PART 9

beta: roland44 =)

A/N: Okay one the recommendation of a few – this has got time stamping and less jumping around... thoughts, questions, concerns, anecdotes?

"She moved in with Ted?" Barney felt something go numb in his chest though he felt a comforting hand on his back. He struggled for words, fighting those awful feelings as they crept upwards and threatened to form tears. "Wh... when?" It was 2021 and he was sitting on his niece's bed, the brightly coloured shapes and unicorn poster acting as a strange contrast to his conversation with Lily.

"About three weeks ago," Lily answered. "But there's nothing going on!" She quickly added.

"Yeah, like before?" Barney said, his voice lull but his eyes burned.

"Well, that was one time..." Barney turned to glare at her, ready to break down. "Not that..." her mouth was left gasping for something to say, something reassuring, something that'll make things... better. "They both felt really bad about it...?"

Barney sighed, letting his head fall into his hands. He groaned and shook his head. All Lily could think of doing was to rub his back until he spoke again.

--

David felt like an intruder in Bar- in his Uncle's house. Sitting as far into his seat as physically possible, he hesitantly took the cup of tea the woman offered him. She was wearing this old fashion red dress, but cut just right to make her look pretty stylish – fabric extending to her elbow and her neckline cut like a wide circle around her head. She had soft brown hair and a kind and inviting manner, welcoming him in and treating him like a close friend.

But David still felt really awkward.

"Well," Barney said walking into the room wearing a suit and a vintage top hat, "David, this is a real surprise."

The boy was about to sip his tea but froze and looked up. "I, I... uhh – I was just in the – came by and I thought: hey I should stop by that guy's place and see what he's up to ...." he gulped looking from host to hostess, "'cause, he's awesome..."

--

"Barney, where were you?" Lily asked. He probably wouldn't tell her otherwise. She heard him sigh again before lifting his head up from between his hands, "you've been gone for 6 weeks."

"I was... away." He kept his head down rubbing his eyes with his fingers – as if he were tired.

"Out of town?"

"At one point..." he mumbled absently and blinking furiously.

"Why?" she begged to know.

"I thought... Well you know how Ted and Robin –"

"That happened one time, Barney, and they both felt terrible about it!"

"It's not that... Well, not just that..."

"Then, what is it?"

"I was... I was getting in the way..." he began to explain.

--

"You're always welcomed here." Barney said to David, grinning from ear to ear, as he took a seat on a stool meant for the kitchen.

"Thanks." David said, sitting up a little straighter now that his cup was empty and his tummy experiencing the tea's calm and warming effect.

"Well, I'd love to say and chat but I'm afraid I'm late. There's an art show across town," she turned to David to explain, "I'm going to hunt for something ripe; wish me luck! Drop by if you can, alright, Barney?" Barney nodded, still smiling, while David tried to hide his grin. This was great. He was going to get to Barney one-on-one. Man to man! He jumped when the door closed behind Barney's guest – what was her name? Veronica?

"So, David," Barney started, "Would you care for some more tea?"

--

After talking to Lily, Barney had come to the bar. To Dorchester. He was in luck – one of his new friends was there. Colin was nice, even if he hadn't warmed up to him yet. Whatever.

And now here he was, Barney Stinson, getting drunk and lounging in his own pity.

Damn. What was wrong with him! He was Barney Stinson! He didn't get sad, he got... he got awesome instead!

He's awesome.

Awesome... awesome... awesome... awesome... awesome... awesome –

"Hey Barney," Veronica said, snapping him out of his mantra. "Totally class'd up right?" She motioned towards herself, turning so he could see her entire body.

"Class'd up?" He said sceptically, though he had to admit she did look smoking hot. She was wearing a red dress and it hung in all the right spots...

"It could catch on."

"No," he said grinning shyly. "No it couldn't." She took a seat right across from him, pushing her hair back.

"But I look hot right?" She smiled devilishly, taking a confident pose so Barney could soak it all in. He couldn't help but smile, feeling a little better.

"Yup." He had to stay away from Robin for a while. "You look hot." But it was for the best. Besides, he was a big boy.

He was awesome.