EJ walked into MacLaren's to find Ted, Barney, Ben, and Marshall huddled around a table, animatedly discussing some building Ted had to construct. The bar was bustling with its usual evening crowd, but EJ's arrival drew their attention.

"Hey, we just had our first fight," EJ announced, sliding into an empty chair.

"No way," Ted responded, eyebrows raising in surprise.

Marshall leaned in, concern etched on his face. "What happened?"

Barney, ever the provocateur, put his headphones on but couldn't resist chiming in. "Oh, no, what'd you fight about?"

Ben, ever the voice of reason, added, "Okay, what happened?"

EJ sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I've been really stressed at work lately. It's been getting to me, and I've been complaining about it nonstop, though I won't admit that."

Yesterday

Robin knocked on EJ's apartment door. When he opened it, her presence was both comforting and a reminder of their tension.

"Hey," she greeted.

"Hey," EJ replied, trying to muster a smile.

"How was your day?" Robin asked, her tone casual.

"Good," she answered, then added with a bit of sarcasm, "Wow, you're a fantastic interviewer. Aren't you gonna ask how my day was?"

Robin's eyes narrowed slightly. "No, I know how it was. It was awful. Ooh, you want to rent a movie tonight?"

EJ's frustration bubbled up. "You know, um... I listen to your work stories all the time."

"Yeah, but... and I don't want to be rude here, but my work stories are interesting. I'm a television news reporter," Robin retorted, her voice sharp.

Back to the bar:

"Wait," Ben interrupted, "is this why Robin was trying to get me to pick sides?"

EJ nodded. "Yep."

Back to Yesterday

Robin's voice rose in exasperation. "What I don't do is tell you the same story over and over again. So what! You sold a house. Everyone sells houses and buys them! You wouldn't watch the same movie over and over again, would you? Maybe a great movie like Die Hard. But Coach Carter? Once is more than enough."

EJ's face reddened with indignation. "Don't you dare criticize Coach Carter, that is an amazing movie about beating the odds and life lessons!"

Back to the bar

"I mean, usually after Robin and I argue, we just end up making out and it's all over, but this one was serious. I don't even know what to do. I'm not going to apologize. Should I apologize?" EJ's frustration was evident.

Ted shook his head in disbelief. "How do you not like Field of Dreams?!"

Ben sighed. "Dude, we're not even talking about Field of Dreams. EJ, you did nothing wrong, she's just not listening. You don't apologize and wait for her to do so."

Barney, visibly uncomfortable, muttered, "Can we talk about something else?"

Marshall, ever the planner, saw an opportunity. "You know what, dude?

Forget about Robin, okay? You're hanging with us tonight. I've got an awesome party lined up."

Barney, always the provocateur, interjected with a dramatic sigh. "Oh, God! Is this going to be another one of your weird all-guy parties?"

Marshall rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "That was a poker game, Barney. What is wrong with you? No, it's the first law school party of the year, and it's gonna be awesome. Haven't seen these guys since, like, last year before Lily and I broke up. I'm gonna have to break the news to everybody. It's really gonna bum them out. This party's gonna suck."

Barney, ever the enthusiast for entertainment, quipped back with a grin. "Well, would love to join you at that one, but I've got tickets to Foxy Boxing tonight."

Ted, chiming in with a hint of wistfulness, added, "I wish I could join you guys, but I've got to get back to my apparently boring job."

EJ, trying to lighten the mood with a self-deprecating joke, jumped in. "No way! I have to get back to my boring job too! At least Robin thinks so. I sell houses, man, it's not like I'm an architect."

Ted shot him a playful glare. "Hey!"

EJ shrugged, grinning. "You don't see me wanting to make buildings every day. I sell them, I don't want to make them."

Barney flashed Ted a mischievous grin. "Dude, lots of chicks think architects are hot. Think about it, you create something out of nothing. You're like God. There's nobody hotter than God."

Ted chuckled, amused by Barney's theatricality. "I love it when you quote Scripture."

Barney leaned in, his confidence unwavering. "I'm telling you, you should use the architect angle with the ladies."

Ted shook his head, unconvinced. "Okay, first of all, the architect angle doesn't even work on her. And, second, I can't imagine that working on anyone ever."

Barney raised an eyebrow. "That's 'cause you're always like..." He mimicked Ted with a dull tone, "'Ted Mosby, architect'. If it were me, I'd be like..." He straightened up, exuding confidence, "'Ted Mosby, architect'. Anything sounds impressive when it's said with the right attitude."

Marshall, in a moment of suave self-deprecation, interjected, "Marshall Eriksen. Recently dumped and heading to a lame party. Whoa. Whoa, ladies, please take it easy. There's enough of me for everyone. Oh. Hi. Hello." He waved casually, drawing laughs from the group. "All right. We're gonna take off..."

EJ couldn't resist a quip. "Please do."

Barney, always up for a new adventure, chimed in, "Wait up, I'll leave with you guys. 'Ted Mosby, architect'. Trust me."

As Barney and Marshall made their exit, Ted noticed a girl nearby and couldn't resist testing Barney's theory. He walked over to her with a curious smile. "Hey, just out of curiosity. If a guy told you he was an architect, what would you think of that?"

The girl grinned, clearly charmed by Ted's approach. "Are you kidding? Architects are hot. How do you think Mr. Brady scored a babe like Carol?"

Ted chuckled appreciatively. "Solid point. She did have hair of gold."

The conversation flowed smoothly between Ted and the girl, their banter light and engaging. Meanwhile, one of the girl's friends noticed EJ standing nearby. Intrigued, she approached him, flirting unabashedly.

"Hey there," she greeted with a playful smile.

EJ, caught off guard by the sudden attention, managed a polite smile. "Uh, hey."

The girl leaned in, her flirtation increasing. "So, what's your story? You seem like you could use some company tonight."

EJ glanced around nervously, aware of Ben watching the scene unfold. "Well, actually..."

Before EJ could finish, the girl interrupted, undeterred. "You should come with us to the party. It'll be fun."

EJ hesitated, unsure how to navigate the situation with humor. "Uh, thanks, but..."

Ben, sensing EJ's discomfort, attempted to intervene subtly. "Actually, EJ here has a girlfriend."

The girl glanced briefly at Ben before turning back to EJ, her persistence unwavering. "Oh, come on. One night out won't hurt. You can bring your girlfriend too if you want."

Ted, overhearing the exchange as he wrapped up his own conversation, saw an opportunity. "Hey, guys, why don't we all go to Marshall's party together? Marshall's great. He's just a lawyer, but somebody has to push the paper around for us creative types. Am I right?"

The girls exchanged glances and nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, let's do it!"

EJ, feeling the pressure but not wanting to offend, reluctantly agreed. "Uh, okay, sure."

Ben shot him a knowing look, silently warning him of the potential complications ahead. But with Ted as their wingman and Marshall's party promising an evening of distraction, they set off together, unsure of the adventures the night would bring.

———

Robin and Lily walked into MacLaren's, greeted by Carl behind the bar.

Robin inquired, "Hey, Carl, is EJ still here?"

Carl shook his head. "No. Hey, Lily. You still single?"

Lily chuckled at Carl's attempt at humor. "Yes."

Carl persisted with a grin, "You know... I've poured a lot of free drinks for you over the years. A lot."

Lily raised an eyebrow teasingly. "Carl, do you really want to be with a woman who would trade sex for beer?"

Carl shrugged playfully. "Only if you're into it. It's on me."

Lily thanked him with a smirk before turning to Robin. "I wonder where EJ went."

Just then, a girl nearby overheard Robin's question about EJ and chimed in, "EJ? He was with Ted Mosby, the architect?"

Robin nodded, intrigued. "Actually, yeah. Oh, he is such a cool guy. He was here earlier."

The girl explained excitedly how EJ had left for a party with one of her friends, filling in the details.

Lily, concerned for Robin, leaned in. "He asked her to a party. Oh, my God, are you okay?"

Robin waved off Lily's concern with a nonchalant shrug. "Okay? It's awesome. It's a win-win. EJ got to vent, and I don't have to hear it. Maybe after he's done with the talkie-talk, he'll come over, and I'll get the fun making out part."

Lily sighed, shaking her head. "What is wrong with you? God, I feel like I'm teaching love as a second language here. Okay, you know how when he tells you boring work stories you're supposed to listen? Well, when he picks up some random girl at a bar, you're supposed to freak out."

Robin smirked confidently. "I'm not freaking out because in my mind, she's fat."

The girl interjected with a laugh, "She's a kickboxing instructor. Her ass looks better than my face."

Robin chuckled at the revelation. "Alright, we'll swing by the party."

———

At the bustling party, Robin and Lily navigated through the crowd of enthusiastic, almost-lawyers enjoying their evening with abandon.

Robin commented dryly, "Damn, these are some drunk almost-lawyers."

A nearby guy shouted enthusiastically, "Okay! Seriously... Who wants to shave my ass?!"

Ben's voice cut through the noise from a distance, "Nobody wants to shave your ass!"

Lily scanned the room, asking, "I hear Ben. Okay, where are the guys and the hooker?"

Another guy, clearly inebriated, stumbled over, proclaiming, "Yo, what's up, ladies? Welcome to the party. Just need you to sign this release protecting the host from any and all responsibility should you harm yourself or a third party. Then freakin' rage! Yeah!"

Robin leaned in and asked the drunk legal dude, "Hey, have you seen Marshall Ericksen? He was with a guy named EJ."

The guy squinted thoughtfully before exclaiming, "You mean the guy with Ted Mosby, the architect? Man, what a visionary. EJ, what a guy. Yeah, they were here."

Before

Barney, surrounded by admirers, held court with his architectural wisdom.

Barney remarked with a touch of pride, "Awards are nice, they look good on my shelf. But none of that acclaim means anything compared to the joy of seeing the sun rise over your first building."

A girl, clearly smitten, replied, "Wow. I would love to watch the sun rise with you."

Barney nodded knowingly, "I know you would. It's the job."

In another corner of the party, EJ found himself engaging in conversation with a group of girls, trying his best to be polite but distant. He knew he was in a committed relationship with Robin, and the girls' flirtatious advances were making him uncomfortable. Which he never felt before.

One of the girls, leaning in a little too close, flirtatiously asked, "So, EJ, what's a handsome guy like you doing at a law school party?"

EJ chuckled nervously, "Oh, you know, just hanging out with friends. How about you?"

She leaned in closer, "I'm here to have a good time. And maybe meet someone interesting."

Another girl, leaning in closer, added with a smile, "He's not just mysterious, he's also got that brooding charm going on."

EJ laughed, enjoying the attention but remaining mindful of his relationship status. "Guilty as charged."

———

Meanwhile, Marshall was trying to think on how to break the news of his breakup to his fellow law school classmates.

Marshall broke the news reluctantly, "I didn't want to ruin the party for everybody this early, but, uh... everyone take a seat. Um... Lily actually called off the wedding this summer to go to San Francisco. So... We're broken up."

One of the party girls chimed in with legal advice, "Her name wasn't on your lease, was it? 'Cause if not, New York state law, you're not obligated to give her half the deposit when you move."

Marshall sighed, "Yeah, that's not really the part I was worried about, guys."

Another girl added, "And don't forget the precedent set by Smith v. Rosenblatt, '74. Any personal effects she left in your house or dwelling become yours after 30 days."

Marshall shook his head, trying to end the legal chatter, "Guys, can we cease and desist with the lawyer speak for a minute? Love died. The love that made you all believe in love, that's dead now."

The girl persisted with a hint of humor, "You should sue her."

Marshall raised an eyebrow, "Uh, really? On what grounds, Kara?"

Kara shrugged with a smile, "On the grounds of... shut up."

———

Barney was in full storyteller mode, surrounded by an audience that hung on his every word.

"Wait, let me just check with my friend," Barney said, stepping away from the excited girl.

He found EJ, Ben, and Marshall chatting nearby. "Hey, EJ, Ben, Marshall. You up for some super loud, repetitive music that hasn't changed since the mid-90s?"

Ben responded enthusiastically, "Uh, hell yes!"

Marshall, always ready for a good time, added, "Um... only always."

EJ, though hesitant, smiled and said, "Yeah, sure." He was still enjoying the attention, even though it felt a bit off with his thoughts lingering on Robin.

As they made their way to the club, a girl caught EJ's arm. "Hey, EJ, you coming too? You seem like a fun guy."

EJ chuckled, "Yeah, I'm coming. And thanks, I try to be."

She leaned closer, her voice a low purr. "You know, I think architects are fascinating. But there's something about you that's even more intriguing."

EJ smiled politely, but his thoughts drifted to Robin. "Thanks, but I'm actually more into selling houses than designing them."

She laughed, "Oh, a real estate guy, huh? Still, that's pretty cool."

EJ tried to steer the conversation, feeling a bit guilty. "Yeah, it's got its moments. But, uh, what about you? What do you do?"

She shrugged, her eyes never leaving his. "I'm a kickboxing instructor. Keeps me on my toes."

EJ's smile widened, genuinely impressed. "That's awesome. Bet you have some great stories."

She leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Maybe I could show you some moves later?"

EJ, feeling the weight of his situation, replied softly, "Maybe. But I should probably stick with my friends for now."

———

Barney led the charge, his earlier reluctance replaced with newfound enthusiasm. "Hell, yeah. I love clubs. I mean, I was going to design a cathedral tonight, kind of take a whack at the whole relationship between God and man conundrum. But sure, let's go dancing."

The girl cheered, "Yay!"

Barney grinned at his friends, "Let's go!"

As they entered the club, EJ noticed the girl from earlier was still keeping close. He felt a strange mix of flattery and discomfort. He enjoyed the attention but couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't right.

The girl leaned in close again, her voice barely audible over the music. "So, do you dance, EJ?"

EJ, trying to stay casual, nodded. "Yeah, I do. But I'm more of a slow dancer."

She laughed, her hand brushing against his arm. "Well, maybe we can find a slow song later."

EJ smiled, but his mind wandered back to Robin. He knew he needed to draw a line, even if he wasn't entirely sure where it was just yet.

———

Robin and Lily pushed through the throng of partygoers at the entrance of the club, scanning the crowd for any sign of their friends.

Robin, starting to feel genuinely worried, muttered, "Dancing? He went dancing with this girl? Okay, maybe this is a little bad. Dancing is bad. Dancing leads to sex."

Lily, trying to keep Robin calm, asked, "Did you grow up in that Footloose town?"

Robin huffed, pulling out her phone. "I'm calling him. I'm telling him that I was wrong and I'm sorry, and I totally want to watch his stupid movies."

Lily smirked, "Yeah, think of another way to phrase that and you'll be fine."

Robin dialed EJ's number but frowned when it went straight to voicemail. "He's not answering. Calling Ben."

Robin tried Ben's number next, but it also went to voicemail. Frustration crept into her voice, "Dammit! Calling Marshall."

Marshall picked up on the first ring. "Hello?"

"Marshall, hi, it's Robin. Can I talk to my boyfriend?"

Marshall, sounding a bit off, replied, "Oh, Robin, hi. Um, no, EJ's not here tonight. He's, uh... he went home."

Robin's eyes widened. "Uh, okay. Bye." She hung up, turning to Lily. "Marshall just lied. EJ's cheating on me."

Determined, Robin stormed up to the bouncer. "Excuse me. I'm looking for a couple of guys who came in here earlier. One's about six-four, 210, sandy brown hair. One is way shorter; black hair, the other one is 6-foot, is on TV, and the other's a cheating bastard."

The bouncer looked confused. "You're going to need to refresh my memory."

Lily stepped in, pulling out a $20 bill. "Okay, fella. Baby knows how this game's played. How's a $20 help your memory?"

The bouncer took the money but shrugged. "Thanks, but seriously, it was crazy tonight. You really do need to refresh my memory."

Lily, retracting her hand from the bouncer's pocket, sighed. "Then can I have the...? That's cool. You keep that."

Robin tried a different tactic. "So these guys... One of them's an architect."

The bouncer's face lit up. "Ted Mosby, the architect?"

Robin nodded vigorously. "That's the one. And his friend. EJ, he's the one I'm looking for."

The bouncer nodded, "Oh, yeah, he was here. EJ, what a guy. A visionary."

Robin, exasperated, asked, "Yeah, yeah, I get it, he's a visionary. Can you tell me where he is?"

The bouncer crossed his arms. "I'm not telling you that for less than 20 bucks."

Lily and Robin both searched their pockets but came up empty.

Lily shrugged. "Well, I'm out of money."

Robin, shaking her head, said, "I'm cashed, too."

The bouncer smirked. "I'll take your purse."

Robin's eyes narrowed. "My purse?"

He nodded. "Yeah, my girl likes clutches."

Robin, reluctantly, handed over her small purse. "Okay, fine."

Lily, trying to lighten the mood, quipped, "You should tell her that looks really good with a chocolate boot."

Robin muttered, "Bitch is lucky I brought my small purse. No room for my g*n. Here. Now where does the rodeo slut live?"

The bouncer pointed across the street. "The building with the green light, apartment 3-C."

———

The girl pouted playfully. "Oh, come on. Just one dance?"

EJ sighed, giving in for the moment. "Alright, one dance."

As they danced, EJ's mind kept drifting back to Robin. Despite enjoying the attention, he knew this wasn't where he wanted to be. The girl leaned in closer, whispering something in his ear, but EJ barely heard it. His thoughts were miles away, wondering if Robin was thinking about him too.

———

Robin and Lily stood outside apartment 3-C, the tension palpable.

Lily glanced at Robin. "Oh, my God, Robin, are you going to kick this girl's ass?"

Robin clenched her fists. "Yeah... And steal her purse."

Lily nudged her. "3-C, let's do this. You ready?"

Robin took a deep breath. "Should I just kick the door in?"

Lily examined Robin's heels. "Those are really nice heels and you already lost the purse. Let's see if it's unlocked."

Lily turned the doorknob and found it unlocked. "Okay, get in there and kick some spankable ass. Robin?"

Robin hesitated. "I'm the problem."

Lily looked at her, puzzled. "What?"

Robin sighed, guilt creeping into her voice. "You were right. I don't know how to be a girlfriend. I drove EJ to cheat on me. I don't know how to handle this stuff."

Lily shook her head. "Well, don't stand out here and beat yourself up. Get in there and beat EJ up. I'll handle the slutty kickboxer. Actually, I'll take EJ."

Robin nodded, her resolve returning. "Let's do this."

They pushed the door open and barged into the apartment. The girl sitting on the couch looked up, startled.

"What the hell? Who are you?"

Robin, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and confusion, demanded, "Where's my boyfriend?"

A man emerged from the bedroom, his face equally confused. "What's going on here?"

The girl, now furious, glared at him. "You were cheating on me?"

The man raised his hands defensively. "No, I swear, I don't even know these women!"

The girl didn't wait for an explanation and smacked the man across the face. He stumbled backward, clutching his cheek, and bolted out the door.

Robin and Lily stood there, bewildered.

Robin looked around the room. "Where the hell is EJ?"

———

EJ found himself caught up in the pulsating energy of the club, dancing with a girl named Stephanie. The lights flashed around them, the music thumped, and Stephanie's laughter rang out, infectious and carefree. EJ enjoyed the attention; it reminded him of his playboy days, but something felt off.

He was with Robin now—the most amazing woman he'd ever been with. The thought of her brought a pang of guilt. Stephanie was fun, but Robin was special. EJ realized he hadn't crossed any boundaries yet, but staying any longer felt like a betrayal.

He leaned in close to Stephanie, his voice barely audible over the music. "I'm sorry, I gotta go."

Stephanie looked surprised. "Where are you going?"

EJ forced a smile, making up a quick lie. "Just remembered I have something important to take care of."

Without waiting for a response, he turned and navigated through the crowded dance floor. He spotted Ben at the bar, nursing a drink.

EJ tapped him on the shoulder. "Hey, man, I'm heading home."

Ben raised an eyebrow, instantly sensing the real reason behind EJ's sudden departure. "Thinking about Robin, huh?"

EJ nodded. "Yeah. I shouldn't be here. I need to go. Tell the others I left?"

Ben nodded, a knowing look in his eyes. "Got it. Take care, EJ. I'll see you at the apartment."

Next, EJ found Barney, who was dancing with a girl and clearly having a good time. EJ approached him, tapping him on the arm.

"Barney, I'm heading out."

Barney turned, slightly confused. "You sure? The night's still young."

EJ nodded firmly. "Yeah, I need to go. See you later."

With that, EJ left the club, the noise fading behind him as he stepped into the cool night air. He felt a sense of relief wash over him as he headed home. He needed to be with Robin, to remind himself why she was worth so much more than a fleeting moment of fun.

———

Lily sighed with relief. "Oh, this is great. It wasn't EJ. Everything's okay."

Robin shook her head. "Everything isn't okay. Look at me. I'm acting crazy and jealous and paranoid."

Lily gave her a sympathetic look. "This is how people act in relationships."

Robin's frustration was evident. "And that's why I avoid relationships."

Lily's expression softened. "Well, guess what? I haven't been crazy or jealous or paranoid in months, and I really miss it."

Suddenly, a muffled voice came from the bedroom. "Thank God you're here. Can you help with this? I need nails."

Robin and Lily turned to see Barney tied up to the bed. Robin's eyes widened. "What the? Barney?"

Lily looked around, bewildered. "Okay, I'm totally lost here. Where's EJ?"

Barney struggled against the restraints, grinning. "EJ? He's at home."

Robin stared at him, confused. "How did you get here?"

Barney's eyes lit up as he began his tale. "Awesome story. As per usual."

Barney launched into an elaborate story of how he used Ted's name and profession as a way to pick up women. He recounted how EJ was being flirted with by a girl, but at that point, he and Ted decided to go home.

"And that led to a couple of hours that I cannot, as a gentleman, divulge to you," Barney continued. "We did it right here, and here, and here."

Robin's eyes narrowed. "But why would you use Ted's name?"

Barney smirked. "I've had some recent bad press on the World Wide Web. So I'm taking a T.O. on the whole 'using my real name' thing."

He shifted, trying to free himself. "And thus ended this chapter of, 'Let's pour our hearts out in the bedroom of Barney's one-night stand.' Come on, let's go before she gets out of the shower."

Robin looked at him with disdain. "You're such a pig. You're not even going to say good-bye?"

Barney scoffed. "I'll have you know I composed a lovely form letter for use in just such an occasion. Just fill out her name and then... Something with an 'A.' A... A... I'll just put 'resident.' Go, go, go, go."

As they left the apartment, Robin took a long walk. She thought about how opening yourself up to another person usually meant opening yourself up to going a little crazy.

She realized she needed to see EJ, to explain everything and make things right.

———

Robin knocked on EJ's door with a mixture of relief and apprehension. When he answered, she managed a small smile.

"Hey," she greeted him softly.

EJ welcomed her in, his eyes lighting up as he noticed the donuts she brought. "Hey. Come in, what do you have there?"

Robin held out the box of donuts. "I brought donuts. And I don't want to brag, but they're filled with jelly."

EJ grinned, taking one of the donuts. "Brownie points," he chuckled. "So, uh... how was your night?"

Robin hesitated for a moment, trying to choose her words carefully. "It was... fine. Nothing exciting. How was yours?"

EJ took a deep breath, deciding to be honest. "I went to a club tonight, and I left after an hour. A girl was flirting with me, and I just... I didn't want it to happen. It didn't feel right. I realized I should have been with you the whole time."

Robin felt a pang of hurt mixed with relief at his confession. She nodded slightly. "I'm glad you left."

EJ nodded in agreement. "Me too."

Robin swallowed, feeling the weight of her own insecurities. "I'm sorry, EJ. I really have no idea how to be a good girlfriend. I'm still figuring out this couple stuff," she confessed, her voice tinged with vulnerability.

Silence settled between them for a moment before EJ spoke again, his tone gentle. "Look, Robin... I don't know how to be in a relationship either. It's been a while for me, too. And I'm sorry I got so mad the other day. Work's been rough, but I shouldn't take it out on you."

Robin sighed softly, feeling a weight lifting off her shoulders. "I want to be the one you bitch to, not the one who makes you mad."

EJ smiled warmly at her. "I'll keep that in mind."

Robin smirked slightly, feeling a wave of affection for him. She leaned in, kissing him tenderly. As they kissed, she gently ran her hands through his hair, savoring the closeness.

When they finally pulled apart, Robin's smile was genuine. She glanced around and noticed the gaming console. "Halo, huh?" she remarked playfully.

EJ grinned back at her. "Yeah. Want me to teach you? It's a classic."

Robin grinned mischievously. "Oh, you're on."

And as EJ handed her a controller and explained the basics, Robin couldn't help but feel a surge of happiness and hope. Maybe, just maybe, they could figure this whole relationship thing out together.