"You look like you haven't slept in weeks, Scherbatsky," Barney commented over the table to his frazzled-looking wife.
Robin glared at him. "You know that we've been getting ready to do that escaped-convict piece in Australia next month. Non-fluff news takes lots of investigative research".
"I know," Barney said. This was the first time that week that they had had dinner together. He had picked-up Robin's favourite burger from Maclaren's and it was already getting cold as she ran into the apartment, soaked in April rain.
"This is my job, Barney, " she was apologetic.
"I know," he replied again.
"I come home late every night. Should we just skip Ted and Tracey's dinner party on Friday? You've been so patient, but these past few weeks weren't fair to you. We haven't even done that thing you like in so long".
"What thing?" he asked coyly, as if he needed to. She smiled and whispered seductively into his ear.
"I'll call Ted. He'll understand. Besides, it will spare us from pretending to love Tracey's awful spinach dip again. Or listening to Ted's story about their couple's calligraphy class. Again. Lame. They high-fived. "Super lame. We are the more awesome couple," she agreed.
The two went silent, trying to remember the last time that they did something awesome.
"Are we in a rut?" Robin asked, got up, and put his arm around his wife's shoulders. "Yes, yes we are. But this weekend, this weekend, we are going to do something legend...wait for it. She rolled her eyes, and half smiled at her exuberant husband. His youthful energy was still charming in their 40s.
"Dary. Yes. Legendary. Forget your convicts in Australia for the weekend. We are going here." Barney reached into his deep suit jacket pocket and produced a pamphlet from the Peachtree Inn* in Vermont.
Couples Retreat- April 7th, 2017 the glossy sheet read.
Robin's eyes met his. The heaviness that weighed them softened. "I guess I could take a little break."
*fictional place