Yes yes, I know the last one was short. It's because it's a 2 parter. Hope you guys enjoy part 2. Thank you scissorhands101 for your review, and again to vocjorious96. I may get the next chapter out tonight too.
Chapter 7 – Thursday evening
Barney looked at the people sitting at the table, consumed by the thoughts in his head. Could he even explain how he felt looking into Robin's eyes? How badly he wanted to kiss her? But then… seeing that fierce resolve of hers all pointing him towards Nora. She'd dropped his hands so fast, was it all just in his head?
The others were enjoying the rehearsal dinner, the usual barrage of toasts and good cheer. He knew his part by now. Just smile and nod, let Nora answer everything, don't look at Robin. He just had to go through the motions. The others knew their role by now. Cheers and sighs, smiles and nods. A well oiled machine. An audience to their play. Marriage for the eyes and entertainment for all.
The attention of it sickened him. Him! Barney Stinson! He didn't want the attention it was bringing. His eyes fell to his plate and the half eaten meal on it. The only ones quieter than himself were Ted and Robin.
Robin… sandwiched there between Lily and Ted. He let his eyes drift up from his plate. Was she upset or was she smiling? Was it just the lights or was she pale. He wanted to ask her, but then Nora's eyes would turn hard and cold like after the rehearsal. Would he have to give up his best friend just to achieve what she'd deemed best for him?
He reached for his glass. Emptied it again. The scotch tasted like water, missing its usual burn. Or was it that the burning his chest was doing was enough of a burn. Nora lifted her glass, pulling him to stand next to her. It was weird. The moment was definitely supposed to be awesome, he was sure. But then his eyes landed on Robin, and he was sure she could see through his fake smile. Sure she could see the cracks in his armor. Sure that in his eyes she'd see the question he'd been holding, keeping it from slipping out of his mouth like his last breath.
Robin felt Lily's eyes on her as she looked back into Barney's. He was staring right at her. Yes Barney, yes I see all the good you've done. Goddamn it all. Barney, why did you have to bounce back like that? Why didn't he just… damn it.
She reached for her glass, sharing the toast automatically, yelling hear hear with the rest of them. It bought back memories of she and Barney's little toasts. Lying out on a balcony next to him, one arm still tied to the bedpost, the other holding a glass aloft. Barney lying next to her, his tie still on for some reason, the rest of his clothes abandoned to the floor (except, of course, the suit). He'd had one arm looped around her, the other clinking the glass in his hand against hers. Nothing but the sky above them and no one but each other to answer to.
Lily reached under the table, patting her knee. Robin smiled at her, holding the glass up as yet another toast was said.
"Are you ok?" Lily's words were whispered as the rest cheered and drank. Robin, her drink held aloft, turned to face her.
"Fine." She said, cursing the single tear that told a different story as it fell from her eye.
Ted drank from his glass. It was what, his 8th? Who was counting anymore? He drinks a few more, he and Robin can share a cab home, who cares how drunk he is.
He's watching the marriage train pass him by again. Barney, out of everyone, married before him. Its more than he can take. He drinks again, does a shot with Robin, tips his glass at Barney. Is it just him or is Barney not smiling as much as he'd have thought he'd be. Robin holds out another shot, and they go again. Why is she drinking so much? He'd pretty sure its just him whose miserable.
Robin's leaning on his arm now, humming "Sandcastles in the Sand" under her breath. Her hair smells so nice. Did it always smell this nice? He reaches over to tap Lily, and did she lean up to press her boobs against his arm? His head isn't too clear.
He looks at Nora. She's almost glowing with her giant grin and incessant laughing. Her ring is sparkling in the light, and she knows it's her time to shine. God he wants that feeling. Is she out there anywhere? Everyone keeps saying she's coming, have patience, but can he really?
And now Robin's tapping his knee in time to the humming. Lily's patting Robin's face and calling for a glass of water, but Robin waves it away. He likes the look in her eyes, but he doesn't know why. It's somewhere between disappointment and drunk, in the middle of horny. He doesn't know why but he thinks he should concentrate on them.
The wedding party wants to take photos, so he and Robin should stand. Ted makes it up, moves towards the rest. Robin stands up, takes a step, wavers, and falls.
Ted pushed the door open, Robin draped over his arm and laughing. She was still singing, and Lily had confiscated her purse guns just in case. He looked at her from the corner of his eye, watching the light from the window hit her eyes, then the highlights in her hair. He reaches up to brush it behind her ear, and misses, cupping her cheek instead. She sighs, pressing her face into his hand. He lets his other hand drift up and pulls her towards him.
The kiss is fast and fevered. He pulls her tightly against him, his lips trailing along her neck. He slides his hands down her sides, cupping her ass as her arms encircle his neck.
She pulls him closer, and moves backwards towards the couch. They fall over the arm, a flurry of arms and hands. His lips are hot on her cool flesh, her hands stroking his arms, his chest, making his skin tingle. His lips snaked a trail of fire down her neck to her chest, his hands sliding beneath her shirt and upwards.
They tumble off the couch while he fumbles for his zipper, pushing her skirt up above her hips. Robin moaned beneath him, her hands all over him. He pulls her beneath him, kissing her again as he enters her. They gasp in unison, her eyes close as he rocks back and forth. She bites her lips as her body core turns molten, her orgasm starts to shake her as a single word escapes her lips.
"Barney…"
