TED POV (PRESENT)

"Just ten minutes left, Barney," He looked up from his fourth drink and smiled lazily. Drunk.

"Ten minutes to what, Teddy?" Barney giggled loudly,

"Your wedding, Barney, c'mon man," I tried to hold him up under his arms and make my way to the door but he suddenly took all the weight from his legs and slid to the floor.

"Oh! Yes, ofcourse, my wedding. Best day of your life apparently, you know? Magical, full of love, warmth and celebration. If that's how it's supposed to be, then tell me this Teddy boy, why do I feel broken inside?" Barney slurred his words and suddenly let out a mad chuckle. "How have I screwed things up so bad? Am I a bad person? Don't answer that."

"No, you're not. But you have to get your ass out there this minute and at least try to pretend you're not horrendously drunk."

I grabbed at his arm and dragged him upright, he hiccupped and almost fell over again but regained his balance and we made it out through the door and into the hallway.

Barney stayed quiet as we walked. I never should have let him have those drinks, I hadn't known he was making his so much stronger than mine. I had three and couldn't feel the effect at all!

Barney stumbled and swore as he fell and dragged me down with him, we landed in a heap on the floor.

"Whoa...where am I? Oh, hey Ted! Why are we on the floor, man?" I sat up and just looked down at Barney, his eyes had closed and he was snoring slightly in his unconciousness. I put my head in my hands and realised she would be walking down the aisle in seven minutes and the groom was lying on the floor, drunk and unconciousness.

"What is going on here!" My head snapped up as Lily came hurtling down the hall,

"Lily, he's drunk, I'm sor-"

"How could you let this happen, Ted!"

"Lily, c'mon! I didn't kno-"

"This cannot be happening!"

"We have a bit of time before she arrives, we can-"

"She's not going to arrive!" Lily's eyes locked with mine,

"W-what? What do you mean she's not going to arrive?"

"She's gone, Ted!"

2 MONTHS 1 WEEK AGO

BARNEY POV

This was insane, Robin hadn't left her apartment in over a week. Lily, Marshall and Ted didn't even know about Katie visting, never mind the fact that she was all pregnant.

It was already 10am and the girl from last night was facedown on the pillows, still fast asleep. Snoring. Attractive.

She vaguely looked like Robin, only not as pretty ofcourse. I just stood there in my room staring down at her like some creepy weirdo. She stirred and the snoring stopped, I froze then ran at full speed out of the bedroom, into the living room, into the hallway and into the elevator.

I looked down at myself and realised I was just wearing my boxers and socks. Dammit.

I had two options. Option one; go back upstairs and explain to that girl that last night was a mistake and she would have to be leaving as soon as humanly possible because looking at her only made me feel disappointed with myself for falling in love with my best friend. Option two; go out in public looking ridiculous, walk to Ted and rant about my life and let the poor girl realise that every word I said to her last night was a complete and utter lie.

Option two was the more desirable of the situations.

The elevator doors opened on the ground floor and I walked out with my head held high, I got a funny look from the doorman and managed a 'Hey, how are ya," as I walked out into the cold New York sunshine half naked.

I was too preoccupied to care about the stares I got, which were surprisingly few, real New Yorkers had saw it all. This is probably illegal in Canada.

I didn't rush, what was the point? Isn't a guy running down the street half naked slightly more suspicious than somebody casually strolling enjoying the nice day.

I reached Ted's apartment soon enough, I walked up the stairs, careful not to touch the hand rail because I'd hate to think about what's touched it. I reached their floor and what I saw next nearly floored me.

Just closing the door leaving Ted's apartment was Nora.

10 MINUTES EARLIER

TED POV

I stared at my Lucky Charms and couldn't help smile. Rebecca had stayed over for the first time last night and I couldn't have imagined it woulds have gone so well.

She was still asleep and I was lying on the couch, greatest mood ever, when there was a knock at the door.

I hopped from the couch and swung the door open. I couldn't catch the bowl in time before it hit the floor with a loud bang that made me hear noise from my room, I must've woken Rebecca.

I couldn't contain my shock at seeing Nora, Barney's Nora, standing there awkwardly smiling.

'Hey, Ted. Eh, may I come in please? It's kinda important.'

I couldn't even respond, I just half laughed and stepped aside to let her in.

'It's about Barney, I know we broke up, but I need him urgently and he didn't answer the door at his apartment he must have been asleep...and he didn't answer his phone? I don't know what's going on righ-'

'Why did you come here though?'

'I'm sorry, I guess I just didn't know where else to go, Ted,'

The door of my room opened and Rebecca emerged, looking crumpled but gorgeous, I quietly thanked God (Barney) for bringing her into my life.

'Ah, Hi. Who's this Ted?' She was just wearing one of my shirts that went down to her knees and seemed embarassed, I smiled slightly.

'Barneys...ah, friend? Nora.'

'Ex-girlfriend,' Nora added, 'I actually need to speak with him quite soon, so I'll just be going, tell him I was looking for him?'

'Ofcourse,' I said, 'Seeya, then'

She turned and went to the door, lingering on the handle,

'I've missed you all Ted,' She gave a sad smile and continued out the door.