A/N: This is where Ollie's Stoat starts to drift off from the "real" story. You'll see the subtle differences, but the main thing to know going into this chapter is that Ted did talk to Robin and Barney, but with Ollie's talk, it causes a different result.

"Ted, the best man's job is not to 'crush the floral arrangements'. It's to get the groom down the aisle, because, no matter who he is, he will freak out. And I just don't think you have what it takes to get that get that soldier to pick up his rifle and charge up the hill."

Robin

"False Positive" 6x12 (2010)

Chapter 13: Final Fates

I wasn't the best man at the wedding. But I knew that Robin called me there for a good reason. Just like fate, what happened was because of a reason: Robin needed my help with going through with this.

"You need a drink." I said. I headed down to the bar quick as a flash, grabbing two Molsons before running right back up.

"You know what I need, Ollie." She said, taking the beer. "You're a good friend."

"Why can't you go through with this? Did you call me here just to tell me that?" I said.

"No, I didn't." she said. "I called for you because if anyone knows that this is meant to be, it's you Ollie."

"Sure, I believe in this. I think that whatever hell we went through, it's led to this weekend. My question is do you believe in it?"

Robin sighed. "I don't know, Ollie. I think so."

"No, Scherbatsky. You *know* that this is meant to be."

I stood up, gesturing around. "This whole thing? All of this? The pain, the lies, the shit that all six of us had to endure in these last few years? If there's any sign that this is meant to be, it's that. If we don't move on with our lives, we're pissing away our years just hoping that fate's going to do shit for us. Dammit, Robin. If you want to back out, I won't stop you. But first I need to know that you know that once you walk out, you can't walk back in."

"Why not? Why can't I go back on that choice?"

"Because life's not like that!" I said. I bunched my hair up in my hands in exasperation. "Life's about going on a path to an end of the tunnel. Not going through it, only to find yourself right back where you started. Going back to where you started is your one way ticket to a shitty life. I went down the wrong path when Lucy died. I told you that I regret what happened. But I moved forward instead of backwards. Because deep down, even though I knew my family would take me back, I knew I couldn't go back to where I started. That's an aimless life."

"I was hoping you'd support me on this choice, Ollie."

"I'll let you take any choice regardless of what you make. But remember what me and Barney did. Yes, we lied for weeks, but I think it was building up to a big romantic gesture to show to him how much he loves you. If that ain't love, then shit, I don't know what is."

I started to the door. "You wanna fold? Sure. No shame there. But there's no buy-in again. You walk away from the table, you can't come back. Is that what you want?"

I walked out. Lily was waiting for me, again.

"Barney needs you, now."

"Dammit. Are they getting cold feet on their own, or is the AC on too high in there?"

I walked down the hall into Barney's room. He turned, and smiled nervously.

"Hey Barney." I paused. "Really, that tie? You couldn't go with cornflower blue?"

Barney's face changed as quick as lightning from hopeful to freaked.

"Why?! Is something wrong with this one?!"

I raised my hands. "Cool your jets, Barnacle." I said. "It was just a joke. I think that tie is the right one for this wedding."

"Yeah." Said Barney, taking a moment to look in the mirror with it on. "But did I choose the right tie overall?"

I understood what Barney meant. He meant did he make the right choice about marrying our Canadian friend. "Absolutely, Barney. I know that deep down for most of your life, that tie was always off to the side in your closet, and it took hundreds of ties for you to realize that this one is the right one for you."

"How's Robin doing?"

"As a matter of fact, she's also getting the jitters. I would be too, if it was my wedding. Even if I knew that this girl was the one, I'd still freak out."

"Why?"

"Because I'll never stop thinking to myself 'why did she choose me? What made me special compared to the others?'"

Barney looked shocked. "I think you just said exactly what I was thinking. Why did Robin choose me?"

"Barney, I'll tell you why. Your conceited, rude, self-centered, obnoxious, and independent. So is Robin. I believe it's not just the good things that help us connect with our loved ones. It's our flaws. I remember hearing that in a song."

"Care to tell me it? The song?"

Just as I was about to, I noticed the time: 4:00 already. Only two hours left.

"I got a better idea. Me and the band will play it during the reception. You'll know it when you hear it."

Barney stood up and started for the door.

"Whoa, whoa!" I cried. "Where are you going?!"

"I'm going to tell Robin my vows to her. You just made me realize why I love her."

"No fucking way, Barney. It's bad luck to see the bride before the ceremony!"

Barney smirked. "I thought you didn't believe in luck."

I shook my head in frustration. "Figure of speech! I meant that fate gets super pissed off when you don't listen to her. Don't walk out of the fucking door."

Barney looked as though I was insane, then shrugged. "Okay, I'll play along. But I want Robin to know what I vow to do in this marriage."

"Then write it down, and let me pass it on. Fate'll allow that to happen."

Barney took a pen and a pad, and wrote as fast as he could. Then he tore the sheet off, folded it in half, and handed it to me.

"If Robin doesn't get the message, I won't be happy, Blake."

I nodded. "She'll get this."

I walked out, knowing that I had managed to find the penultimate piece to this 8-year puzzle. Only one piece remained after helping these two find the light.

I knocked on Robin's door and handed her the note.

"Don't you dare try to see Barney before the ceremony, Scherbatsky." I said. I headed off down to the reception tent, ready to finish this once and for all. These last few hours would determine the gang's final fates. And I knew I had done my part to ensure that they led the best lives they could.

"Couldn't have done it any better, Ollie."

I looked over, seeing a familiar face standing at the foot of the stairs. She wore a dress of deep blue, and her hair was tied up in a bun.

"Hey, cuz. You look lovely." I said.

She shrugged. "You get a lot of free time to dress up being dead and whatnot. I think whatever you did to help those two lost souls, you've stopped the worst that could have happened."

"Such as?" I asked.

Lucy just smiled. "Wait 3 years..." She replied.

"Hey guys!" Said Tracy. "Once again, we're the Super Freakonomics. And this is going out to the groom. This is Flaws by Bastille."

As the intro came in, Juno sang out.

"All of your flaws and all of my flaws/ are laid out one by one/ wonderful part of the mess that we made/ we pick ourselves undone."

For those who are a little confused with Lucy, allow me to explain. Lucy died at the age of 13. Only about 6 months ago did I start seeing her again. Marshall told me once he has a similar experience, seeing his late dad, Marvin talking to him. Whenever she's appeared to me, it always looks like time passed by for her, and she's actually gown up, unlike the creepy ghost girl in every fucking horror flick. She's appeared to me to help me a few times, and before you consider that I need to check myself into Arkham Asylum, you should know that since I'm not entirely alone in it, it's not that bad.

"All of your flaws and all of my flaws/ when they have been exhumed/ we'll see that we need them to be who we are/ without them we'd be doomed/ there's a hole in my soul/ I can't fill it, I can't fill it/ and there's a hole in my soul/ Can you fill it? Can you fill it?"

A/N: I would encourage you to listen to the songs that are featured in this, as they usually fit the theme or mood just right. "Flaws" is no exception. Check it out.