Through the numbness of her tired mind, Robin heard the knock on the door, and went to answer it with a forced smile, willing with her entire being for the visitor to be who she wanted it to be, the one person she could be herself in front of, and the one person who understood her perfectly.

She kept her face from falling as she saw who it was: Ted. Why him? Why not Barney? Oh wait. Quinn. Quinn, clever enough to ensnare Barney when Robin needed him the most; clever enough not to let him go as Robin had.

'Robin,' Ted spoke softly, and Robin could hear the trepidation behind his voice. 'Barney... he's...'
Something was up. Robin knew as much as soon as Ted walked through the door, his face turned downwards towards the floor.

'What is it Ted?' She didn't want to wait around for this, she needed to get the sting of whatever it was over with, the longer it played out, the worse it would be.

'Him and Quinn... they're engaged.' The words were spat out fast, though in Robin's mind, they moved so slowly, her world had stopped momentarily; just so that she could take in this news.

There's no hope.

Not now.

Not ever.

She turned, walked towards the kitchen, poured herself a glass of water, took a tentative sip; the coolness of it further numbing her. She had to be strong. Show no emotion. Be happy for them.

Her hand holding the glass was not shaking. Good. She forced herself to start towards Ted, almost tripping over her feet in the process, and ignored his concerned gaze that swept over her in a calculating fashion; taking in how she had acted since he had given her the news. His eyes narrowed as he noted her downcast gaze, not looking him directly in the eyes; the way she was clasping the glass as if it was keeping her alive. Slumping on the sofa, she reached for the remote control which was on the chair beside her, deciding that television would be the best way to block out her approaching emotional breakdown, and willed Ted to leave her apartment before it began.

As she was about to come into contact with the remote, it was pulled swiftly out of her way by Ted, who replaced it by sitting down next to her.

'Robin.' He looked at her waiting for her to answer, or at least look at him. He grew more concerned when she did not react, and sat in silence for a moment, choosing what to say next.
'You haven't said anything since I told you.' He stated, and now she looked up.

'And why do you think that is, Ted?' Robin questioned, and immediately regretted the words; for she could see the now prominent understanding in Ted's eyes.

'You're in love with him.'