Thursday

How did this happen?

Somehow, they went from incredible, mind-blowing sex, to Barney telling her that he's still going to Washington. He's still leaving. And Robin's words of protest died in her throat. His argument, that she'd leave New York herself without a second thought, resonated too deeply inside of her.

As ever, Barney Stinson tilted her world and now he's just going to walk away from the mess he's caused, probably surround himself with bimbos and drown his unhappiness with corporate intrigue and booze. Real healthy.

Of course, Robin knows what it is that he wants from her. In Barney's ideal world, they'd remain forever friends, with her his wingwoman-with-benefits, and he her clown, entertaining her and occasionally romancing her. Just so long as she doesn't want anything more from him.

And that would be okay if she didn't want anything more. But damn it, he's off to live in Neverland, and she can't follow him there.

Or can she? Would she really follow Barney Stinson to Washington? That's the test isn't it? And how hard can it be to get a job in Washington, where there are more reporters per square mile than there are cell phones? And really, where exactly is her career going in New York?

Yeah, she'll miss Ted and Marshal, and especially Lily, but it's not so far away. Not really.

Robin turns over in bed and kisses his shoulder. The idea of New York without him is painful. Even when they split, she was somehow comforted by the fact that he was close by. With Barney gone, she knows that she'll feel like her legs have been kicked out from underneath her.

Because he's always been here to save her, to save them all. He's been their safety net for years, and none of them realized. Just how much do they all owe to Barney? He's got the biggest heart of any guy she's ever known, although she's never told him that.

He's leaving today. If she doesn't do something soon, she might never get to tell him.

Barney stirs, sleepily aware of her scrutiny, as Robin slides out of bed and sits down at his desk. Opening up his laptop, she finally feels ready to take control instead of just letting things happen to her. Her heart races, her senses zing with adrenalin, and for the first time in months, she feels truly alive.

#~o

"Relax, sweetie, she'll be here."

Lily places her hand gently on Barney's shoulder and for once he doesn't shrug it off. They all know he's nervy, and it's not just the idea of moving to a different city. Now he's at the airport, with less than an hour before he flies, it's all suddenly become a lot more real.

But Robin isn't here.

He'd have thought at least she'd be able to man-up and say goodbye. If Ted and Marshall can do it (although he's caught both of them wiping their eyes), then for Robin this should be a cake walk.

As Ted and Marshall stand by the departure board, laughing at some private joke, Lily takes his hand and squeezes it. She may look calm, but he can tell by the way she gnaws her bottom lip that this is difficult for her.

"What's up, guys?"

Barney and Lily both turn and Robin almost runs into them, dragging a wheelie bag behind her.

"Going somewhere, Scherbatsky?" He says, feeling hot and uncomfortable beneath her cool appraisal.

"Oh, hey Robin!" Ted says, stepping forward to give her a hug. "What's in the bag?"

"I... have an interview for a job," Robin says, a smirk playing across her lips, "Political field reporter."

"Whoa!" Marshall says with enthusiastic surprise. "That's awesome! Where is it?"

Barney knows before she says the word. "Washington," he mouths it along with her.

"Washington? But that's where Barney's going. That's a co-incidence…" Marshall trails off and the four of them turn to look accusingly at Robin, then at Barney.

"What?" He protests.

"Are you running away together?" Ted accuses him.

Barney knows that he should be scared, because the last woman who followed him anywhere was a crazy psycho stalker. But he doesn't feel any of that. Robin's giving him that conspiratorial look, her eyes dancing with humour, and he can't help but grin.

"Hey, I might not get the job," she says, inspecting her nails.

"You'll get the job," Barney says, still grinning. "So, you're following me to Washington?"

"Oh, get over yourself," she says with an arched eyebrow. "Interview, remember?"

Something that he feels has been lost between them for the longest time, some attraction, some connection, he feels it spark. Maybe it's the way Robin's eyes darken as she focuses her attention on him? Maybe it's just that, right now, she's the coolest, most kick-ass woman on the planet.

And, yeah, it went so wrong between them last time they tried to get together. But this time they won't have any meddling friends around trying to force them to define what they have on their terms.

Robin winks at him, and he knows. He just knows that this is the start of something beyond awesome. They're Barney-and-Robin again, and he couldn't be happier.

"Okay, let's go," he says briskly, taking Robin's case. "Let's shake the dust of this dirty, no-good city off our shoes."

Robin grins, embracing Lily, holding her tight and whispering something in her ear.

"Hey," Ted says, taking Barney's arm to stop him. "We'll miss you, Bro."

Taking a breath, and looking around the bustling airport, Barney takes in the scene. His friends of so many years, standing around him, smiling and wishing him a safe journey. Ted, taking this way harder than he'd ever have guess. "Okay," he says with a sigh. "As my last act as your wingman and best friend for a very long time, Ted Mosby…."

He leaves the gang and walks the few feet over to the airport bar, tapping a girl on the shoulder and pointing over at Ted, whispering a few magic words into her ear before rejoining the group and finishing the sentence.

"…something tells me you should go talk to that girl."

Ted laughs and claps him on the shoulder. There are kisses from Lily and a bear hug from Marshall that is so tight that Barney fears for his ribs. Then finally, he and Robin break away from the group and head for the security check-in.

"You know," he says when they're out of earshot of the rest of the group. "They'll never believe that we didn't plan this."

She gives him a sly look. "Uh-huh."

"You got anywhere to stay while you're in DC?" he asks mock-casually, as they wait in line. She shakes her head. "Only there's this hotel I'm staying at, just while they get my apartment ready. I hear the bedrooms are pretty spectacular."

She laughs and flips the ends of her hair playfully. "Maybe I'll get a room?"

Grinning, he rolls his eyes. "Sure you will, Scherbatsky." She never makes things easy for him. But then again, he wouldn't want her any other way.

Maybe sometimes, people get a second chance. And maybe some particularly special people get more than two. They keep giving each other chances because they can't stand the though of letting each other go.

He smiles as he feels her slide her hand into his.

Awesome, he thinks. Washington, here we come.

The End