Robin and EJ sat in her cozy living room, the awkwardness between them palpable. The usual ease and banter that characterized their interactions had evaporated, leaving a tense silence in its place. Robin fidgeted with her hands, struggling to find the right words, while EJ stared at her, a mix of confusion and concern etched on his face.

"So, uh, what's up?" EJ finally asked, breaking the silence. "Why the sudden invite for some late-night juice?"

Robin forced a smile but couldn't maintain it. She took a deep breath and looked down, avoiding EJ's gaze. "Actually, EJ, I didn't call you over to make juice."

EJ's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Okay... then what's going on?"

Robin swallowed hard, her mind racing. She needed to get this over with. "I've been thinking a lot lately, about us and what we're doing," she began, her voice wavering slightly. "And I think it's time we end our... arrangement."

EJ's heart sank. He hadn't seen this coming. "Why?" he asked, struggling to keep his voice steady. "I thought things were going well."

Robin sighed, still avoiding his eyes. "We were, we are, but it's just... it's getting too complicated. I didn't expect to feel this way, and I don't like it."

"What way?" EJ pressed gently, his heart sinking. "What's so complicated?"

Robin hesitated, then decided to lie to protect herself. "I have feelings for someone else. Someone at the news station."

EJ felt like he'd been punched in the gut. He hadn't expected this, hadn't realized just how much he'd started to care for her until now. "Oh," was all he managed to say, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I hope I didn't upset you," Robin said, her voice trembling slightly. "I've had fun, I really have. But I need to be honest with myself and with you."

EJ searched her face, looking for any sign that she was lying. He couldn't find one, but something about her explanation felt off. Still, he didn't want to make this harder than it already was. "I see," he said, trying to process the flood of emotions crashing through him. "I appreciate you being honest with me, Robin."

Robin looked at him, her eyes pleading. "I hope you're not upset. I still want us to be friends, if that's okay."

EJ forced a smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Yeah, sure. Friends."

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of Robin's words hanging heavily in the air. EJ stood up, grabbing his jacket. "I should go."

Robin's eyes widened. "You don't have to leave."

"I think it's better if I do," EJ said, his voice tight. He picked up the wine bottle and placed it back on the table. "Keep the wine. Maybe you can enjoy it with your new guy."

Robin flinched at his words, guilt washing over her. "EJ, I—"

"Goodnight, Robin," EJ said, cutting her off. He walked out of her apartment, the door closing behind him with a finality that echoed in the quiet room.

Robin sat alone in the silence. She had done what she thought was best, but the look in EJ's eyes haunted her. She wanted to protect herself, to keep her feelings at bay, but in doing so, she had hurt someone she cared about deeply.

——

The next day, EJ sat at the bar with Ben and Marshall, nursing a beer. The pub was buzzing with its usual crowd, but the trio found a quiet corner to talk. Ben and Marshall were the only ones who knew about EJ's situation with Robin.

Ben sighed, looking at his friend sympathetically. "I'm sorry, man."

EJ shrugged, trying to keep his voice casual. "Whatever, maybe it was for the best. Everything was so awkward last night."

"Awkward how?" Marshall asked, leaning forward.

EJ took a swig of his beer. "Well, she invites me over at 2 in the morning to make juice, and then tells me she wants to end our arrangement. She said she has feelings for some guy at her news station. It was like... out of nowhere."

"So that's it?" Marshall said, frowning. "This is probably going to be real awkward when we hang out."

EJ forced a laugh. "It doesn't have to be. I'll just be like that one guy at the end of the bar on Tuesday, half-drunk and half-asleep, and it'll make things more fun. I can drown out Robin's rants about how much her job hates her."

Marshall chuckled. "Like that time she slipped in horse crap while covering that story on the mounted police unit?"

EJ laughed, but it was half-hearted. "Yeah, exactly. Good times."

Ben could see the pain in his friend's eyes, despite his attempts to hide it. EJ might be a playboy, but this was different. He shared a look with Marshall, both realizing how deeply this was affecting EJ.

——

Meanwhile, in her apartment, Robin was confiding in Lily, who was far less sympathetic.

In fact, Lily wanted to smack her upside the head.

"I can't believe you," Lily said, glaring at Robin. "Why would you do that to EJ? You like him, he likes you, it was perfect. Why did you ruin it?"

Robin sighed, frustrated. "And that's the problem, Lily. It got too complicated."

Lily crossed her arms, clearly disappointed. "So, because it got complicated, you just pushed him away?"

"Yes! No... I don't know," Robin said, exasperated. "Look, EJ's a big boy. He can handle it. Besides, we'll try to stay friends. He'll probably end up meeting another woman next week."

Lily shook her head, clearly not convinced. "Robin, you've got to be kidding me. EJ's not just some guy. You two had something real, and you threw it away because it scared you."

Robin opened her mouth to argue, but Lily cut her off. "Nope. I'm done. You can drink in silence and think about what you've done," Lily said, sounding more like a disappointed parent than a friend.

Robin slumped in her chair, staring into her drink. She knew Lily was right, but admitting that to herself was harder than she'd expected. She had made a mess of things, without a doubt.

Now if she could fix it. If that was even possible.

——

Three weeks had passed, and the tension between EJ and Robin was palpable. Every group hangout had an awkward undercurrent, especially when EJ and Robin were in the same room. The rest of the gang felt it too, and it was killing the vibe.

One evening at the bar, EJ found himself standing beside Robin at the counter. They both reached for a napkin at the same time, their hands brushing awkwardly.

"Uh, sorry," EJ muttered, pulling his hand back quickly.

"No, it's okay," Robin said, her voice strained. "You take it."

They both laughed nervously, then fell silent, the awkwardness settling back in.

Later, EJ, Ben, Marshall, Ted, and Barney were gathered at their usual booth, drinks in hand. Robin's Local Media Awards Banquet was coming up, and EJ was considering bailing, despite having RSVPd three months ago.

Ted looked genuinely surprised. "Wait, you and Robin were... friends with benefits?"

EJ nodded, giving a half-hearted smile. "Yeah, for a couple of months."

Barney perked up, a mischievous glint in his eye. "High five, bro!" he exclaimed, holding his hand up expectantly.

EJ hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly slapped Barney's hand. "Thanks," he muttered, not entirely sure why he had indulged Barney's enthusiasm.

"You should definitely go," Marshall said, taking a sip of his beer. "Look, it's a chance to show her you're still friends and that you support her."

Barney smirked. "Or it's a chance to mess with her head by showing up with someone hotter. Even better, triple threat—hotter and bigger boobs."

"That's only two reasons," EJ pointed out.

Barney raised an eyebrow. "Count again."

EJ shook his head. "Barney, I'm not bringing a date. Even if I wanted to, the thing's in two hours. I've got work to do anyways."

Barney leaned in. "So get an escort."

Ted frowned. "By 'escort,' you mean prostitute?"

Barney shrugged. "Why not?"

"Because... gross?" Ted replied.

EJ chimed in, "I'm pretty sure it's also illegal."

Barney rolled his eyes. "Oh, gross. What, you have some puritanical hang-up about prostitution? Dude, it's the world's oldest profession."

Marshall grinned. "You really think that's true?"

Barney nodded confidently. "Oh, yeah. I bet even Cro-Magnons used to give cave hookers, like, an extra fish for putting out."

Marshall chuckled. "Aha, so then the oldest profession would be fishermen. Kaboom! You've been lawyered."

Barney shrugged off the comment. "Come on, EJ, let's get you a hooker. It'll be fun."

EJ sighed. "Okay, to bring to the banquet and hang out with ironically or to actually have sex with?"

Barney smirked. "Yes."

EJ looked at Barney. "Thanks, Barney, but I'm probably not going. Maybe it's for the best."

Barney, however, was not one to give up easily.

——

Meanwhile, at the apartment, Robin was getting ready for the banquet, fussing with her hair in front of the mirror.

"So should I wear my hair up or down?" she asked Lily.

Lily, who was sitting on the bed looking exhausted, barely registered the question. "What?"

Robin turned to face her. "You okay?"

Lily sighed. "Oh, yeah, sorry. I'm just exhausted from work. The stupid school board took away nap time in all kindergarten classes and now the kids are just going crazy by the end of the day. It's much harder to deal with because, well, I don't get my nap."

Robin raised an eyebrow. "Wait, you were taking naps when the kids were? Is that safe?"

Lily shrugged. "Well, they're only five. What are they gonna do to me?"

Robin changed the subject, nervousness creeping into her voice. "EJ's still coming to this thing, right?"

Lily nodded. "Yep."

Robin hesitated. "Do you think, um... hypothetically... it would be weird if I bring a date?"

Lily's eyes narrowed. "Look at you, Scherbatsky, blatantly trying to make EJ jealous."

"No," Robin protested. "It's just this guy at the station. I never get involved with co-workers, but he asked me and I said yes. Is it going to be weird? Should I tell EJ?"

Lily gave her a pointed look. "No, it's not going to be weird at all." She pulled out her phone and called Marshall. "Robin's bringing a date."

——

Back at the bar, Marshall relayed the news. "Robin's bringing a date."

EJ's face fell slightly. "Oh. Okay. It's probably that asshole that she's been seeing."

Ben leaned in. "Dude, it's going to be weird. Barney's right, you need to even the score."

EJ shook his head. "No, it's fine. Good for Robin. I don't care. I'm not going to go."

Ben sighed. "Suit yourself, man."

EJ stood up, finishing his drink. "Alright, I'll see you guys later. Have fun tonight. And Ted, you hurt Grace and I'll probably kill you."

Ted smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, I don't intend to."

——

Robin walked into the bar with Sandy Rivers, her co-anchor, on her arm. The group looked up as they approached.

Marshall nudged Ted. "Check out Robin's date."

Ted squinted. "I know."

Marshall shook his head in disbelief. "Is that who I think it is?"

Ben groaned. "Yep. It's Sandy Rivers."

Ted rolled his eyes. "I hate this guy."

Ben muttered, "Honestly, what a fucking asshole."

Robin introduced the others to Sandy with a forced smile. "Hey everyone, this is Sandy."

Sandy beamed, shaking hands with exaggerated enthusiasm. "Hi. Sandy Rivers. Use my full name. People get a kick out of it."

Ben smirked. "That's great, Sandy. I'm Ben. Robin didn't tell us she'd be bringing you."

Sandy started again, "It's Sandy Ri—"

Ben cut him off. "It's a free country. I can call you whatever I want."

Sandy fell silent, his smile wavering. Robin glanced at Ben, slightly appalled by his behavior, but knowing he was EJ's best friend, she was always going to lose that battle.

Robin asked nervously, "Is EJ coming?"

Sandy scoffed, "EJ? What kind of ridiculous name is that?"

Robin clarified, "It's short for Elijah Jameson."

Ben chimed in, "He's not coming, thanks for that, by the way."

Robin's face fell, now he's upgraded to full on avoiding her.

Robin frowned at Barney while Ben stood up. "I'm gonna pick up Lauren for Robin's banquet. See you guys there." He dialed EJ as he walked out of the bar.

EJ was sitting at home, watching the Ranger game, muttering commentary to himself. When his phone rang, he picked it up without looking away from the screen.

"What's up, man? You guys going to the banquet?"

Ben sighed. "It's Sandy Rivers."

EJ sat up straighter. "What?"

Ben clarified, "Robin, she's with Sandy Rivers."

EJ scoffed. "That obnoxious guy that's on the desk with her? Why would she take him?"

Ben sighed again. "I don't know, but if you need a reason to show up to this thing, this might be it."

EJ hesitated. "I don't know, man...."

Ben pressed. "Come on! You've never run from a challenge, and you can get a woman to come to this thing in," he checked his watch, "an hour and a half."

EJ realized Ben was right and took a shot of whiskey. "Alright, I know just the woman. Remember when we went to your screening of The Firefly Effect?"

Ben grinned. "I like how you think."

EJ hung up, feeling a rush of adrenaline as he prepared to make his move. If Robin wanted to play this game, he was ready to up the ante.

——

The atmosphere at the 45th annual Local Area Media Awards crackled with excitement as Vampire Lou took the stage, his charismatic presence commanding the room.

"Tonight, we celebrate the very best in broadcasting and the triumph of the human spirit!" Vampire Lou announced, his voice echoing through the grand hall.

Marshall leaned over to Ted, whispering, "Man, Vampire Lou just looks great."

Grace chimed in, her voice laced with amusement, "I can't believe Barney tried to set you up with a hooker, Ted."

Marshall interjected, "Nobody. What did you guys talk about in there? Anything interesting?"

Lily sighed, adjusting her lipstick absentmindedly. "No, not really. We just chitchatted and I borrowed her lipstick. Why is Vampire Lou the host of a Saturday Afternoon Kung Fu Movie? You know, it just makes no sense. God, that pisses me off."

Ted, noticing Lily's annoyance, asked gently, "Lily, you okay?"

Lily shrugged, forcing a smile. "Oh, yeah, I'm just tired. And when I get tired, I get cranky."

Sandy, ever eager to insert himself into conversations, commented with a smile, "Really? I couldn't imagine you cranky."

Lily shot back, mocking his earlier remark, "Oh, 'Really? I couldn't imagine you cranky.'"

Grace, seizing the opportunity to add her own jab, chimed in with a playful smile, "Yeah, Sandy, Lily gets pretty cranky when people with ridiculous names keep interrupting."

Sandy, taken aback momentarily, tried to recover with a chuckle. "Ah, yes, well, Sandy Rivers does have a way of making an impression."

Grace couldn't resist continuing, "Right, because Sandy Rivers is such a distinguished name. It practically screams 'serious journalist.'"

Sandy's smile faltered slightly, but he maintained his composure. "Well, you know what they say, it's not the name, but the person behind it that matters."

It fell silent for a while, but not one to throw another comment in, Grace decided to address her EJ's absence.

"Looks like my brother decided not to grace us with his presence tonight. Wonder why, Robin?"

Sandy, always ready to keep the banter going, took another dig at EJ's name. "So, Grace, what do you do for a living?" he asked, his tone carrying a hint of mockery.

Barney, seizing the opportunity for humor, interjected smoothly, "She's a paralegal."

Grace corrected him with a smirk, "No, I'm not. I'm an executive assistant at Kate Spade."

Sandy raised an eyebrow, attempting to maintain his casual demeanor. "Oh, so, Grace the executive. What exactly do you do?"

Grace shot back, her sarcasm dripping, "Oh, you know, the same thing you do every day, except I manage to do it without looking like an obnoxious tool," she quipped, mimicking him reading the paper on the news.

As the light-hearted banter continued, the room suddenly shifted its focus as the door swung open, revealing EJ entering with a stunning woman on his arm. The collective mood lifted as everyone noticed his arrival.

Barney couldn't resist a comment. "Ah, here comes the man of the hour!"

EJ caught sight of Robin, their eyes briefly locking before he confidently made his way over to the group, his companion by his side.

"Hey, everyone," EJ greeted warmly, "sorry I'm late. Traffic was a nightmare."

Marshall clapped him on the back. "No worries, buddy. Glad you made it!"

Robin turned to see EJ with none other than Maria Menounos- a well-known TV personality. A tinge of jealousy crossing her face as EJ introduced her to the group.

"Hey, guys, this is Maria," EJ said with a smile, pulling out a chair for her. "Maria, meet Marshall, Ted, Barney, Grace, Lily, and Sandy."

"And, of course, Robin."

Maria greeted everyone warmly, her presence adding a new dynamic to the group. EJ settled in, effortlessly engaging in the conversation as if he hadn't missed a beat.

Robin, catching sight of EJ with Maria, felt a pang of jealousy she hadn't expected. She had expected EJ not to come, but seeing him with someone as high profile as Maria Menounos hit her harder than she anticipated.

But she knew she couldn't blame him. After all, she was the one who chose to "breakup."

——

EJ couldn't help but feel a twinge of annoyance when Sandy used his full name. It was a subtle dig, one that didn't go unnoticed by EJ.

"So, Sandy, what do you do?" EJ asked, his tone casual but with a hint of sarcasm. "Oh, wait, I know what you do. You're the guy who reads the paper in the morning."

Sandy chuckled good-naturedly, not missing the slight edge in EJ's remark. "You got me," he admitted with a smirk. "What do you do, Elijah Jameson?"

EJ's irritation flared briefly at the use of his full name. "Oh, same thing as you— I read the paper every morning," EJ retorted, masking his annoyance with a playful jab. "But then after that, I finish my coffee and I go to my real job as a real estate agent where I make an actual contribution to society. I'm just kidding," he added quickly, trying to lighten the mood. "Love your show. You're terrific."

Sandy grinned broadly, clearly not getting it. "Thanks," he replied smoothly. "I never tire of hearing that."

Across the table, Marshall and Ted exchanged amused glances, trying not to laugh outright at EJ's thinly veiled sarcasm. Grace, unable to contain her amusement, lightly smacked Ted's chest in a fit of laughter, causing Ted to chuckle along with her.

Maria seamlessly integrated into the group conversation, her charm and wit drawing everyone in. She shared anecdotes from her career, eliciting laughter and admiration from the group.

Even Robin, though harboring feelings of jealousy, couldn't help but appreciate Maria's warmth and genuine interest in their lives.

"So, what's it like working at Metro News?" Maria asked Robin, her tone friendly and curious.

Robin, caught off guard by Maria's directness, replied with a polite smile, "It has its moments."

Maria nodded, her eyes reflecting genuine interest. "That must be exciting. I've always admired people who work in news. You must have some interesting stories."

Robin hesitated, aware of EJ's gaze on her from across the room. "Yeah, it can be... eventful," she replied vaguely, not wanting to delve into details.

Meanwhile, Ben had arrived with a surprise of his own. He walked in, arm in arm with Lauren Cohan, the actress known for her roles in popular television shows and movies. The group's surprise was palpable as Ben introduced her to everyone, expanding the table to accommodate their growing circle of friends.

"Hey guys, meet Lauren," Ben announced with a grin, his pride evident. "Lauren, these are my friends."

Lauren greeted each person warmly, her smile infectious. "It's so nice to meet all of you. Ben's told me so much about his friends."

Marshall couldn't resist a bit of fanboy enthusiasm. "I loved you in that zombie show! You kicked serious zombie butt!"

Lauren laughed, grateful for the compliment. "Thank you! It was such a fun role to play."

A/N: Yes I know the Walking Dead didn't premiere until 5 years after this

"So, Maria, have you ever sold a haunted house?" EJ asked with a grin, referencing one of his recent real estate escapades.

Maria chuckled, shaking her head. "Not yet, but I've covered stories on haunted locations. You wouldn't believe some of the tales I've heard."

EJ leaned in, intrigued. "You'll have to share some of those stories with me sometime."

Maria glanced over at Robin, noticing her subtle glances in their direction. She was confused, but chose to ignore it.

Deciding she couldn't ignore her feelings any longer, Robin approached EJ and Maria, interrupting their conversation with a forced smile. "EJ, can I talk to you for a moment?" she asked, her tone polite but tinged with underlying tension.

EJ glanced at Maria, who nodded understandingly. "Sure, Robin. Excuse us for a moment, Maria," he said, guiding Robin to a quieter corner of the room.

——

"Hey," EJ greeted Robin as she approached him, attempting to keep his tone neutral despite the underlying tension.

Robin forced a smile, her voice laced with sarcasm. "Maria seems nice," she remarked, a hint of bitterness creeping into her words.

EJ's defenses immediately went up. "She is," he replied curtly, sensing Robin's underlying accusation.

Robin's demeanor turned more confrontational. "And just like that, it's all okay. Roll credits," she quipped, her tone cutting. "Come on, EJ! You obviously brought her here to rub it in our faces!"

EJ bristled at the accusation. "That's not why I brought her," he shot back defensively, his frustration starting to show.

Robin pressed on, her voice rising slightly. "And you won't even return my calls, my texts? You avoid me at every opportunity? What the hell?" she demanded, her eyes searching his face for answers.

At that moment, Ted approached, attempting to intervene. "Hey guys, maybe we should all just—"

"Shut up, Ted!" both EJ and Robin snapped simultaneously, their frustration directed at the unwanted interference.

EJ took a deep breath, trying to rein in his emotions. "Look, Robin, I didn't come here tonight to make you jealous. I came here because I care about you. But this... whatever we're doing right now, it's not working," he admitted, his voice tinged with weariness.

Robin's expression softened momentarily, a flicker of regret crossing her features. "We agreed to keep things casual, EJ. We both did," she reminded him, her voice softer now, tinged with sadness.

EJ hesitated, his gaze searching hers. "Maybe we shouldn't have," he murmured quietly, the admission hanging heavy in the air.

Robin's breath caught, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. "What was that?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

EJ shook his head slightly, a hint of resignation in his voice. "Never mind. Can we just... go back to the table?" he asked wearily, a note of finality in his tone.

Robin shook her head, her resolve hardening. "This conversation isn't done," she insisted firmly, reaching out to grab his arm lightly.

EJ pulled away gently, his expression pained. "Right now, it is," he stated quietly, his tone final.

As Robin watched him go, a knot of frustration and regret tightened in her chest.

She knew deep down that things between them had become more complicated than either had anticipated.

——

Ted, ever the peacemaker, tried to diffuse the atmosphere. "Hey guys, let's just enjoy the rest of the evening, alright?" he suggested diplomatically, hoping to steer the conversation away from the brewing conflict.

Grace chimed in, attempting to lighten the mood. "Hey EJ, nice job on bringing Maria. She's a catch," she remarked with a playful smile, trying to support her friend amid the awkwardness.

Sandy, ever the oblivious anchor, interjected with his typical charm. "Hey, what were you guys talking about over there? Anything juicy?" he asked with a lopsided grin, oblivious to the tension swirling around him.

EJ managed a strained smile. "Oh, just telling my friend here that I think you're awesome," he replied, trying to keep the conversation light despite the underlying tension.

Sandy nodded appreciatively. "Well, thanks. You know, this is one of the nicer hotels I've ever been in," he commented casually, oblivious to the discomfort his presence was causing.

Ted jumped in eagerly, attempting to steer the conversation away from awkward territory. "Oh yeah, my friend did the remodel here. The rooms are amazing, especially the views," he interjected, hoping to shift the focus to something less contentious.

Maria, sensing the tension, decided to lighten the mood. "Yeah? Maybe it's too bad we don't have a room," she teased, her eyes twinkling with amusement as she glanced at EJ.

Barney, always the provocateur, couldn't resist injecting some humor. "Room 1506. My treat. You kids go nuts. Just avoid the mini-bar... or don't. It's one of those things you have to do before you turn 30," he joked with a mischievous grin, earning incredulous looks from those around him.

EJ rolled his eyes at Barney's antics. "Barney, what are you even talking about?" he chuckled, shaking his head in amusement.

Barney played along with a mock serious expression. "Statistic—men who have had at least one relationship with a prostitute are 75% more likely to have success in future relationships," he deadpanned, prompting laughter and eye-rolls from the group.

Maria raised an eyebrow skeptically. "I highly doubt that," she remarked dryly, her tone teasing as she exchanged a knowing glance with EJ.

Ben, ever the voice of reason, chimed in. "Barney, that's ridiculous. You just made that up," he pointed out, amused by Barney's elaborate attempt at justification.

"Small items in Sandy's hair!" Marshall exclaimed silently, breaking off as he revealed his prank with a mischievous grin. "He still hasn't noticed."

EJ laughed at Marshall's revelation. "No way, really?" he chuckled, amused by the absurdity of the situation.

Meanwhile, on stage, Vampire Lou announced the winner of Robin's category. "And the winner is... Robin Scherbatsky!" he declared, prompting applause and cheers from the audience.

Robin stepped forward, a mix of surprise and delight on her face as she accepted the award. "Oh, wow. This is really a surprise," she began, her voice carrying across the room. "Um, you know, it's nice to be able to share this award with my friends. They're all here tonight—Ben, Grace, Marshall, Ted, Lily, Sandy Rivers... Barney..." she listed off, pausing momentarily before continuing, "And that's it. Those are all my friends. Thank you."

EJ listened quietly, a pang of hurt flashing across his expression as he realized he hadn't been mentioned in her speech.

Marshall offered his congratulations warmly. "Congratulations, Robin," he called out, clapping along with the others.

EJ stepped forward, mustering a smile. "Congratulations, Robin. Nobody deserves it more than you," he said sincerely, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness.

Robin glanced over at Sandy, a slight hesitation in her movements. "Um, Sandy, do you want to get a cab?" she asked politely, her eyes flickering briefly towards EJ.

Sandy nodded agreeably. "Sure, let's go," he replied, offering Robin his arm as they headed towards the exit.

EJ watched them go, a conflicted expression crossing his face. "Yeah, this party's dead. Maria, you want to get out of here?" he asked abruptly, turning to Maria with a hopeful expression.

Marshall shot EJ a concerned look. "Dude, what are you doing?" he whispered urgently, worried about his friend's state of mind.

EJ shrugged nonchalantly, his gaze fixed on Maria. "What's it look like?" he replied casually, attempting to brush off the tension with a confident demeanor.

"Marshall, he's just trying to make Robin jealous. And honestly, it's kind of foolproof," Ted remarked with a wry smile, nudging his friend knowingly.

Marshall sighed in exasperation. "Oh, that's real mature," he muttered under his breath, shaking his head at the unfolding drama.

Maria, sensing the discomfort, nodded politely to the group. "Yeah, we should go. It was nice meeting you all," she said graciously, offering a warm smile to Grace and Lily. "Let's talk about lunch next week, okay?" she added, before turning to congratulate Robin.

"Robin, congratulations. You deserve it," Maria said sincerely, extending her hand to Robin with a warm smile.

Robin's smile wavered slightly, a hint of vulnerability in her eyes as she met Maria's gaze. "Maria, EJ is a great guy. You hold on to him. Don't let him out of your sight for a minute," she advised with a touch of sincerity, despite the underlying tension between her and EJ.

EJ shifted uncomfortably, his gaze dropping momentarily as he absorbed Robin's words. "Yeah, thanks," he muttered quietly, unsure of how to respond.

Robin hesitated, her expression conflicted as she watched EJ and Maria prepare to leave. "Well... good night," she said softly, her voice tinged with regret.

EJ nodded slightly, his own emotions in turmoil as he glanced back at Robin. "Good night," he replied quietly, his tone laden with unspoken words and unresolved feelings.

——

Robin sighed, her demeanor a mix of exhaustion and contemplation. "I put him in a cab," she admitted, her tone resigned.

Barney, ever the provocateur, leaned forward with a smirk. "So you and he aren't...?"

"I don't date people I work with," Robin interjected quickly, cutting off any assumptions. "I just needed someone to escort me to this stupid ceremony."

Ben chimed in, relief evident in his voice. "Oh, well good."

Lauren, Ben's surprise date, added with a wry smile, "Yeah, he seemed way too obnoxious. I think he was staring at my chest the whole night."

Robin rolled her eyes knowingly. "Yeah, he does that." She paused, trying to lighten the mood. "But did you see how Marshall was subtly placing items in his hair all night? That was a highlight."

As the group continued to chat, Robin couldn't shake her thoughts about EJ. She eventually mustered the courage to ask about him.

"Where's EJ?" she inquired, her voice betraying a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

Marshall glanced around the room before answering, "He left with Maria a while ago."

Ben, wanting to be blunt, jumped in, "Why'd you do it, Robin?"

Robin took a moment, her expression thoughtful. "Things were getting too complicated," she explained quietly. "We agreed not to complicate things, and I thought it was for the best."

However, as Robin reflected on the events of the evening, a wave of conflicting emotions washed over her.

She liked EJ, more than she cared to admit.

In the quiet solitude of the cab ride back to her apartment, she couldn't shake the feeling that she had made a mistake. Maybe she should have been honest with EJ about her feelings. Instead, she just pushed him away.

She totally screwed up, and she didn't even know if there was any way to come back from this.

——

EJ and Maria stood outside the venue, the celebratory buzz of the evening still lingering in the air, Maria leaned in close, her lips lingering near his as she asked softly, "So, what's the deal with Robin?"

EJ hesitated, his gaze momentarily flickering away. "I'd rather not talk about it," he replied quietly, his voice tinged with a hint of reluctance.

Maria gently nudged him, her expression warm yet curious. "Come on, Elijah Jameson. You brought me here tonight for a reason. I can handle the truth."

EJ sighed, his shoulders slumping ever so slightly. "Alright," he began, his words measured. "Robin and I... we've been friends for a while. We tried the whole friends with benefits thing, but it got complicated. I... I invited you tonight partly to... to make her jealous."

Maria's brows furrowed slightly, a mix of surprise and understanding crossing her features. "I see," she murmured softly. "And did it work?"

EJ looked down, his gaze clouded with conflicting emotions. "I don't know," he admitted honestly. "Maybe a little."

Maria smiled ruefully, shaking her head. "It's okay. I get it. I just hope it worked, because Robin seems amazing."

EJ couldn't help but agree. "She is. Probably the most amazing woman I've ever met."

"And yet..." Maria prompted gently.

"And yet," EJ echoed, his voice trailing off. "We both decided we didn't want... that kind of thing. Relationships."

Maria studied him for a moment before speaking thoughtfully. "Love is complicated, EJ. Sometimes people hold back because they're afraid of what they might lose or how it might change things."

EJ nodded, silently acknowledging the truth in her words.

"Maybe Robin's holding something in, too," Maria continued, her tone thoughtful yet empathetic. "From what I saw tonight, there's something there."

EJ sighed again, feeling a mix of emotions. "Maybe."

Maria reached out, touching his arm gently. "I hope you figure it out. Goodnight, EJ."

"Goodnight, Maria," EJ replied softly, watching as she turned and walked away. He stood there for a moment, reflecting on everything he saw tonight.

But one thing was for sure. He had feelings for Robin Scherbatsky.