Leave No Man Behind by Clio (PG-13)

[azarsuerte.livejournal.com]

Fandom: How I Met Your Mother
Pairing: Barney/Robin
Length: 3000 words
Author on LJ: jlh
Author's website: none that I can find, but here's a masterlist of fanfic
Why this must be read: Since the events of "Sandcastles in the Sand," the HIMYM fandom has been flooded with Barney/Robin fanfic, much of it not just good, but brilliant. That said, some of the real gems are still from the days before that momentous occasion, from the days when fans were still speculating not only how but if it would happen. This one? Is a crown jewel.


"What is this, Victorian England?" Ted asked. "Who has marriages of convenience?"

"At least you don't have to worry about trying to make long distance work," Marshall said, "with the whole 'open' thing."

"Marshall, no one uses air quotes anymore," Barney said.

"I'm kind of not surprised," _____ said, and everyone turned to stare at her. "What? You are?"

"So, are you going to have sex?" Lily asked.

Robin almost spit out her beer. She looked up at Barney, sitting in his usual spot across from her at the end of the booth, but his face was blank.

"Oh my god," Ted said. "You didn't even talk about it?" He nudged Barney with his elbow. "You didn't talk about it?"

Barney shrugged. "I'm up for it. What about you, Scherbatsky?"

She smiled. "Yeah. Let's do it."

Barney tried not to notice Ted mouthing "wow" or Lily and Marshall's matching knowing nods, but when _____ said, "Over-the-Ted high-five!" he had to comply.

Leave No Man Behind