Barney didn't know why he had told her he was his old self and liking it. Where did that even come from? What was happening to him? All he knew was when he tried to sleep with someone else, he couldn't. It terrified him. And yet, as he stood there, kissing Robin, it felt so right. The conflict inside of him was steep. He tried not to think about Ted because the guy did love Robin first, but he was with Victoria now. That made it okay. Besides, they hadn't dated or anything yet, so...dibs!
"Mm, shoot," Robin said, breaking the kiss as her phone rang. "It's Ted."
"Ted? Voicemail is his best friend anyway. Just let it ring," Barney said, moving in. Robin couldn't help but let it ring after that. They moved to her couch when a text dinged on her phone. Then another. And another.
"He's not going to stop until I answer," she said, reaching for it.
"Hey, I have a text too," Barney frowned, looking at his phone. After a moment, they both looked at each other.
"Ted's moving to Germany?!" they exclaimed at the same time.
...
Ted was sitting with a somber looking Lily and Marshall when Barney and Robin showed up at the bar. Lily noticed that Robin's hair looked rather...tousled, but Robin was already running her hands through it before she could ask.
"You can't move to Germany!" Barney shouted at Ted as he sat down.
"Why not?"
"Because! You're my best bro, and best bros don't move away for some hoe," Barney said.
"I'm so glad to know how you feel about me," Victoria said, coming up behind them. Barney shrank in his seat a little.
"You guys, I'm doing this," Ted said. "I'm not going to let this girl, this beautiful, wonderful woman, disappear from my life because she has some great opportunity at this time in her life."
"You're so sweet," Victoria smiled, slipping her arm through Ted's.
"Ted, Teddy Ted Ted. You're not thinking straight," Barney spluttered.
"I am, Barney," Ted said. "And you're just going to have to accept it."
"But I...nooooOOOO!" Barney yelled, the "O's" getting louder and more drawn out until he finished. He banged his hands on the table, making the peanuts fly everywhere.
"Ted, are you sure this is what you want to do?" Lily asked. "What about your job?"
"I figure I can design buildings over there too," Ted answered, smiling.
"It's only for two years," Victoria promised. "We'll be back after that."
"Two years?!" Barney gasped, horrified. "No, no, no! Ted, no! Don't do this to me!"
"Sorry, buddy," Ted apologized. He looked at Victoria then. "Guess I should start packing!"
"I'll help," she smiled.
"No!" Barney shrieked, falling off the booth and racing to the door.
"I better get up there before he starts trashing my stuff," Ted said, gesturing. Victoria followed.
...
Barney was already throwing Ted's clothes around when Ted arrived.
"Watcha doing?" Ted asked.
"Stopping you," Barney answered.
"I can always buy more clothes," Ted said.
"Not American clothes," Barney replied.
"Barney, can you just chill out for a second?" Ted asked.
"I'll give you guys some privacy," Victoria said, heading towards the window to go up to the roof. When she was gone, Ted turned back to Barney.
"I know you're upset that I'm leaving, but I gotta do this. I've never done anything so wild and crazy like this before, and I really want to."
"You're making a big mistake," Barney said.
"If I stay here and she goes alone, we'll break up. I just know we will. Long distance relationships are hard, and I really like Victoria. I might even love her. I want to give this a chance. Please just be happy for me?" Ted begged. Barney stood there looking at his friend. Who was he to interfere when he could relate. If Robin moved away, he'd follow her, not that he'd ever admit that.
"All right. I'll allow it," he agreed.
"Um, you don't allow anything. It's my choice," Ted laughed.
"When it ends up bad, don't come running to me," Barney said, slapping Ted's back. He left then, heading back for the bar. He saw Robin there with Lily, and he couldn't help but smile. He turned to order a drink before Lily the Bloodhound could see. He sat down next to Robin when his scotch was made.
"I envy Ted a little," Lily said.
"Why's that?" Robin asked.
"He's living a dream. I didn't get to do that," Lily sighed.
"Isn't your dream Marshall?" Barney asked, confused.
"It is, but you know, when I was younger, I always thought I'd be a famous painter by now or something. It's just a realization that life changes," Lily said. Barney wasn't sure about what she was saying. It made him feel slightly worried.
"I love Marshall so much," Lily said. "I hope you guys know that."
"Now we do," Barney said. "Would it kill you to say it once in a while?" He hated to admit it, but Lily and Marshall's relationship was big in his eyes. They were a power couple. If anyone could survive life, marriage, kids, etc., it would be those two.
"I better go. Marshall wants me to take off his new suit," Lily winked.
"Ew," Robin said, wrinkling her nose.
"Nice," Barney commented. Lily ignored his high five hand. Then it was just the two of them.
"So," Robin started.
"So," he echoed.
"My place?" she asked.
"Hells yea," he nodded. They jumped up and hurried back to her apartment.
...
Barney was curled up behind Robin as she slept. He was still awake. He wasn't thrilled with Ted leaving, and no matter how hard he tried to justify the man's motive, he just couldn't. But, as he looked at Robin, he got to thinking that perhaps if it were him, he wouldn't see it any other way either. He felt something happening inside of his heart in this moment. It felt foreign and strange, but he kind of liked it. One of Robin's dogs came and curled up behind him, and he couldn't help but smile. He rested his head back onto the pillow and closed his eyes. He felt at home.
...
"I can't believe you're going," Lily said, hugging Ted hard. They were at the airport sending Ted and Victoria off. Barney was standing aside as Marshall, Lily, and Robin hugged him goodbye. He was last.
"Last chance to bail, bro," Barney said, hugging him.
"Nah. I think this'll work," Ted grinned.
"Keep in touch. Let us know when you get there. Don't talk to strangers!" Lily ordered, acting all motherly suddenly.
"I'll keep him safe and sound, and we'll call all the time," Victoria promised. Their flight was called, and they picked up their carry on luggage.
"Bye," Robin said, waving. Barney watched her. She seemed okay, not upset in any way. He wondered if she was truly over Ted. She caught his eye and smiled a little. He felt reassured.
"Hey, um, here's a farewell gift," Marshall said, handing him a long skinny wrapped box. "It just doesn't seem right to let you leave without it."
"Is that one of the swords from the wall?" Ted asked, surprised.
"Marshall! We are in an airport!" Lily hissed. "You'll get Ted arrested!"
"Oh damn," Marshall said, lowering the box in his hand. His plan had been foiled.
"You hang onto it," Ted told him. "I'll be back for it."
"Okay," Marshall agreed sadly. Ted and Victoria waved goodbye as they walked through the door and disappeared. Barney stood there feeling small suddenly. A part of their group was gone. How would things change because of it?
Thanks for reading!
