(A/N: Didn't feel like studying for my finals, so here's a one-shot. Or perhaps more, it depends on what you guys think. Enjoy!)
Seeing Barney go on dates with Nora, those seemingly innocent, simple dinners - could Barney really be described with innocent? - made Robin jealous. Her dates with Barney were either exciting sex, laser tag or boring dinners at which they were both irritable. Just about everything that Barney did with Nora made her envious. Envious enough to kiss Ted. The whole dynamic was getting messed up again, she was perfectly fine with the 'friends' tag when it came to Ted, but she didn't really mean that kiss. She had one scotch too many, and she saw Ted, just sitting in front of the television with Star Wars in the player, and she couldn't help herself. She saw Ted, as her lips met his, but she was thinking of Barney.
Ted pulled away almost immediately, although she felt like he gave in for a moment, his expression was a mixture of confusion and anger.
"Robin, I can't do this, okay? I know Zoey's not the one, but I thought we were quite clear about this, we're friends." He slid further to the side of the couch, creating more space between the pair.
"I'm sorry, Ted, but I can't help it, I just... I just miss him, you know? Seeing him so happy, I can't help myself." Robin slumped on her side of the couch, head in her hands. She said it. After two months of attempted denial, she still couldn't get over Barney. He was the only guy that she felt ready to be tied down to. She missed everything about him. His playful smirk, his charming gaze, even all those sex tricks that were embarrassing and got out of hand in public. Her body never felt quite at home with anyone but him. No man held her quite so tightly, was so confident, yet vulnerable. It was worse now that Barney hung out with them less.
Ted considered scooting over closer, before he changed his mind and plumped for the coffee table instead. "Robin, look at me. Come on, look at me." She raised her head slightly, her beautiful face stained with tears, eyes slightly puffy.
"You're better than Barney Stinson. If he doesn't know what an amazing person you are and doesn't treasure you, then it's his loss. Perhaps he isn't worth your time and tears, Robin. You're gorgeous, Robin. Men would kill for a date with you, you know that? Tell you what, there's a guy that I know, he's a nice person and good-looking, but he doesn't really want to settle down, which is killing his chances with ladies, from what I hear. You need someone like him right now. Sound good?"
Robin considered Ted's proposal for a moment, it'd be good to go out with another man for a change, take things slow, without pressure, get her mind off Barney. Perhaps Ted was right, a new man was just what she needed at the moment. "All right, I'll give it a shot."
"Fantastic! I'll arrange for Josh to pick you up at MacLaren's tomorrow night. I'm sure Marshall and Lily will be curious, and who knows? Barney may just realise what he's given up."
Robin sat in the booth nervously, as Lily and Marshall cooed over ultrasound pictures opposite her. Barney and Nora were at the bar, and she couldn't help but steal a couple of glances. God, they looked so happy. Did she and Barney ever look that blissful?
"You must be Robin." A rich, British accent filled her ears and interrupted her thoughts. "I'm Joshua, Joshua Wood, but I go by Josh most of the time." Robin felt slightly awkward, partly awed by his gorgeous accent and chiselled good looks. His dark blonde locks were cropped short, clean-shaven and he had startling piercing dark blue eyes that seemed to stare right through her.
"Hey, Josh. Yeah, I'm Robin." "Is that a Canadian accent I hear? It's beautiful." Josh took her hand and excused themselves, as they started to walk down the autumn streets of New York City.
As the night wore on, Robin could feel herself becoming attracted to Josh. It was hard not to, with his obvious good looks and charms. His confidence wasn't arrogant, it was assuring, and he was gentlemanly, not a hint of male chauvinism, and he was a great conversationalist without being unnecessarily probing. He had smartly avoided the past relationships topic, and shared a little about himself. She could feel those taut, gym-worked muscles under his pristine charcoal suit, and his hands. Large, warm and comforting. She had almost forgotten about Barney, lost in Josh's charm.
As their date came to a close, he stopped at the staircase outside her apartment building, and spun her slightly to hold both her hands. "Robin, I'd love to do this again sometime. Does Friday night sound good?" She smiled, "Of course. It's been great." He pulled her in for a warm, friendly hug, and kissed her cheek lightly. "I'll pick you up on Friday at the same place and time then. Have a good night."
"He's handsome, but not awesome." The familiar, teasing, slightly high-pitched voice rung out behind her, and she flinched, hoping it wasn't too obvious from the back.
"Why are you here, Stinson?" Robin kept her tone even, trying to not let her bitter feelings seep into her voice, and looked at him squarely, hoping that her expression wouldn't betray her inner longing to be in his arms.
"Visiting my best friend, what else? To catch a glimpse of the guy that picked you up earlier too, maybe. British?" Barney narrowed his eyes, seemingly unimpressed. He walked towards her, and stopped a foot away, his face growing serious.
"You need better than that, Sparkles." Lowering his voice to a whisper, he gave her a small smile, and she thought she heard him mutter, just audibly, "You need legendary."
(A/N: What do you guys think? Thanks for reading!)