A/N: No reviews? It must be worse than I thought, haha. Oh well here's to failed attempts.

Toby was finally able to compose himself enough to come inside and was shocked to find Mrs. Lovett laying alone and Sweeney nowhere to be found. He scooted over to her and took her hand. Her eyes shot open and she let out what was supposed to be a scream but ended up a grunt followed by another short bout of coughing. He let go immediately and stood next to her. "I'm sorry mum! I didn't mean to startle you!" She shook her head and patted the bed next to her, making room for him to sit down. "I'm so sorry…We looked for you mum, really we did! We looked all over! What 'appened to you?" His young face showed more worry than she knew possible.

"Where's Mr. T?" She knew to whisper this time.

"I thought he was with you! Can I get you anything…Anything?" He stood quickly, wanting only to help her. She shook her head and pointed to his tiny room. "Go to bed now, love." She whispered. "I'll be alright." What she really wanted was to be alone so she could cry herself to sleep. Toby took the hint and scampered off to bed. The second he was gone she couldn't control herself any longer. The tears came faster and faster and she could barely breathe for all her sobbing. She heard someone come through the door and nearly fell out of bed for fright. She tried to calm herself, to be quiet, but there was nothing she could do. She found herself in the middle of a panic attack and gasping for air. It was then that she saw who had come in; it was only Mr. Todd. He rushed over to her and helped her sit up. "Mrs. Lovett! What is it Mrs. Lovett? What can I do? Where's the boy?"

Toby, of course, was not asleep at all. He heard everything and came running at the mention of him. "I'm right 'ere sir! She's been at it since you left…Told me to go so I did…"

"Fetch 'er some gin…and-" He was cut off by Nellie's cries growing louder.

"NO!" She wailed. "No no no!"

"Hush now, come on Mrs. Lovett." He didn't know what to do with her so he put a hand on her leg and hoped she would calm down. Instead, she shrieked and pulled away. Toby stood there, just staring. "What's happening to 'er?" He cried. "Mrs. Lovett!"

Sweeney stood up, completely unsure of himself. "N-Nellie?" He half whispered. This seemed to bring her back to reality and she quickly quieted down. Within minutes she was asleep again, the bruises now fully formed. Her normally porcelain skin was now black and blue all over.

Toby could barely stand the sight of her. "Who did this to 'er, Mr. Todd?"

Sweeney shook his head. "I don't know." He pointed once more to Toby's room. "Go." He whispered. He turned his full attention to the Nellie who was now curled up asleep on the bed next to him. He put a hand on her shoulder and whispered "Mrs. Lovett, wake up." She groaned and rolled over. He tried again. "What.." She grunted. "I'm really tired, Mr. T…"

"Maybe you should get something to eat…you haven't eaten…" He suggested casually.

"Well thank you," she said sarcastically, "but I think that's going to have to wait until I can get up…" She was used to his non romanticism and sometimes downright unhelpfulness but she wished that just this one time he might offer to make her a piece of toast or something. But, typical Sweeney, he just nodded. "Very well then."

Toby woke up in the morning blissfully at ease until he heard exactly what had caused him to stir. It was retching. Horrible, loud retching. He went running to the bathroom where he found Mrs. Lovett hovered over the toilet and Mr. Todd watching quietly from behind her. Toby knelt beside her and looked up at Mr. Todd. "Well, aren't you going to DO anything?"

He shrugged. "Not much to be done but wait. She'll be done soon enough."

Her shoulders hunched and she went quiet. "Mr. T…can ya help me…back to bed?" she asked weakly.
Toby answered first. "I will mum!" He put his arm around her and pulled her up slowly. She was almost too heavy for him and his knees buckled as he tried to pick her up. "Oh!" She cried out in pain and he dropped her on the floor. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" She looked at him for a moment and started to cry. "Oh mum did I hurt you? I'm so so sorry please.."

"Well go on boy…get her bed made up." Sweeney barked as he gracefully scooped her up off the floor. This, too, hurt her, but she felt safe in his arms so she relaxed a little. "Oh Mr. T. Don't put me down just yet…" She begged.

"Well what else am I to do with you?" He asked shortly.

"Just…nevermind." She looked down. "I'm sorry…this is ridiculous. Put me down, I can walk." Her cheeks were red hot in a mixture of fever and embarrassment.

"Very well." He put her down and watched her try to walk a few steps. He caught her right as she fell and picked her back up. Without a word he carried her back to bed and left. Toby, of course, didn't leave her side. "Can I get you anything?" He asked repeatedly.

"Toby, dear, I'm fine. Don't worry yourself. Why don't you go fetch us some potatoes for dinner."

He just stared at her a moment and then asked, "do you want to talk about it? About what happened?" He seemed so wise for his years, she had to smile.

"Oh no love, that's alright. You don't need to hear about such a thing." She gave me a small but meaningful smile. "I…I'm not feeling very well, would you fetch Mr. T?"

Toby sighed. "Are you sure I can't help?"

She only nodded. "Please…" And he ran off to find him.