In this chapter is where a small gory scene is placed. So if anything like that bothers you...then you're pretty much out of luck. : Thanks again for reading!

As the hours past, Sweeney fell more and more into his little dream

As the hours passed, Sweeney fell more and more into his little dream. There he was with his beautiful lady holding their little bundle of joy. The details were so perfect down to the blades of grass beneath their feet. Benjamin's fingers gently caressed her beautiful pale skin. They then traveled through her long yellow hair. He stared into her eyes lovingly for a few moments. He was so lucky to court a woman with such beauty and perfection. They were destined to be together. And as this dream continued on, Sweeney forgot that it wasn't reality. He got wrapped up in his memories that he wished were real. That's when it happened. He was pulled away from his beloved family and violently beaten. Everything went black and quiet.

Taking in a gasp of air, Sweeney sat up in his barber chair. Sweat dripped down the side of his forehead and over his temples. He swallowed hard and regained composure. The past was painful as it was. It was even more painful to re live it in a dream and not be able to change anything - to be so helpless. When Sweeney finally came back to reality, he could hear lots of chattering outside. Sweeney could tell from the blinding that day had come again. Ms. Lovett must have already started the day and began serving what was left of his killing from last night. Standing up, Sweeney made his way to the door and stepped out onto the staircase. He overlooked the crowd that was enjoying their meals down below. Little did the people know that they had fallen into cannibalism. It was quite humorous when you really thought it through, but Sweeney just arched a brow looking down at Ms. Lovett who was serving two pies to a table of laughing gentleman.

Once she turned around, she caught glimpse of Mr. Todd. She raised her eyebrows and smiled.

"Goo' mor'nin' Mista' Todd. You 'ave customas waitin'"

Her British accent was atrocious. It was like listening to the repetitive screeching of a fork against a plate. His upper lip twitched a bit feeling it was a bit too early to be hearing her voice. He wasn't really mad at her anymore. Now his main focus was to get Judge Turpin back in his grasp. When he gazed down upon the crowd, he motioned that he was ready for the first customer of the day with a wave of two fingers. And with that, he entered the dark room, getting everything ready for the next victim.

An older man entered first. He seemed like a rather nice gentleman. What a shame. He was in the right place at the wrong time. When he sat down in the seat, Sweeney began by putting the barber's apron over his body and around his neck.

"I'd like a nice, close shave. I'm actually in quite a hurry. I have a date in about an hour."

The older gentleman smiled and made himself comfortable. Sweeney smirked and pulled out his blade and flipped it open.

"Ah, then I'll be sure to take extra care of you, hm?"

He spoke rather blankly, even with that creepy grin on his face. Once he sharpened his razor, he applied the cream to his cheeks, chin, and neck. It was such a waste to put the cream on since it wouldn't be used. Sweeney twisted the seat around so that he had easy access to the man's face. He moved the razor against his skin once, giving the man a smooth patch of skin where the blade traveled, and wiped the extra cream off on the cover that blanketed the man's shoulders and upper body. The second time that the blade caressed the man's neck, he moved it horizontally, cutting his throat wide open to where you could see the layers of flesh on the inside. Blood squirted out and the man's eyes grew wide. Sweeney simply moved out of the way from the spattering blood so he wouldn't be painted with the shade of death. He learned from yesterday when he got blood all over the arm of his perfectly good shirt. Pressing his foot against the petal on the floor, the chair leaned back and slid the man off and down the chute to the basement. If the throat slicing didn't get him, the fact that he fell head first into concrete would certainly kill him. With a chuckle escaping from pink lips for once in fifteen years, Sweeney Todd closed the chute and sat the seat up once more.

"Tell 'er I said 'ello."

Bringing the razor up slowly, Sweeney examined the crimson red substance dripping from his friend. Wiping it clean with a handkerchief, he tilted his head to the left, cracking it. Today was going to be a long day. Customer after customer became victim after a victim. Ms. Lovett said nothing to him while they worked. Instead, she took the time to get acquainted with Toby. After all, she had to distract him from the fact that those who went inside of the barbershop never came out. As it got later, the customers dwindled, and soon were all full and gone home to sleep it off. Once Toby and Ms. Lovett and finished cleaning up, she turned to him and smiled.

"Now, go n' clean yourself up and drink a bottle of gin when you're finished if you'd like. Just don't drink it all, love."

Toby nodded and walked into the pie shop as she remained outside. She took the time to soak in the calm and quiet night all by herself. Or was she by herself? For some reason, Ms. Lovett felt like she was being watched. Slowly, she turned around to where the barbershop was. Unfortunately, she found no one. Was she hoping to see his face? She frowned and leaned her posterior against the nearby table.

"Why can't you just give me a chance Mr. Todd? I can, and do, love you just as much as she does. Why can't you return the same feelin's? I can 'andle you, I can…"

Ms. Lovett spoke to herself, but aloud. Letting out a weak groan, she dusted off the flour on her cream colored apron and walked into the pie shop.

Toby was asleep again, except this time he actually fell asleep in the chair, which was much easier on Ms. Lovett's back. Toby wasn't exactly lightweight. She grasped the gin bottle in between her thin digits and let it slip out of his hands once again. She advanced back to the pie shop. Ms. Lovett went behind the counter and kneeled down to the bottom cabinet, placing the gin back where it was originally. When she stood up once more, she jumped back slightly seeing Mr. Todd leaning against the other side of the counter top with his back towards her. Behind him, his elbows and forearms rested on the counter for support.

"Mista Todd, you gave me such a fight. I thought you was a ghost!"

She put her right hand to her heart, which may have possibly skipped a beat, hoping to calm it in some way. The only response she got from him was a glance, and even then, he only turned his head thirty degrees or less to see her, only to turn away again. Ms. Lovett remained silent for a moment and scratched the back of her head.

"Wha' brings ya down 'ere at this hour, Mista Todd?"

Sweeney's boot made a soft click echo through the empty pie shop walls as he shifted his body weight on the opposite leg. Ms. Lovett blinked and waited for his response. He slowly turned around to face her. He reached in his shirt pocket. He held out a coin bag that was very familiar to her.

"Oi, 'ow'd you get that? It was in my pocket all day – I think…"

Ms. Lovett blinked in a confused state. Sweeney rolled his eyes slightly. Typical Ms. Lovett.

"It seemed one of the customers pick-pocketed you and tried to use your coins to pay for the shave. Not that he was goin' ta get a shave anyway."

He spoke calmly and slid the bag across the counter and over to her. She picked up the small bag and placed it in between her bosoms.

"Thank you..."

Ms. Lovett nodded and smiled. Sweeney simply nodded his head up once to show he acknowledged her thanks. Before she could say another word, he was already out and going up the stairs to the barber shop again. Ms. Lovett was going to offer him a pie. He hadn't eaten since the day before. He had to be hungry.

About an hour later, Lovett slowly made her way up the stairs quietly. She opened up the barbershop door and stepped inside. Yet again, Sweeney was asleep in the chair in the same position. This time, the moon was new. The only lights able to be seen were the stars. It was almost pitch black in the room. But, she managed to make her way to the dresser with a meat pie in her right hand. She placed it on the counter and turned to leave, but she found herself being grabbed roughly. The fabric of, what she assumed to be, a sleeve slid across her collarbone and held her in a chokehold. She knew that grasp all too well. Then, she could feel cold silver against her warm neck.

"Mista' Todd!"

Ms. Lovett exclaimed and froze up. He gave her a quick shake and a soft hiss. He released her and walked quickly over to the window with frustration in his eyes. He breathed a bit louder and harder than before as well. He ran a strong hand through his tangled hair and turned around to where Ms. Lovett stood. She was still quite shocked from that close brush with death.

"Don't come in 'ere when I'm asleep. I could've easily killed you in an instant. An' don't think I wouldn't."

He scoffed and sat back down in his chair. Ms. Lovett let out a gentle sigh of relief before heading to the door.

"Goo'noite Mista' Todd…"

When she heard no response, she exited and went back to her pie shop as she always did.

It had been a long day. That close encounter to the blade could have made it her last day. Ms. Lovett couldn't stop thinking about what he said. 'I could've easily killed you in an instant. An' don't think I wouldn't.' Would he really have killed her? No. He wouldn't. The truth was he really needed her. After all, that'd be a lot of bodies he's have to bury…

The next chapter should be coming soon. Keep in mind I have school and am starting a new job here soon. :