Chapter 1 — Wait For It (Rebounds, Roasts & Returning Shadows)
Ted Mosby believed heartbreak healed with time.
Barney Stinson believed heartbreak healed with tequila and strangers.
And Ivar Scherbatsky? He believed heartbreak didn't heal at all — you just learned to live with the scar.
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Ted Sulks
At MacLaren's, Ted nursed his drink.
"Robin's back today. With… someone. From Argentina."
Barney grinned. "Rebound city! Gael is probably a sculpted surfer-poet who smells like rum and heartbreak. Which means he's me, but with an accent."
Marshall winced. "Ted, you okay?"
"I'm fine," Ted lied. "Totally fine."
Megan leaned in, dry as gin. "Correction: you look like someone stole your puppy and left you with a goldfish."
Yvonne added, "And it's already floating belly-up."
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Robin & Gael Arrive
The doors swung open. Robin entered, hand-in-hand with Gael — tan, shirt unbuttoned halfway, guitar case slung over his shoulder.
He kissed Robin's cheek in slow motion. "Amor."
The booth went silent.
Ted's jaw clenched.
Barney whispered, "Called it."
Megan snorted. "Oh, come on. He looks like he's auditioning for a cologne commercial."
Yvonne smirked. "Correction: failed the audition."
Ivar, sipping whiskey, murmured, "This'll be fun."
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The Roast Begins
Gael launched into a story about "feeling the rhythm of the universe" while surfing.
Robin smiled nervously. "Isn't he great?"
Ted muttered, "He's… something."
Megan: "He's a walking yoga mat."
Yvonne: "Correction: a yoga mat with less stability."
Ivar: "And more hair gel."
Barney cackled.
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Ted's Boil-Over
As Gael kept talking, Ted finally snapped.
"This isn't fair! You leave, you come back with Señor Perfecto, and I'm just supposed to smile?"
Robin's smile faltered. "Ted—"
Ivar cut in, calm but sharp. "Correction: he's not perfect. He's a distraction. And if you're jealous, Ted, own it instead of pretending it's noble."
Ted sank back, stung but silent.
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The Letter
Later, while Robin and Gael left early, Ivar received a small package at his apartment. Inside:
A letter from Victoria.
Her handwriting elegant, her words simple:
"I'll be back in New York soon. I hope you've left room in your life for me."
Ivar read it twice, lips curving just slightly.
Megan noticed, leaning over. "What's that?"
"Correction," Ivar said softly. "The beginning of something important."
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Closing Beat
By the end of the night:
Ted sulked deeper, Robin clung to her distraction, and Gael oozed false poetry.
Barney gloated.
Megan and Yvonne shredded Gael to ribbons.
And Ivar? He sat calm, knowing rebounds burned fast — and real returns always carried more weight.
Because sometimes the most dangerous rival… was the one coming home.
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End of Chapter 1 — Season 3.
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👉 Do you want me to move straight into Chapter 2 ("We're Not From Here") with Ted & Barney's fake-tourist scheme getting ripped apart by Megan, Yvonne, and Ivar, while Robin starts proving herself at NS Entertainment?