The Accident

The accident really put things into perspective. He knew Ted was his best friend, but when he heard that he was involved in a car accident, it didn't matter that Ted hated him for sleeping with Robin. He had to get there. He had to make sure he was alright. Ted was his first true friend, and thanks to Ted, he was able to become friends with Marshall, Lily, and Robin. Without Ted, he was sure he'd be alone.

Lily didn't say much on the phone before Barney hung up and ran out of his office. He wasn't sure what the damage was, but all he could picture was Ted in a hospital bed, covered in bruises and casts. Though he knew Ted was a trooper, the thought made him feel sick, and he didn't hesitate in crossing into the street. He wasn't even watching where he was going, and he certainly didn't expect the bus that suddenly rammed into him.

Barney let out a yelp of surprise as the impact shattered his bones and sent him flying onto the street. The pain was unbearable. Every bit of his body ached, and he wasn't sure if he would survive it. He couldn't focus on anything, not on the bus driver frantically calling 911, and not even on the hot paramedic that was giving him CPR. The pain ran throughout every part of his body, and now he was certain he was going to die. He was going to die on the street, and though he should've been happy to die with that paramedic's lips on his, he couldn't find solace in the situation. He wasn't going to have another drink at Maclaren's, he wasn't going to see his mother or brother again, he wasn't going to see his friends again.

Every moment of his life flashed across his eyes. He saw his brother, James, getting married. He saw the moment he met his father, Bob Barker, on The Price is Right. He saw the first time he met Ted. He saw the time he officiated Marshall and Lily's wedding. He saw every moment he spent with them in the bar, laughing over something or another. He saw the time Robin was his wingman, smoking cigars, drinking scotch, and playing laser tag.

He let out a groan. His head felt like it was going to split into two.

He couldn't die not here. Not without seeing them. Not without seeing her. The moment he and Robin shared their first kiss flashed before his eyes. He could remember every detail of that night. The taste of her lips as they kissed like it was the last kiss they would ever have. The way her body reacted to every touch he gave her. The sounds of pleasure that escaped both their lips as they slipped into ecstasy together. Sure, that night of passion came back to bite him in the ass, and Ted hated him. He didn't even have the chance to apologize.

Robin. When did the very image of her face make his heart race? When did she begin to cross his mind so often it felt maddening? Her name was the last thing he thought before he passed out.

When he woke up, he was in the hospital, covered in casts, bruises, and bandages. His body still ached, though it had died down since the impact. The doctors must've pumped him with drugs. It felt nice not to be in agonizing pain, but now that that it wasn't occupying his mind, he was thinking of Robin. He wondered if he would ever kiss her again.

When he saw Ted, he felt guilty for thinking of his bro's ex-girlfriend. Yet, when he saw that Ted came to see him, he felt happy to know he still cared about him, even after he betrayed his trust.

"Barney," he said seriously. "You could've died."

Barney didn't have it in him to make a comical remark. He just looked at him and said, "Ted, I'm sorry I broke the bro code."

"No, I'm sorry."

"Ted, can we be friends again?" Barney's voice was cracking.

"Barney, we're more than friends. We're brothers."

"You're my brother, Ted…"

"You're my brother, Barney." Ted hugged him as carefully as he could, and Barney couldn't help it. He cried. He didn't deserve Ted's friendship. "Did you hear that, Marshall? We're brothers."

"Marshall's my brother, too," Ted said. "We're all brothers."

Though Barney was utterly touched that Ted and Marshall were his brothers, he couldn't help but slip in a comical remark as Marshall leaned to hug the two of them. "Yeah, but I'm your best brother, right?" He liked the smiles that appeared on their faces.

Barney figured it wouldn't do any good for self pity now that everything had been mended between him and Ted. He recalled the awful moment of when the paramedics cut up his suit. Sure, he could always buy a new one, but that was like buying a new child. Well, he was sure his suit wouldn't mind; he would always remember it.

"Mosby, you're still here?" a nurse said. "Your tests came back an hour ago. You're fine." Barney was certainly happy to hear that. It was funny that he expected Ted to be the one with the bruises, and here he was, lying in a hospital bed stuffed with painkillers.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Ted exclaimed. "I've got to go, Barney."

Barney smiled. He didn't have to ask what Ted needed to do. He knew Stella was out there somewhere, and Ted needed to fix something because Ted always screwed something up.

Lily and Marshall turned to Barney after Ted left. "So, Ted said that right before his accident, his life flashed before his eyes," Lily said. "You know, all the stuff he loves."

"Yeah," Marshall said. "Did that happen to you?" They began listing things Barney loved. Things like suits, boobs, money, and scotch; he did love those things. "That's pretty much everything you love, right?" But, he loved something much more.

At that moment, Robin appeared by Barney's bedside. He found his gaze shifting to her. She was laughing, and she looked more beautiful than she had in his mind. Though his accident was far different from Ted's, he did see everything he loved during the time he thought he was going to die. And as he gazed at Robin, he felt a smile tug at his lips.

"Yeah, pretty much."

Author's Note: This might be a two parter with Barney recuperating after the accident. Robin will probably help him at home, much like she did when he had that cold at Ted's apartment. Also, I have another HIMYM fic that I haven't updated in forever. I plan to delete and restart it because I'm actually watching the series from start to finish, and I'm on s6 now, and it's so good.