Ch. 12
Barney was going to be over any minute now and Robin didn't know what to do with herself. She was so nervous she was practically shaking. She knew she didn't have a legitimate reason to be this nervous. Its not like she had never gone out with Barney before, she had been married to him. But this was different. This was going to be the first time they were out together since their divorce. Now that was a good reason to be nervous. What was Barney expecting? Did he want to get back together? Like for good? She didn't know if that's what she wanted. It had gone bad with Barney so many times, but it seemed like they always found a way back to each other. She didn't know If that was a blessing or a curse.
A minute later she heard a knock at her door. Okay this was it, she needed to calm down and act natural. And that's what she did.
"Hey Barney. Right on time."
"I don't like to keep anyone waiting. I hope your hungry, I'm taking you to that Italian place La Strada's. Best food ever."
"Sounds good to me. I'm starved."
"Okay then, shall we?" Barney put his arm for Robin to grab onto. She latched her arm around his.
"We shall."
Barney and Robin proceeded to go to dinner. They walked there because it wasn't too far and it was late spring so it was nice outside. They didn't say much on the walk there; they just enjoyed being in each other's company. Once they got to the restaurant, they were seated immediately.
"Wow, this is a nice place. Is it new?" Robin looked around in astonishment at the place Barney had taken her.
"Kind of, opened about two years ago. I've only been her two other times but both times it was amazing."
"Well I cant wait to try it." Robin and Barney sat in silence for about a minute before Barney spoke up.
"Robin, I don't want to beat around the bush with this so I'm just going to come out and say it, I've missed you. I miss seeing you everyday and lying with you every night. I miss you telling me everything is going to be okay when it feels like it wont be and you joking about my being one quarter Canadian. I miss everything. My life just doesn't feel normal without you in it. For awhile I was distracting myself by sleeping with random women and then when Ellie was born I was focused on her, but now, I feel like I have nothing keeping me from thinking about you and it pains me to know you probably aren't thinking the same. I made a horrible mistake when I asked for a divorce. I know at the time it was warranted but now I just feel like I let the best thing that ever happened to me slip between my fingers. I'm sorry, that's probably a lot to take in right now. Never mind, we don't have to talkā¦"
"Barney, if we decide to give this another shot, you need to realize that if we break up again, then that's it. And I don't mean that that's the end of us trying to be together, I mean that's the end of us even being friends, because at that point I just wont be able to handle seeing you. It would be too hard. Is that something your willing to risk?"
"It is. But only if its something your willing to risk. Do you want to give this another shot? This is a two way street. I don't want you saying yes just to make me happy."
"I do, the only thing I'm worried about is Ellie. What if this doesn't work and she has to see me go. You have to think about her now to Barney."
"I did, and I realized that she needs a mother figure. Robin I know you never wanted to be a mother but you would be a great one. Ellie loves you already. This could be good for her. Robin I'm telling you, right now there is no reason why we cant be together. We should be."
"How about we just see how tonight goes. I'm not saying no, I just think that we shouldn't jump into anything."
"Okay, I'm fine with that." From that moment Barney and Robin dropped the relationship conversation and talked about everything else over a wonderful dinner. Robin had to admit, the night was going well, but it wasn't over yet. At least she hopped it wasn't over yet. She was having a good time. After dinner they walked through central park and talked some more. Around 10:00 Barney and Robin had made it back to Robin's apartment. She had work in an hour and needed to change her clothes before going, so they ad to cut the night short.
"Well Barney I have to admit I had a really nice time tonight."
"I know, I did too." They stood outside Robin's apartment door wondering what the next step to take was.
"Do you want to come inside for a little before I have to leave for work?"
"Yeah, that sounds nice." Robin and Barney walked in silently. Robin flipped the lights on and placed her purse on the table next to the door.
"It's a nice place you got here."
"Thanks, nothing too fancy. I just liked it because its close to my job."
"Yeah that's always a plus."
"Can I get you something to drink. Wine maybe?"
"Yeah sure, thank you." Robin poured herself and Barney a glass of wine and sat down in the couch. Barney followed suit.
"So, you have to go to work at 11:00?"
"Yeah, I anchor the 11:00 news."
"I'll have to check that out sometime."
"You better, its not going to be like last time when I went for years without you guys all watching my show."
"Don't worry, this time it will happen." They both smiled at each other, not knowing what else to say. Robin, however, did realize that Barney was resting his hand on her thigh. She then took it upon herself to cover his hand with her own. Just these small gestures, she could tell, were going to lead to something bigger. And if it did she wouldn't stop it. As she began to have these thoughts she noticed Barney shift himself towards her. He then took his hand and cupped her face. He gently brushed his thumb over her check and as he did so Robin closed her eyes. She began to softly tremble until his thumb reached her lip, she then went completely still. She opened her eyes only to see Barney leaning in towards her, with his eyes intently placed on hers. Once his face was less than an inch away from hers, he stopped.
"Is this okay?" He whispered. Robin didn't even vocally respond, instead she just let out a soft 'mhmm' before Barney closed the remaining gap. When their lips finally met, it felt familiar. Everything they both remembered about kissing each other flooded back and hit them like a truck, but something was also different. There was a longing, a passionate drive behind their kiss that said 'I let go for too long, and I wont let it happen again.' They both melted into each other, getting lost in each others touch. Neither one of them knows how long this goes on until they stop and realize the time.
"10:40. Wow, I have to get to work. Lost track of time there for a little bit."
"Yeah, I wish we were able to continue losing track of time."
"I know, I'm sorry, but I really do have to get to work. Barney I had a really good time tonight, probably the best time I had in awhile, so thank you for that. And also, about what we talked about at dinner, I guess there is no harm in giving this a shot."
"Really? Awesome! I really think this is good for us Robin."
"I think it will be too."
"Okay, I'll let you get to work. I'll see you soon okay?" Barney leaned in for one more kiss with Robin before he left.
As he walked out the door Robin couldn't help but think that she really was making the right choice. She polished off her glass of wine, gave herself a pat on the back and whispered to herself "You did good Scherbatsky, you did good."
