Some info for you all reading this : It's been 4 years. Sweeney is still after the Judge, since the Judge was away for the past 3 years in France on business (with Johanna and the Beedle). Sweeney's determination has only grown, especially now that the Judge is back. Speaking of Mrs. Lovett, she's the same old woman she's always been. Toby is 17, and uh...isn't a boy.

So let's get right into the story, shall we? Reviews are welcome! (So are ideas! I love to hear what you have to say!)

Knife Called Lust

It was another rainy day. A Sunday. A very gray, humid Sunday. Mrs. Lovett sighed, her elbows resting on her worktable, which was once again covered with a light dusting of flour. Her eyes focused on the scenery outside the window. The street was empty, everyone was still at mass. Every Sunday afternoon Mrs. Lovett found herself easily finished making over 300 pies. She had been up since 8. Now, it was 11. She surprised herself at the speed of the baking, especially with Toby still being asleep.

Toby…she thought. He was 17 now. He was out late last night with some girl…Mrs. Lovett had been taking note at his growth as a man lately. He was still a loving young lad, but now he taller than her and seemed to be more mature. Mrs. Lovett wondered if Mr. Todd had noticed the changes in the boy during these 4 years. No, she thought, he was still after the judge. Still fixed on revenge. Even after these years. Would he ever notice anything around him? Her feelings for him could be easy to see. But his eyes were always closed. At least, closed in her direction. She sighed again and flicked a piece of hard dough off the counter.

To her left, she heard Toby stirring in his sleep softly.

"Should talk to that boy," she said to herself quietly. "Ee's allmos grown an' out doing who knows what to-" Mrs. Lovett's head popped up when she heard the side door open saw Mr. Todd in the doorway.

"Oh! Mornin', Mr. T." she said.

Sweeney promptly ignored her greeting and sat in a chair across the room from Mrs. Lovett, who was at the counter still. He fixed his gaze at the door to the sitting room where Toby slept.

"The boy's still sleeping." Mrs. Lovett spoke.

"I saw him last night." Sweeney said, still focused.

"Oh? Ya wen' out?" She asked.

"No. From the window." Todd spoke quietly and short, as usual, when the subject was unimportant to him.

"Now Mr. T, you're not spyin' on the poor boy now." She said it with a laugh within her voice, knowing Mr. Todd would never do such a thing. "'Ee's not a boy anymore, any 'ow." She added.

"I saw him with that girl…the Judge was 2 blocks away walking with the Beedle…" his voice trailed off and mixed into his thoughts. 4 years and his thirst for vengeance had only grew.

Mrs. Lovett had trained herself to almost always ignore Mr. Todd's words when he began talking about the Judge again. It had been 4 bloody years! Why couldn't he let the stupid revenge die? A new live could begin for him, she believed. One with her by his side. A happy life. But no.

Mrs. Lovett stood up from resting her elbows on the counter, and smacked her dress twice to get the flour off. Sweeney's eyes flashed in her direction, subtly but definitely scanning her figure. Mrs. Lovett didn't notice. She always seemed to become oblivious when he decided to put his thoughts of killing the Judge to rest and admire her. He body, the way her pale face had a glow about it, how her smile spread across her pouting lips so…

No. His eyes snapped to the floor. He lost control of his mind, but just for a moment. He did not love her. Those thoughts were pointless and wasted his time. He is angry. Lucy is the only one for him and to even have his mind glance over towards Nellie Lovett was weak and stupid on his part. It gave him a putrid taste in his mouth. He swallowed.

"Ah then…fancy a pie, Mista T?" These're still 'ot." She moved a plate of about 10 pies off of the back counter to the table in from of her. She looked over to him cheerfully.

"I'm fine." He said, still looking intently at the floor.

"Fine? Ya didn't touch ya supper last night eith-"

"I SAID…I'm..just fine." Sweeney was still blocking her out, fearful that one day he wouldn't be able to do so and end up losing his senses and mind to desire. He blinked a and shook his head.

"Alright, Mr. T. If you say so." Mrs. Lovett was used to his moods by now. She glided towards him and sat across from him by pulling up a chair. "So ya saw Toby last night?" she asked, dusting more flour off of her arms.

"Yes." A small, almost unseen smirk appeared upon his face. Mrs. Lovett was perplexed. Now that was a sight rarely seen.

"Wot's so funny now?" she smiled back.

"Perhaps you should speak to Toby about his actions last night and find out." Sweeney wiped the smirk from his face and his eyes moved from the floor to the window.

"Why's that?" Mrs. Lovett was now more concerned.

"Like you said, he's not a boy anymore." Sweeney replied.

"Wot're you sayin'…wot was 'ee doing exactly?" Mrs. Lovett tilted her head, concerned still and a bit fearful.

"I'm not in the matter. Ask him." Sweeney was keeping back the information to not only annoy her, but really because he didn't much care.

"Well maybe, uh, you should give 'im a chat." Mrs. Lovett said nervously. She would do it herself, but did not really was to pry into what was private to Toby. And since Mr. Todd already knew…

"What could I say?" Sweeney was staring out the window still, obviously not into the conversation, but answering. Over the years he had gotten more into talking to Mrs. Lovett. She was an open person. She didn't matter. Yet…

"Tell 'im to behave like a gen'ilman around the girl. Tell the lad to…oh you know, Mr. T." Mrs. Lovett glanced over to him. He was still staring out the window. "We're his parents-"

"No. No we're not." Sweeney responded sternly and quickly in attention.

"Well I like to think of it that was! We're all ee's got."

"If the lad wishes to stick his hands up a girls skirts, I'm no one to protest. He can do what he likes."

Mrs. Lovett's eyes closed then shot wide open. "'Ee did that! Li'l Toby?"

"Who knows what really happened and who knows why it matters to you, my dear." Sweeney said, quite a bit annoyed. He was looking at her now.

"Mr. T, ya got'a talk to the boy." She said quietly.

"I told you. No."

Mrs. Lovett gave him a dirty look. Surprisingly, Mr. Todd found himself amused by her annoyance. She was cute when she was whiny.

Gah! Sweeney got up and went to the door. Mrs. Lovett watched him. The look on his face was that of fury.

"Talk to him today, please. Mr. T." Mrs. Lovett gently added.

Sweeney didn't even spare her a second look. He walked out the door and was gone.

Mrs. Lovett sighed. His aggressive nature since he had become Sweeney Todd was so…strong. But she found herself yearning for him. She wanted to help him. Help him find happiness again. She could bring him happiness. She could hold him and take the pain away. And damn, she wanted to try. At least.

- - - -

So, how was it? Good? I hope you all enjoyed it, I promise it will pick up the pace.
And it WILL get juicy. After it starts to get a bit, questionable, I'll change the rating, or just put a warning at the top of the chapters. Kay? Okay.

Look for the next one soon!

- Aria