Disclaimer: I don't own How I Met Your Mother but the characters and storylines are my own

A/N: Hope you didn't mind Byron's peculiar problem, sorry if you weren't too keen on it, now I'm doing a two parter

Episode 11 – The truth about Corey - Part 01

"Now, I will continue the story, but most of the next part will be focused on Scotty, seeing as it does involve his life more than it does to me; but there are important elements to it, I promise you that."

"Oh, something tells me that this isn't going to be a cheerful ending." Ashleigh squeezed her arm gently.

I hesitated for a while. "Then I'll leave out the fact that he broke up with Anna- or that she broke up with him." I paused. "He never actually said which one broke up with the other."

"But I liked her." Sydney piped up.

I wished I could have told her that Anna and Scotty got back together after realizing that they were being idiots – but that wasn't the case.

Flashback – Scotty Rogers

Scotty wasn't fussed about his recent break-up; he was over it, and it was a matter of weeks, maybe even days before he would find a new girlfriend.

He was walking along Fifth Avenue, past all the shops that Anna had dragged him around on their second date, which paid off in the evenings. Boy did he think it was worth it. Scotty felt a pang in his chest, but it wasn't because of the shops reminding him of Anna – it was the lack of attractive women in the 'Fashion district' and, it was the weekend. So where were all the women?

Then he saw her, Ellen. An old girlfriend of his from about three years ago. She looked amazing; her hair was much longer now, and she was looking slimmer than ever.

Scotty decided that he would stop and talk to her once she got close, but something made him stop and stare.

The fact that she was holding a tiny hand in hers. A small boy who could have been no older than two years old was waddling along beside her in complete awe of the tall buildings and bright advertisements.

"Ellen?" Scotty said, with confidence brimming in his voice. "Hi."

"Scotty Rogers? Wow, hi! How have you been?" Ellen picked up the little boy and put him on her hip.

"Never mind that, who's this little guy? He is wearing an A to the M, A-zing shirt. I love it."

The boy rested his head on Ellen's shoulder, trying to disappear amongst her brunette curls.

"This here is Corey. He's my special little guy. My only special little guy." Ellen kissed the tiny boy's cheek. "Say hi to Scotty, Corey."

"Hi," Corey replied bravely, unlike most younger children who would just hide away shyly.

"Listen, I got a spare moment, do you want to grab a bite with me?"

"Scotty, that's really nice of you, but-" Ellen started to shake her head, holding Corey with both hands.

"I insist, Ellen. My treat," Scotty protested. "So tell me, how have you been?"

Scotty knew exactly where to take her; this little Italian bistro that wasn't far from Central Park.

He let his thoughts wander as Ellen told him all about her work and life in Brooklyn. That much he heard. All the more, Scotty was wondering whether he and Ellen could have another try, at a relationship. They were older now, and much more mature. With Corey in the picture, they could be a family.

A family.

"So where's Corey's father in all this?" Scotty asked abruptly, interrupting Ellen midsentence. "Sorry, I- I was just a little curious about it."

Ellen's eyes darted about. "No, no. That's perfectly understandable. I can see why you'd ask, I don't know-"

A taxi cab's horn blared in Scotty's ear, making him pull Ellen back onto the sidewalk.

"Clumsy as ever," Scotty sighed, looking right into Ellen's eyes, their faces were only inches apart. He even tilted his head a little to try and kiss her, but she looked away.

Ellen cleared her throat and looked about. "So where are we going?"

"Just a little Italian bistro near Central Park that I know someone used to like a lot." Scotty smiled at Ellen, who glanced away shyly.

"Pizza!" squealed Corey which brought a smile to both Ellen and Scotty's face.

Scotty made sure that they sat down at their usual table. This wouldn't have been the first choice that Scotty chose to eat at, but he knew that it was Ellen's favorite. He looked out the window to see a family of three walking along the sidewalk. A mom and dad were swinging their son through the air.

As he watched them, Scotty wondered whether he was Corey's father. If so, what would that mean?

Would they get back together and raise Corey together?

No, he thought. This man isn't going to get tied down by families and children just yet, I've still got some living to do.

Present day

"I can't believe how quickly he moved on." Ashleigh looked away at the door. "It's like he didn't even love Anna."

"Well, I can't vouch for that, honey, but you're in for another shock. But before that, I'll tell you about the start of Alexis' new job," I replied.

Flashback

I was preparing to meet Zander and Alexis at a little empty shop on Lexington Avenue. It was Zander's idea, I just helped him out with it and backed him up.

On this warm April afternoon, I waited outside the small shop located on the Upper East Side of New York. To be honest, this was like a friend's aunt's mother-in-law's cousin's shop – or some other elaborate chain of people that sold Zander the shop at a discount price.

I saw Zander walking towards me, his arm linked with a blindfolded Alexis. Seeing them showed just how much trust that they had in one another. I doubted whether I had enough trust in Elliott- just yet. We had only been going out for two weeks now.

"Hey, you two." I joined them, linking with Alexis' other arm.

"Pippa? What are you doing here?" Alexis asked, squeezing my arm.

"I finished work and thought I'd meet up with you guys."

"What about Elliott?"

"He's staying over at mine tonight, so I'm seeing him later." I must have blushed like a little girl, I could feel the hot flush on my cheeks. I was glad that Alexis couldn't see me.

Zander prepared himself to take off the blindfold, hesitating a little. "Okay, no I know you've been a little upset lately, ever since you quit your job and I realized that I haven't been listening to you either. Lexis, I don't care if we struggle to pay the rent, what I care about is you. You encouraged me to get off the reception and do some work at the hospital. So now it's my turn to help you out. Now, you have to promise that you won't make me give it back or sell it. Promise?"

"Oh, okay, I promise I won't make you give it back," Alexis sighed. "Come on, take this blindfold off."

When Zander removed the blindfold, I saw Alexis screwed up her face, confused at the fact that her boyfriend had given her a shop. Or more, why we were standing in front of an empty shop.

"Um- Zander?" Alexis looked between me and him. "Why?"

"This is yours, bear with me a second." He turned towards the shop, and with dramatic arm movements, he illustrated why he had bought the shop. "Imagine the catchy name up here, in a violet purple, or a rosy red. And you can have amazing displays in these two windows. There'll be a little sign on the door saying open, closed, or back in five that you get to turn over every single day, because- because this is all yours."

I could sense the thought that Zander had put into this, I just wasn't sure if this is what Alexis meant by start a business.

"Zander. This is amazing. I can't believe you did that for me. I love you so much."

My heart began to melt as my two closest friends embraced.

"Zander, thank you," Alexis added. "I've been thinking about setting up a flower shop. Ever since you gave me those flowers, and that Kate told me that they meant hope, I've been researching the meaning of other flowers. Come on Zander, let's look inside!" Alexis dragged her boyfriend inside once he opened the door. "Pippa?"

She looked at me and I contemplated going inside, but I felt like this was something they were meant to do together.

"No, I'm okay, I'm going to have a little wander. I got to meet Elliott in Central Park, so I better go-"

"Bye Pippa." Lexis smiled before turning back to her shop, giddy like a child.

Zander mouthed 'thank you' and I felt so warm and positive, I was glad that their relationship was getting stronger, especially after their little fight.

I walked away towards Central Park. There was a cheerful atmosphere and the park was laden with people sunbathing and playing games.

As I stood at mine and Elliott's usual spot, waiting for him to come along, I watched the cyclists go by. Then a pair of hands covered my eyes, unable to contain my smile, I couldn't help but playfully lick their hands.

"Hey, 'aw, come on." I heard Elliott squeak.

"Hiya Elliott." I kissed him and we walked towards my apartment. "How has your day been?"

"Well, I just want to see my girl. I've had a shocking day."

"Are you still staying over tonight?" I asked, my hand interlocked with his. "We've had it planned for ages now."

"Cyclist." He lifted his hand up in front of me, my own hand lifted too.

Cyclists zoomed past and I think my grip even tightened on his hand.

"Thank you, Elliott."

"What was I going to do? Let you get smacked into by a cyclist, or worse, a horse and carriage? Which I know you hate seeing those horses pull families and couples on endless loops around Central Park."

"Most people would find it weird that you still remember that, I find it endearing."

"Call it what you will. It's what makes you- well, you." His brown eyes gazed at me whilst we carried on our way.

"Oh my gosh, it's Scotty. I can't believe I haven't introduced you to him."

"Well I think all that is about to change." Elliott laughed a little.

"Scotty, hi," I said, tapping him on the shoulder.

"Pippa, hey." He hugged me tightly.

"There's someone I want you to meet," we echoed at the same point.

"You first, Pippa," Scotty insisted.

"This is Elliott. Elliot, this is Scotty."

"And this is Ellen, and this little guy here is Corey."

I looked at the little boy by Ellen's side.

"I'm so sorry Scotty, but I have to go." Before I could even say hello to Ellen, she and Corey had already gone. I watched as Corey waved back at us over Ellen's shoulder.

"Well, she seems nice…" I said, attempting to break the awkward silence. "So Scotty, are you coming for dinner and drinks?"

"Sure, if the food's good."

We walked towards the apartment, it seemed like Scotty and Elliott got on really well, maybe even better than I did with either of them.

"Okay, I'm going to break up this little bromance." I forced my way between them, smiling cheerfully.

"What's wrong, Pippa? You worried that I'm going to steal your boyfriend?" Scotty nudged me with the point of his elbow.

"You know when you make jokes like that, I can't tell if you're being serious or not, it's scary."

Keeping my eyes on the boys, I opened the door to the apartment.

"Kate! I'm home! And I've got some hungry soles." I pulled them inside and closed the door.

"Pippa, there's someone I want you to meet!" she called out cheerfully from the kitchen, I couldn't see her because the serving hatch was shut.

But this was it; this was the mystery man from Florida. I couldn't wait to meet him now. I could picture it now. He probably had chestnut brown hair, dreamy blue eyes, was a children's surfing instructor and helped at the homeless and dog shelters.

"Pippa, this is Nic, my boyfriend. He transferred to New York from Florida."

This wasn't any Nic, this was my Nic- well, he was my Nic- Kate's Nic now.

"So, you're the roommate I've heard so much about them?" Nic asked, clearly acting as if he didn't know me, for Kate's benefit.

"I- um, Elliott. Nic, this is my boyfriend, Elliott. And this is Scotty, he's a friend of Kate and I." I didn't know what was coming over me, it was just a shock to the system. Sure, Scotty and Nic had met before, but I hoped that Kate wasn't aware of this.

After dinner, whilst Nic and Elliott spoke, Scotty pulled me out onto the hallway.

"Okay, what's going on with you?" he asked, holding me by the shoulders. "You're not being, well- you…"

"Scotty, if I tell you something, you have to promise not to tell anyone."

He took a step back, distancing us. "Are you going to break up with Elliott?"

"No! I wouldn't dream of breaking up your bromance."

"Well, good, because that guy rocks! So what is it then?"

"Kate's Nic. He used to be my Nic, before he moved to Florida. This is huge…"

"Well yeah, so are you going to tell her?"

Present day

"Yeah that's big. That's massive!" Ashleigh yelped. "Did you tell her?"

"No yet, but I did-"

"Did Scotty and Ellen get back together?" Sydney stared back at me.

"Well, not quite. There was something that occurred the next month that shocked my beyond belief to say the least."

"What was it, Mom?"

From the expression on my youngest daughter's face, I could tell that she was going to find it possibly a little upsetting.

Thoughts from AspiringWriterGirl = Well that's the first part of the two part chapters, what are you all thinking? Is Scotty Corey's father or not?

In the next chapter: The truth will be revealed!