There are a LOT of Sweenetts that include Mrs. Lovett either getting raped or getting sick. I decided to do something a little different. Not 100% sure yet where this is going, but it'll grow as I keep writing. Hope you enjoy! (: If it's crap, I'll trash it.

Chapter 1

The day was coming to a close. Mrs. Lovett hums idly to herself as she tidies up her pie shop for tomorrow's customers. There was quite a rush today, and her wary body is ready for respite.

Just as she finishes, the door swings open. In walks her favorite barber, Sweeney Todd. She smiles at him as he impassively takes a seat at the counter. His endless scowl is ever present and his dark eyes remain downcast.

"What'll it be today, Mr. T?" she asks merrily, "Priest, lawyer, or perhaps a bit of both?"

He glances at her and raises his lip in disgust.

"Calm down now love, it's only a jest! Here you are." she places some bread and ale in front of him. He immediately gulps down the ale and leaves the bread untouched.

"What's the matter Mr. T?" she asks upsettingly, "You aint had a bite of food all day; just been guzzlin' down that ale like there's no tomorrow!"

Naturally, he only grunts in return.

Mrs. Lovett sighs. "Well love, you've got a troubled mind. But you can't live like this forever y'know." She hesitates before she continues. "Now don't be gettin' hot, but I don't think your Lucy would want you livin' like this."

Sweeney glares at her, anger clearly written in his eyes. Mrs. Lovett keeps her fear at bay, and looks at him with as much pity as she can summon. Eventually, he sighs and looks down, dejectedly.

"She'd understand," he says gloomily, "She did poison herself."

Mrs. Lovett heart begins to race. She makes an effort to sound bored, "Yeah, well that don't mean she'd want you to do the same. If she knew you was comin' back, she woulda waited."

Suddenly, he stands and bangs his fists on the counter top. "But I know she won't come back!" he yells.

Mrs. Lovett backs away in fear. He glares at her, looking as though he'll cut her throat any second. Finally, his shoulders fall and his hands unclench.

"She's gone." He says quietly, "And I will have revenge."

With that, he strides out the door and up the stairs to his parlor.

That night, Mrs. Lovett has trouble sleeping. She can't stop thinking about what Mr. Todd said. "But I know she won't come back." The statement keeps echoing through her mind.

Nellie had told herself a million times that she lied about Lucy to ease Sweeney's pain. Surely if he knew she was insane, his sorrow would only grow. Lucy was alive, but she was no longer his Lucy.

But Nellie knew she was only lying to herself. She knew that she lied To Mr. T because he would still love Lucy, whether she was crazy or not. But it was painfully clear that he still loved Lucy…even though he believed her to be dead!

So, would his pain worsen knowing she was alive? Would it give him false hope? Nellie loved him – more than she even loved herself. So…how could she allow him to feel such grief, even if it was over Lucy's "death?"

If I truly loved him, I'd let him go.

NO! Nellie pushes the thought away, deep into the back of her mind. But the doubt is already there. When she finally does sleep, her dreams are filled with guilt. And when she wakes, that feeling has only intensified. For the first time, Eleanor Lovett wants to tell the man she loves the truth…even if that means putting her own life at risk.

Please leave reviews and let me know if I should continue or not!

I don't own Sweeney Todd