Ted turns his gaze back to Lucy who is smiling innocently at him. He quickly sits up and holds the child in his lap.

"Okay kiddo, lay it on me" he instructs. Lucy looks away sadly. "Mom took me here once by cab, she said I would be safe here if I ever needed help" she explained softly.

"What happened Lucy? Why do you need my help?" Ted asked trying to keep calm.

"You saw the movie right?" Lucy asked him. "Yeah…I don't think your dad likes me very much" Ted answered.

"If it helps my mom hated it too, that's why I ran off, they've been fighting all day and night so I thought I'd visit you" Lucy explained.

"I'm sorry there's drama in the house because of me kiddo but you shouldn't run away like this" Ted told her.

Just then his cell phone rang. "Ted? It's Stella, have you seen Lucy? I was about to call the police but I remembered I took her in a cab to see you once and so I was hoping she'd be there…if not…oh my lord Ted…" Stella rambled quickly.

"Stella take a breath, she is here and she's fine" Ted instructed.

"Oh thank the lord" Stella murmured. "I'll be right over" she added and hung up.

"Great…" Lucy muttered.

HIMYMHIMYMHIMYM

Tony had been standing next to Stella and went to put on his shoes when he hung up.

"I'm going alone Tony" Stella spat at him when she noticed. "Oh come on Stella, it's a great movie and you didn't belong with that loser anyway" he said.

She slapped his face hard. "Ted isn't a loser. He gave me happiness and I hurt him for you. I never thought you'd be this jackass though" she hissed.

"Hey! That movie is making me a lot of money. Money I want to use on you and Lucy" he objected.

"By making Ted into a jackass? Tony that isn't fair to him! You know everything you wrote in the movie was a lie! But then I bet the movie would suck if you wrote the real version huh?" Stella responded.

"Then go back to him baby doll! But you'll only hurt him again when you realize again you love me more because I am Lucy's father. Ted Mosby is nothing compared to me" he told her.

"Can you be any more obnoxious?" Stella asked and left her house slamming the door behind her.

She started to cry softly so she hailed a cab. When she reached the apartment she was still crying softly. Ted took Lucy's hand when he heard the knock and they opened the door together.

When Ted saw Stella he took pity on her and gave her a warm hug. Stella hugged him tightly and her feelings for him sparked up again. Tony may have been right about being Lucy's father but Ted was special too. Stella wanted to pull away, take her daughters hand and run. Ted's hug felt too nice to end though.

So she curled her head into his shoulder and continued to cry. Ted rubbed her back and closed his eyes pretending they were all alone. Lucy had moved away and went to Marshall who sat in a chair.

"This is what I wanted Marshall" she whispered in his ear. "I love my dad a lot but…I want Ted in my family too…I think they should be together don't you?" she asked.

"Maybe…" Marshall answered. "They do Marshall, you'll see that soon enough as well" Lucy answered. She sat in his lap and leaned against his chest. Since Ted came over it proved Marshall had been honest so Lucy decided it would be okay to sit in his lap.

She closed her eyes and fell asleep with a small happy smile. Stella calmed a minute later and pulled away.

"I'm so sorry Ted" she said and he smiled. "It's okay" he said and brushed loose hair off her face.

He turned and noticed the sleeping girl and lifted her. "Why don't you go lay in my bed with your daughter and rest?" he asked. "Okay" she agreed and stroked his cheek gently. "Thanks for being such a good person" she said and he nodded.

He took Lucy into his room and tucked both girls into his bed. When he closed the door he walked back to the couch and sat down with a small sigh.

"Okay…no big deal guys…I'll just smooth it over with Stella and Tony and move on with my life" he said a few seconds later.

"Lucy wants you to her stepfather Ted…she told me that before she fell asleep in my arms" Marshall cut in.

"Oh…damn…" Ted answered with a moan. Robin sat beside him and gently stroked his back. "Don't let the child be the reason Ted" she told him. "Do you think you can even love Stella again after what she did?" she asked.

Ted shrugged. "I'm a helpless romantic Robin…I know I'd take you back in a heartbeat so…" he said and stopped.

"I know…" Robin whispered and tousled his hair. "Just be careful Ted, I hate seeing you get hurt" she added.

"I'll try…" Ted answered and took her hand. 'But if I do fall apart again I hope you'll put me back together' he thought.

"I told you marriage was a bad idea Ted, why don't you ever just listen to me bro?" Barney cut in.

"I'm a helpless romantic Barney, I can't be like you and only want to have sex with a woman and run away" he responded.

"Why not? Its way more fun then letting your heart break" Barney responded.

"You don't…" Ted started and stopped. Barney raised a brow. "You were going to say understand weren't you?" he asked and Ted nodded.

"I stopped because I remembered that video Lily got" he said. "Yep, see I learned my lesson Ted, its time you learn yours now…" he said.

"You shouldn't group all woman together Barney" Marshall cut in as Lily sat in his lap.

He only rolled his eyes. "Oh please Marshall, you may been the lucky one to find a good fish in the sea but trust me there's only a few descent ones and its better to just screw them and leave them behind" he answered.

"I don't think that's true pal, I think when you do find the one woman again who makes you feel loved you won't want to leave her ever" Ted told him.

"Yeah…whatever you say Ted" Barney said rolling his eyes. He stole a quick look at Robin and quickly turned away.

"Okay then, you keep thinking what you want pal, I know in my heart we all have a soul mate…the question is who is she and when do I finally get to be with her?"

"Your also wondering if she's in your bed right now" Lily cut in. Ted didn't answer. He got up and walked into the kitchen instead.