PART 8

Beta: roland44
A/N: I'll admit I was racking my brain with one or two small holes in my story ("well that just doesn't seem IC" or "how did that happen?") but I'm happy to say I figured most of them out, one requires a bit more research. Anywho, more to be explained later.

Barney almost ripped his tie off when he and Robin got home. After their dinner together, Ted had insisted on getting his own cab, but Robin had insisted that it wouldn't be any trouble for them to drive him home. Sure, no hassle. What's 40 minutes to and from between friends?

Robin came through the door when his jacket was off. He headed for the kitchen. She closed the door behind her while he opened up a bottle of Brandy.

By the time she took her jacket off and strolled into the kitchen he was pouring himself a second serving. She didn't say anything, she just frowned perplexed or concerned – he couldn't tell and he didn't want to know – meanwhile, he downed his beverage and refused to look at her.

"What's the matter?" she finally asked.

He tilted his head to the left, trying to edge that nerve away. Stabilized himself on the counter, pushing down on it with both hands

"Barney..." she touched his arm, edging herself closer. "Barney, are you okay? You acted weird all night."

He muffled a chuckle, scoffing her reasoning. He acted weird? He's been the one acting bizarre? He was the one who seemed distant?!

"Barney?"

He pulled away, moving to the living room. "I'm going out."

"What do you mean you're going out? It's almost 2 o'clock!"

He stopped at the door, hand inches away from the knob; he licked his lip. "Robin," he said still facing the door. "I just need some time alone, right now." He couldn't turn around, but he knew exactly what she was thinking. "I'll be home later."

It took a moment for her to answer.

"Okay," she gulped. "Barney?" He raised his head, alert. "I love you."

His eyes closed shut, wincing. "I love you too." He opened the door and left.

--

David took one last deep breath – trying to calm his nerves. He took two buses and a common-cab to get here. And you couldn't chose who you rode with in those Co-Cabs, he had to deal with a co-rider who wouldn't shut up. But he was here, that's what mattered.

He pushed the button at the entrance to the address. It looked like the right place... he had taken a photo of it on his cell when no one was looking and googled it for directions and fare charge and all those FYIs.

The monitor came to life, but without video (he probably wasn't expecting anyone).

"Hello?" a female voice answered.

"Uh... hi," he timidly waved to the small camera – just because he couldn't see them, didn't mean they didn't see him. "Is Barney Stinson there?"

--

"Lily what happened?" Barney asked as she hurried him into Penny's room, afraid her daughter might return and hear the discussion. "Where's Robin?! Her boss told me she's been cutting her hours, her cell's dead and all her things are out of our –" he paused, taking a much need breath. "I can't find her anywhere!"

"Where have you been?!" Lily squeaked.

"What?"

"We've been trying to reach you for almost two months!" She punched him in the arm.

"Ow!" he said flinching backwards.

"You don't call; you don't tell anyone where you've gone! Robin called the police, you know!"

"She called the police?"

"You could've been kidnapped or something!"

"I left a note..."

"A note! You disappear for 6 weeks and all you have as an explanation is a note?!" aggravation building in her voice, she had assumed the worst and to see him walk in as if nothing had happened... "You had us worried sick!"

"Yeah, well I'm sorry, okay!" He said before she could start another rant. "I had to get away for a little while, but I'm fine and I need to see Robin!" He waited to see her reaction. Lily seemed to have calmed down, but she looked down at the mention of Robin. "Lily," he said catching her eye. "Where is she?"

--

"Where's your brother?" Robin asked Linda when she walked into the living room.

"Uh... he went to watch a movie, I think." She was never a good liar – but she had been practicing in front of the mirror a lot.

"Alone?"

"Uh... no?" she ventured.

"No?" Robin sceptically asked, creasing her brow.

"I think he went with Mitchell and Juan?" Linda quickly found a great deal of interest in one of the photos hanging on the wall – the one where the old gang, grandma and grandpa were sitting together having brunch; the one where they all seemed happy. "Hey Aunt Robin?" she said, before her Aunt could see through her lie.

"Hmm?" She was once again browsing the digi-newspaper.

"Can I ask you something?" She asked turning thoughtfully to her Aunt.

"Sure, sweetie, go ahead."

"Why did you and Uncle Barney break up?"

--

Barney's gaze fell back down to his glass, still half full, of gin and tonic. He wanted to go home. He wanted to lie in bed. He wanted to crawl under the covers and never be heard of again. Just fall asleep.

He wouldn't bother anyone then. He'd be out of their way. It was better that way. He just...

Barney just got in the way. He should've learned that a long time ago, but he always stubbornly refused to accept it.

"Hey Barney, I'm going head to the W.C. for a bit, k?" Colin, who was sitting across from him in their booth, said.

"Yeah, 'kay." He mumbled in reply.

He felt like there some sort of void in him. Like the whole world was passing by him. Like he was literally alone.

He felt completely alone. Isolated. Isolated 'cause he was infected with ... with feelings...

That's why he had to leave. His presence just made things worse.