Ted, Barney, and Robin were sitting around their usual table at MacLaren's when Lily and Marshall burst in, their faces pale and their hands trembling.

"Oh my God," Marshall exclaimed.

"I know, I'm still shaking," Lily echoed.

Without hesitation, Lily grabbed Barney's drink and took a large gulp.

"What the? Haha, joke's on you, I have a cold," Barney quipped.

"Are you guys OK?" Robin asked with concern.

Marshall turned and yelled over to the bartender, "Another round and back it up for me and Lily."

"What happened?" EJ inquired.

"We saw something, up in the apartment," Marshall explained.

"Something bad," Lily added.

Flashback to Lily and Marshall entering their apartment while kissing passionately. "I don't know what it is, but margaritas make me sexy," Marshall declared.

"Oh, mucho sexy. Yo quiero Marshall," Lily flirted back.

As they hugged and kissed, Lily glanced over and froze, eyes wide with fear. "Oh my God."

Both Lily and Marshall screamed and bolted out of the apartment.

Cut back to the present scene in the bar.

"What was it?" Ted asked.

"Only the craziest, meanest-looking mouse you've ever seen," Marshall replied.

"Mouse? Sweetie, that wasn't a mouse. That was a huge cockroach," Lily corrected.

"Baby, it was a mouse. It had whiskers," Marshall insisted.

"But those things coming out of its head, those were antennae," Lily pointed out.

"Marshall ran away from a cockroach," EJ teased.

"It... it was a mouse," Marshall defended himself.

"Oh, yeah, sorry, my bad. You're a man," Barney mocked.

"Ooh, my story's on. Ted, pay attention. Carl, turn it up," Robin said, diverting attention to the TV screen, which flickered to Robin's newscast.

"I'm here with Ellen Pierce, New York's premier matchmaker. Ellen, your company, Love Solutions, boasts a 100% success rate. What's your secret?" Robin asked on screen.

"Science. Everything in life can be broken down to ones and zeros, even love. All I have to do is input the variables, run the algorithm, and presto manifesto, you have a soulmate, and it works. Just ask all of my happy couples. And these are just the attractive ones; I have more photos in the bathroom," Ellen explained.

"Love Solution's Ellen Pierce, a beacon of hope for New York City's lovelorn. Robin Scherbatsky..." Robin signed off.

"Was that chick at the end really a client?" Barney inquired.

"Yes," Robin confirmed.

"We're signing up," Barney decided, turning to Ted and EJ.

"What?" Ted asked in disbelief.

"Ted, these chicks are desperate and hot. That's a perfect cocktail. Shake well, then sleep with," Barney elaborated.

"I'm not going to a matchmaker. That's like giving up. It's the man version of getting a cat," Ted argued.

"Me neither. Going to matchmakers is basically admitting to yourself that you can't get laid, so someone else has to find someone to make sure you can get laid," EJ added.

"No, it wasn't a cockroach. It had fur and only mammals have fur," Marshall continued, stubbornly defending his earlier statement.

"It was a cockroach," Lily retorted.

"Come on, Lily, the only way that was a cockroach was if it was wearing the skin of a mouse it just killed," Marshall reasoned.

"What if it's both?" EJ interjected.

Everyone looked confused.

"A cockroach and a mouse, together. A cockamouse," EJ suggested.

"Oh my God," Lily gasped, grabbing Barney's drink as he was about to take a sip and downing it herself.

"Come on," Barney groaned.

——

Ted and Barney sat at Ellen Pierce's desk, filling out applications for Love Solutions, while EJ observed the proceedings with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism.

EJ couldn't help but interject with a knowing grin. "He got you with the 'boat is sinking' thing, didn't he?"

Ted nodded sheepishly. "Yep. That was good."

Barney, ever the opportunist, leaned in with his trademark charm. "Come on, guys, this is an incredible opportunity. We'll meet our soulmates, nail 'em and never call them again," he quipped, chuckling at his own audacity.

Just then, Ellen Pierce entered the office, exuding an air of confidence and professionalism.

"All finished, gentlemen?" Ellen greeted them warmly. "Congratulations, you have just taken your very first step."

"Gosh, thanks, Ellen. I sure hope this works. I'm so done with the single life, all the games, the meaningless sex," EJ remarked sarcastically, raising an eyebrow at Barney's exaggerated enthusiasm.

"You deserve more," Ellen replied earnestly, not picking up on EJ's sarcasm.

Barney, always one to push the boundaries, added, "That is so true, Ellen. I really think I'm ready to stop being a 'me' and start being a 'we'. Hey, is there any way I can let it be known that I love cuddling?"

Ellen's expression shifted subtly, sensing Barney's insincerity beneath his smooth talk. "It's kinda hard to talk about with EJ and Ted here, but I just want someone who's not afraid to hold me at night when the tears come. Ellen, can you help me find her?"

"Get out," Ellen replied bluntly, her tone hardening.

Barney seemed taken aback. "What?"

"I get 15 guys like you every week. Jerks who just want to meet vulnerable women, nail 'em and never call them again," Ellen explained, her patience wearing thin.

"Oh my God, people do that," Barney muttered, genuinely surprised.

"You wanna do this the easy way or the hard way?" Ellen challenged, her eyes narrowing.

Barney chuckled nervously. "What's the hard way? Security roughs me up and tosses me out?"

EJ, ever curious and slightly amused by the unfolding drama, chimed in childishly, "I kinda want to find out the hard way. Can we see the hard way?"

Ellen shot him a stern look. "That's the easy way. The hard way is that I stomp the crap out of you myself."

Barney hesitated, realizing Ellen was serious. He quickly stood up, ready to make a hasty exit. "Okay, guys, let's go."

But Ellen stopped Ted and EJ from leaving. "Not you, you stay."

EJ, feeling a bit intimidated, complied with a nervous "Yes, ma'am."

Ted and Ellen settled back down at the desk, while Barney made a hasty retreat.

"You're cute," Ellen remarked to Ted, her demeanor softening slightly. "You're an architect, good career, and you didn't use an obvious alias on your application like your friend, Jack Package."

Barney's voice could still be heard faintly through the office door. "It's pronounced 'Pa-kojj'!"

Ellen rolled her eyes. "Get outta here!"

Turning her attention back to EJ, Ellen continued, "You're a good-looking man, a real estate agent—solid career choice, mind you. And you seem like less of a playboy than your friend."

"You two I can work with," Ellen affirmed, nodding thoughtfully.

EJ decided to play along, albeit with a hint of skepticism. "Sorry, Ellen. Isn't it? I don't need an algorithm to meet women, I have my own algorithm," he quipped, "I go up to one, and I talk to them. Oldest algorithm in the book."

"Yeah, I mean, it's New York City. You know, plenty of fish in the sea," Ted added, trying to lighten the mood.

Ellen chuckled softly. "Plenty of fish in the sea. Yes, there's 9 million people in New York, 4.5 million women. Of course, you wanna meet someone roughly your own age, let's say, plus or minus 5 years. So if we take into account the most recent census data, that leaves us with 482,000. But, uh, wait..."

"48% of those are already in relationships and then you have to eliminate half for intelligence, sense of humor and compatibility and then you have to take out the ex-girlfriends and the relatives and oh, we can't forget those lesbians and then that leaves us with 8 women."

"Wow, you know your stuff, don't you?" EJ remarked, genuinely impressed.

"You could say that," Ellen replied, smirking slightly. She leaned back in her chair, assessing Ted and EJ with a newfound interest.

EJ exchanged a glance with Ted, a glimmer of curiosity now piqued. "Alright, I'm curious. I guess I could have some fun with this."

——

Lily wasted no time, sliding into the booth next to Barney and snatching his drink, much to his chagrin. "OK, it's back and this time we got a good look."

Barney protested, "Hey, seriously, you have to stop doing that."

Marshall, visibly shaken, joined the conversation. "It's bigger now. It's been feeding."

Lily explained hurriedly, "We were just upstairs watching TV."

Earlier

Lily and Marshall were huddled together on their couch in their apartment, engrossed in their show. Suddenly, they noticed movement on the ground.

Marshall gasped, "Ah gosh."

Lily, ever decisive, grabbed an aerosol spray can while Marshall grabbed a hefty phone book. Together, they waged war against the creature lurking in their home. Lily sprayed, Marshall swung the phone book down with a loud thud, and Lily screamed as Marshall held her tightly.

Marshall reassured her, "Shh, shh, it's OK, it's over."

As they watched in horror, the phone book began to move towards the kitchen. Without hesitation, Lily and Marshall bolted out of the apartment.

Present Day

Barney leaned in with curiosity. "So did you get a good look at it?"

Lily nodded gravely. "Yeah. It has six legs, a hard exoskeleton like a roach..."

Marshall interjected, "But it has mouse-like characteristics. Grey-brown tufts of fur, a tail."

Robin, who had been silent until now, raised an eyebrow. "So which is it, a cockroach or a mouse?"

Lily declared with conviction, "It's a cockamouse. EJ was right, it was a cockamouse."

Just then, Ben walked in, catching the end of the conversation. "Cockawhat?"

Marshall turned to him, excitement and fear mingling in his voice. "It was crazy, Ben. It was this thing in our apartment. It was like a mutant."

Ben, skeptical but intrigued, replied, "I'm gonna need to see this myself."

Robin, who had been silent, looked at Ben with recognition dawning in her eyes. "You're the guy from Supernatural."

Ben smiled. "Oh, you saw the new episode?"

Robin nodded, a bit starstruck. "Yeah, I only started watching because of Jensen Ackles, but I got into it afterwards. Still, it's mostly because of Jensen.....I should probably shut up."

Ben chuckled. "Well, thanks. Glad you liked it. I'm Ben."

Robin extended her hand. "Robin."

Ben shook it, his smile widening. "Oh, the news lady? I've heard a lot about you."

Robin was confused. "Wait, how do you know that?"

Ben explained, "You're friends with EJ Bennett, right? I'm his roommate."

Robin's eyes widened in surprise. "Wow, small world."

"Yeah, we've known each other for years. Used to live across from this guy," Ben gestured to Marshall. "So what's up?"

Lily jumped back in, "It's some sort of mutant combination of the two. It's as if a cockroach and a mouse...you know..."

"Hit the horizontal ten-legged interspecies cha-cha?" Barney quipped.

"That's impossible. That simply can't happen," Robin said, shaking her head.

"Oh, but it can," Lily insisted.

"And it has," Marshall added.

"And it's pissed," Lily finished.

"Oh no, you made it angry," Ben said with mock seriousness.

Lily and Marshall each downed a shot to steady their nerves just as Ted walked into the bar, looking concerned.

"Dude, is everything OK? You left the front door open," Ted said.

"There was no time," Marshall replied.

"So, Love Solutions, did you meet the love of your life?" Robin asked Ted.

"She said it'd take three days. It's been five days. Should I be worried?" Ted asked, a hint of anxiety creeping into his voice.

"Just play it cool. Don't Ted out about it," Lily advised.

"Did you just use my name as a verb?" Ted asked, incredulous.

"Oh, yeah, we do that behind your back. Ted-out: to overthink. Also see Ted-up. Ted-up: to overthink something with disastrous results. Sample sentence: Billy Tedded up when—" Barney began.

"OK, I get it. Don't worry, I'm not gonna Ted anything up or out. I'll just give it a few more days. Meanwhile, EJ already got a call back, and he's on a date right now," Ted said.

"Good for him," Robin said, a mix of surprise and something else flickering in her expression.

"Wow, that place works quickly. Maybe I should give it a go," Ben said.

——

EJ sat across from Sandra at a quaint little bistro Ellen had recommended. He wasn't particularly optimistic about the date, but he had decided to give it a shot. Sandra was attractive and seemed nice enough, but EJ had been on enough blind dates to know not to get his hopes up.

"So, what do you do for a living?" Sandra asked, smiling warmly.

"I'm a real estate agent," EJ replied. "It keeps me busy, but I like the flexibility it gives me. What about you?"

"I'm a graphic designer. I freelance, so I get to work from home a lot," Sandra said. "It's nice to have that kind of freedom."

EJ nodded. "That sounds great. I can definitely appreciate the perks of working from home. No office politics, right?"

Sandra laughed. "Exactly. Plus, I get to work in my pajamas sometimes."

"That's a major win," EJ agreed, chuckling. "I have to say, I admire creative people. I can sell a house, but ask me to draw something and it's stick figures all the way."

Sandra leaned in slightly, her interest piqued. "Really? I love drawing. Maybe I could give you a few tips sometime."

"Maybe you could," EJ said with a playful glint in his eye. "Although, fair warning, I might be a hopeless case."

"Oh, I doubt that," Sandra said, smiling. "You seem like you're good at a lot of things."

The conversation flowed naturally from there. They talked about their favorite movies, shared embarrassing stories from their childhoods, and even discovered a mutual love for hiking. EJ found himself genuinely enjoying Sandra's company. She was funny, intelligent, and had an infectious laugh that made him feel at ease.

As the evening drew to a close, they found themselves lingering over their empty plates, neither wanting the date to end.

"I had a really great time tonight, EJ," Sandra said softly, looking into his eyes.

"Me too, Sandra," EJ admitted. "You're easy to talk to."

Sandra blushed slightly. "Thank you. You are too."

They stood up and walked out of the restaurant together, the cool night air refreshing after the warmth inside. EJ hesitated for a moment, then turned to Sandra.

"Would you like to do this again sometime?" he asked, hoping he didn't sound too eager.

Sandra's smile was bright and genuine. "I'd love that."

They exchanged numbers, and after a brief, slightly awkward hug, Sandra got into her car and drove off. EJ watched her go, a small smile playing on his lips.

As he walked back to his own car, EJ couldn't help but think about Ellen. He hated to admit it, but maybe she had done something right. Sandra was amazing, and he wouldn't have met her without Ellen's help.

Still, admitting that to Ellen? Not a chance. He chuckled to himself at the thought. He'd keep this little victory to himself for now.

——

In the dimly lit bar, the gang gathered around their usual booth. Marshall was intently drawing something on a small chalkboard while Lily stood beside him, ready to explain their latest discovery.

"He's a whole new species," Lily announced with dramatic flair. "The cockamouse."

Marshall finished his sketch and turned the board to show everyone. "And it's the size of a potato," he added.

Robin, not missing a beat, leaned in to examine the drawing. "So, what, now it's a cockapotatomouse?" she quipped.

Ben, who was sitting nearby, shook his head. "Don't make it sound ridiculous. It's a cockamouse."

Barney and Ted, sitting across the booth, seemed more preoccupied with the papers Ted had spread out in front of him. "My God, this is incredible," Ted muttered, scanning the printouts he had taken from Love Solutions. "We're like the same person. Sarah O'Brien loves brunch. She wants to have two children. Her guilty pleasure song is 'Summer Breeze' by Seals and Croft."

Barney smirked. "Wow, Ted, sounds like you're her perfect woman."

Meanwhile, Marshall continued his presentation with fervor. "And like the majestic seahorse, it's hermaphroditic."

Lily nodded in agreement. "Obviously, the whole thing is shrouded in mystery."

Marshall, growing more enthusiastic, added, "For as much as we know about the cockamouse, there's still so much we don't know."

Robin rolled her eyes. "Well, we know that there's no such thing as a cockamouse."

Ben, grinning, chimed in, "What we don't know is what you guys have been smoking. Because give me some."

Robin laughed, and Marshall glared at Ben. "Shut up, man," Marshall said, a hint of frustration in his voice.

Robin, trying to be the voice of reason, said, "Well, I believe that you saw something perfectly normal but you've exaggerated it in your mind, you know, like the Loch Ness Monster."

Marshall crossed his arms defensively. "If by 'like the Loch Ness Monster,' you mean, totally exists and is awesome, then yeah, it's like the Loch Ness Monster."

The debate continued, with Ben, Lily, and Marshall passionately arguing about the existence of the cockamouse.

Meanwhile, Robin wandered over to where Ted and Barney were still engrossed in their own conversation.

"OK, this is getting weird," Ted said, clearly fascinated by the printouts. "The similarities go on and on. She hates phonies. I totally hate phonies too. She's a dermatologist. I have skin."

Barney, always the skeptic, replied, "You wanna be her boyfriend. She already has a boyfriend. It's uncanny."

Ted sighed, his curiosity piqued. "All right, but it wouldn't hurt to check her out, right? See what my 9.6 looks like in person, as, you know, a frame of reference. And if she thinks she can do 11.45% better, who am I to deny her that?"

——

Later that day, Lily, Marshall, and Ben were huddled around a contraption they were constructing in the living room. The space was cluttered with various tools, wires, and pieces of metal. As Robin walked in from the kitchen, she raised an eyebrow at the intricate setup.

"Wow, that's a pretty sophisticated trap," she said, smirking. "You think the Road Runner's gonna fall for it?"

Ben chuckled. "You gotta believe, Robin. Be a believer."

Robin laughed. "Oh, I'm a believer, all right. Just not in cockamice."

Marshall, focused on tightening a screw, looked up. "Yeah, look around. The universe is mysterious and awesome. You got the Bermuda Triangle, ghosts, Big Foot."

"Bad maps, creaky houses, hillbilly in a gorilla suit," Robin countered.

"Aliens," Marshall insisted.

Robin shook her head. "Not even close."

Marshall, with a hint of determination, replied, "Oh, come on, you gotta give me aliens. Stonehenge, Area 51. There's alien crap all over the place."

"You can't be serious," Robin said, amused.

"My friend, you just poked the bear," Marshall said, heading toward his bedroom.

At that moment, Ted and Barney walked in through the front door.

"So, my 9.6," Ted started, sounding dejected. "Beautiful, charming, intelligent... engaged."

"Oh," Robin said, empathetically.

Lily looked concerned. "Oh, Ted, I'm so sorry."

Ted sighed. "Yeah, it was a long shot. I told her to call me anyway if she changes her mind, but I don't know..."

Lily interrupted. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, let's not skip over this. Raise your hand if earlier today you hit on an engaged woman."

As everyone paused, EJ arrived, looking cheerful.

"Hey, what's up, man?" EJ greeted Ben.

"Heard you've been getting busy," Ben replied with a grin.

EJ nodded, a bit reluctantly. "I don't want to admit it, but Ellen did kind of set me up. Sandra's great."

He then noticed Ted sulking. "Sorry, man."

Ted shrugged. "I hit on an engaged woman today. She's a 9.6. I can do better than a 9.6."

EJ laughed. "Ted, you're always aiming high. It's one of your best and worst qualities."

Ted launched into a mini-rant. "You know, guys like EJ always get the women. They just walk in, flash a smile, and it's game over. Meanwhile, I have to deal with complicated algorithms and matchmakers."

EJ chuckled. "Ted, you're looking for someone to settle down with. I'm just having fun. You'll find your person."

EJ turned his attention to Robin, a playful glint in his eye. "I see you two have met."

Robin grinned. "You never told me your roommate was Grayson Winchester."

A/N: For those that didn't catch, Ben is an actor.

EJ laughed. "Well, you never asked. Besides, I didn't think you'd be interested in my supernatural connections."

Robin teased back, "Oh, I'm definitely interested. Especially when they're as charming as Ben."

EJ leaned in slightly. "Is that so? Should I be worried about losing my spot as your favorite?"

Robin chuckled. "Not a chance, EJ. You're still my number one."

Ben, amused by their banter, added, "Hey, I don't mind being the runner-up."

EJ smirked. "Just don't get too comfortable, Ben. Robin here has high standards."

Robin playfully nudged EJ. "Keep that up and you might just lose your spot."

EJ laughed. "I'll take my chances."

——

EJ and Sandra were out on another date, this time exploring a lively street fair. The evening was filled with laughter as they sampled street food, played carnival games, and danced to live music. Sandra was easy to talk to, and EJ found himself genuinely enjoying her company. As the night went on, they grew closer, and their playful banter took on a more flirtatious tone.

After the fair, they walked hand in hand along the quiet streets, the chemistry between them undeniable. Sandra glanced up at him with a mischievous smile.

"You know, EJ," she said softly, her voice laced with subtle invitation, "the night doesn't have to end here. Why don't you come back to my place?"

EJ raised an eyebrow, a slow grin spreading across his face. "Lead the way."

Back at Sandra's apartment, the atmosphere grew more intimate. They moved to the couch, where their conversation soon gave way to passionate kisses. The intensity built, and before long, they were in her bedroom. EJ ripped his shirt off, revealing his chiseled torso. Sandra's eyes lit up with appreciation as she ran her hands over his muscles, clearly enjoying the sight and feel of him.

The next morning, EJ woke up next to a sleeping, naked Sandra. He smirked, feeling a mix of satisfaction and curiosity. As he rose quietly from the bed, he decided to explore her apartment. It was a cozy, well-decorated space, but something caught his eye—baby items scattered around.

Frowning, EJ wandered further until he found a room with a crib. Inside, a baby was sleeping peacefully. The sight startled him. He stared for a moment, the reality of the situation sinking in. He wasn't ready for this—a relationship with someone who had a child was more than he had bargained for.

He started to get dressed, moving quietly to avoid waking Sandra. Just as he was about to leave, he heard her voice behind him.

"Leaving so soon?" Sandra asked, her tone a mix of surprise and disappointment.

EJ turned to face her, his shirt half-buttoned. "Yeah, I gotta be in the office pretty early."

Sandra sat up, the sheet falling away to reveal her bare shoulders. "Really? It's early. Are you okay?" She studied him, noticing his rush.

EJ sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Sandra, you're great. I've had an amazing time with you. But I saw the baby stuff... I'm not ready for that kind of commitment yet. I didn't know you had a kid."

Sandra's expression shifted from surprise to irritation. "You could have asked, EJ."

He nodded, feeling a pang of guilt. "I know. And I should have. I just... I'm not in a place where I can handle that kind of responsibility. It's a lot for me right now."

Sandra took a deep breath, her irritation giving way to acceptance. "I get it. It's not for everyone. But I wish you'd been upfront about it."

EJ nodded, finishing his shirt. "I'm sorry, Sandra. You deserve someone who's ready for everything you bring to the table."

She sighed, pulling the sheet tighter around herself. "I thought maybe you could be that guy. But I guess not."

EJ hesitated for a moment, then stepped towards the door. "Take care, Sandra. I hope you find what you're looking for."

——

EJ walked into Love Solutions, the sleek office buzzing with quiet efficiency. Ellen Pierce, the company's poised and ever-optimistic matchmaker, greeted him warmly as he approached her desk.

"EJ! Good to see you. How did things go with Sandra?" Ellen asked, her smile genuine and expectant.

EJ scratched the back of his head, feeling a bit awkward. "Well, Ellen, we ended things."

Ellen's smile faltered, replaced by a look of confusion. "Really? But you two seemed perfect together on the computer."

EJ nodded, taking a seat across from her. "Yeah, about that. See, Sandra and I are looking for two very different things. She wants someone to help her take care of her child, and I'm just not ready for that kind of commitment. Not yet, anyway."

Ellen leaned forward, her expression thoughtful. "But you two had so much in common. The computer algorithms indicated a high compatibility."

EJ sighed, trying to find the right words. "I know, Ellen. And on paper, we did seem perfect. But I'm not ready for marriage or kids. That stuff scares me. I'm in my late 20s, and right now, I just want to have a bit of fun before settling down. I need to be sure when I make that big commitment."

Ellen nodded slowly, absorbing his words. "I see. You're looking for different things, and that's important to recognize. I appreciate your honesty, EJ."

EJ smiled, grateful for her understanding. "I respect what you do here, Ellen, but I don't think love can be found on a computer, or through high ratings. Love isn't an algorithm."

Ellen chuckled, a twinkle in her eye. "You might be right about that. But at least you're honest about what you want, and that's more than many can say."

——

The late afternoon sunlight filtered through the windows of EJ's cozy apartment as a knock echoed through the living room. Ben, shirtless and slightly disheveled from just waking up, hastily ran his fingers through his hair and straightened his wrinkled shirt before answering the door.

"Coming!" Ben called out, hurriedly grabbing a nearby shirt to cover himself. He opened the door to find Grace standing there, her expression serious yet composed.

"Hey Grace," Ben greeted, a touch of surprise in his voice. "What's up?"

Grace stood at the threshold, her gaze flickering momentarily to Ben's attire before she regained her composure. "Um, you have my blender and my toaster. I need them back," she stated matter-of-factly, eyeing Ben with a hint of expectation.

"Right, sorry about that," Ben responded sheepishly, stepping aside to let Grace enter. "Come on in."

As Grace crossed the threshold, Robin emerged from Ben's bedroom, adjusting her shirt with an embarrassed smile. The disheveled bed behind her gave away more than either of them wanted to acknowledge.

"Oh, hey," Robin greeted awkwardly upon spotting Grace.

Ben, feeling the weight of the awkward moment, introduced them. "Robin, this is Grace. Grace, Robin."

Grace's expression shifted slightly, a flicker of recognition crossing her face. "Robin? Wait, you mean the Robin?"

Robin's smile faltered as she realized the implication of Grace's words. "I guess? Nice to meet you," she replied cautiously, sensing Grace's unspoken question.

"Ben's roommate is my brother," Grace explained, her gaze moving between Ben and Robin with a hint of suspicion.

Robin laughed nervously, attempting to diffuse the tension. "Oh my God, well, this is awkward. Hi!" she said with a slightly forced cheerfulness, extending a hand.

Grace shook it, her expression softening slightly. "Hi."

Grace's skepticism lingered as she turned to Ben. "EJ mentioned a Robin at the party a month back. I thought..."

Robin's eyes widened as she quickly interjected, realizing Grace's misunderstanding. "Oh no, we're just friends. EJ and I. Nothing like that," she clarified, hoping to dispel any further confusion.

Grace nodded slowly, her expression softening slightly. "Right. Well, I should get going. I'll come back later for the appliances," she said, her tone neutral yet leaving room for further discussion.

Ben followed Grace out into the hallway, his demeanor earnest yet slightly anxious. "Grace, wait," he implored, hoping to address the situation before it escalated further.

Grace paused, turning back to face him with a mixture of disappointment and reproach. "I can't believe you, Ben," she remarked with a hint of exasperation.

Ben shifted uncomfortably, his attempt at humor falling flat. "What? It's nothing you haven't seen before," he quipped weakly, trying to lighten the mood despite the seriousness of Grace's concern.

Grace shook her head, her gaze unwavering. "Not that! I heard about a Robin EJ is friends with, and you're sleeping with her?" she pressed, her voice tinged with disapproval.

Ben's expression softened as he sought to explain himself. "We just met the other day, it was a one-time thing! Besides, Robin and EJ are just friends. I swear," he assured her earnestly, hoping to alleviate Grace's concerns.

Grace regarded him skeptically, her arms crossed defensively. "It's still not cool, regardless. This is the kind of thing that makes friendships awkward," she admonished gently, her disappointment palpable.

"I know," Ben admitted, his voice tinged with regret. "Can you please not tell him about this?" he asked quietly, his gaze pleading with Grace to understand.

Grace's expression softened slightly at his plea, a small smirk playing at the corner of her lips. "I thought you said this was a one-time thing and not a big deal?" she teased lightly, a hint of amusement in her voice.

Ben sighed, feeling the weight of Grace's understanding. "Okay, still. I don't think EJ should know, please?" he requested earnestly, hoping to preserve the peace between them.

"Alright," Grace relented, her tone softer now. "But you owe me for this. He's my big brother, and that's a big secret to keep from your sibling," she reminded him gently, her eyes holding his with a mix of caution and compassion.

Ben nodded gratefully, a sense of relief washing over him. "Trust me, it's not gonna happen," he assured her earnestly, his expression reflecting his sincerity.

Grace gave him a final nod before turning to leave, her footsteps echoing down the hallway as Ben watched her go.

She was right, if EJ found out about this no matter what, it would make everything awkward. Not to mention Ted.

——

Marshall, Ted, Lily, EJ, Robin, and Ben had claimed their usual booth, creating a lively atmosphere with their banter and laughter.

Marshall leaned forward, eyes twinkling with curiosity. "So, EJ, what's the deal with Sandra? We heard you guys broke up."

EJ shrugged nonchalantly, taking a sip of his drink. "Yeah, it just wasn't the right fit."

Lily, ever the inquisitive one, pressed for details. "Come on, spill the beans. Was it something specific?"

EJ hesitated, glancing at the group before launching into an explanation. "Well, it turns out she has a kid. I'm not ready for that kind of commitment yet."

Ted raised an eyebrow, smirking. "A kid? Wow, talk about baggage."

Barney, not missing a beat, chimed in with his usual humor. "So, did you at least get to try her baby food? I hear it's all the rage."

EJ rolled his eyes, chuckling. "No, Barney. I didn't sample her baby food. I just realized we're looking for different things. Someday I'll be ready to settle down like that, but now is not that time.

On the other side of the booth, Ben and Robin sat in awkward silence, each avoiding the other's gaze. The memory of their unexpected night together hung in the air like a silent conversation they both were reluctant to start.

Robin finally broke the silence. "So, this is...awkward," she admitted with a nervous chuckle.

Ben nodded, a slight grin on his face. "Yeah, just a bit. Look, about the other night..."

Before

Robin sat at the bar, nursing a drink, when Ben slid onto the stool next to her. "Hey, Robin, can I buy you a drink?"

Robin looked up, surprised but smiling. "Sure, why not?"

They ordered another round, the conversation flowing easily. They talked about their careers, with Robin sharing stories from the newsroom and Ben recounting his adventures on the set of "Supernatural."

"You know," Ben said, leaning in slightly, "I always wondered what it would be like to do a live news broadcast. It must be exhilarating."

Robin laughed. "It's not always glamorous. Once, I had to report on a llama escape while dodging spit."

Ben chuckled, shaking his head. "I think I'll stick to fighting monsters."

As the night wore on, the drinks kept coming, and the laughter grew louder. Ben and Robin found themselves standing closer together, their conversation taking on a more flirtatious tone.

"You know," Ben said, his voice low and teasing, "you're a lot more fun than I expected, Robin."

Robin raised an eyebrow, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "Oh, really? And what did you expect?"

"Someone a bit more serious," Ben admitted, his gaze locking with hers. "But I'm pleasantly surprised."

The tension between them crackled, and before long, they were in a taxi, heading back to Ben's place. Once inside, they barely made it through the door before their lips met in a heated kiss. Clothes were hastily discarded, and they tumbled onto the bed, a tangle of limbs and breathless laughter.

——

Present Day

Robin cleared her throat. "Look, Ben, if we make this a regular thing, it could get really awkward. Especially with EJ."

Ben nodded, glancing over at EJ who was animatedly recounting something to the rest of the group. "Yeah, you're right. We should just be friends."

Robin smiled, relieved. "Agreed. But for the record, you weren't terrible."

Ben chuckled, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "I'll take it. To the grave with this?"

Robin nodded. "Yeah, to the grave."

Robin sighed softly, a hint of relief in her voice. "Honestly, I'm kind of glad things didn't work out with Sandra and EJ."

Ben chuckled, nudging her playfully. "Come on, spill it. Do you have a thing for EJ?"

Robin shook her head, a genuine smile tugging at her lips. "No, not like that. I'm just glad he didn't get stuck in something that wasn't right for him."

Ben knew that was complete bullshit.

They shared a conspiratorial smile just as EJ slid next to them, a teasing look on his face. "What are you two whispering about?"

"Nothing," Robin said quickly, rolling her eyes playfully. "Just talking about... stuff."

EJ chuckled. "Sure, 'stuff.' You know, I don't think I've ever seen Ben look this nervous. What did you do to him, Robin?"

Robin shot back with a smirk. "Oh, you know, just some friendly advice. He needs all the help he can get."

Ben laughed, glad to have the subject changed. "Yeah, Robin's been giving me pointers on how not to scare off women."

EJ grinned, leaning back. "Maybe I need some of those pointers too. So, Robin, what's the secret to your success?"

——

Later that week, EJ and Ben were deep into an afternoon of video games when a sudden thud jolted them from their seats. They exchanged puzzled looks, unsure of what had caused the disturbance.

Ben shrugged, setting down his controller and cautiously moving towards the window. He peered outside, scanning the surroundings for any signs of what might have caused the noise.

"I don't see anything," Ben reported, his brow furrowing in confusion. "Maybe it was just a bird or something."

Just as Ben turned back towards EJ, a movement caught his eye. A small, bizarre creature emerged from beneath the couch. It scuttled across the floor with surprising speed, its peculiar appearance leaving no doubt—

Cockamouse.

EJ's jaw dropped, his mind struggling to process the reality before him.

"What the f*ck! It's real?"