Ben learns that his father is being hospitalized with liver failure. He reluctantly goes to the hospital and meets Lauren, a friend of Mr. Covington's from A.A. She tells Ben that his father does not have long to live. Mr. Covington gives Ben power of attorney, and declares that he does not want to be hooked up to machines. He also insists that he will not take any pain medication because he has been sober for 67 days and does not want to use drugs of any kind. Ben postpones a ski trip that he and Felicity had planned for her birthday after his father's condition worsens. Ben is surprised to learn that Mr. Covington was very helpful to Lauren when he served as her sponsor. She says that his dad talks about Ben all the time. Ben goes against his father's wishes and puts him on a ventilator because there is a slim chance that he could regain enough strength to undergo a transplant. Felicity suspects that Professor Cavallo is coming on to her. He denies this, but she grows uneas

Meghan tells Felicity that she has concocted a spell to reunite her with Ben. Sean wins a free turkey, but the gang must hold Thanksgiving dinner at Felicity's apartment because Sean has broken the oven. Meghan tries to coax Ben into coming to dinner, but he backs out after Sean explains the circumstances. Ben and Lauren visit Mr. Covington, who has shown tremendous improvement. Lauren convinces Ben to take her to the dinner because she doesn't want to spend Thanksgiving alone. Everyone is shocked to find that Ben has brought a date, although Felicity tries to act as though it doesn't bother her. Javier suggests that he is trying to get back at Felicity for cheating on him, but Ben denies this. Meghan behaves rudely toward Lauren and gets into an argument with Ben. Felicity tries to defend Ben, but he snaps that their relationship was a waste of time. He feels guilty about saying this and leaves. He later returns to apologize, and he and Felicity sleep together. He immediate

Ben defends Felicity against a rude customer at Dean & DeLuca. Felicity invites Ben to come over to the apartment to talk. He agrees, but quickly changes his mind and says that he wants to move on. Lauren moves to New York to get away from her ex-boyfriend and make a fresh start. Ben asks her on a date. Javier tries to play matchmaker by separately asking Felicity and Ben to meet him at a play. It proves to be a disaster, as Ben shows up with Lauren. Felicity gives her ticket to Lauren and leaves. Elena tries to convince Felicity to date Owen, a graduate teaching assistant in the art department. Felicity asks her friends to stop meddling in her life. Owen tells Felicity that she seems intense, and suggests that she have a little fun for a change. She asks him out. Lauren's ex-boyfriend calls while she is making out with Ben. Ben decides to leave, but makes another date with her. Ben shows up at the girls' apartment to study with Elena just as Owen arrives to pick up Felic

As the spring semester begins, Lauren tells Ben that she is pregnant, and that he is the father. She is prepared to raise the child alone. Professor Hodges asks Ben and Trevor to act as research assistants for him. Trevor convinces Ben to take a paternity test. Ben becomes distracted while awaiting the test results, and forgets to check Hodges' experiment. Hodges decides to replace him. Ben learns that he is the father. He confronts Lauren about keeping the news from him for so long. Although he is torn, he feels that he cannot take part in the child's life. He gets a second chance from Hodges by assuring him that he has eliminated all distractions. Ben finally shares the truth about the pregnancy with a shocked Felicity. Felicity and Owen try unsuccessfully to get galleries to look at their work. Felicity's mother visits and announces that she is going to get her real-estate license. She encourages Felicity to follow the same path. Felicity frets over the fact that every

Ben decides that he wants to play an active role in his child's life. Lauren is pleased; but has already made arrangements to move to Arizona to be near her parents. Ben talks to Professor Hodges about the possibility of transferring to the University of Arizona. Adam's design wins the contest, and Felicity accepts an offer to stay in New York and help with his project. Hodges tells Ben that the deadline for admission has passed, but his friend can pull some strings and get him accepted. He must make his final decision in the next day. Felicity is upset that Ben failed to tell her about his possible move. She tells Adam that she may have to turn down the job. Trevor convinces Ben that Noel is still trying to make a move on Felicity. A tearful Felicity confides in Noel about Ben's situation. Ben catches them in an embrace and becomes angry. He says that he wouldn't have slept with Lauren if Felicity hadn't cheated on him. They break up, and Felicity accepts the job with Adam

Lauren comes by Dean & DeLuca to announce that she is leaving the next day and expects Ben to help her move. She snaps at Felicity and accuses Ben and her of selfishness. Felicity tries to confess her plagiarism, but Professor Carnes interrupts. She is so certain of Felicity's innocence that she has her hearing moved to the next day to get it out of the way. Felicity learns that Ben has been injured in a car accident. Lauren suffered minor injuries, and the baby was unharmed. Felicity overhears the doctor say that Lauren was driving while drunk. Lauren is released from the hospital and leaves while Ben is still in surgery. Felicity chases after her and lays into her. Lauren later returns and apologizes. She says that she let her problems overwhelm her and was trying to blame others for her mistakes. Felicity persuades Lauren to sleep over at her apartment. Ben wakes up and begins to recover. Felicity is pleased to find her friends in the waiting room, even though she had a