The next time he walked up to his shop the woman was asleep again

The next time he walked up to his shop the woman was asleep again. Sweeney sat down on the edge of the bed, looking at her bruised face. He reached out, brushing a curled maroon strand from her face. She stirred slightly, scrunching up her face before sluggishly opening her eyes. "Mista Todd?" she mumbled sleepily. "Wot is it?"

He had no answer. He hadn't had any intention of waking her up. She stretched, realizing she was in dire need of the facilities. She sat up, pushing the tattered quilt off as she tried to slip past him. He stood and much to her shock held out a hand to help her up. She looked at him with raised eyebrows and mumbled thank you as she got to her feet.

Sweeney him self was surprised at his actions. He hadn't meant to take her hand, his arm had simply moved without consulting his mind. She let go and proceeded to walk cautiously down the steps. He had half a mind to follow her but shook it away. Where were these thoughts coming from?! He had come up here to clean his floor, not baby-sit a grown woman.

Nellie bit her lip as she walked down from Mr. Todd's apartment. Her whole body was stiff and sore, particularly the side of her head and the area between her legs. She wasn't a virgin, no, far from it, she had had a husband for years. But, as it was, it had been almost eleven years since he'd died, at least a year longer since he had been healthy enough to do anything of the sort with her. Twelve years since a man had entered her. She had so been hopeing Mr. Todd would be the one to have her after all this time, not some awful brute who happened to be passing by.

She shuddered at the memory of him as she reached the bottom of the step. She opened her door to her shop. It was quiet inside, no customers and no sign of Toby either. As she entered the bathroom she caught sight of her self in the dusty mirror that hung above the vanity, a gasp escaping her bruised lips.

She looked dreadful! She was instantly glad Toby hadn't seen her. The little boy would most certainly have asked questions and she wasn't sure what she would have said to him. She frowned, leaning closer to the mirror. Her hair was all over; one of her buns had completely fallen out creating a strange lopsided look. Bruises and bites where all along her neck and- She frowned even deeper, noticing for the first time: this wasn't the dress she was wearing last night!

Well, that only makes sense. She told her self, after all, the other one had been dirty and torn and the corset was missing, Still though, the thought of someone changing her clothes had her face blushing a deep red. It also brought to her mind the thought that that must mean Toby had already seen her, as she knew there was no way Mr. Todd would have changed her. She made a mental note to ask him what story he had told the dear boy.

She did her business than pulled out her make up kit, determined to make her self look less ghastly.

What on earth was taking her so long?! Sweeney glared as he dumped the bucket of dirty water out in the gutter. He had had enough time to clean up the sick, empty that bucket, pump clean water, go over the floor again to get rid of any smell and dump that out as well.

Setting the bucket and rag by door he stomped into the shop. "Missus Lovett!" He growled her name, looking around. She must have gone to her room, he thought moving towards it. The door was cracked open and he stepped inside, looking around. She wasn't there. Maybe shed gone to the bake house, he turned to leave but ended up pausing, hands running over a stack of books on the dresser by the door. Maybe she'd like something to read while she rested, there wasn't much else to do in his room.

Nellie squeaked in surprise upon rounding the corner and finding a figure standing in her room. Less than a second passed before she realized it was Sweeney. "Oh, tis you Mista T." She said, relieved. "Wot 'chu in me room for?"

"Books." He said, holding one up at random. "Not much t' do up there." He motioned with the book to the roof above him

She smiled a small smile at him, not even bothering to question why he was expecting her to return to his loft. "That's nice of you, love."

He grunted in response and proceeded to sit down upon the bed, lazily watching her. She stood in the door way before finally walking slowly over and sitting next to him. Neither of them spoke and after a few minutes she leaned to the side, head resting against his arm.

She had been aiming for his shoulder but she had underestimated his height. She sighed than took a deep breathe. Sweeney always smelled so good, a complex mixture of metal polish, shaving cream, cologne and what ever else he used. She kept expecting him to move or to push her off of him and when he didn't she was almost afraid to do anything for the absurd thought maybe he'd forgotten she was here. It was almost five minutes later when she finally spoke. "Why are ya still in 'ere Mista T?"

He didn't answer the question, just looked sideways at her. She didn't press the matter and instead closed her eyes, breathing in his scent and enjoying the fact he was allowing her so close. Her mind drifted as it always did to the house she always pictures by the sea. Her and Sweeney sitting side by side in the sand, the sun bright over head, the smell of the salty sea air. She jerked out of her daydream instantly. The thought of sea salt had made her instantly think of the salty, oily rag that had been stuffed in her mouth the day before by that awful man.

Sweeney frowned, looking at Mrs. Lovett. One second she had been so relaxed, leaning against him the next she had pulled away, wide eyed and frightened. She must have thought of some upsetting, he realized. He did that sometimes, he'd be sitting alone in his room and a bitter memory would cross his mind out of the blue.

Yet again he felt the need to comfort her and this time he decided not to fight it. He reached out a hand, gently cupping her cheek, his thumb lightly stroking her cheek. He wanted to say something to make her feel better but he couldn't think of the words. Even as Benjamin he had never been articulate.

Nellie felt tears gather in her eyes. It wasn't fair! Not only had that awful man attacked and hurt her but he had ruined her favorite daydream as well. She wondered dimly if they ever did make it to the seaside would she think of that dreadful night every time the wind blew. She was trying not to cry, trying to hold back the tears but than she felt Mr. Todd's soft hands on her face and a thought popped into her head. He did care about her. All of a sudden the tears started falling full force.

Sweeney was taken aback and wondered for a second weather he should pull his hand away. As soon has he had touched her snow white skin she had started crying. He was sitting there, felling more than a little awkward as he tried to decide if he should back away or not when she answer his question for him by burring her face against his chest.

He hesitated, not really knowing what to do for a while until finally he stiffly brought up a hand to rest upon her back in what he hoped was a comforting manor.

Authors notes: . I'm trying to keep them in character although I'm not 100 sure how they would react at some points so I'm just doing the best I can. The weathers so hot already where I live, is it hot where you readers live? I've found the best way to cool off is sherbet I think I'm becoming addicted to the baskin robins lime margarita sherbet, its soooo good!