So this is part one of a series im starting about Mrs. Lovett and perhaps another man? i dont know how this will go, so hopefully I can get some feedback from you all!

Please R&R

- Thanks

Mrs. Lovett Falls Once More

"No, no dear, I'll be fine" reassured Mrs. Lovett to the young boy by her side. His eyes were screwed up as he squinted up at her through the bright beams emitting off of the lantern behind her.

"But mum, I always see you hurrying about all the time" said Toby in a rather vexing tone. "…and why do you do all this work when you said I'm here to help you?"

A mock smile and fake, silly chuckle passed through Mrs. Lovett's thin lips "I've told you this a thousand times, you don't need to worry about mum so much." She paused for a moment before continuing: "Now why don't you run along and go help that nice looking man find a seat" She gave him a little pat on the head, turned on her heel, and made her way towards the stairwell leading all the way down to that sinister bake house.

"Silly little thing" She exhaled aloud as she swiftly looked both ways and opened the door to the stairs; making sure it was securely shut behind her. The walk down took nearly five whole minutes, and Mrs. Lovett usually spent the time humming or singing a merry tune to relieve the gloominess of the situation. Upon making her way to the bottom step, Mrs. Lovett could already make out the darkened shape of a small pile of corpses on the bare, stone floor.

"My my, what have we here today?" Mrs. Lovett cheerfully talked herself through this wretched task she had to endure day after day. And she would maintain this dreadful duty for as long as he wanted her to.

Today's cargo included a burly sailor, quite plump around the waist and full of wholesome protein. The next man was quite a bit younger, paler in the face, and a little on the scrawny side. Mrs. Lovett kneeled down on the cold floor and listlessly turned his face around in her hand. The look on the young man's now unmoving surface was one of astonishment and terror. He must have seen it coming and put up an unsuccessful fight. But at least he wasn't too damaged beyond usage. And last but certainly not least was an older man with grizzled hair, and expensive looking attire. Mrs. Lovett chewed on her lip as she ran her hands over his luxurious pockets in search for anything bulky, which would hopefully contain a little compensation. However, this time it seemed Mr. Todd decided to lend a hand in that matter himself, because all of the man's pockets were turned out already.

Mrs. Lovett muttered a few profanities under her breath and continued in her duties. She dragged the unfortunate sailor with all her might towards the oven grate, stopping only once to catch her breath and to wipe her brow. She couldn't take long now, knowing Toby was up there minding the shop on his own, heaven knows what could happen. The fire was now burning more vibrantly as the flames licked up the sides of the man's frame, cooking him quite delicately. Mrs. Lovett stepped back as she could already feel the heat from the oven creeping nearer to her vicinity. She would deal with the other two later, time was short and business was busy today, so she shouldn't be spending as much time down here. She twiddled with her thumbs waiting for the baking to be completed, after a few more minutes passed, she finally scampered over to the crank and turned it with all her might, causing it to emit a loud creaking sound. Once some of the tasty entrails started to ooze out the duct in the back, Mrs. Lovett grabbed some pie crusts from her supply on the table and let the contents pour in. She filled about ten pie crusts, grabbed a tray from the same table, thrust the pies onto it, and rushed back up the stairs; her eyes glued on the fabricated pies, if not one should fall. Her breathing laboured, she finally made it to the top step, thrust open the door, and continued on her mission towards the counter top to finish up her pies.

One look around the shop told her that it was going to be one crazy night. Toby was running around all over the place, trying to do his best to help the customers. People were coming in, two by two even, squeezing through the doorway, all on their way to taste Mrs. Lovett's famous meat pies. She had to smile to herself. This was the way it should always be, the way it should have been even before Mr. Todd graced her with his presence. She turned her face towards the stairway that led to his barbershop, just to see him walking down the steps, ushering up men like sheep going to a slaughter. A smile was spread across his face, as he chattered happily to the doomed men, perhaps commenting on the weather, or prices and such things all men talk about. Mrs. Lovett sighed and placed a hand on her cheek, and propped herself up on her elbows. Life couldn't be better. Except it could… it always could, just if he would give her a chance. Her Mr. T, always so good to her, but yet so aloof.

"Mum!" Toby's shrill voice snapped her back into reality. "We're nearly out of pies"

"Oh, yes darling I'm just finishing up these ones" She said as she motioned over to the tray of pies now sitting on the counter waiting to be completed. She sighed again and started to work on them. First she rolled the dough, then added the various spices and gravy, and finally put it all together. She wiped her hands on her apron, and carefully picked up each pie one by one and put a few on a plate. Balancing a gin and plate in each hand, she started around to the other side of the counter, and noticing one of the pies was toppling onto another, she glanced down to fix it. Since her eyes were averted to the plate of pies, she wasn't looking where she was going, and hastily ran right into a precious customer, knocking gin all over his fine mantle, and breaking a few dishes as well.

"Ohh I'm so sorry sir" She put one hand over her mouth to muffle the gasp that followed her statement. "I should really be more careful about where I'm going"

"Oh no trouble, no trouble at all" replied the man in a pure, gentle voice as he looked down at her. He had kind blue eyes, vibrant, yellow hair, and a soft expression to his perfectly formed face. Mrs. Lovett found herself getting lost in the blue sea of his eyes already

"My, my you have perfect teeth" He commented to her

Realizing he caught her staring, Mrs. Lovett sucked in her lips and rapidly bent down and started cleaning up. Blushing furiously, she quickly started rummaging around for the broken cup and plate on the floor, noticing how shiny, polished, and elegant his black shoes were. She grabbed all the visible pieces, making a mental note to search the area thoroughly after everyone left for more pieces of porcelain hiding in the cracks on the floor.

As she got up, she noticed he was still standing there watching her every move. The only change now being he was now leaning against the wall, smoking a rather large pipe.

"Need any help with that madam?" He charmingly asked her. He started to walk over to her again; a striking smile was spread out across his lips. "I don't mind"

Without waiting for an answer, he bent down to her level and started to wipe up the gin with his scarlet coloured handkerchief.

"So you must be the famous, and I might add, the stunningly beautiful Mrs. Lovett" he amiably said to her.

"Y..yes I am, thank-you sir" She stammered, still feeling his gaze penetrating into her skin. She had never been complimented by any man before, other than her dear old Albert the odd time.

"Well" he said "Now that that's cleared up" He clapped his hands together, shaking flour everywhere as he stood up, offering her a hand.

She took his warm hand and unsteadily got to her feet. Balancing her remaining plate of pies in one hand she stood up and brushed the flour off of her chest.

"Well, I should go and get your nice mantle cleaned up now" She said as she turned and started to make her way to grab a towel.

He was following her back behind the counter. "How nice of you to assist me, Mrs. Lovett, but I'm sure you don't need to worry your pretty little face over this matter" He gently laid a hand on her shoulder, causing her to stop dead in her tracks and turn around to face him. "You have a shop to run" he softly reassured her.

Just then, Toby breathlessly ran over "Mum! Where'd the pies go?"

"Here, take this plate out instead, mum has to go and clean up this mess" She handed the boy the remaining plate of pies that was in her hand still from before.

"Alright, you can count on me!" said Toby eagerly as he rushed into the crowd.

"So that's your son?" asked the man kindly "He seems to be a great help"

"Actually, he's not really my son…" Mrs. Lovett stated "I sort of adopted him after his master…his master…left him here"

"Ahh, poor boy" He said. His gaze drifted over to Toby, who was assisting an elderly man to a table. "But you'd make him turn out to be a lovely gentleman I'm sure"

"I do hope so, you see, he is a fine young lad, and he hasn't really gotten a good life so far" She said, really feeling her affection of the boy growing 'And I've always had a fondness for children, but not having any of my own... " Her voice trailed off, realizing they had reached a touchy subject.

"Well, certainly a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Lovett" Said the soft hearted man, reaching out a hand to shake hers "I'll definitely be returning here for more of your scrumptious pies, that's for sure"

"Thank you kindly sir" She replied "And I'm dreadfully sorry to have caused you all this trouble"

"No, no, really" He added with a smile "I think this turned out rather nicely after all" he said with a wink and he moved in closer to her and pecked her cheek with his velvety lips.

Mrs. Lovett's eyes widened initially when she felt his warmth so close to her, and then she shut her eyes just to take it all in. But the moment didn't last long enough. With a wink, he turned and left her standing there, it happened so suddenly, just like when they met.

So what will Mr. Todd think? Find out in the next chapter coming up soon...lol

Please R&R!!! xo