A/N: Well, here we go, chapter four. Sorry this did take a little longer than I expected but schools out now and I can finally dedicate some time to the world of Sweeney Todd. If I may say one thing however, I am a little surprised. I have reached over 300 hits and only 6 reviews. Come on people, I would like to know what you think, how I'm going, if you have any suggestions... You know, the usual. Contrary to popular belief I don't bite. Well here's chapter four... Enjoy (:

Although she was dying too know why Sweeney had taken a sudden interest in Toby she knew not to argue with the man. A simple nod was the only recognition she gave to show that she had heard what he had said. She wasn't happy about this; not in the slightest but being who she was she went off to clean the house singing a tune soft which she used to sing to not only reassure herself but the boy who over time she had gotten used to looking after like a son. "Nothing's ganna harm you, not while I'm around." She sang, her soft, angelic voice ringing through the room and she moved about dusting various bits and pieces.

The baker didn't know why Sweeney hadn't retreated up to his shop like he always used to do, maybe it was to make sure she didn't run, maybe it was to make sure she didn't do anything foolish which was quite possible. Although she was sure that he could hear her singing he paid no attention to it apart from the initial glance he gave her when she started. This is how things went to back to how they were before. Sweeney not talking and quite obviously thinking deeply about something and Nellie running around like a mad woman singing quietly to herself as she did this, that and everything else that needed to be done.

It pained her slightly to see things go back to how they were before as if nothing had happened. Some foolish part of her had thought that now he knew how she felt about him and now he had returned that things might have been a little different, he might actually pay attention to her, to at least try to return her love. Maybe it was just not meant to be.

All too quickly night time came around engulfing Nellie Lovett's shop in the same darkness she had gotten used to these last few months. Usually at night she light up the place but with her being the only one here she simply lived in darkness understanding why Sweeney used to always sit up in his room in the dark. In her earlier years she had always been scared of the dark, a childish fear really considering she used to spent all day chopping up the barbers 'customers'. Over time however the darkness became welcoming, it made it easier to forget certain things and that in which she couldn't forget, well they became easier to deal with.

Neither of them had to speak a word, Nellie simply knew what she had to do next the same way Sweeney knew that it would probably be best if she went alone. Everyone knew that the streets of London were no place for a woman to walk around alone at night but that didn't stop her. She knew what had to be done and it would be quicker and easier if she did it at night. She had to find Toby and try to get him to come home with her. Finding him should be the easy part the most difficult part would be convincing him to come home with her.

Not bothering to grab a jacket Nellie left the shop without another glance back. The wind blasted against her body with each step she took down the deserted street, desperate to find the boy which she had once considered her son and to a certain extent, still did. If she was going to be perfectly honest with herself she didn't have the slightest idea where the boy could be and she didn't know where to check for him. There was only one place she was certain he would not be, at the workhouse. One place down, only the rest of London to look. Great.

It soon became well past midnight, the temperature had dropped considerably and she was ready to drop. It was only then that she decided to call it a night and make her way back home.

In what felt like forever Nellie finally found herself walking through the familiar door of her shop, offering no explanation to the barber as she passed him while he stood there perfectly still waiting for her at the door. As soon as her head hit the side of the couch she half laid on her eyelids came to a close and quickly sleep began to raise its voice passing Mrs Lovett into the world of unconsciousness.

The barber didn't make a sound as his eyes wandered over to the woman who was now passed out on the couch. He didn't need to hear her say the words to know that tonight had been a complete waste of time. The thing was, Toby was out there, somewhere, he knew it. Otherwise how else would the authorities know that Benjamin Barker had returned? Nellie hadn't told anyone and the only other person to have figured it out was Pirelli but he was dead and therefore it was impossible for him to spread the news. Although coming back wasn't exactly a crime they had noticed that when Benjamin returned the Judge disappeared.

He wasn't sure if he was getting blamed for it or if they purely wanted him so he could be drilled with questions but either way, it wasn't going to happen. If they managed to find out what Sweeney and Nellie had been doing on their very own Fleet Street then they would both receive the death penalty. The barber was getting to the point where he would welcome his own death but he didn't want to be responsible for Nellie's death.

Whether or not Toby had told anyone that Benjamin had returned he didn't know but it seemed to be the only explanation of how they had come to find out. Although he would never tell Nellie what he had been doing for the last few months he had been on the run, hiding from the police and no doubt making him seem more guilty then they thought he was. This was why he had offered the sea which, unfortunately Nellie had turned down. He knew she'd come too her senses, sooner or later and accept his offer but until that day he had to put his attention to finding Toby.

Every extra minute he spent around the baker he began wondering what it would be like if they simply packed up and moved to the sea. Surely it wouldn't be that bad and with every minute he spent thinking about it, more than once he imagined himself marrying the woman. It seemed that every time he disappeared without a trace he returned with a new identity. First there was Benjamin Barker, then Sweeney Todd, what now? No, he was still Sweeney Todd just a little different, how though he couldn't pin point.

Walking over to where the woman lay asleep he picked up a folded blanket from the chair next to it and spread it over her, making sure she wouldn't get cold before leaning down and kissing her lightly on the forehead before turning his back and walking out of the room back into the kitchen without a sound.