AN: Okay...I never imagined I would actually write this story. I've had this idea for a really long time, but I never really wanted to publish it as I thought the idea might be stupid. After a while, I noticed some similar stories to the idea I had were actually pretty popular! I thought I'd give this a shot. I just want to assure I'm not copying any stories, I know some might be similar, but I promise the direction it goes will be different. I know there might be some continuity errors, or we might have seen the character already during a certain year in a flashforward or something, but this is pretending those flashforwards never occurred. By the way, this story will take place in 2023.

It was like any other day. Robin was at the bar, and she was talking to the greatest friend in the world, Lily. Except it wasn't any other day. Instead of talking about her silly work stories, she was talking about something serious. Nothing she could tell the guys.

"Robin, I can't believe that happened!" Lily exclaimed with a tone of sympathy in her voice.

"Shhhh. I can't have anyone else knowing." Robin said in a hushed voice.

"Have you told anyone else what happened? Are you planning to?" Lily asked curiously.

"No, and I won't tell anyone else. Lily, this is the one secret you have to keep. You have no idea how important it is that you don't tell the other guys."

"Robin, I'm not saying I'm going to blab, but is it really that big a deal that I can't even tell the guys? They should know."

"Yes! It is! Please, Lily. Don't." Robin begged.

"Okay." Lily said nodding promisfully.

"You know, I don't even want you to worry too much about it, it's not that big of a deal anyways."

Lily's eyes widened. "Are you kidding?! This is a big deal, and you know it! Robin tell me the story again, and I'll decide if it's crazy or not."

"Fine, maybe it was a little...bad." Robin admitted. She thought back to the moment.

"Why the hell are you so late?" he yelled.

"I told you! I just ran into some traffic on the way home! It is New York City!" Robin retorted.

"Liar!" he screamed before rising up from the sofa.

"Where the hell else would I be? What are you accusing me of?" she shrieked.

"I know exactly what you were doing, stupid bitch. Don't play you're fucking games with me!" he shouted before slamming his beer bottle, on the wall causing it to shatter.

"Okay, obviously you've had a little too much to drink so maybe you should just relax a little." she said fearfully.

"Relax! I'm sick and tired of hearing your stupid shit, Scherbatsky!"

"Well, my last name's actually Stinson." Robin corrected.

"DON'T YOU BRING THAT FUCKING NAME UP! WHAT THE HELL DID I TELL YOU ABOUT NOT BRINGING UP THAT NAME?" he exploded.

"Don't bring it up. My last name's Scherbatsky." she answered nervously. She didn't dare look into his eyes at this point, she stared down at the floor.

"That's right. But that still doesn't answer where you were! Where the were you?" he interrogated, his voice began to rise again.

"Brad! I told you! I was just coming later from work!" she declared.

"You were cheating on me!" he accused.

"I was not!" Robin denied.

"BULLSHIT!" he was screaming so loud to the point where he spat. He ran towards her with his hand raised up in the air.

Robin acted quickly, and made an X with her arms, shielding herself. "Stop!" she cried.

"Get the fuck outta here. NOW!" he exploded in her face.

She quickly ran out of the apartment crying. After that she'd made her way to Maclaren's Pub to talk to Lily.

"Robin, he should not put your hands near you, let alone touch you!" Lily scolded.

"Lily, he didn't hit me! I already told you!" Robin defended.

"Yeah, what would have happened if you didn't defend yourself in time? What would he have done to your? How do you know that would have been the only time he hurt you. What if he kept on-"

"Lily! I get it! He shouldn't have tried to hurt me! But, maybe he had a point. Maybe he was being reasonable. I shouldn't have been late." Robin muttered.

"I can't believe this is you talking right now! The Robin I know, no knew, would be defending herself, not the bad guy! Ever since you married Brad, I feel like you haven't been that same independent and strong woman I knew. Robin, if this marriage means changing who you are, then maybe you shouldn't be in the marriage to begin with!" Lily sniffled. Lily realized she was crying now.

"Lily! I AM still that independent and strong woman! Give me proof that Brad has changed me." Robin said crossing her arms.

"Okay, let's see! Remember that lead anchor job offering you got for the top rated news channel in New York City? Ted, Marshall, Samantha, and I all wanted you to take the job, but Brad wouldn't let you! Like he would even know, he hasn't had a job in years, all he does is sit around on the couch, drinking beer, and watching TV!"

"The only reason we didn't go was because it was in Queens. Brad doesn't like Queens." Robin answered hoping she didn't sound too pathetic.

"Exactly! He was controlling you! And for a stupid reason! He has always been controlling you! In case you haven't noticed Robin, we all hate Brad's guts."

"He hasn't been controlling me! I'm sure he had his reasons... for not liking Queens." At this point, Robin knew she sounded pathetic.

Lily suddenly remained silent. It took what seemed like an eternity for her to open her mouth and say something. "Robin...what's that dark purple mark on your arm?" Lily said observing the gruesome bruise on her forearm.

"Um...you know...I...fell?" Robin lied.

"Oh my God! He has hit you before! When?" Lily said, her voice rising again.

Robin decided not to lie anymore. She told Lily the truth. "Okay. He did hit me a little, but-"

"A little? Robin, look at that thing! I can't believe I didn't notice it before! When!" Lily demanded.

"I was getting to that. It was three or four days ago and he told me he needed some money for beer. I didn't want him to take my wallet because I thought he might steal some money or something. Before I could find it, he saw it lying on the countertop and opened it. He found out I still had a small wallet picture with me and Barney at our wedding. He got pissed because apparently I shouldn't have anymore 'memories' of him, and we got into a huge fight and well, it led to this." Robin said pointing at the bruise on her forearm.

"That's it. You're staying at my place tonight." Lily ordered.

"But, Lily-"

"You're staying at my place tonight! Come on, we should get going." Lily said sounding worried. Robin made her way out of the booth and left the pub with Lily.

There had been a blonde man sitting in the booth behind the two, and he had eavesdropped on the whole conversation. He hated himself for what he had done, but he had no choice. It felt in a way peaceful to hear that voice again in years. All he wanted was for her to be in his arms and safe. After knowing what she had been going through, and knowing he had, in a way, caused it, all he could do is put his head down and weep.

So...? I hope this story isn't too cliche or anything, but I promise I'll be going in a different direction. Please tell me what you think of the story so far, I'd love to hear feedback! Thanks for reading, if you liked it, please tell me what you would want to see happen in the story, and I may include it.