Do we really need to go over this? We own only our OCs, four of who were named after three of our favorite movie heroines from POTO, POTC, and V. Sweeney's going to be out of character in this chapter btw. Any other work by famous poets/authors is not ours.

I Missed You

By: The Phanatics

The rain poured down on London's streets with the fog at its side. And it seemed like an ordinary day, to the rest of the people in their petty lives, while three women, three best friends, looking for a lost soul, as they had done for the past fifteen years, had just turned the corner close by to Mrs. Lovett's meat pie shop. The thin one, Elizabeth Smith, had anger burning in her bright brown eyes, and by the way she was stalking toward the shop, she was very angry at the owner. She looked like she was about to tear each and every one of her blonde locks out. The other, Christine Dalton, who had curves with curly long chocolate brown hair, pale skin, was just as angry as her friends. Her eyes, also brown, were in flames, as if she was ready to kill said owner. The third, who was in between thin and curvy, was Evey Hanson, who had the same color of eyes as her other two comrades and anger, pushed her light brownish hair from her eyes as the rain started to pour harder. They all wore black as a sign of the sorrow they had discovered that particular morning.

Evey was the first to enter the door wrathfully. "Nellie Lovett!" she said in a shrill voice that caused a woman of no more than thirty five with a tied up mass of crazy red curls and a dark, revealing, and flour ridden dress looked up from her work on a crusty meat pie. "'Ello dearies, would ya care for a pie?" Nellie smiled at her 'friends'. Yes, 'friends'. She had known them since they were still in school and over the years they had slight grown apart. Only because Christine had moved to Paris for a while and returned about ten years later with her husband, Erik Dalton, a sailor who had been traveling on a ship known as the Bountiful with her son, Anthony, Evey had returned to London from America about fifteen years before after her five year marriage to her husband ended when he was murdered by a gaggle of robbers, and Elizabeth, had lost her love, William Turner, (A/N: We couldn't change his last name, we love Will too much) when he had been drowned on a business trip to South America, close by the Caribbean. But their stories, are told in another tale, for now, we shall stick to this one. At the offer to the pies, if you could call them pies actually, Elizabeth sneered "We didn't come here for you bloody pies!" and Christine grabbed Nellie by the arm and the four stormed off into her quarters. They forced her into a chair and towered over her. "Wot the bloody 'ell is this all about?"

"Don't pull that shit on us!" Christine hissed in spiteful anger.

"Does the name Lucy Barker mean anything to you, or were you just being selfish, just letting' her rot on the streets," Elizabeth inquired irately. Nellie's eyes widened as if she hadn't a clue of what they were talking about. "Nellie we know you know what we're talking about, so you may as well admit it now," Evey replied in a nearly silent whisper. There was a silence in the room. It had all started out with so much sadness when they had found Lucy on the streets that cold Monday morning, crying out "Alms! Alms for a miserable woman, on a miserable chilly morning..." Elizabeth closed her eyes to remember the meeting with Lucy after all this time.

The three were just about to give up. They had checked everywhere, even Bedlam with no luck. What a surprise! The people had told them how she wasn't there, that she had been gone for years now. Assuming that she had died while she was confined in that hell hole, they walked away frustrated, knowing deep in their hearts that she was still alive and that they wouldn't stop until they found her. What had they done to the poor thing? Why didn't Nellie try to prevent Johanna from being taken from the bloody old Judge? So many haunting questions filled their worried minds that they were about to pass out from all the thinking that they were doing at the moment. They had such high hopes that they would find their beloved friend after all these years. How quaint, to actually believe that a sweet, virtuous girl like Lucy would end up with such a terrible fate. As the three silently cried while passing by old Judge Turpin's house, they spotted young Johanna for the first time in three years. "Oh, she is so much in the likeness of her mother!" Evey sighed heavily.

"She's growing to be a fine lady, do agree, Lizzy?"

"Yes, I do. He never let's her leave the house, though. If only we had gotten to London before Benjamin's arrest, we could've defended him if Hugo hadn't been sick."

Evey tried to hold back her tears. She had known Lucy since childhood, and they were close like sisters. In the midst of their sudden silence, there came a cry. "Alms! Alms for a miserable woman, on a miserable chilly morning." An old hunched, half crazed beggar woman came up to Christine, begging for a penny or so. They each gave her three shillings, which she took gratefully. "Thank you, kind ladies, thank you." As she was about to walk away, she glanced at Elizabeth and ran to her, clutching to her skirts with her crazy eyes glaring at her. "Hey, don't I know you Miss?" Elizabeth immediately recognized who it was and sadly nodded for Christine and Evey to look at the woman in the face. "Yes, I've known you since we were young. You're Lucy Barker, aren't you?"

"You know my name! I've a husband, but Turpin transported 'im for life 'e did. 'E lives there Wait…I know you, you're Elizabeth."

"Yes, I am Elizabeth. I introduced you to your husband, Benjamin."

"Lizzy! And who are they? Don't I know them as well? Don't I know you?" Christine held her tears back as she took a good look at Lucy. "Lucy, do not remember me? Christine Dalton? We were neighbors, yo, me, Nellie, and Evey."

"Oh Lucy, what have you done to yourself, child? Do you not recognize me? Evey Hanson? We grew up together, we went to school together, all those afternoon teas, you were my maid of honor at my wedding to Hugo, you have to remember, don't you child? You have to recognize us a little bit at least."

"Christy! Evey! I haven't seen you both since you had gotten married to Hugo Miller. Christine, you let Paris to see me. Beware! Beware of Nellie Lovett, she's a witch spawned from the devil…" she spotted something in the sky "Smoke! Smoke! Sign of the Devil! Sign of the Devil! City on Fire! Witch! Witch! Mischief! Mischief!" She wasn't the same person they had known. "Lucy…"cooed Elizabeth.

"You know my name!"

"Yes, I know you're husband."

"Benjamin! 'E'll be coming home soon, 'e will! Just you wait and see!" She walked away once more, begging for alms. Evey looked at Lucy with sadness, the tears coming down freely. Christine felt the anger boil in her. "I think we best pay a little visit to dear old Nellie and have a little chat with her…that fucking bitch told us she was at Bedlam!" Elizabeth said nothing, the same anger in her eyes and they silently sulked to the pie shop when the rain started….

"You should be ashamed of yourself!" cried Evey with the tears flowing down, "Letting the poor thing live on the streets begging and whoring herself! You want to know what she looks like now? Well, here it is; her hair used to be that golden blonde halo, is now a dirty grey mop. Her eyes were no longer the beautiful grey orbs we knew, only black stones from Hell! She was absolutely mad! She had warts and syphilis upon her. She only recognized us for a good five seconds!"

"You sold Lucy out the moment she took that poison, didn't you? The people at Bedlam told us she escaped nearly ten years before!" shouted Elizabeth, "And the moment Beadle came for Johanna, you refused to help her, kicking her out, forcing her to search the trash for food, whoring herself for pennies! What kind of life is that?"

"Where is your heart Nellie! I suggest before we leave this room today, you best tell us what really became of our Lucy! So help me God, I'll kill you where you stand!" bellowed Christine as she smacked her across the face. Nellie took a moment or so to compose her self; as if she was letting the events sink in before she told the story. "You wont to know, do ya now? Well 'ere it; that lil nit 'ad everything and more! I wonted Benjamin for me self, but when 'e was taken to Australia, she sat up there for days blubbering about 'ow unfair her life was. She barely took care of her child and left me to do so! The Judge made it no better when he kept sending her flower after flower. I suppose from the letters she sent you, she was raped by the bloke. About three months later she had become depressed and I had to continue taking care of the girl. She then one night, snuck to the apothecary 'round the corner. I honestly tried to stop her when she was about to take the poison. Wot happened next? Stupid girl ended up not dying but her head was left weak and she just laid there for months like a log in the middle of a path. I would've sent her to a hospital, but due to the lack of business, courtesy of Albert and his rum, she wounded up in Bedlam for ten years. When she tried to beg her way in, I had enough! For ten years, I had to take care of her and her brat because she was so helpless and weak. Because I barely had enough money to feed myself, I kicked her out and I make sure she stays out, after all the trouble I put to try and help her. Ungrateful bitch! She deserved wot she got!" None of them could believe their ears. That was their friend. They lost both friends in fifteen years time. One due to sorrow, another due to selfishness… "You forgot to tell us something," said Elizabeth

"Wot did I forget to tell ya?"

"Which side you chose," whispered Evey. Elizabeth, Christine, and Evey backed away to the door, by the staircase leading them to their apartments. "Well, now we all know. The moment you opened your mouth, you showed us whose side you were on, and you as well go give Beadle and Turpin a wonderful fuck," barked Christine as she led them to her flat for tea.

As the teas water boiled Christine noticed that the rain started to pour harder and she just couldn't understand why things happened. Fifteen years, they searched and searched for Lucy, hoping that she would be alright. Now they knew, and the truth nearly killed them on the inside. (This song is called Frozen by Within Temptation)

I can't feel my senses
I just feel the cold
All colors seem to fade away
I can't reach my soul,

Evey held her mug tightly as she looked at her daughter, Susanna, who was next door embroidering a napkin for her grandmother back in America. She sighed and quietly sang to their lost friend.

I would stop running
If I knew there was a chance
It tears me apart to sacrifice it all
But I'm forced to let go…

Tell me I'm frozen
But what can I do?
Can't tell the reasons
I did it for you

Elizabeth came into the song calling to the heavens, hoping for a sign that would make thing more understandable.

When lies turn into truth
I sacrifice for you
You say that I am frozen
But what can I do?

They guzzled the rest of their tea down and walked to the old apartment that belonged to their friends so long ago. Evey picked up a photograph of the family and Christine stared into Lucy's closet, picking up her prized possession, a necklace that Ben had given to Lucy on their first anniversary. Elizabeth held Johanna's old doll to her heart; after all, she was her god mother. They all began to sing once more.

I can feel your sorrow
(I sacrifice)
You won't forgive me
But I know you'll be alright
It tears me apart that you will never know
But I have to let go…

Tell me I'm frozen
But what can I do?
Can't tell the reasons
I did it for you

When lies turn into truth
I sacrifice for you
You say that I am frozen
But what can I do?

"Why did Nellie lie to us?" asked Elizabeth sadly as she placed the doll back down. "I don't know," said Christine as she wiped a tear from her eye, "Things always happen for a reason, who knows, may be he'll come home and this problem will be settled. I'd like to punch her in the face, the old toad."

"I rather doubt it," cried Evey and she continued singing.

Everything will slip away
Shattered pieces will remain
When memories fade into emptiness
Only time will tell its tale
If it all has been in vain

Elizabeth wrapped her shawl around her and looked out the window. I can't feel my senses. Christine joined her in singing, I just feel the cold

Frozen
But what can I do?
Frozen

Tell me I'm frozen
But what can I do?
Can't tell the reasons
I did it for you

When lies turn into truth
I sacrifice for you
You say that I am frozen

Frozen

They nodded to each other and Evey and Elizabeth followed to the other two doors by the old flat. Those doors led to their small flats. Evey entered her flat and looked over to Susanna, who was done with her embroidering. At only sixteen, she was very accomplished when it came to embroidery. "Mum, do you think Grandmamma will like it?" Evey smiled, "Very much love, very much." There was a silence as Evey started to search for a pot to make some soup for tonight's dinner. "Mum, did you, Auntie Lizzy and Auntie Christy have any luck finding Lucy." How could Evey tell her? When she was an infant, Susanna was quite close with Johanna and her parents, though she wouldn't remember, being a two years old at the time. Hugo, her, and Susanna were visiting and that was the last time they ever saw the Barkers as a whole family. Evey blinked back a few tears and solemnly nodded. "Is she ok? Will she come home soon? I may not remember her, but no one deserves to be alone." Evey sat on the worn sofa and gestured her daughter to sit next to her. With the girl sitting next to her mother, Evey started the story. "Love, we found her, but it wasn't the person she used to be. Remember when I told you what Judge Turpin had done to her?"

"Yes, of course I do, you told me last month after I came home late that night."

"Well," she choked, "Lucy took a poison, I forgot to tell you that. She wanted to kill herself out of the humiliation she felt as well as the trauma. Didn't work though; it made her weak in the head, the only best way to describe it, dear. While Mrs. Lovett took care of Johanna, Lucy was bedridden for months. She was then shipped off to Bedlam for ten years. She's been living on the streets since then…old and alone, a crazy loon she is now. Whoring herself for pennies, living on the streets, forgetting everything she knew and loved. She recognized us for a good ten seconds almost." Susanna looked into the blank space. While she was sixteen, she was still youthfully innocent of the world she lived in. "Would no one have mercy on her?"

"I'm afraid not, child."

"Why couldn't you have brought her back here? We could've taken care of her! We can help restore her memory." Evey smiled and ruffled her daughter's auburn hair. Oh she was so purely innocent; it almost wanted her to laugh.

"Child, remember at one point, we had to take care of Grandfather when he was going through his suicidal phase?" Susanna shuddered at the memory and nodded quickly. "That would be reliving Grandfather's suicide attempts, only worse because she is a loon now. It's best we let her be and offer her a helping hand. There isn't much we can so now."

"Mum, but why did it have to be like this?" She was starting to grow tired of the question. "God has his ways child, God has his ways…she was bound to this tragic fate from the start." They sat there, mother embracing daughter tightly, listening to the rain.

As Elizabeth sat in her old easy chair with a small glass of whiskey to numb her shot nerves, she couldn't help but wish to put Mrs. Lovett in her place. How dare she force an innocent woman to the streets? It didn't matter how insane she became, she still deserved a home none the less. She could've written to them, telling them what was going on, but no, instead, for about fifteen years, she stayed silent while they searched and searched to find their friend a crazy old hag, eating rotten spuds from the garbage in the alleys. "Stupid, conceded bitch," she spoke out to no one, "I don't know what her problem is, but I've had it with her!" She jumped up and threw her glass to the wall. "You hear me! I've had it! I've had it with wobbly legged, rum soaked bitches!" (A/N: Hey, we couldn't resist!) She turned to the window and finally noticed Mrs. Lovett coming to the Barker's flat with a strange man. And strange he was. Not only did he have wild black hair, there was a strip of white in his hair. He had pale skin and from the looks of it, very skinny. But he was devastatingly handsome, and there she saw then, the sadness in his eyes…so black and empty. He wore a white shirt with a dark vest as well as dark stripped pants. Strangely, he looked so familiar…no it can't be. "He's been gone for years now, I've heard that once you go to Botany Bay, you're never seen again," she whispered with the shock that the man with Mrs. Lovett might be Benjamin Barker in the flesh. She changed into a dress that was a cream covered with black lace. She waited a while, as she showed the man something she hadn't seen in years…the razors. Elizabeth spotted Mrs. Lovett walking out the door. "Nellie," she muttered as Lovett walked past her. "Elizabeth," Mrs. Lovett muttered back. Hard to believe they were close friends at one point or another.

Elizabeth slowly opened the door to find the man stand up with a razor in his hand, exclaiming, "At last! My arm is complete again." Charming, I live next door to a loon…why am I not surprised though? I live in bloody London, she thought as she cleared her throat. The man turned to her, his eye brow quirked in a comical manner or comical to her anyway. "I saw you with Nellie a while ago," she started, "I… just was…honestly sir, you look like someone I was friends with…years ago." He took a step toward her and looked at her with his sad eyes. "You don't recognize me, do you?" he asked coldly.

"Benjamin? Benjamin Barker?"

"No, love, he's been dead for years now," he whispered dangerously, "its Sweeney Todd now, and he's out for revenge."

"I'm sorry for how things turned out Mr. Bark- I mean, Mr. Todd,"

"There wasn't a thing you could do, Elizabeth. Don't think that I forgot how you were when it came to things you want. Any way, have you and William ever gotten married?" He regretted asking that, for he saw sadness in her eyes immediately and there was then a sudden silence. She turned to the window. "He's gone," she whispered. "Drowned on the way to South America for business, we were going to get married after he returned." She hurriedly left, but not before Benja- Sweeney grabbed her and forced her to look into his eyes. He didn't mean to scare her with his sudden action, but he tried to bring Benjamin out to comfort her, "Sorry to hear your loss love, Will was a good man,"

"It's alright…I've got to go, I feel…sick." Sweeney smirked; she was still the same Elizabeth.

"You know you've always been a terrible liar, Lizzy." She smiled slightly and he let her go. She never thought that being reunited with Ben- Sweeney would be so…awkward and weird. She rapidly knocked on Christine's door. She was in a navy blue gown that was quite revealing, but hey, her was husband was coming home today. "What happened now? Did Nellie fall and break her leg? Pray to God she did." The last part Christine said was muttered. "I need to talk to the both of you, where's Evey?"

"You saw her go into her apartment, Elizabeth, she's probably telling Susanna what happened today, can't keep the girl in the dark forever."

"Well then, I'll tell her now, follow me," They hurriedly walked the short walk to Evey's flat. Christine rapped on the door quickly and Evey opened the door. "What's happened, you both look like you've seen a ghost." She now was in a simple dark brown dress with her hair tied in a bun. "Is Susanna home?" asked Elizabeth.

"No, she's downstairs with Nellie, helping her with the pies. Not the best person to be getting cooking lessons from." They bustled into the flat and sat down by the fire. "You mind telling me what the hell is going on?" she asked as she sat down in her easy chair. "So…you've seen our new neighbor? The one who rented off the Barker's place,"

"She rented it off? She barely sets a foot in there, with her delusions of it being haunted."

"That's not the point, Eve," Elizabeth firmly stated, "What I mean is that…he is back." Evey's eyes widen with shock. "No…how can he? No one has ever escaped from Botany Bay, or so I've heard."

"There's always a first time for everything."

"Holy hell, does he know about Lucy?"

Christine looked out the window and sighed, annoyed with the whole situation. It wasn't that she hated the man formerly known as Benjamin Barker; it was the fact that there was another load of emotional baggage to carry on their shoulders, she had known Ben since he was Erik's best man at their wedding long ago; she couldn't hate a man she knew for years…then again, there was Raoul, but that's a different story as well. "Judging from Nellie's fondness for the man, I say no he doesn't."

"It's then best to keep it quiet, at least for as long as we can…but what if he runs into her one day and recognizes her, then what happens?"

"Nellie will get what she deserves," whispered Elizabeth, "by the way, he changed his name."

"What's his name now?" asked Christine.

"I'm interested to know, knowing that Ben was never creative when it came to things like names." Evey tried to hold back a laugh as she thought about Ben when he couldn't think of a name for Johanna.

"His name is Sweeney Todd. He is not the same man. When I visited him before, he wasn't warm and welcoming, but cold and depressed. He may still be in his room, but I wouldn't suggest bugging him right now,"

"Fine, I best get Susanna to come home for supper, I have some soup if you want some."

"No thanks," replied Christine, "I've some hash for myself."

"What about you Lizzy?"

"No, I just feel…sick."

"You know you can't lie." Elizabeth smiled at her friends and excused herself for the evening. Instead of going to her flat her feet led her down to the pie shop where she left a penny on the counter and helped herself to some ale. It wasn't as strong as her whiskey, but it was something for now. "Hello Auntie Lizzy," said a sweet voice. Susanna was busy working with the dough Mrs. Lovett had given her. "I can see you're making a few pies?"

"Yes ma'am, she says I make better pies than she does."

"That my dear, is so true. Why don't you finish with the dough later, your mum wants you upstairs for supper, alright?"

"Yes ma'am." She gave Elizabeth a quick hug and did as her 'aunt' said. Sweet thing, so careless of the world, then again, she hasn't spoken to any of her friends since she left school. Elizabeth sat down at a booth and looked out to the rain. She loved it, hearing the sounds of the rain on the roof and the ground, it calmed her down some. She closed her eyes to remember Will. So beautiful…so kind…so dead he was. Holding back tears she remembered the last words she ever said to him alive "I love you. Come back. Come back to me…" Will, she thought quietly. As she sipped more of her ale down, she felt a strong hand come gently down on her shoulder. She quickly turned to find Sweeney Todd right behind her with those same sad eyes. "Mothers love, Sweeney, you scared the crap out of me."

"Sorry love."

Elizabeth had nothing else to say as she stood up and tried to leave but Sweeney blocked her way. "Is this going to be a regular thing with you Mr. Todd?" she asked as she tried to escape the room. He smirked. "You look like you've been crying."

"I wasn't crying; I'm having a stressful day. I mean, we lost Lucy years ago and now you're back. This is just so weird. For fifteen years, my friend, you were nothing but a ghost, and yet here you are."

"Sorry to startle you," she turned away, she didn't know why, but this new man scared the life out of her. Her eyes averted to the window. She felt him come from behind and rub her arms with his rough hands. "I know you're scared of me, Elizabeth, but I want us to be friends like we always have been. I've lost my family and most of my friends, losing you would be awful. You introduced me to my Lucy. Please don't be scared of me." She felt his breath on the back of her neck and she turned to face him. "I've missed you," she whispered as she embraced him in a hug. "You remember Evey and Christine?"

"Of course,"

"They're your neighbors as well as mine. They'll be shocked to see you once more. Remember little Susanna Hanson? She's gotten so beautiful. I've seen Johanna as well."
" Is she beautiful?"

"Oh Sweeney, she's the image of Lucy, another ghost locked away from the truth, she's such a sweet girl, as she turned twelve though, Turpin locked her away so no men could have a look at her." She held her tears back as she embraced Sweeney again tightly. She looked into his eyes to see all the sadness of the world. What had they done to him that made him so different? "What has the world done to you?" she asked quietly.

"So many things, Lizzy, so many things," he replied with his eyes down to the floor. Evey entered the shop with a small smile on her face. "Oh my God, how did you ever escape that hell?" she asked as Sweeney received another tight hug from Evey. "I made a raft out of old pieces of wood, almost drowned on the ocean, until the ship, the Bountiful found me and the young sailor, Anthony Dalton, who I assumed is related to our dear Erik and Christine, brought me aboard the ship and I traveled back to London. I arrived this evening."

"It's good to have you home, Mr. Todd." Christine was in the door way with Erik, a sharp, handsome man with black hair and piercing eyes as blue as the sea. "Does Anthony live with you?"

"No," smiled Erik, "he lives out at sea mostly and visits here occasionally, spending a night or two here, with Christy and me," Sweeney smiled slightly. Mrs. Lovett had retired for the evening, so they wouldn't have to deal with her unneeded presence to spoil the moment. "You've had a long day, dear," remarked Christine, "Why don't you rest and we'll talk more in the morning?" Sweeney said nothing, he wasn't too tired but knowing Christine, and she could be as stubbornly pushy as Elizabeth, but that's why he admired them. He solemnly nodded his head good night. Elizabeth smiled and made her way to her flat.

She went to her parlor and got herself some more whiskey after cleaning the broken glass she threw earlier. She changed into a very light nightgown and started to read her book of poems. She had a thing for William Wordsworth's poems, such as the one she was reading; I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed--and gazed--but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

She wondered to herself, why Sweeney Todd would be the way he was. She knew that was a stupid question to ask herself, she knew what happened long ago, but in his eyes…besides sorrow, was there regret she saw in the mix? She downed the rest of her drink and fell into a dreamless sleep, hoping to see what Sweeney's plans were for the Judge.