AN: Hii! This may be my last upload in a while because school's starting/just started (depending on when I upload this - because as you all know I like to write a lot at a time then upload them slowly) on the 21st. Which means I'll be busy with my school stuff. So please don't count on me to be uploading super frequently and thank you for being patient with me. :)

"Wow. You look amazing," were the first words that escaped from Barney's lips when he laid eyes on Robin as he struggled not to take a second look. She was standing behind the kitchen counter in a white blouse and a black pencil skirt, the look of professionals.

"I think some people prefer to say good morning, but I'm not going to complain you greeted me this way," she smiled and gave a shrug. "Classic work attire."

"Good to know you're finally getting your crap together, Scherbatsky." He commented, laughing lightly. "And I'm also glad you still have that sarcasm in you. I was afraid it had somehow washed off with all the laundry you didn't do for the past twelve days."

"Yeah… Yeah… Whatever. And I'll take that 'sarcasm' thing as a compliment, as I always do."

"So, what time is your interview?"

"Interviews. That would be in plural form. And, um…" She paused and racked her brains. "I have an interview with WWN at nine, then I have another one with Metro News One at one. Channel Eight told me to go in so I am, at three. Plus I've got some property viewing as well but that can wait until later. I've got three flats and I'll take a look at them at four, I think." She recited, speaking eloquently.

"Whoa. Slow your roll. Tight schedule," he replied, and she nodded in agreement, biting her lip in nervousness.

She tried not to look it, but truth to be told, she was more afraid than she had ever let on. She had been away from the tedium of life in New York City for a while now and she was not sure she could return to that. That, referring to the life she once had.

She knew he probably did not mind, but she felt as though she really could not rely on Barney like that anymore. At one week it was still sympathetic, but now, at twelve days, it seemed a little pathetic.

But hey, you miss a hundred percent of the shots you don't take, right? She thought that no matter how scared she was feeling, she had to walk in there, look presentable and do the interview with as much confidence as she could muster. She was determined to stick with getting back on her feet and there was nothing anyone could do to stop her.

Sipping on her coffee absent-mindedly, she nodded at his comment without giving much thought.

Identifying her strange behaviour, he waved a hand in front of her face, snapping her out of her daydream. "You alright?"

"Yeah, never been better." She replied almost instinctively, and cleared her throat, standing upright once again.

"It's just… You seemed a little off."

"Yeah. I suppose I'm just a little nervous."

"It's good to have a little nerve," he responded, reassuring her as he waited for his coffee to brew. "Healthy." He spoke again, looking at his coffee; a second later to which he realised what he had just said could lead to a misunderstanding. "I meant having a little nerve, not the coffee."

She gave a little chuckle, looked as if she was about to say something, but paused. Biting her lip, she frowned. "Is it?"

He nodded.

"Well…" Checking her watch, Robin drained her cup of coffee in one mouthful. "Hey, sorry. Got to go. I don't want to be late." She murmured, dabbing at her lips with a tissue hurriedly and retouched her makeup in one swift action. Just in case.

"Now?" Barney raised an eyebrow, checking the time on his phone. "It's still early."

"I'm taking the subway and I wanted to make sure I don't walk in last minute, drenched in sweat. You know how the subway is like." She replied, grabbing her bag and walking towards the door. "Doesn't hurt to be early."

Grinning, she slipped on a pair of black, modest looking heels.

"Looking hot. I would do you." He commented again as he gave her a wink and a thumbs up, unable to resist the temptation of making fun of her.

"Stop trying to get me turned on, I have to go." She joked, pulling open the door and just before slipping out, she stuck her head back into the apartment. "Any words of encouragement for me?"

"I know you're going to ace it. What Scherbatsky wants, Scherbatsky gets. Go get it." He replied, shaking his head and giving a chuckle.

"Thanks. You're the best!" She yelped before she waved a quick goodbye and closed the door behind her.

Standing behind the kitchen counter still, Barney glanced at the door and shrugged, and as he was waiting for his coffee to finish brewing, he realised he had not stopped smiling since he had heard the door click shut.