Javier reads it for her. Elena and Felicity hug. Elena says "oh my god, I'm going to be a doctor." She goes to call her dad to tell him the good news.

Ben goes to pick up results from the paternity test. Looks like he's going to be a dad. He stares at the results for a moment before crumpling the paper.

Felicity goes to a gallery alone and is told they aren't looking for any new artists. She explains that she's been to about 50 galleries and no one has even looked at her slides. A woman looks at one slide just to get Felicity off her back. Felicity is disappointed when the woman is still not interested in her work. Felicity thanks the woman for her time.

Ben stops by to see Lauren. He yells at her for knowing about the pregnancy for four months and not saying anything. She tells him again that he doesn't have to participate. He asks her why she even told him - she obviously wants something. She says she thought maybe he'd like to be a part of the child's life. He tells her he's in college and he wants to go to med school - he doesn't want to raise a kid. She tells him he doesn't have to. He tells her it's crazy for there to be a kid out there that's his and he never sees it. She tells him he can do what he wants - she's made her decision to keep it. Ben says "fine" and leaves.

Zoe tells Noel everything is weird right now. She says she should have told him last night. She's sort of seeing someone. She tells him she really wants to be friends because she really likes him. He tells her he's tried that before and it didn't work out. Noel agrees to take the deal with Webb Graphics. He tells Sean it'll be weird at first, but they have to go for it.

Trevor tells Ben that Professor Hodges called him at home and yelled at him because Ben forgot to check on the experiment. He tells Trevor the paternity test was positive. Ben apologizes to Professor Hodges. He tells Ben that he's already looking for someone to replace him.

Felicity and her mom are going to see a play. Her mom meets her at the apartment. Felicity isn't dressed. Her mom reminds her that the play starts in 30 minutes. Ben was supposed to join them. Her mother asks where he is - she hasn't seen him at all during her visit. Felicity tells her Ben's at the lab. She asks Felicity if everything is ok. Felicity tells her she and Ben are fine. Felicity's mom tells her she's worried about her. Felicity says she is too - she's terrified. Her mom tells her that's why she suggested real estate. Felicity tells her she doesn't want to do real estate. She asks her mom if she could just be a little supportive. She tells Felicity she doesn't want to see her heart broken. Felicity says it breaks her heart that her mother is doing this stupid real estate thing - it's like she's given up. Felicity tells her is pathetic and she doesn't want to be like that. Her mother says she's sorry Felicity feels that way. Felicity says she is too. She tells her mom she doesn't want to go to the play. Her mother leaves.

Ben is on the bed staring at the ceiling. Felicity asks what he's doing. He tells her he's just thinking. Ben tells Felicity he screwed up his lab and Hodges is already looking for a replacement. Felicity tells him she and her mom didn't go to the play - they had a fight. She tells Ben she said some really mean things. He asks if she wants to talk about it. Felicity says "not really." He tells Felicity he just wants to stay in bed forever. Felicity tells him that would be nice. She lays her head on his chest and he strokes her hair.

Ben tells Lauren he's been thinking a lot about what she said. He tells her he can't…it's already started messing up his life and he can't let that happen. He tells her he's sorry. Lauren says she understands. She tells him he doesn't have to feel bad about it. He says he does and he's going to feel bad about it for a long time. He tells her he doesn't know what he wants, but he knows he doesn't want to raise a kid.

Owen assures Felicity that she's really talented and if she wants to make a living as an artist, she'll make it happen. She tells him her parents don't think so. Owen tells her his parents want him to be an accountant. Felicity says she wishes she didn't care what her parents thought. She keeps telling herself that she doesn't, but then she gets there and she always does. Felicity asks Owen if he thinks it ever goes away - if when they're 40 they'll still care what their mom and dad think. Owen says he thinks so. He tells her to promise him that no matter what she decides that she'll never do real estate. She promises as long as he doesn't become an accountant.

Ben goes to see Professor Hodges. He tells him he knows he screwed up and didn't meet his expectations. He tells him there was a reason, but he's taken care of it. He reminds Hodges that he proved last semester how much this means to him. Hodges says "ok" but it had better not happen again. Ben promises that it won't. Hodges asks if he wants to talk about it. Ben says he doesn't, but thanks Hodges for offering to listen.

Zoe tells Noel she broke up with the guy she was seeing. She says he wasn't right for her.

Ben tells Felicity he needs to talk to her. He tells her that before he says what he has to say they're going to be ok - no matter what… Felicity asks him to tell her - it's freaking her out. He tells her Lauren's pregnant and it's his. Felicity says "oh my god." Ben tells her it was one night when they were broken up. Felicity asks if Lauren is having the baby. Ben tells Felicity he needs her to know that he loves her and Lauren's pregnancy doesn't change anything. Felicity doesn't know what to say. Ben says he's so sorry. He hugs Felicity.