Author's Note: I did it!! The next chapter is complete! I'm sooooo sorry for being a slow updater the past few times…I don't know what's come over me…any who, I finally figured out how to check my story stats and this story has … hits!!!! Its like massive for chap 1 but dies down towards the end…:( enough from me. XD oh and thanks Ge for giving me inspiration for this chapter.

Disclaimer: I own not Sweeney Todd but the poor circumstances I am putting him through.

The Rematch

So far Mr. Todd was not doing so well with Mrs. Lovett's customers; in fact he was scaring some of them off. Mrs. Lovett had to chase after her leaving customers and convince them this was a one day thing and it wouldn't be happening again. Fortunately most of them agreed to stay. Anthony was of course doing a great deal better than Mr. Todd and as expected by Mrs. Lovett was attracting more customers than she'd ever seen in her life. She had to admit, Anthony could pull off the dress, maybe if he had a shower first he'd smell like a lady too, but she guesses her customers didn't mind. Adds to attraction really.

Mr. Todd was having the worst day of his life, he had never guessed that getting his youth back would have to involve dealing with temper mental customers. If this was any other day or place he would slice the bastards' throats and possibly Anthony's too if that's what it took to get his youth back. It's not like he was ever good for anything except wearing women's clothing.

"Sir! Excuse me, sir!" Mr. Todd left his customer at hand to follow up after the one that had just called him over.

"Hey! What about my pie?" his, now previous, customer didn't seem to pleased about this.

Mr. Todd shot a glare at him, "What. About it."

The man recoiled in fear, "Nothing." He said all too quickly.

Mr. Todd continued to his new customer, dodging Mrs. Lovett on the way and almost knocking a stack of empty plates out of her grasp.

"Oi! Watch it!" she blared after him. She was ignored.

Mrs. Lovett hurried into the kitchen and placed the dirty dishes into the sink. She turned around and leant on the counter taking a breather for the time being, catching up on how Mr. Todd and Anthony were getting on. Anthony at present was busily trying to chat with a customer whilst pouring several glasses of ale out to all that sat at the particular table. Well there's no doubt that Anthony was not a Sociopath. Mrs. Lovett changed her view to Mr. Todd, he was hurriedly trying to shove a pie in front of a customer.

Oh she wished she could let Anthony win but that was never going to happen whether Mr. Todd had influenced her or not. It was sad in a way, Anthony never getting a chance, always shown up by others and this being just another one of those disappointments.

Just then Anthony walked up to Mrs. Lovett with an empty tray, "Mr. Todd's not doing too well is he?" he said and placed the tray behind Mrs. Lovett on the counter.

"He's trying he's best." she said sympathetically.

"I guess." he grabbed another tray of pies "Best get back to it then." He said happily.

Mrs. Lovett smiled. She had to admire his enthusiasm, too bad it wasn't going to help him in anyway. Mr. Todd had to have moved on to another customer, probably getting too annoyed with the previous one not wanting the pie. Mrs. Lovett wondered if he had always had her wrapped around his finger, most likely. Not that she minded, she liked cleaning and cooking for him, if only he gave her something in return. Maybe that's exactly what he had done last night. If only she knew…

"How many times must I tell you!? I have never had a pie from here!" it was Mr. Todd. He was having another argument.

"But that's ridiculous! How can you work just above and not have had one of these wonderful pies?!" the customer obviously wasn't very good at reading Mr. Todd face because it looked like he was about to burst out and have a killing spree about her shop. Mr. Todd slowly started to lift the empty tray in his hands ready to hit the customer over the head. Mrs. Lovett ran over to save her customer and Mr. Todd's barbering career as well as hers and snatched the tray out of Mr. Todd's hands. The customer's eyes were wide with fright.

"What seems to be the problem, dearie?" Mrs. Lovett asked her frightened customer.

"I-I just umm... asked f-for a S-Shep-p-pard's pie." He stammered out his sentenced.

"Liar!" Mr. Todd bellowed, the man flinched. "You asked if I had tasted the Shepard's pie not that you wanted one."

Mrs. Lovett glared at Mr. Todd, "And that caused you to want to hit him over the head with a baking tray?" she said annoyed.

Mr. Todd looked hurt. "Well, he kept bugging me and insisting I try it and then I asked him how he would know if I should try it seeing how he had just asked me if it tasted good or not." He insisted irritably.

"Ahuh." She nodded and stood between Mr. Todd and the customer and took over the order. Mr. Todd was going bright red with anger, it was bubbling inside of him and all these annoying people were getting on his nerves.

Mrs. Lovett walked off with an order for a Shepard's pie and a jug of ale leaving Mr. Todd to fend for himself amongst the hungry customers.

---

It was mid afternoon by now and Mrs. Lovett had to close up shop as she had run out of pies and stripping the few corpses she had wouldn't be done in due time to serve more today. Mr. Todd was ecstatic on hearing this, this had been and always will be the worst day of his life as Sweeney Todd. Nothing could override the pain and sorrow that was brought down on Benjamin Barker when he was taken from his family and shipped of to the God forsaken island of Australia. Mr. Todd sank into the couch in the living room with a glass of gin ready to be swallowed. Anthony was helping Mrs. Lovett with the last few customers that were finishing off their food ad Toby had already started cleaning. He was just as buggered as Mr. Todd but was not too fond of going to relax with him in the living room.

Mrs. Lovett hadn't really thought of much today except how she was going to break the news to Anthony that he did not in fact win today even though he should have. Best not mention it to him like that. If only her love for the death-obsessed barber was not mind controlling, then this would be piece of cake and she wouldn't care about the consequences that Mr. Todd would inflict on her or the wrath he was to produce on all that crossed his path. Perhaps she could find Anthony after and tell him the truth? No. Mr. Todd would know. He always knows. Sigh… she would have to do as instructed whether it pained her to do so or not.

By now, the last customer had left and they were all gathered in the living room. Toby and Anthony were eager to hear who won, Toby was having a slight suspicion that it was Mr. Todd because of his knowledge of Mrs. Lovett's love for him and Anthony would be only to glad if he won, not that it really meant anything to him. Anthony was fiddling with the tie on the back of his dress as it had come undone whilst he was helping Mrs. Lovett.

Just as Mrs. Lovett was about to speak Mr. Todd spoke up "Mrs. Lovett can I have a quick word with you?" he said quietly, gesturing to the hallway. Mrs. Lovett nodded and they left the room.

"I just wanted to say that I'm glad that you're doing this for me." He tried to make it as sincere as possible, he looked in her eyes and he could see she was buying it "It really means a lot. You, really mean a lot…" he brushed her arm downwards and grabbed onto her hand giving it a squeeze. She smiled at him, her full lips tweaking slightly.

"Anything for you, Mr. T." she whispered. He knew it was true, she didn't lie about things like that and Mr. Todd was only too happy to use it against her.

They went back into the living room looking just as casual as when they had left; Mr. Todd sat on the settee and Mrs. Lovett stood in the middle of the room ready to break the news. Anthony was eagerly sitting on the edge of his seat looking nervously around the room; she could tell he wasn't going to take this easily. Toby was quite the opposite he almost looked asleep, not paying attention as to what was happening around him. But that was his plan. He wanted to make sure that Mr. Todd thought Toby wasn't intrigued as to what he had seen the previous day and he guessed what had just happened out in the hall- and until he was proved wrong he was just as content on protecting Mrs. Lovett from getting hurt.

"Now, I eh, would just like to congratulate all that participated and-and that you all umm, did umm…" Mrs. Lovett looked at Anthony and sighed irritably, "Anthony, dear, I need you to stop fidgeting. You're makin' me nervous." She said with a weak smile.

"Sorry, marm." He stopped moving but just as soon after began hyperventilating, really heavily. Mr. Todd shot him in the ribs with his elbow making him splutter and cough to regain his breath. Mr. Todd nodded for her to continue.

"Thanks, love. As I was saying, you all did well but...Toby had the upper hand in this one."

Toby's mouth dropped.

Mr. Todd's blood began to boil, so much his face was turning red. WHAT?! I had this worked out perfectly! And since when was Toby even apart of this?! There's no way in hell I'm letting that little brat have my precious razors! Mrs. Lovett could see the look of rage in his face and realized that maybe having a little fun with this was not the best idea.

"Jus' kidding, love." Mrs. Lovett added, feeling a little worried as to where she stood in the eyes of the raging barber. He was going to kill her for this, if it was the last thing he did. Mr. Todd stood up, bringing one of his razors into the light so Mrs. Lovett could get his hint.

"So who won then, Mrs. Lovett?" he pressed, through gritted teeth.

"I-I-I was just about to say, Mr. T." she said nervously as Mr. Todd walked closer to her.

"Well then we best get on with it then." Mr. Todd turned his back and returned to his place on the settee.

"It was…Mr. Todd." she pointed to him "He won." And then left the room in a hurry.

Once again Toby's mouth dropped. Anthony got up as Mr. Todd did and went to shake his hand only to be ignored as Mr. Todd, too, left the room in a hurry. He heard a door slam down the hall. He assumed she was now in her room. He went outside and up to his shop and slammed the door behind him making the bells on the top ring louder than usual.

His plan had worked, he may have crushed her spirit in the process, but that didn't matter. All that mattered is that he had his youth back and his razors were firmly in his grasp.

The sun was starting to go down outside, he liked the sunset. It was the sign of all things joyful and bright giving into the darkness and evil of the night. The more he thought about it, it was kind of how Mrs. Lovett had given into him. She was always so cheerful and upbeat and he so dark and gloomy. It was a perfect match in a way, the sun having its time to shine then only to have it stolen by the moon and night. But they were not a perfect match. No. He and Lucy were.

Were. They were a perfect couple. Until the blasted Judge put his foot in and took it all away. Nevertheless, he got him back. It was only a matter of time before the Beadle would come looking for him. It was surprising he already hadn't, he was always on his tail surely he'd notice when his master was missing.

Mr. Todd's plan was still not complete; he still didn't have Mrs. Lovett completely under his control, with that little stunt she pulled earlier. If she had thought about it before hand she would have benefited from doing the right thing, instead she decided to mix things up. She has no one to blame but herself.

---

Mrs. Lovett had run to her room, slammed the door shut and crumpled to the floor in a heap. She was crying, head on her knees. He hair was more frazzled, and her skirt had become slightly damp from her tears.

Why was he doing this to her? She thought she understood, obviously she was wrong. Maybe it was all a lie, a joke. Was toying with her emotions something he enjoyed? Of course it was. But she couldn't help it. It was like a drug, what little she had, she had to have more. It was her weakness. He was her weakness. Anyone who was anybody knew that. Even Toby, she guessed.

Mrs. Lovett brought herself together; she wiped the tears off her face. She got up and walked over to her mirror. She was a mess. It was a good thing they weren't opening shop tonight. She straightened her skirt, breathed in and out a few times to calm herself and then went out side to prepare dinner.

Toby was already sitting at the table even though she hadn't started yet. He noticed her face was pink and only guessed it was from all the crying he had heard. It was no secret; after all, Mrs. Lovett wasn't at all quiet when she cried. If anything, Mr. Todd would've heard her. Not that he would've cared. Toby thought it would be better if he didn't ask her about it.

Mrs. Lovett grabbed a few pots and started making some soup, it was easiest thing she could manage at the moment. Easy enough for Toby.

"Love, can you keep an eye on the food. I'll be back in a tick."

Toby nodded and took her place at the stove.

She needed to talk to Mr. Todd even if it killed her to do so, she was almost too aware in the innuendo she had just placed on herself.

Mrs. Lovett knocked on the door, she could see through the glass he was at the window again. He didn't signal but she decided to go in anyway. The door rang as she closed it behind her.

"I must admit, I was surprised by your little stunt today." Mr. Todd spoke to the window. "But it was rather upsetting at the same time. You see Mrs. Lovett," he turned to face the sidewall but looking at his razor "I trusted you. And you betrayed that." He was speaking with utter most importance. Mrs. Lovett remained in front of the door. Mr. Todd looked at her and walked over to where she stood. He continued to look at his 'friend' and raised it to eye level, twisting it in his hand.

Mrs. Lovett didn't know how to respond to this. He was calm whilst making a very strong point, not something he usually did.

"Thankfully," he continued "you did as I asked and I respect that- but, I can't help but wonder what was going on inside your head."

He saw the fear in her eyes. He couldn't help but smirk at this.

"Mr. T I did as you-

He slammed her into the door pushing his razor onto her neck, exposing her milky white skin.

"Oh, but Mrs. Lovett I did know what you were thinking." He said, almost in a low growl.

Just as this was happening upstairs, Toby was bringing up Mr. Todd's food. It had finished cooking and thought he might help Mrs. Lovett out by bringing it to Mr. Todd himself. Just as he got to the top of the stairs he noticed Mrs. Lovett pressed up against the door, he slinked back a few steps, still being able to see her but out of Mr. Todd's range of vision.

Mrs. Lovett opened her mouth to speak again but he immediately hushed her before she could come out with her plea.

"Come now, Mrs. Lovett, no need to be scared. You know I would never, ever hurt you." He said mockingly.

Even though she was being held up against a door with a blade to her neck, she still felt that burning feeling in her chest. It happened whenever he was close, even when it happened like this.

Mr. Todd sensed this and decided to have a little fun with it. Still holding his razor to her neck he slowly began hitching up her skirts. Mrs. Lovett didn't move. He moved his hand up her thigh and in between her legs and received the predicted reaction from Mrs. Lovett. He lingered there a while, Mrs. Lovett was bewildered at his actions but couldn't manage to suppress a soft moan. After all, it had been years since a man had touched her and it being done by the man she was deeply in love with was all the more desirable.

Mr. Todd leant in and kissed her, he waited for her to respond, Mrs. Lovett realized what was happening and began kissing back. Mr. Todd eagerly pushed his tongue into her mouth, his hand still in between her legs.

Toby was still watching. This was about all he needed to confirm his suspicions on the manipulation of the rematch's outcome. Mr. Todd had indeed cheated, and had used Mrs. Lovett to do so. Toby wasn't the brightest kid on the block, anyone could see that, but he was in no way slow. He was not going to let Mr. Todd do this any longer, God knows what he's going to making her do next… Toby backed down the steps and hurried back into the kitchen to await the return on Mrs. Lovett.

Mr. Todd had done more than kissing Mrs. Lovett this time round, he had to admit, she was good at it. He wiped the clear substance off his fingers on her skirt and stepped away from the red-faced Mrs. Lovett. She righted he skirts and at that left the room.

Mrs. Lovett bustled back into the kitchen; she noticed the tray of food on the counter. Toby must have finished off the cooking. Mrs. Lovett wasn't too keen on going back up to Mr. Todd just yet, afraid of what might ensue. Of course she enjoyed it but she was taken aback by it all, she understood he was acting a bit strange lately but that was just something that she never imagined to happen. Ever.

"Toby, could you take Mr. T his food."

Toby didn't ask questions. He grabbed the tray he had held only moment before and headed up to Mr. Todd. It was his time to shine.

A/N: I'll try my best to update pronto XD