Halloween

Robin had just climbed back through the window of the completely empty living room of the old apartment.

It was weird seeing this room this empty. So much had happened here, mostly good things. She sighted and started walking towards the front door, ready to leave this place behind forever, when someone called out her name.

"Robin, hold on a sec."

She turned around, and watched her ex-husband climb through the window as well.

He looked ridiculous in that costume, and she couldn't help but wonder what had happened to the guy she once knew?

"Barney." She turned on her heels and waited for him.

"You are not leaving, are you?" he asked.

She shrugged, "I got a lot of work to do…" she let her voice trail off.

"Nah uh, come here." He took her hand and pulled her along into her former bedroom.

"What are you doing?" she asked annoyed.

"I want to talk to you in private for a second."

Barney let go of her and closed the door.

"Look, I know it hasn't been easy…with the divorce, but we said we would stay friends." He started.

"So?"

"So stay and have some fun tonight."

"By watching you hit on slutty whatevers? I'll pass." Her voice cracked as she said it and she silently cursed herself for that.

"Come here." Barney took his scar off and moved into her personal space, "you can be my manager."

"What?" She asked confused while Barney put the scarf as a headband on her, gently stroking through her hair to smoothen it out.

"As a costume." He clarified.

She got that.

He stood back, "looks pretty good, here have a necklace and some of the bracelets too."

He took them off and held them out to her, but she didn't take them right away.

"I am trying here, but you've got to meet me half way Robin. The gang isn't the same without you. We can be friends again Robin, I mean, we've done it before, right?"

Robin took the contents from his hand and started putting them on.

"Perfect!" Barney exclaimed, "let's get you a drink."

He had already reached the door before he realized that she wasn't following him, "what?"

"What are we doing Barney?"

"Going back up."

"I mean…and then? I don't belong here anymore, and I feel out of place."

"Bullshit, come on, I promise you it'll be fun."

Robin hesitated another second, but ended up following him.

Barney dragged her over to Ted and Tracy, prompting Tracy to tell her about their recent trip to Canada while he got her a drink.

It wasn't as awkward as she had anticipated, and soon Marshall joined them.

"Hey, you got some accessories." He noticed.

Barney handed her a drink and swung his around her shoulder, "she's my classy tour manager."

"Now that'd be a hard job."

"Hard indeed." Barney chuckled.

It made Robin laugh, she'd missed his lewd humor.

He leaned in close, "see, you are laughing already."

"EWWW!" Lily had joined them too, "I am just assuming."

Robin laughed and felt herself relax. It was nice to be surrounded by her friends again, and Barney's arm on her shoulder was somewhat reassuring.

He was right, the divorce had been hard on both of them. He had dived right into his womanizing ways again, and she had thrown herself into her work. Neither of them had probably dealt with what had happened, and they certainly hadn't really talked about it either.

Ted and Tracy headed home quite early, since their babysitter was only okay to stay until ten, and eventually Lily got tired from being on her feet all day and she and Marshall left as well.

Barney didn't give her an opportunity to leave though and dragged her onto the dance floor with him.

"Admit it, you are having fun." He said as he grabbed her hand and swirled her into his arms.

"Yeah, I do."

"So you are going to start coming to group events again?" he asked.

"I'll think about it."

"No, no thinking, you've got to simply do it."

"When I'm in town, I will, okay?"

"Promise?"

"Barney..."

"Promise me you'll be there for all the big moments."

He had stopped dancing, his arms still around her waist.

"I promise." She finally answered.

It made him smile, and he started to swirl her around again, the scarf flowing around her.

And in that moment, she really meant it.