I had a great idea last night, so here goes. For the sake of this story, Robin and Barney are both 17 years old. Nathan is a made up friend, and Barney is his black haired, black finger nailed version of himself that we saw in The Magician's Code.

1996

Barney Stinson was anxiously awaiting for the big show to start. He still couldn't believe he'd be a part of the greatest magician's show ever. The only downfall was that it was in Canada. That was something he had to let slide for now. At least it was Niagara Falls, and he could see his precious homeland from where he was sitting.

"Dude, why do we have to watch this?" Barney asked his friend, Nathan.

"Because! I've been following this pop star since she started," Nathan replied. "She's cute, she's bouncy, and I'm totally gonna try to get my photo taken with her this time."

"This time?"

"She has a lot of security," Nathan mumbled. Barney snorted. He was playing with a deck of cards in his hands. He was rather bored to be honest. He kept thinking about his part in the show tomorrow. He was nervous, but he could do it. He knew he could.

"There she is!" Nathan shrieked. He started jumping. Barney scowled in annoyance. He didn't really want to be here to watch some dumb little rockstar sing a song about malls. How lame was that?

"Thank you all for coming," the star said, making her way around the stage. "Um, here's the thing. I've made a slight change, eh? I am no longer Robin Sparkles."

There was a hush over the crowd.

"What?" Nathan asked. Barney wasn't really listening.

"Robin Sparkles is dead!" she shouted. "I'm now Robin Daggers y'all!"

"What?!" Nathan said again. Barney looked up briefly then, and...His. Heart. Stopped.

"Wow," he murmured. On that stage was a black haired beauty screaming lyrics to a song that was heavy metal. Barney took in her gothic appearance and felt as though it was meant to be.

"No way," Nathan said, outraged. "Why is she doing this? She's Robin Sparkles!"

"Robin Daggers. Weren't you listening?" Barney asked, slipping his cards around again. He was thinking about this girl and how he could meet her. The crowd by now was horrified. Some were booing her. Barney decided they weren't giving her a chance. People did change after all.

"This is lame. I'm outta here," Nathan said, getting up. Barney followed, but then he looked back. Something about this Robin Daggers made him want to stop time and talk to her.

"I'll catch up," Barney said, giving Nathan a slight nod. He slunk to the edges of the room, watching Robin finish her song. She was flushed and looking at the crowd hopefully. She was not met with enthusiasm. Barney made is way to the door where she would most likely exit from. On cue, she bolted from the stage. He followed as she ran outside. He could tell she was crying.

"Hey!" he called. She swiveled her head back to look at him.

"What?" she snarled. "Come to tell me I suck? That I'm a loser now?"

"Not at all. I actually liked the song," Barney said. She paused, looking at him more curiously now.

"Really?"

"Yea. It was..." he stopped to prepare for a trick. He let the words "totally awesome" show up on his hands as though they had been burned there.

"Wow," she gasped. "You do magic?!"

"I do. Your music is magic too," Barney said. He felt nervous suddenly. He hadn't really dated much, and girls made him edgy and anxious. Something about Robin, though, made him want to try.

"You're so sweet," Robin gushed. They both turned to the sound of feet pounding as reporters and media came around the corner.

"I should go," Barney said.

"No! Actually...can you help me?" she asked. "I don't want to face them right now." Barney didn't blame her.

"All right. Come on," he said. She followed him as he returned to his hotel room. She leaned on the closed door with her eyes shut.

"That was close," she sighed. "Thanks."

"No problem," Barney nodded. He went to sit at the desk. He felt awkward suddenly. Nathan could come back at any time. He cursed the idea of sharing a room now. Robin moved to sit on the edge of the bed.

"So," she said. "I take it you're not from Canada?"

"No. USA all the way," Barney answered, pumping his fist.

"So what brings you here then?" she asked. Her "so" was drawn out a little in that Canadian accent way.

"I can't tell you. Magician's Code," he winked.

"You're in that show tomorrow then," Robin noted.

"Yea," he admitted.

"That's cool," she smiled. Barney looked at her face on then. He saw her mascara had smeared a little from crying. She looked tired.

"You have a place to go?" he asked.

"Um, just my trailer. I bet everyone's waiting for me to ask what the hell I just did," she grimaced.

"What the hell did you just do?" he prodded.

"I changed my style. Apparently the world wasn't ready for that," Robin groaned.

"To hell with them. I say it again: I loved it."

"Thanks...um, what's your name?"

"Barney."

"Robin."

They shook hands.

"I'll be going home tomorrow probably," Robin sighed.

"Where is home?"

"Vancouver."

"Oh."

"You?"

"New York City."

"Wow. I've always wanted to go there," she said admiringly.

"You should come someday," Barney said. "I don't think you should give up on your dream either."

"Thanks," she grinned. "I have a feeling my producer is going to drop me, though."

"Well, I still say don't give up," Barney encouraged. He felt his heart race as she looked at him again.

"You wanna get something to eat?" she asked. "I know a great pizza place."

"Sounds amazing."

...

Barney and Robin laughed together while they ate. They had it delivered so Robin could avoid being attacked by media. They were sitting cross legged side by side on the floor at the end of the bed.

"I think that guy was sticking it to your mom," Robin said, still laughing after Barney had told her about it.

"No, he's not!" Barney denied aggressively.

"Come on. The disappearing salami?" Robin asked, giggling.

"It's a thing!"

"It sure is," Robin snorted.

"Okay. Enough about my life," Barney said. "Tell me about yours."

"Fine," Robin said. And she did. She shared about her parents, how her father wanted her to be a boy. She told him everything. Barney had never felt closer to someone like this before.

"I don't have a father," Barney admitted. "I never met him."

"I'm so sorry," Robin empathized. She touched his hand. He felt like he had been shocked. They looked at each other intensely then. Before he knew it, they were kissing. Ferociously.

"Oh, oh my God," Robin said, breaking them apart. "I'm so sorry."

"For what?"

"I...I don't know." She got up and paced.

"Was it gross?"

"No! I just...I shouldn't be here, doing this. I'm sorry. Thank you for helping me out," Robin said, opening the door and making to leave.

"Wait! Will I see you again?" Barney asked, scrambling to get off the floor.

"Probably not," Robin said. She closed the door firmly and disappeared. Barney felt crushed. He had feelings for this girl, he knew it. He had to find her. He grabbed his coat and chased after her. He had to kiss her again. He had to get her number. He just had to. He wasn't going to stop until he did.

...

Barney returned to his hotel room hours later feeling desolate. She had legit disappeared. He found Nathan eating their pizza.

"Still can't believe she did that," Nathan said through his food. Barney didn't care. He was miserable. He needed to see her again. He crash landed on his bed face first.

"What's with you?" Nathan asked.

"Tired," Barney answered vaguely.

"I met this chick at a bar," Nathan went on, not even listening. "She was so hot. I failed, though. Got beer tossed in my face."

"Serves you right for being a dog," Barney muttered. His friend was rather aggressive with the ladies. Barney wasn't really sure why he hung out with the guy aside from the fact they both did magic and a show together.

"Eh. There will always be another girl," Nathan said, cramming the last slice down his throat. Then he got up and went to the bathroom. Barney sighed loudly. He was never going to see Robin again. He just knew it. It hurt...a lot.

Well? Should I continue?