One and a Half

"Well, Ted, it looks like you're going to lose our little bet", Barney said walking into Marshall and Ted's apartment.

"We didn't make a bet." Ted said whilst channel flipping.

"Oh yes we did; you said, and I quote, I bet you couldn't actually date someone even if you really tried."

"It was a rhetorical statement."

"And I have succeeded in disproving you. For you see, Ted, Robin and I are officially dating." Ted looked up from the television screen. "That's right! We had a 'discussion' about 'us'", Barney air quoted. "And she and I are dating." He opened up a beer bottle, rejoicing in his victory.

"Barney, you've been on one date – "

"Two dates."

"Hanging out with Marshall and Lily after you randomly bumped into her doesn't count."

"Does too", he persisted.

"Not really."

"It was a double date."

"It was like half a date."

"You weren't there."

"It doesn't count as a full date."

"Fine, Robin and I have been on one and a half dates."

"Whatever, the point is you aren't really dating her. Don't you think you should just break it off before someone gets hurt?"

"Please", Barney scoffed.

"I'm serious."

"Ted this is just like any other relationship. We date, we have some fun and then we break up. The only difference here is that it'll be done consciously."

"Oh, hi Barney!" Lily said, a smile on her face, coming out from Marshall's room. "I wasn't expecting to see you again tonight", she hinted.

"Well, Robin had to go for some late breaking news."

"Really?"

"Yeah, channel 1." He instructed Ted who flipped to the channel.

--

"...giving this story a bizarre and happy ending. Reporting live for MetroNews1, this is Robin Scherbatksy."

"So Robin, did we interrupt you and your hot date?" Judy asked as she, Tim and Robin put away all the equipment.

"Yeah, no, it's fine. I mean, I'll see him when I get back from Orlando so..."

"Did you just say yeah no?"

"No..." Robin stopped, holding a box of wires (why did they need so many wires?). "I mean, I didn't meant to... I – it just came out."

"Is it a Freudian slip?"

"No," she giggled a bit, making Judy stare at her even more suspiciously. Who did she think she was anyways? She's so nosey...

"Here's the last box." Tim the camera man said, putting the box in the truck. "We'll drop you off at home. Don't forget to be in at 8 tomorrow, K?"

"Alright," Robin said, only too happy to change topics and get away from Judy's judging glare.

--

"For a whole week?"

"Yup, but don't worry Teddy-boy, she'll be back." He said, adding, with a wink and an all-knowing slow nod. "She's had a taste of Barnaby and it tastes good."