A/N: Something a bit longer to satisfy you :D
Toby tossed and turned, but he was asleep. Jess had decided she would ride to the town and get the tickets now anyway – she was much faster on her own. Mrs. Lovett stayed by Toby's side, while Sweeney leant against a tree, silently watching.
They had managed to find a small, barely flowing stream, which Mrs. Lovett had parked Toby next to. Every few minutes, she would wet the cloths again – Toby was soaked, but it was keeping him cool and slightly more comfortable.
"This is awful," Mrs. Lovett commented, and Sweeney raised his head. "I have no idea what to do…"
Sweeney didn't say anything. What could he say?
"I mean…it's bad enough we're on the run…but something like this has to happen…right? I mean, it wouldn't be an adventure without it. Right?" Sweeney though she was trying to convince herself, more than him. "But he'll get better. We'll find a doctor and all will be fine."
Sweeney swallowed hard. This feeling inside…what was it? Guilt? Compassion? Whatever it was, it urged him to comfort her, no matter how hard he tried to fight it.
He stepped closer to her, bending down beside her.
"Do you think he'll make it through the night?" she whispered.
Sweeney gazed at Toby. He had stopped moving, his breathing was shallow. His eyes were dark sockets, his skin was white and clammy. It didn't look good.
"It came so suddenly…" Mrs. Lovett breathed. "Maybe it didn't…I should've paid more attention to him…if we had known he wasn't feeling well…maybe we could-"
"Hush."
She immediately stopped talking. His voice was low, but gentle and calm – not snappy like he usually was. It caught her attention.
"He'll pull through eventually." Sweeney fought to find the right words. It was awkward – he felt sappy – but Mrs. Lovett needed it.
He placed a tentative hand on her shoulder, trying to look at her with sympathy. What was he doing? She smiled and glanced at Toby, wetting another cloth and placing it behind his neck.
"Are you sure?"
He wasn't. He didn't even think Toby would make it through that night. He needed a doctor, but it wasn't possible. He nodded and she sighed, but whether it was from relief or anxiety, Sweeney wasn't sure.
Sweeney stayed next to Mrs. Lovett, for moral support. His mind wondered; to Australia, to the boat trip, and eventually back to Lucy, as all thoughts did. Eventually Mrs. Lovett drifted into an uneasy sleep. Sweeney sat against a tree trunk. He was exhausted, but he couldn't let sleep take over – he would have to wait until they were safely on the boat.
Jess returned silently, tying her horse next to the others. She glanced at Sweeney and nodded at him, before going to sit with Toby. He was asleep and still, for once, but he was breathing.
"What do you think?" Jess asked softly, replacing a dry cloth with a damp one.
"About?"
"Toby."
Sweeney sighed. Hadn't he already had this conversation?
"I don't believe he'll make it to Australia. Ships are not kind places…"
Jess closed her eyes.
"Goodnight Benjamin," she said softly, and jumped up, grabbing the branch of a tree. She swung up to a higher branch and lay on it, slightly twisted to match the shape of the tree.
"Toby...wake up," The sun had barely made its way above the horizon before Mrs. Lovett shook him gently. Overnight, his colour had returned and he had stopped shivering.
His eyes opened slowly and he smiled.
"Morning," he whispered. He coughed violently, but it didn't seem to be as bad.
Sweeney stood with the horses – Jess was already on hers.
"Are you able to ride?" Mrs. Lovett asked Toby, and he stood up. He shook a bit, but was able to walk normally.
"Yeah…I think I'm right now," Toby said with a smile, although his eyes still seemed sunken into his skull.
"You tell me if you get dizzy or anything, okay love?" he nodded and she helped him onto the horse.
Sweeney extended his arm to Mrs. Lovett and she climbed on in front of him.
"Will the horses be allowed on the ship?" Mrs. Lovett asked and Jess nodded.
"I watched them board another ship last night – some of the wealthier guests did. I'm sure you can bribe the captain if he says otherwise,"
"Let's get moving,"
Sweeney was more relaxed on this journey; he wasn't so stiff against Mrs. Lovett when she leaned on him. She felt calm with him, hardly afraid that he might try to hurt her. They had all seemed to grow closer together, but she knew he would never look at her the same way as he looked at Lucy. Maybe it was a lost cause…
The town grew closer – soon they would be on their way to Australia. What would happen there? Would they set up a shop and live normally? Would they stay together forever, or would he leave them one day.
Mrs. Lovett shook the ugly thoughts away. For now, she was content with the present.
When they entered the town, the sun was halfway in the sky, but it wasn't very late. Nobody stopped them or gave them strange looks, so they continued.
"Rachel…tickets," Mrs. Lovett called and Jess trotted up, fishing them from her pocket.
She passed them to Mrs. Lovett as they approached the docks.
"Good Morning," a larger-than-life man greeted them, his smile almost wider than his face.
"Morning," Sweeney slid down from the horse, giving Mrs. Lovett an affectionate pat on the leg.
His acting skills were good – his cheeriness was strange and almost scary. It was the first time Mrs. Lovett had seen him smile properly, even if it wasn't genuine.
"You and the family planning for a vacation?" the captain asked, motioning towards the kids.
"We most certainly are. Aren't we kids?"
Toby and Jess nodded enthusiastically, and Mrs. Lovett smiled.
"Now, we've got our tickets – do the horses come with us?"
"Of course – they'll be put in stables at the very back of the ship. You can see them whenever you like,"
Sweeney nodded and handed the tickets over. The captain glanced at the briefly before nodding.
"Seems to be in order – can I have your names – for the census?"
"Benjamin…Thicket. And this is my wife, Abigail," Sweeney helped her down from the horse, and she smiled at the captain. "And our children, Rachel and Thomas,"
"You have a fine family sir. Are you ready to come aboard?"
They all nodded. The less time they spent in town, the less chance someone would have of remembering their faces.
"Alright then," the man stepped aside and turned around. "Peter!"
Immediately, a young boy appeared at his side.
"Take this family's horses to the stables,"
The boy nodded and grinned, waiting for Toby and Jess to dismount. When they had taken the saddlebags off, he happily escorted the horses away.
"That there's my own boy." He said with a proud grin. "Wants to be a stable hand when he gets a bit older…he's practising on my ship,"
Sweeney gazed after him with a content expression.
"When he returns, I'll send him for you – he'll show you your cabins. Until then, feel free to wonder around. This ship ain't the best, but it's comfortable and clean. Enjoy your stay, and please don't feel any hesitance if you need something – just come up and talk to me,"
Mrs. Lovett grabbed Toby's hands, pulling him towards her.
"Do you have a doctor on board?"
"Not at the moment…but we always have a doctor on our journeys. Is it urgent?"
"Oh, no. Thomas will be okay for now, would you be able to send the doctor to us when he arrives." Mrs. Lovett asked pleasantly.
"Of course ma'am,"
Sweeney held the crook of his elbow out for Mrs. Lovett, and she took it happily. They strolled across the deck of the ship – the captain was telling the truth, it wasn't the best. Jess and Toby followed, their excitement bubbling over.
"Mum! Can we go to the sides?" Jess asked, a wide grin on her face.
"Look out for each other and stay together," Mrs. Lovett nodded.
"And don't lean too far over the edges!" Sweeney called after them, a small smile on his face.
Mrs. Lovett was enjoying this little game of families. She loved being able to call these kids her children, and she loved the care that came with being a mother. She glanced up at Sweeney, who was still wearing that smile. Mrs. Lovett liked to believe that he was enjoying it too, but there was no way she could confirm it. He glanced down at her.
"What?"
"Nothin' Benjamin…" she said, resting her head on his arm.
He tensed again, but relaxed. The contact annoyed him, but he was getting use to it.
"Ya know, calling you Benjamin reminds me of the old days," she grinned.
"Hush,"
"Why? There's nobody aro-"
"Don't bring it up. If you want me to forgive you, then the best thing for me to do is forget the whole incident. Forget my past,"
Mrs. Lovett was stung. Forgive her? Hadn't he already done that? Sweeney mentally cringed. That wasn't what he had meant to say – it had come out all wrong. Of course he forgave her, although it had taken a while to fully convince himself.
"Forget?" she asked, pulling away from his arm.
He turned to look at her, mentally kicking himself for making her make a scene. Oh well…couldn't back down now.
"Yes, forget," Learn forgiveness and try to forget…isn't that what she had always said? Women…
"Then why are we going to Australia?"
Oh…. He faltered, rubbing his temples as he tried to look for a suitable answer.
"Look…I didn't think of it like that…" he started. "Australia was far away from England. Nobody would ever find us. It seemed safe,"
Mrs. Lovett frowned. "What's in Australia…"
Sweeney closed his eyes, and Mrs. Lovett joined him again, linking arms. They started walking before Sweeney spoke.
"It's hot." He said and Mrs. Lovett nodded. "There's not much there…just the convicts…"
"Towns?"
"No…" Sweeney trailed off. Maybe Australia wasn't such a good idea…
"We can't take our children there," Mrs. Lovett voiced Sweeney's thoughts.
"You're sure?" he didn't want to back down straight away.
"Quite sure. If there are no towns, there's no food…or shops…" she continued and Sweeney finally nodded.
"Fine. We'll get off with the crowd and find our way from there,"
Mrs. Lovett nodded, satisfied. The captain's son ran up to them, beaming.
"You sure have fine horses sir," he commented and Sweeney nodded humbly. "They're sheltered at the very front – here's the key to their stalls. There's a reinforced area for the horses on this ship – but you have to be with them while they are in it."
"How nice," Mrs. Lovett said, grinning up at Sweeney.
"Follow me to your cabins?"
"Lead the way,"
A/N: Awwz, they ish couple. Ugh. Sweeney Todd is weird in my head when he tries to be friendly. Yeah...I got about halfway through this chapter when I realised that it was 1785 and Australia wasn't populated yet -.- Epic Fail. Anway...Review please :D I see you 25 people who have come to this page. Please say something :D :D :D
