PART 10

Beta: roland44 - the awesome
A/N: For the 3 people - on lj and ff - who've been keeping up on the updates and commenting *HUGS* It really means a lot ^^

"Think about it Lily." Barney's brow deepened as he got to his feet and he started pacing Penny's room. "Robin and Ted –" he sighed trying to find the right words. God damn... "They've always had a thing. You know, Marshall knows it, I know it..."

Lily tried to object – Ted and Robin weren't a couple; they broke up years ago; they both found someone else; Robin was still in love with Barney (she knew she was, she had to be); Ted's still confused, he took her death the hardest... But Barney countered before she could open her mouth.

"Ever since Ted first spotted her, he's been in love with her. They dated and it couldn't work out, but they couldn't stay away! We all stayed friends!" He desperately gestured, explaining the situation to some invisible third party. "They stayed close! When times got tough – back in '09? – they became fuck-buddies! When Robin got freaked about..." he paused looking away and licking his lips as he prepared to continue.

"When Robin and I had a few fights, she turned to him for help – not you, Lily; Ted. Ted was there for her. When Ted met "the one" she played puppet master with you to keep the two happy. She and Ted were..." he closed his eyes, fighting tears, shaking his head and hoping the thoughts would disappear.

"Ted needs her, and Robin needs him." He said in solemn regret looking directly at Lily whose mouth was parted in dismay. "And now that Ted's wife is gone, he needs help more than ever. I'm tired of fighting it, Lily. Robin's better off without me."

--

"Come on, Aunt Robin, why did you and Barney break it off?" Linda persisted to ask her Aunt who attempted to flee into the kitchen, excusing herself with the reason that supper preparations to be made. "Was it you? Was it him?"

"Linda, why are you and your brother suddenly so interested?" She diverted.

"David's been bugging, a bit. You know him, always a romantic, he's – uh..." She stopped herself one word to late.

"Yes?" She asked, eyebrows raised.

"He might be shipping you two."

"He's what?"

"Shipping." Robin continued to stare at Linda completely confused, holding a jug of juice she had taking out of the fridge. "It's short for relationship. As in relation-SHIP. " Robin cocked her head as she poured herself a cup. Linda sighed, closing her eyes she cursed herself for what she was about to do. "He wants – he thinks he can get you two back together."

--

"Barney, Barney what are you –" Lily stood up, ready to argue, Barney started to fidget, jaw clenched, hands adjusting his jacket (no tie), looking around the room and messing with his hair. "Look, just sit down okay? We gotta talk about this, Robin'll –"

"No." Something in Barney's stance, in the way he persisted in shaking his head and in the way his eyes glistened with moisture made Lily shut up. Although it was clear he had barely slept, he was completely awake and somehow seemed in control; he seemed sure of himself. His head dropped and his shoulders shook gently as a few quiet sobs were heard. He continued to shake his head and wiped his eyes with the sleeve of his suit, trying to cover up his miserable state. However, he let her hear a loud sniffle and see that his face was now blushed, lip quivering.

"No," his voice strained as he took a shaky breath. "No. It's better this way. Robin and I, it's..." He took a shaky breath, stabilizing his tone; he closed his eyes and clenched his jaw, and tried his hardest to swallow the lump in his throat with no success. "I have to break up with Robin... It's for the best."

--

"So, David," Barney poured himself a cup of tea and, looking to David, raised his eyebrow and the pot to him, asking if he wanted some more.

"Oh, sure," he got up and made it to the kitchen counter with only stubbing one toe on a chair. "Thanks."

"Yeah, so, uh... How are you?" He grinned, although he wasn't sure what to talk about, he really was grateful for the visit.

"I'm great, yeah uh... school's almost out." He nodded pleasantly. "I got an exam next week."

"Oh, which one?"

"Math!" David continued to nod extending his hand in expression of this fascinating fact. "It's got all these symbols and calculations."

"Numbers and stuff..."

"And! And, even some letters."

"Yeah..." the feigned enthusiasm died off. "That's great." They needed a change of subject.

"Yup," it wasn't the best opening but he wasn't going to back down now. "So uh... was that lady your girlfriend?"

"Who?" Barney asked before taking a sip of tea, casting his gaze into the drink as his brow furrowed. "Veronica?"

David nodded, "Hmmmhuh."

"Uh, no I wouldn't say that."

"So," he guessed, "is she just another bimbo?"

"What?" He looked really confused now.

"Come on, my dad told me all the stories. Barney Stinson, slept with over 200 women, came this close to the tricycle."

"That's what he thinks," Barney murmured under his breath.

"You are the man to have as a wing-man. You know all the moves and you can get any chick you want." He saw his Uncle grin – if it was because he was flattered or amused by his childish admiration, it was hard to tell.

"That was a long time ago, kid," Barney moved to the living room.