Episode 24 - The Leap
The Perfect Couple
1. Robin
Robin's not exactly sure how she feels.
Barney's her friend. He's, like, one of her best friends. He's also really good friends with her room-mate, her ex, the guy who pays way over sixty percent of her bills.
Barney's really good friends with her best friend. Lily seems totally invested in some kind of weird, idealised version of "Robin and Barney" that it's scaring her; it's crazy-alien to her.
Barney's also the biggest slut that Robin has ever met. He's the only guy she could ever tell her "total" and he wouldn't blink an eye. In fact, he'd probably demand a list so he could compare his with hers.
He'll cheat on her.
He'll almost certainly, definitely cheat on her.
And if she lets him in, even a little bit, he will literally break her heart. Ted broke her heart so she totally knows what that feels like.
But…
But…
He saw through "The Mosby". Repeatedly.
He's not into commitment.
He's not into tying her down.
(Well, not in that way)
He's sweet, caring and kind. He's smart enough to hide how smart he is and that challenges her.
He makes her laugh. All the time.
And…
And…
He's, like, the most awesome kisser in the whole world, ever.
Aaaaghhh!
2. Barney
Barney knows exactly how he feels. He's in love.
Robin's incredible. She's beautiful, intelligent, funny. For so long he's wanted to tell her, been so desperate to just let it out. Now he has, he has no idea what this means.
So what now? That's the question.
What happens now?
He's going to screw it up.
She's not that into him. He can tell because she's deflecting, defending, manipulating him. He thought Lily was an evil puppet master but Robin…
She's said the words "I love you" and not meant it, not even nearly, and that scares the crap out of him. He's spent so long pining for her that he's lost sight of what would happen if she felt anything for him.
He thinks about them together in six month's time, in a year's time, in ten years time, and the bottom drops out of his world.
He's crazy-running-scared.
But…
But…
After everything, after all her lies and all his fear, she kissed him and she held on to him and there was a desperation and a need in that kiss that he's far too adept at reading.
She likes him. Maybe she's a little scared at just how much she likes him. She's scared maybe because she doesn't love him but… for what could make them work, liking him might just be enough.
She may be his last chance at this. Romance for Barney is all about artifice. Romance is an empty promise that sneaks out of the door in the morning. Robin's not romantic, but she's real. She's not a sure thing. In fact, she's the biggest risk he's ever taken; the biggest gamble he's ever made.
And…
And…
He gives them a week before they're back in bed together. And look how that ended last time?
Aaaaghhh!
3. Ted
Ted wishes he knew how he felt.
He watches Barney and he sees "love". He talked to Stella and he saw the same thing in her eyes - not for him, but for Tony. And yeah, love brings problems and yeah, maybe the balance of power shifts unfairly but at least Barney's sure. He's got it all figured out. All Barney needs to do is let Robin figure out whether she's in love with him too.
Ted wishes he was sure.
He's contemplating Lily's words. This year… This shitty year… All he's been doing is running from things, running to things, feeling more and more depressed and frantic. Lily's right, it is hurting him more than he'd known.
Funny that it took losing a fight with a female goat to realise that.
Well, not "funny" as in amusing. Although he's pretty sure that he heard Barney and Robin sniggering about it again in her room tonight.
Ted sighs. Barney and Robin.
Marshall and Lily.
Isn't he the one who was supposed to want to meet the woman of his dreams? Isn't he the one who should be snuggling in his bedroom with his honey, instead of being forced to haunt the bars and the clubs just in case he runs into his future wife?
Haaaaave you met Ted?
He thins his lips and sits up straight, pushing himself away from his drafting table. On the floor is a glossy brochure/prospectus for ColumbiaUniversity.
Ted closes his eyes.
When he opens them again he flips through the first few pages, finding two spelling mistakes and five instances of incorrect punctuation.
He's just considering telephoning the admissions board to complain when it hits him. Maybe he should be telephoning the head of the architecture department instead? Maybe he should find out a little more about that job?
He hates that Lily was right.
There are more giggles from Robin's room and Ted rolls his eyes, trudging over to the kitchen to grab a coffee. There are lot of giggles and creaking bed springs but no talking. Eventually those two will have to talk. Surely?
Ted grins.
How else are they going to find out that they're perfect for each other?
The end.