James persistently tries to call Molly, who has broken up with him and returned to rehab. When he finally gets a hold of her, she tells him they are through and hangs up. James waits for her outside her apartment and gets into an argument with Ben. Felicity's mother (now using her maiden name, Barbara Hunter) arrives for a visit. She takes an instant dislike to Ben when she overhears him ranting about James. Sean and Richard buy a bunch of Christmas trees, hoping to sell them for a major profit. They recruit Ben to help them pick up the trees. He then shows up late for a play he was to attend with Felicity and her mom, and has forgotten the tickets. Noel joins Ben, Felicity and Barbara for dinner. He impresses Barbara by prattling on about his goals, while Ben has nothing to say when she grills him about his future. Barbara dismisses Ben as a loser with violent tendencies and questionable friends (i.e. Molly). She advises Felicity to dump Ben for Noel, whom she considers to be just about perfect. Felicity upsets Ben by defending her mother. He suggests that Felicity spend the holidays with her mom instead of joining him in Florida. Ben has a talk with Barbara; he shares how much he cares for Felicity, and points out that many guys who seem aimless at his age turn out okay. Barbara apologizes to Felicity and urges her to go on the trip with Ben. Tracy continues to suffer from tremendous guilt after losing his virginity. He and Elena go to see his pastor, who recommends that they think carefully about what they want from the relationship. Tracy accepts an opportunity to spend a semester in Africa. Meghan and Sean quarrel because she believes that the idea to sell Christmas trees was hers. After he refuses to give her a cut of the profits, Meghan calls the fire marshal to report the trees in his loft. Ben has to skip Felicity's Christmas party to help Sean and Richard move the trees. Sean ends up giving away all of the trees, and Meghan takes him to the party. Ben also shows up, interrupting some awkward flirting between Felicity and Noel. In the midst of the festivities, James walks in unnoticed and starts shooting.