AN: First of all, I'm really, really, really sorry about the lack of updates. I was having trouble with the plot and school was much busier than I thought would be, so I had little to no time when it came to gathering my thoughts and putting them on the paper. But's here now. I hope you like it - Once again, I'm really sorry!
Barney sat in his office, twiddling his thumbs and staring at the clock blankly, as if waiting for some kind of epiphany.
Her flight is in three hours.
Three hours is along time.
Truth to be told, although he would never admit it, he was already missing Robin a lot more than usual. Probably from knowing she would be gone for at least a few days, he felt as though someone had ripped a bandage from his flesh, a bandage that had been covering a wound that has not healed.
At the given moment, he seemed calm and composed. If anyone were to walk into his office right now, they would see him for whom he is – Barney Stinson, womaniser, thinking about strip clubs – and not who he felt like he was at that moment – Barney Stinson, vulnerable puppy and hopeless romantic, thinking about feelings.
"Barney Stinson, vulnerable puppy and hopeless romantic, thinking about feelings," he mumbled under his breath. "That title just made me vomit a little in my mouth."
But what if they make up? What if they decide, 'No, that was a mistake, I was a horrible person, but we belong together and I haven't been not thinking about you'? What if she doesn't come back and decide to start a new life there? Or worse, what if they come back together and decide to start a new life here?
Barney knew he was just grinding his own gears by over thinking, but he could not help letting his mind wander about someone he loved so much, so dearly. It was not like he recognised his feelings immediately – people did not do that. People did not just wake up in the morning, flick a switch and decide they are in love with their best friend. But he knew something was there and he knew he would definitely be jealous if he saw her in that man's arms again.
Grinning mischievously, he scribbled a little something on a post-it that seemed to read 'be back later' as he unlocked his cabinet and fished out his passport after some fumbling around. He jumped to his feet, gave his tie a good pat and grabbed his briefcase, the whole time still clutching his passport.
Yes, he had promised her. He had promised Robin he was not going to go with her if that was what she had wanted, and he felt like he needed to keep that promise.
Or not.
The best kinds of promises are those you do not intend to keep, after all. So he could sit here, wait for her to come back and talk things through, or he could go for it. He could get out of the GNB building, get on the plane and get her before someone else does.
Robin found herself rushing to the gates; she had her passport tucked under one arm and the other dragging her tiny suitcase behind. She was running late, and feeling panicky, she ran up to a counter where a flight attendant stood impatiently.
"Hi… Um, am I too late?" She mumbled, gesturing awkwardly at the door towards the cabin.
"No, but if you keep this up, you're going to be one day," the flight attendant replied with a rude snicker, scanning Robin from head to toe.
"Oh… Sorry. Thanks. Actually…" Taken aback by her attitude, Robin reached for her boarding pass and took it out from under her arm.
Motioning to the entrance, the flight attendant led her into the body of the cabin, redirecting her to her seat before heaving a heavy sigh.
Robin was too tired to argue with the attendant's behaviour or to give her a lecture on how terribly offended she felt, so instead, she kept things short and simple, muttering a thank you before turning back to her seat where the arm rest was occupied by an elbow covered in posh fabric.
She paused for the usual cheerful 'you're welcome' with a complimentary smile, but received no more than a scowl in return from the attendant she now was sure was in a bad mood.
Well, thanks for nothing, she thought as she pursed her lips and raised an eyebrow as she watched her storm off, the whole time radiating bad vibes in the crowded atmosphere.
Noticing her company was a man in a suit with his face turned toward the window, she smiled to herself as a warm memory of Barney floated to the top of her head and she tucked her tiny suitcase in the overhead compartment before settling into her seat, eager to learn more about her travel companion, who was still, to her, a complete stranger.
I could live with this for the next handful of hours, Robin thought as she squirmed in her seat. It was slightly cramped, but it was not like it was uncomfortable, and though she felt tempted to talk to a flight attendant about the situation, she kept her mouth shut instead. She had never been that sort of girl anyway – the sort to give other people a bad time just because everything was not absolutely perfect for her.
Right. Robin Scherbatsky, you can do this. She thought to herself as she skimmed through the usual infomercials aired during takeoff. She felt the plane rock back and forth unsteadily as the engine started, jerking her head upright and praying she would not be sick, she grabbed a vomit bag from the pouch in front of her seat, just in case.
Actually, you know what? Maybe just try to survive this flight first.
She was so busy fidgeting with the in-flight services she had forgotten about the stranger sitting next to her, and upon realising, she tapped him on the shoulder, ready to give him a friendly greeting, thinking they could maybe talk for the next few hours.
The stranger turned around, and what came next was the expression of a mixture of shock and surprise as they both learned there was nothing anonymous about each other at all. In fact, if the word 'stranger' were to be used upon them, it would be the most ridiculous thing.
Both doing a double take, Robin was clear the whole arrangement had been nothing but a crazy coincidence.
I suppose the plane isn't actually that big, she thought.
They glanced at each other for a few seconds before suddenly snapping back to reality, and when they both did, she gave the man a hard nudge in the rib, causing him to let out a loud gasp of pain, before spitting a mouthful of accusation towards him.
"Barney, what the hell are you doing here? I thought I told-" Robin tried to string a sentence but found herself unable to, so she just stared at him, absolutely dumbfounded with a hint of doubt.
Not knowing how to response, he shrugged awkwardly.
"Surprise, I guess?"
