Interesting Times, by GirlX2
Chapter Twelve
0o0o0o0
"This is amazing." James marveled at his tiny brother. "I can't believe you didn't call me sooner."
"I was a little preoccupied." Barney shrugged.
The five full sized friends were sitting around Ted's table, buffeted by beers and Chinese food. Barney was sitting on an empty, upturned container of fried rice. He felt a little odd addressing his brother from this angle; he'd been taller than James since ninth grade.
"Preoccupied with what?"
Barney sighed. There would be no getting around this. "It's been a little hectic. Some things happened. I'll just start at the tub…"
James listened with rapt attention as Barney described the last two days, leaving out the incidents with Marshall and Lily. It wasn't pertinent, he decided.
"Wait, wait. You almost DIED and you didn't call me?" James looked hurt.
"I didn't call mom either." Barney pointed out.
"Yeah, and I'm sure we'll be hearing about that for the rest of our lives."
"No, because I'm never going to tell her. She'd freak out."
James took a swig of beer. "This is unbelievable."
"Barney was pretty freaked out yesterday." Ted said, feeling a tad awkward. "He wasn't exactly thinking straight."
James shot him a look. "I get that, Ted. Do you all think I could get a few minutes alone with my brother?"
Lily and Marshall all but jumped up, eager to please. Ted nodded reluctantly and followed his friends to the fire escape.
Robin lingered for a few moments. "James…I know what it sounds like. But you have to know we all-"
"Thanks Robin." James cut her off.
She gave Barney a shrug and left them.
"What was that about?" Barney asked, confused.
James shook his head. "You don't get it. I should have known; if you did, you would have called me sooner."
"What?"
"Barney, those people almost got you killed. Why do you think I'm angry?"
"Look, both times were accidents. No one meant—"
"I don't care what they meant to do, that's what happened." James said fiercely.
Barney hopped off the paper container. "They've done good stuff, too. Marshall bought me clothes, Ted's building me an apartment…hell, he's letting me live here."
"No, he's not. You're coming home with me."
"I knew you were gonna say that." Barney grumbled. "James, you have a kid. You have a husband! You're life is busy enough."
"I don't care. You're not safe here." James argued.
"I'm safe! Ted's been watching me like a hawk."
James shook his head. "Ted. Just how long does he see you staying here?"
"I…I don't know. You know what they're saying on the news about a cure."
"Yeah, it's possible. But it could be years before they have something, if ever. Are you going to stay here for the rest of your life?"
"I didn't think that far ahead."
"Ted's looking for a wife. How long is it gonna be before some pretty girl turns his head, and he doesn't have time to for you?"
Barney tried to find an argument. "He's…he said he'd be with me."
"Barney, I know he's your best friend." James said quietly. "But I'm your brother. I'm always going to be there for you. Let me be the one who helps you now."
"I…I can't leave New York. My job is here."
"How are you going to work like this?" James demanded.
"I'm on sick leave until they can accommodate me." Barney said weakly. "Marshall works there too. I can carpool with him."
"You're going to sit in your office, meet with clients, and play your corporate games, when you're three inches tall?"
"Three and one twenty-fourth." Barney muttered. "My apartment is here too."
"You won't even be living in your apartment!"
"But it…it's my apartment!"
James groaned. "Barney, I don't want to force you."
"What are you saying?"
"If I have to, I'll make you come with me." James said softly. "I couldn't live with myself if I left you here and you got hurt."
Barney felt panic flutter in his chest. "James…I want to stay here as long as I can."
"You might be like this forever."
"I've gotta try to find some way to live like this. Especially if it's forever."
Ted tried not to listen in to the argument, but James' raised voice broke through. He climbed back into the apartment. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah, we're just discussing the future." James said. "How long will it take you to finish Barney's apartment?"
"A few more days. Why?"
"Because it's coming with us when we go."
"Whoa, whoa. We?"
"I'm taking Barney home."
Robin, Marshall and Lily eased back inside the room, trying to be invisible.
"This is Barney's home." Ted said firmly. "We've already talked about it. He's going to stay with me."
"That's nice Ted, but he's my brother." James got up from the table and walked over to Ted. "I'm the one who should be watching him."
"He wants to stay here." Ted growled.
"I know what he wants. What he needs is to be with family." James squared his shoulders.
"Guys, it's not that big of a deal!" Barney cried out. Neither man looked over.
"What are you going to do? Pick him up and take him, kicking and screaming?"
"If I have to." James's voice was low. His eyes glittered. "You almost got him killed twice, Mosby. I'd be crazy to leave him with you."
"I'm not going to let you take him if he doesn't want to go." Ted balled a fist.
The beer had clearly gone to both men's heads. Marshall moved in-between them as they got ready to swing.
"Guys! This isn't helping anything." He shoved them apart.
"Yeah, you've all helped him so much!" James snarled.
"He wants to stay here!" Ted struggled fiercely against his friend. "You change his mind, he can go."
James shot a look at his brother. "Bro. Please."
Barney's throat clenched. He managed to shake his head.
James face fell.
"If you want to help, that's great. But he's staying here." Ted pushed Marshall's arm away.
Wordlessly, James snatched his coat and briefcase. He stalked towards the door.
"James, wait!" Barney rushed to the edge of the table.
James gave him a pained look. His voice was tight. "The second you want me to come get you, call me. The second, Barney."
"James, please, we can talk about this." Barney wasn't above begging.
James looked back at the group. "If anything happens to him because of you…"
Unable to finish, he just shook his head and left. He was careful not to slam the door.
Barney made a few small noises of disbelief. "James…"
"Barney…I'm sorry." Robin was the first to speak.
Barney was still facing the door. His shoulders jumped, as if he was trying to hold in a sob. "Can everyone please go away?"
The only avenue of escape was the fire escape. Marshall and Lily took it. Ted lingered for a few moments, but was shoved away by Robin.
'I'll watch him.' She mouthed. He nodded and vanished into the gloom.
Robin sat at Ted's desk. Barney either didn't know or didn't care that she hadn't left. He sat with his back to the fast-food container, knees drawn up, head down.
Robin wanted to go to him, stroke his back, whisper that James would calm down, and it would all be okay. She would do that. But she'd let him do what he needed first.
It would give her time to dry her own eyes.
0o0o0o0
A/N Yet another slow day at work. No time for a detailed note, my boyfriend is pestering me. :/ He doesn't read fic. :p
