Thanks for the reviews, guys! I'm sad to see this story ending. I hope I'm doing it justice. Please comment after. This is the 2nd to the last chapter.

Marshall looks over at Lily, scans her reaction, and turns back to the smug grins on their faces. Barney and Robin are enjoying every moment of this.

'So,' he starts slowly.. 'Everything's been a hoax?'

'Not exactly.'

'Oh, that certainly clears things up.'

They smile.

'Do you want to tell them?' Barney asks softly.

'I think we should. You do it.'

'You sure?'

Marshall shakes his head knowingly.

Barney winds an arm around Robin and turns to them. 'Nothing's a hoax. Except that we've been faking our way through this therapy-rehab lockdown you put us in. You all thought you were so clever, but guess what? The joke's on you.'

Marshall doesn't know if he should be confused, or amazed right now.

'We were so worried!' Lily exclaims.

'But that's the point! We acted exactly the way you expected us to. Like kindergartners. We were Barney and Robin. For once, we wanted to prove you wrong,' Robin tells them.

'Also, the acting was kind of fun.'

'We were pretty good, weren't we?'

'Robin, we were awesome.'

It's true. It was so predictable. Except the faking it part. Marshall realizes the problem isn't Barney and Robin at all. It's them.

They expect too little and too much.

'So when did you guys start talking again? Or was that part fake too?' Ted asks.

'Right after Don left.'

'I realized I didn't have to be jealous of Don and Ted. It was all in my head. Robin cleared that up.'

Lily tears up a little.

'What's wrong, baby?' Marshall asks. 'You okay?'

'I'm fine. I'm just so proud of these two!'

'So are we,' Barney replies earnestly, his eyes on Robin. She gently rubs the back of his neck, smiling, and kisses him.

Lily envelopes them both in a hug tightly. 'I'm so happy for you! We can double date again! Marshall, aren't you?'

'My hands are already shaking.'

He grins. He'll have to stock up on the Gouda.

XXX

'It's still hard to believe that that's our Barney and Robin,' Marshall admits, his arm around Lily. 'It's easier to believe they've been abducted and replaced by aliens.'

The three of them lag behind the new/old couple in the snow. It's nearly dark. They've spent the entire day catching up on sites and museums—all Ted's plans, of course— and Marshall is exhausted.

Lily leans her head against his shoulder. 'Definitely. They're growing up.'

'And who's to say my counseling didn't push that?'

Marshall and Lily share a grin.

'Hey, I saw that.'

Barney and Robin slow down, waiting for them. They point at a shop a few blocks away on the map, Robin explaining that they can't miss it.

'What shop?' Ted asks, scanning the map for it.

Robin hesitates. 'They sell guns.'

They all protest wildly. He's starving. Lily's anti-guns. Ted has a perfect schedule. Barney is quiet.

'This is the only store for miles! They sell antique guns I won't find anywhere else.' Robin turns to Barney. 'What do you say?'

'Barney, don't fall for it,' Ted advises quickly. 'Don't let her control you. Think of chains, dragging you like—'

Marshall puts a hand on his shoulder. 'Ted, don't scare the guy.'

'Right.'

Barney looks reluctant, almost pained. They look at him hopefully. Then he sighs. 'Fine. I'm in.'

'I'm not sure this is even legal!' Ted complains.

Barney fishes his wallet out. 'Okay, okay. I will pay you a hundred dollars each to spend ten—'

'Fifteen,' Robin interjects.

'—okay, fifteen minutes in that store. I'll even buy us dinner. How about it?'

They look around, ignoring the question. Marshall resorts to whistling.

'I'll make it two hundred.'

'Deal,' Lily agrees. 'Let's go, then.'

Robin takes Barney's hand as they trudge in the snow, falling back. Marshall barely catches their words. He doesn't need to.

(It's written all over their faces.)

'Thank you, Barney.'

'You know I can't ever refuse you, Scherbatsky.' He brings her closer to him. 'It's not free, of course. You'll have to pay me back.'

'You thinking cash?'

'I'm thinking more on the lines of a close-contact transaction.'

She kisses him gratefully, one hand on his tie. They smile. Hold hands. 'You're an idiot.'

'You're lucky to have me.'

'Why is that?'

'Because I've got plenty of cash, and tonight, you just cost me about a thousand dollars.'

Marshall looks back just once. Their shoulders playfully bump against the other's as they walk, their heads down and towards each other. It's inspiring. If they can get over all their problems, all their fears and hesitations, so can he and Lily. Having a baby—it won't be easy. They'll have to sacrifice money, time, effort, sleep and everything else.

But watching two of his best friends in the world being this happy after so long reminds him nothing worthwhile ever is.

I hope I answered the questions. . .Anyway, yes, I need reviews for the next chapter to be posted soon. It's still in my head:)

Also, why not check out my other Barney and Robin fic?

Please review!