Chapter 10 – Friday Night

Lily had finally found Robin, and was sitting next to her on the roof. She dropped her chopsticks into the container of Pad Thai by her knee, and reached for the pineapple fried rice, pushing Robin's arms toward the sea of containers that surrounded them.

"Robin, come on sweetie, eat something."

"I'm not hungry." Robin put the chopsticks down again, and Lily forced them back into her hands.

"You always feel better when you eat." Lily reached into another container and took a piece of chicken out, then put it near Robin's mouth. Robin sighed and took the chicken from Lily, chewing it half-heartedly. Lily nodded. It was a start.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No." She picked up a container and stabbed the bottom with her chopsticks.

"Robin…" She touched her shoulder. Robin jerked defensively. "Serious I want to know what's up. Is it…" She sighed. She'd promised Marshall she wouldn't delve, but the girl was her best friend. "Is it Ted?"

"Ted? God no." Robin almost laughed.

"I know." Lily said, biting the end of her chopstick. "I just didn't want to say Barney." Robin's heart stopped.

"Why would it be Barney?" She resumed stabbing the bottom of the carton. Lily touched her knee.

"Because I know that it is." She lifted her chopsticks again, pointing the tips at Robin. "BFFs Robin, its my job to know."

"I haven't confirmed nor denied that it's Barney." Robin reached for her pack of cigarettes, now almost empty. Lily pried it gently from her hands.

"But I know that it is." Lily smiled at her. "Robin, seriously, anything you tell me, I won't tell anyone."

"Not even Marshall?"

"Marshall doesn't count, I tell him everything."

"Lily…"

"But, but"

"BFF's honor."

"Damnit…" Lily said, biting her chopstick again. "You've got it. No word, not even to Marshall."

"I'm still in love with Barney."

Barney watched the clock shift time at MacLaren's. He was in the booth with Marshall and Ted having their official last Hurrah beers. They were an oddly quiet group however. He and Ted were caught up in their own minds while Marshall tried to spark a conversation.

"So I wonder where Lily and Robin are." He said it loudly, the one thing he knew would bring at least Barney to planet Earth. Both Barney and Ted's heads snapped up.

"I haven't seen her since last night." Ted's words were slow. "Robin, that is."

"I haven't spoken to her…" Barney was fiddling with his phone. Marshall looked at both faces and pieced the situation together. He cursed in his mind and wished he had Lily sitting next to him. She'd have some thought on how to handle the situation, but she was dealing with whatever Robin was going through. Of course the two situations were probably hand in hand, maybe.

"Ah. So, um Barney, big day tomorrow."

"What? Oh yeah, its going to be legen…" He trailed off, staring at his knuckles.

"You ok?"

"Yeah, um, nerves." He sighed. "But, true story, whenever I feel nervous I stop and be awesome instead."

"And did it work?"

"Psssssh yeah." Barney forced a smile. Marshall noticed the corners of Barney's mouth stretched too tight, but decided not to comment on it. He looked over at Ted.

"So Ted, how was class today?"

"Some dorky student stole the sugar when I was making my coffee." Ted slid his finger down the trail a drop of condensation had left behind it.

"That sucks."

"Yeah, and I slept through classes. Hangovers suck." He said as he took another swig of his beer. Marshall nodded.

"We'll they definitely don't not suck." Marshall was still watching Barney. He still had the fake smile plastered on his face.

Ted watched Barney's back as he got up and went to the bathroom. He looked up at Marshall.

"Dude I think I love Robin."

"Ted you'd don't love Robin."

"I do."

"No you don't." Marshall sighed. "Ted you always do this. Something happens and you convince yourself that the girl is perfect for you. You know you and Robin never work out! You NEVER will work out."

"I have to try."

"No you don't Ted, you're just going to cause more harm than help."

"I'm not!"

"Ok Ted, fine, ok." Marshall's volume level was rising, the ire in his voice doubling. "If you think its right, then you make that move, but don't do it until after Barney's wedding." Ted looked up at him. "It wouldn't be fair of you to ruin Barney's day.

Barney was staring in the bathroom mirror when he pulled out his phone again. He unlocked it and brought up the recently called list. How many times had he tried to call Robin? Who knows? He just wanted to hear her voice, her confirmation that he was doing the right thing.

He starts to dial it again, but decides against it, splashes some water on his face. He was Barney Stinson, for God's sakes. When was the last time he'd doubted his next move like this. How many times has he second guessed this wedding, and then second guessed his second guessing? Everyone thinks he's so sure of himself, so smooth, the dashing and awesome, cool and collected Barney Stinson. But why does he feel like Barney Stinson is slipping through his fingers?

How many times has Robin seen the real him? She probably knows that Barney better than he does. All of his important events, she was there. He gets hit by a bus, finding out about his dad, falling in love, it was all her. Robin Scherbatsky.

He picks up his phone again and pockets it, tapping the screen before heading back out into the bar. Ted's left them, and Marshall is sill nursing his beer. Barney takes a seat.

"Hey Marshall, can I ask you something?"

"Sure. Not about Lily's boobs though right?"

"Of course not. Although…" Marshall gave him a look above the rim of his Beer Mug. "Kidding bro, kidding."

"What's the question Barn?"

"Do you think I'm doing the right thing."

"Barney, I'll tell you one thing." Marshall took a gulp of his beer. "There's so many reasons why this is bad for you, why it's not going to end well, and a bunch of reasons it will end well. The thing is, I can't tell you what's right and whats wrong. All I can tell you is to listen to this." Marshall poked him in the chest, above his heart. "and everything will be alright." Marshall drained his glass and stood, headed for the bathroom.

"Listen to my this huh…" Barney's hand was draped over his hear, a thoughtful look on his face as he stared at nothing in particular.