"Mrs. Lovett, you're a bloody wonder."

He stared at her, trying to figure out what she was doing. She stood at the table, her eyes closed, a small smile on her lips.

"Want to play, Mr. T?"

"Play? Play what?"

"Truth or dare." she replied softly, opening her eyes.

"Truth or..what?"

"Dare, love. It's easy. If you pick "truth", you have to answer my question honestly. If you pick "dare", you have to do what I ask." she explained.

"And if I refuse?"

"You lose."

She was drunk. It was very obvious she was drunk. He walked toward the door, and placed his hand on the handle, preparing to leave.

"Are you scared, love?"

He paused and turned to face her. She was smiling again, mischief sparkling in her eyes. He advanced toward her, and stopped once he was directly in front of her.

"What did you say?" he whispered.

"I asked if you was scared." she repeated.

"Let's play."

"Truth."

"Okay, umm..did you always want to be a baker?"

"What kind of question is that, Mr. Todd?"

"I believe I'm the one who gets to ask the questions this time, Mrs. Lovett."

"Very well. Yes, I did."

She giggled, providing further evidence he needed to prove she was drunk.

"My turn," she managed between laughs, "Truth or dare?"

"Truth."

"Why do you hate me, Mr. T?" she asked, her face serious.

"What? Mrs. Lovett--"

"Answer the question, love."

"I--I don't hate you, Mrs. Lovett."

She laughed at this, but he took no offense to it. The woman was drunk, after all.

"I mean it. I don't."

"Okay. Your turn, dear."

"Truth or dare?" he asked.

"Dare." she answered, a small gleam in her eyes.

It was the first dare of the night, so he took a moment to consider his options. He could dare her to leave him alone for an entire day, he could dare her to slit her own throat, he could dare her to do anything, and she would, without a doubt, do it.

"All right, pet. I dare you to...eat one of your own pies."

"The whole thing?"

He shook his head.

"One bite will suffice."

He watched as she picked up her most freshly-made pie and cautiously took a bite out of it. He smiled as she grimaced, and when she swallowed, he could hardly control his urge to laugh at her disgusted expression.

"Truth or dare?" she asked, when she had taken another sip of her gin.

"Dare." he replied.

He instantly regretted it. He could almost see the wheels turning in her head.

"I dare you to...kiss me."

Damn..he knew she would think of something like this. Damn her. He leaned closer to her, and leaned down, his lips pressing against hers. It wasn't as horrible as he had thought. In fact, he rather enjoyed kissing her. It had been fifteen years since he had last kissed a woman. He deepened the kiss, and Mrs. Lovett sighed contentedly.

Toby awoke from his sleep to find Mrs. Lovett was nowhere to be found. He stood sleepily and made his way to the front of the pie shop. He yawned and froze in his tracks at the sight that greeted him. As he stood rooted to the spot, he watched Mr. Todd lean down and kiss his beloved adoptive mother. He didn't know whether to interrupt or not, so he instead backed slowly out of the room, praying they wouldn't hear.

"I think the game is done, Mrs. Lovett."

Much to his surprise, she didn't protest. She simply nodded mutely. He turned to go, but before he reached the door, he faced her.

"Good night, Mrs. Lovett."

"Good night, Mr. Todd."

He walked out, shutting the door slowly behind him. It wasn't until she heard his footsteps above her that she dared speak again, and even then, her voice was no more than a whisper.

"I love you."