Disclaimer: I do not own the How I Met Your Mother Series…But I do ship this couple ^_^

"Speaking."

(Thinking)

Narrator Ted

Scene Change

Chapter 7: Third Time's the Charm

Inside Room 696

Barney and Robin were staring at the fire detector latched on the white ceiling. It was 8:30 in the morning, but they had not realized it for the velvet curtains were fully covering the windows of their hotel room. They

stared at the fire detector with their bare backs resting on a blanket scruffily placed on the dark brown rug. The fire detector gave off a red light every few seconds which irritated Robin since the nights before. She was

wondering why she was staring at such an illustrious device. And after the fire detector flash its irritating light five times, Robin finally got the message.

"Oh… My… God!" Robin stood up and grabbed the blanket that protected their backs from the floor, and used it to conceal her nakedness from Barney. Without realizing it, she tugged the blanket too hard causing Barney

to roll over the opposite side. "This is not happening…" An exasperated voice came out from her mouth. "What the hell happened last night?"

Barney, with stomach pressed against the brown rug; looked up and saw Robin's marvellous figure from an upper view. His mouth was agape; he was about to answer her question, but an agonizing headache came

upon him and stopped him from doing so.

"Sorry can't answer." With his head resting on the floor. "My mind can't concoct anything as of this moment."

(Well he's useless.) She said to herself. Robin looked around the room to search for clues to what had happened last night. Empty bottles of beer, wine and brandy lying on the floor surrounded by a dry puddle of who

knows what. She looked at the beds to her side and to her amazement she saw their clothes thrown aimlessly. From their shirts to their underwear everything that she was not wearing can be found on Barney's side of

the bed. She knew what happened, but asked to be sure. "Did we… Sleep together last night?"

"Well, that depends." Barney raised himself up by pushing his weight from the floor. "Did you want us to sleep together last night?"

Robin was about to punch him on the face. Her fist was just inches away from the bridge of his nose when she stopped herself. "Oh God why does this keep happening?" She sat herself on her side of the bed, pulling

more of the blanket to cover her body.

"Do you want me to help you answer that question?" He was standing right in front of her. He knew that he didn't want this to happen… Or did he?

Robin looked up for a second and then looked away. "How can I say yes? You're naked! Get something to hide that…" Robin could not say his male attachment and just kept pointing at it looking away.

"What?" Barney raised his hands to the side and flaunted his perfect body. "You've seen Barney Jr. Loads of times, and besides." Putting his hand to his waist now. "I look amazing in my Birthday Suit! Not for sale or for

rent, and it only caters to me."

"Do it or I'll rip it out of my sight." She snapped.

Without hesitation, Barney grabbed a soft pillow from the opposite bed and placed it in between his legs. "I was trying to say…" He continued. "Is that, I can answer that question for you…. But –" He added. "First; we

have to catch the early bird breakfast." He said. "It's 8:45 so that means we have two hours and fifteen minutes to eat; pack up and go!" He suggested.

"BARNEY!"

"Alright, I was just kidding." He scoffed. "But breakfast would have been a great idea." He looked left and right and looked under the covers for something. When he had found it under the bed, he grabbed it with one

hand and showed it to Robin. "Remember this?" He asked showing her the piece of jewellery.

Robin grabbed the broach from Barney's hand and remembered that she was wearing it the night before. She observed its sparkling craftsmanship and let out a breath. "And how will this help us answer my question?"

"Don't you remember? That's the switch that activates the cameras I have set-up." Robin looked at Barney with a confused look. "To help you get amazing shots of the parade?" He reminded her. He grabbed the broach

switch from Robin's hand and plugged it in the television set as he balanced the pillow in between his legs.

"What are you doing?" Robin asked.

"What do you think I'm doing? I'm plugging this bad boy up to receive the feed from the cameras." Without wasting anytime, Barney ran left and right grabbing cables and extension cords from their bags and connected

them together.

"Wait everything that the cameras recorded last night gets saved in that little thing?" Robin stood up with the blanket still covering her body figuring out how Barney knew a lot about the technical details in filming.

"I forgot to tell you; that after the cameras stop recording the footage they immediately send the footage in the mother board which is found in this bad boy." He answered while wiring the intricate details of his creation.

"Wow Barney! I'm amazed that you know all this stuff." Robin complemented. "Did you go to school for this?"

"Pshaw no way, Barney Stinson doesn't need to go to school to connect some silly wires." He scoffed. "I just know a guy."

"It figures" She moaned.

After tightening a few bolts and connecting extra more wires it was set. Barney grabbed the TV remote on top of the side table and handed it to Robin. "Kindly do the honors."

Robin grabbed the remote from Barney and pointed it at the screen. She was afraid of what she'll see or hear, but if that was the only way to answer her question she had no other choice. The TV sounded with a click and

the black screen was now overlapped with the sounds of people cheering and colourful sights of the upcoming floats of Carnivale.

They plastered their sights on the screen to find out the reasons why they did what they had done last night. Sitting on opposite beds now, covered with what used to cover their beds they waited intently for that

reason. And then finally they heard it; from the speakers of the television set a few words they screamed made them remember.

"I LOVE YOU BARNEY STINSON! I LOVE YOU TOO ROBIN SCHERBATSKY!" The speakers boomed.

And on that moment they both remembered. After shouting what seemed to be the worst ting to say at that time and place they were flooded by a sea of women. This caused an abruption in the Carnivale because of the

traffic they had caused. No one can stop this destruction; not even the judges because one of them literally jumped out of the judges' box and chased after Barney. Barney and Robin remembered the thirty minute run

they had to divert all of the women out of their sights. Their breaths were short, and sweat started to pour from their foreheads, but their hands did not slip. Throughout the whole thirty minute run their hands did not let

go; and in some occasions their bodies had to be together to fit into narrow corners and hiding themselves from the sea of angry and scorned women. When they finally reached their hotel room, instead of turning in for

the night they got busier. They undressed each other from head to toe, lying down on the floor because the beds were too heavy to carry, and ordering a few bottles of alcohol to make the experience a little more

exciting.

After realizing what they had done, Robin switched off the TV and got up, grabbing her clothes on the bed and in the drawers that was furnished by the hotel. She entered the bathroom to get her toiletries and came out

with a green bath robe wrapped around her body. Barney was oblivious to what she had done and stared at her.

"Where are you going?" He asked.

"Where do you think?" She grabbed her stroller bag from the side and started packing. "I'm going back to New York. I think I have over stayed my welcome here in Brazil." She said to herself as she threw her clothes in

the bag.

She didn't fold her clothes neatly in the bag. The clothes formed a mound that had been mixed with dirty and unused garments. Barney knew that Robin has not overstayed her welcome. He looked at her face and saw

her eyes watering. Each time she picked up her remaining clothing her nimble hands would tremble. Every time she tries to speak her voice would rattle and say nothing at all. Barney could never keep his promise to

Robin. He made her cry once again.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Looking up to get her attention.

"Are you crazy!" She stopped packing her things in her rage. "That's the last thing I want us to do."

"One, I am not crazy." He corrected. "And two we SHOULD talk about this." He changed the position of the pillow to cover his male attachment as he stood up. He tried to get her attention but Robin would just not stop.

Barney called her attention three times and was answered by her ignorance. He was so tired of her stubbornness that he put on his boxers and grabbed her arms. "Robin, listen to me!"

Robin stared at him with tears pouring down her cheeks now. Barney broke his promise once again and tsked. He wiped her tears with his thumb and held the back of her head with his warm palms.

"Why is it that when things start to get better between us you want us to overlook at this moment and forget everything?" He asked.

"Because it is the only way Barney!" She cried. She grabbed his hands that caressed the back of her head and pulled them away. "It's the only way for us to be happy…" She whispered.

"Can't we be happy together!" He reasoned.

Robin looked at Barney's blue eyes and shook her head. "Happiness is impossible for us Barney." She sighed. "Each time we sleep together… Or fall in love." She brought up. "When we were dating we eventually broke

up. And then when we did it again… You lost Nora."

Nora. The woman who could have been the Mrs. Stinson in Barney's life left him on the altar without even saying goodbye. Did she find out about his adultery eventually? Was that the reason why she left?

Robin intently caressed his cheek before returning to pack her bags. "Right now, I don't want to think of the horrible things that might happen after last night, so for now. Let's just forget about what happened last night.

I don't want to burden your future because of me." She said.

Barney couldn't believe the words that came out of her mouth. Robin? Become a burden? Those ill futures that happen after they sleep together must have been coincidental. Because after she had packed her bags and

went in the shower to take a bath; Barney was seen sitting on one bed, playing with the broach in one of his hands.

(You were never a burden Robin. It was my fault why we broke up… Why I lost Nora.) He thought. "I loved you… I loved you too much." He raised the broach above his head to get a better glimpse at its glittering beauty.

Now, where was I until I was abruptly interrupted? Oh yeah, you're uncle Barney and aunt Robin returned from Brazil. At first we thought that Barney went to Maldives, just as he had planned and we never thought that he would

follow her all the way to Brazil. Anyway, it is true that when they got back from Brazil their relationship started to falter. The effect wasn't immediate because when they came back; they were still laughing and having drinks with us

in the pub. Besides, Robin's Carnivale coverage was a huge success that her boss gave her a promotion! We celebrated as long as we wanted because that was what she had always wanted. A few weeks later, however, we did

notice that Robin's attitude was starting to change. Everyone would be complete; drinking beer, having laughs and getting ourselves into trouble on one day. And then all of a sudden; something like this happened.

Inside MacLaren's (in the usual booth)

"Hey guys? What's up?" Robin entered the pub slightly drenched from the rain. She wore a khaki coat and a stripped scarf when she greeted the incomplete group. She did not have the luxury of taking them off and

hanging them on the side and sat down next to Ted facing Lily and Marshall.

"Wow Robin!" Ted exclaimed. "Didn't you hear the weather report today? I mean, you do work in a news network?"

"Ughh, I left my umbrella in the first cab I tried to get on." She grunted. "It drove off as soon as half of my body entered the back seat."

"Tsk, cab drivers," Marshall complained with a nod. "They don't have the sense of respect nowadays." He chugged down a little of his beer to console his woes.

Lily patted his back and rested her head on his shoulder. "Aww Baby." She purred. "We're in New York. No one has a sense of respect in this city."

"… Oh yeah!" Marshall realized.

Ted clapped his hands to get Robins attention as he leaned back to his seat. "So Robin, want me to get you a drink?" He pointed at the bar with the sway of his head jokingly giving her the 'wanna hook up with me later'

expression written all over his face.

Robin shook her head. "It's okay I don't plan on drinking today."

The whole table gasped in disbelief. Lily's back was against the seat, Marshall had his hand on his chest and Ted's arms were up in the air. It was very rare for Robin not to drink anything in MacLaren's. As the matter in

fact each time they are in the pub she drinks her favourites namely, brandy, whiskey, scotch and the like. Robin's eyes widened when she heard her friends gasps. She thought that it was okay to skip drinking today, but

it seems like her friends want her liver to explode.

"… What's wrong?" Robin asked.

"Who are you and what have you done with our friend Robin!" Ted interrogated.

"Guys, what's the big deal? I can drink whenever I please." She reasoned.

"No, no, there's a reason." Lily said as she pointed at Robin. "There's something up with you today."

"Yeah Robin, what happened to the alcoholic, and sometimes drunk, Canadian hoser we know and love?" Marshall added.

"I can't believe you guys. Aren't you concerned with my health? Experts say that drinking too much can cause liver failure and a bunch of other stuff. So I can drink some other time."

Ted, Lily, and Marshall turned their heads and slowly looked at each other. They gave each other a look the Robin knows too well. The look that they knew she was lying. She was about to add more information about the

bad effects of alcoholism, but the rest of the group started blurting out reasons why she's not drinking. Marshall's theory suggests that she smoked sandwiches and that she didn't need additional high. Lily's farfetched

theory suggests that the Robin sitting in front of her must be her evil opposite twin from another universe. And Ted's theory suggests that there must be something wrong with her tastes in alcohol.

Their theories had gotten wider, and somewhat stupider that Robin couldn't take it. There was a valid explanation why she didn't want to drink and was worried that they might find out. She had to think of a way to cut

the theories short. Her fingers drummed on the table as the clockwork in her mind started to move. The only way to stop the theorist from thinking was to ask them a question. And so she asked a valid question.

"So, where's Stinson?" She asked out of the blue.

Ted pulled out from the theory debate and grabbed his phone from his pocket. "Hang on let me text him." Ted's quick fire thumbs played with his phone and sent a message to Barney. After a few seconds, he looked at

his phone and chortled. "He says he's ten minutes away."

"'Ah, I see…"

Ted placed his phone back into his pocket and joined the theorist's debate once again.

(Ten minutes…) Robin looked at the wall clock and started shaking her legs uncontrollably. She was feeling uncomfortable, and worried at the same time. Why did she have to ask Ted about Barney's whereabouts? She

told him, while they were in Brazil, to forget everything that happened. But each time she looked at the wall clock the events replayed in her mind again and again. She looked at her debating friends, who were oblivious

to her movements and started to tear up. She wiped her eyes and suddenly stood up.

Marshall, Ted and Lily stopped arguing and looked at her.

"Robin, what's wrong?" Lily asked. "You look flushed.

"I just got a text from my boss." She lied. "He said I need to get back to work pronto. A staff member lost one of the footage of our coverage for tonight and they need me to help them fix the problem. You know… basic

head of the department problems and stuff." She reasoned.

"But Barney's not even here yet." Ted brought up.

"Her new position is more important right now Ted. Maybe after she gets used to the position she can stay longer, but for now…" Marshall looked at Robin and smiled. "We have to understand."

"Alright." Ted sighed. "Have fun Robin, I'll tell Barney that you dropped by."

"Thanks guys."

A few minutes later Barney came into the pub and noticed that the group was missing another member. He asked them where Robin was and told them she had work to do. Being an important person himself, he knew

Robin's work problem all too well.

"Handling her new position like a pro eh?" He said. "She'll get used to all that work eventually but for now –" He raised his arm and signalled a barmaid. "Scotch on the rocks please." He ordered.

After that uneventful meeting, Barney and Robin rarely saw each other in MacLaren's. And if ever the group had other adventures, she would intentionally ignore him. Barney took her ignorance as a sign of stress and

fatigue because of her work, even though she's only ignoring him and not everybody else. Eventually he started to get ticked off by her childish acts and wanted to talk to her privately. He devised a plan in such a way that, after she

tries to sneak away from the pub, he would actually catch her and finally have a conversation.

Inside MacLaren's Pub

Robin, Ted, Lily and Marshall were happily drinking in the usual booth when Barney entered the pub unannounced. Lily and Ted gave up on theorizing on why Robin would not drink and took her health concerns instead,

while Marshall, on the other hand would not give up.

"Is it because you're allergic to alcohol?" He guessed.

"No…"

"Is it because you made a deal with the devil and if you win the bet you come out clean?" He guessed.

"What? No!"

"Marshall, just stop guessing; Robin has the right not to tell us." Lily pleaded.

"Especially, now that you're theories are getting stupider." Ted said.

Marshall hit the table with his right hand and looked at them. "I can get the right answer if I keep trying!" He forced himself not to get flustered.

"Hey everybody, what's happening?" Barney suddenly interrupted.

Robin jumped in her seat when she heard Barney suddenly. She knew the signal to leave MacLaren's because Barney would always make a big announcement of himself entering. Little did she know that coming in by

surprise was part of his plan.

"Oh look at the time, I must get going." She stood up from the booth and in one swift motion she grabbed her bag and left without saying goodbye or looking at Barney in the eye.

Everyone, but Barney were contented with her problems at work reason because becoming the new department head is really strenuous work. It was annoying at first, but Robin, being a head strong and independent

woman she is they could not reason with her and let her off. But Barney wanted to fix things with her.

He knew that he was the reason why she's ignoring him. After everything that had happened in Brazil why wouldn't it be him?

When Robin left MacLaren's, Barney chased after her. The rest of the group turned their heads and called Barney to sit down and have a drink, but to no avail he did not come back that day.

In the Streets of New York (outside MacLaren's)

Once Barney climbed out of the steps of MacLaren's, he immediately searched for Robin. He knew a guy who owned the cab terminals and told him not to dispatch any of the cabs giving him a hefty sum in return. He

looked to his left and saw Robin in her khaki coat nearing the curve. He raced down to catch up with her ignoring the men and women he was accidentally bumping. By the time he reached Robin, he grabbed her by the

arm and pulled her towards him.

Her eyes heavily reddened from crying. Tears pouring down her cheeks landing on her chest leaving dark tear stains on her coat. Her mouth trembled with her hands. Barney has never seen Robin in so much grief. What

has he done to break his promise once again?

"What!" She cried.

Barney lowered her arm and retraced his hold. "I just want us to talk…"

Retracting his hold was the best opportunity for Robin to do a hit and run. But she really needed to get it off her chest. With the events what happened in Brazil, the dance studio, Carnivale, the night they slept together.

She recalled how she felt in those moments. Her emotions were on high. Did she really have those feelings for Barney? Or was it the hype of the moment? Barney started talking when her mind was filled with what she

was about to say. She looked at his face and the gestures he was making with his reasons. With the events that have transpired after Brazil, there was only one thing she can say.

"Tell me Robin!" Barney pleaded. "Why are you running away from me? If you really wanted me to walk out of your life you could've just told me!"

Robin wasn't answering him and he couldn't take her childishness any longer. He placed his hands on her shoulders and looked at her intently in the eye.

"Tell me what's wrong? I am here to help you, but in order for me to help you have to tell me the problem…. Please." He begged.

Robin raised her head and slightly opened her mouth. "… I'm pregnant."

End of Chapter 7

To be continued…

To my dear readers,

I just wanna give you a heads up that my laptop broke. So typing my stories are now slower than usual because the closest desktop computer from Manila that is free of charge; is three hours away. But since it is

Christmas break I can hopefully finish the story. Besides the next chapter will be the last so ~Ciao^_^and happy holidays!