Chapter 1: How Marshall met your mother

3:00 Friday the 24th of May, 51 hours before the wedding.

Marshall Eriksen sat nervously on the train to Farhampton. He was keeping a secret from his wife, a secret that would make his career and break hers. His thoughts were interrupted by his phone ringing.
"Hello" He answered.
"Hi Marshall, its Ted" Was the reply.
" I just called to say that I can't collect you from the train"
Great he'd have to wait for a taxi.
" Yeah that's fine"
Shouting could be heard in the background.
" What's going on" said Marshall.
" Oh yeah, the wedding band were supposed to rehearse for Barney and Robin at around twelve but the bass player never showed up, Robin's pretty pissed"
The train stopped and Marshall got up.
" It's kinda weird because she's the reason they got the gig in the first place you'd think she'd turn up"
Marshall got off the train and looked around, there lying on a solitary bench was a young woman asleep. But what caught his eye was a bass guitar case on the ground beside her.
" Hey Ted" He said into the phone" I think I found her"

After finishing up with Ted, Marshall walked over to the bench. He wasn't sure how he would go about waking up a complete stranger. He tapped her on the head. Nothing. He took out his phone and played a song as loud as loud as he could. Still nothing. Just as he was about to give up hope, Marvin started crying and slowly the woman's eyes began to open.
" Good thinking Marv" he said proudly to his son.
" Excuse me, Miss" he said to the woman.
" Who are you" she said drowsily as she began to sit up.
" I'm Marshall Eriksen, and I'm just wondering are you by any chance playing the bass in a wedding band this weekend"
Her eyes opened wide with realisation.
"Crap" she said " What time is it"
He looked at his watch.
" It's ten past three" he replied
" Dammit I'm late" she yelled "I was supposed to be there at twelve"
She got up and picked up her coat, bass and umbrella.
" Wait how did you know" she questioned.
" Oh I'm one of the groomsmen, I was just talking to the best man, he said the brides not happy about this"
" Well then I need to get going, I assume you're going to the same place, wanna split a cab?" She said.
" Yeah sure" he replied.
" I'm Tracey by the way" she said as they walked towards the street.

A while later they finally got into a cab.
" So, why did you fall asleep on that bench " Marshall asked.
" Oh me and my boyfriend Louis broke up last night, didn't get much sleep"
"Oh I'm sorry to hear that" Marshall replied.
" No it's fine, he was a jackass anyway, I was more upset about the fact that he took our dog" Tracey replied. " I ended up watching Ghostbusters again, I swear I can pretty much quote every line."
She laughed. " I'm sorry I'm rambling aren't I?"
" No, it's fine" Marshall replied.
" I could really do with a glass of scotch" she said " I love scotch"
Yeah I guess she is rambling Marshall thought to himself.
The cab stopped. Marshall paid the driver and they got out.
" Well I gotta get going" she said " see you at the wedding"
" Bye" Marshall said as she walked away.
Marshall walked over to the hotel he and the gang were staying in, after a long flight he could really do with a lie down. It was when he was in the elevator that he realised something. She likes dogs. She's able to quote ghostbusters. She likes scotch. He remembered the conversation him and Ted had eight years ago when he met Robin. This girl was perfect for Ted! And plus she played the bass, something that Ted loves for some reason.
When he got to his room he was greeted by Lily.
" Hey Marshall" she said " How was your flight"
" Yeah it was fine" he said absentmindedly as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a few dollar bills.
" Here you go" he said, handing them to her." I forfeit the bet, Ted and Robin will never end up together" he said.
" Yes" she yelled " I win!"
"But " he continued " I want to start a new bet. I bet you that Ted will meet the woman he will one day marry by the end of this weekend."
" Okay" she said, confused while shaking his hand. "But what makes you so sure"
"Oh you'll see" he said " you'll see"