Chapter 1

Robin's Perspective

I was out on assignment when I got the call. Ted said it was urgent, that I needed to come to MacLaren's immediately; something about Barney. Gosh, every time I heard Barney's name, my heart skipped a beat. I know we failed when we tried a relationship 2 years ago, but I wanted to give it another try; I was in love with him. You know, after all the stuff that went on with him, and the connection that there was between us, I was sure he felt the same way.

I got in the Worldwide news truck and sped to the bar, leaving my cameraman wondering what the hell was wrong with me. I arrived at the bar a few short minutes later, running inside only to have my heart stabbed. Barney was there, but he wasn't alone…

"I have a big announcement for you, Robin!" he said, holding out a glass of champagne, his arm around her. I downed the drink in about 2 seconds, leaving her staring at me like I was an alcoholic.

"Alright Scherbatsky, are you ready to get your mind blown?" he asked.

"Yeah, baby!" I said, trying to be excited that she was here.

"Nora and I…are getting married!" he said; my heart shattered.

"In 4 ½ months!" Nora shouted, thrusting her diamond clad finger in my face like it was a tag proving that Barney was all hers now. I started to cry.

"Robin, honey, what's wrong?" Lilly asked, rubbing my shoulders and leading me away from Barney, Ted, and Marshall's prying eyes.

"Nothing…I'm just…so happy for Barney and Nora!" I cried, wiping my eyes with my sleeves.

"Robin, where's the poop?"

"Not this again, Lilly."

"Robin, I know something is bugging you, now tell me!"

"Lilly, I can't deal with this."

"With what, Honey?"

"What do you think, Lilly?" I ran out of the bar, tears streaming down my face. I knew that she wouldn't follow me because of her being pregnant and not wanting to run (especially with a belly that size), but I heard the door close only seconds after I got outside.

"ROBIN! WAIT!" Ted cried out, running up to me. He gave me a hug and I buried my face in his shoulder, crying.

"It's not fair, Ted!" I cried.

"I know, Robin."

"No, you don't know."

"Robin, when you broke up with me and Gael came back with you, it broke me to pieces."

I stared at him in disbelief; he had never told me that before, "I guess you do know how I feel."

"Trust me, it gets better over time."

"I don't want it to get better, I want Barney."

"Well, you can't have him. Barney is marrying Nora, and we can't stop it. I mean, think about it, do you really want to make Barney unhappy by breaking them up?"

I sat and thought for a few minutes. I wanted to be happy, but not at the cost of Barney being unhappy. Sacrificing for the people you love was something I was never good at, but if it meant hurting Barney, I couldn't do it; I wasn't that evil.

"Just try and get to know Nora, Robin, you may even like her."

"I guess I can try that. For Barney's sake."

Ted put his arm around my shoulder and walked me back to the bar where Barney and Nora waited to destroy my happiness forever.

"Are you alright, Scherbatsky?" Barney asked, giving me a hug. I couldn't answer him.