*laughs* oh, you guys and your reviews. Especially you MidnaLovesLinktotheendoftime! I loved the little skit you had going on there! Ha! Keep it up! *Toby grins and takes a shot of whiskey* And everybody, remember that criticism can save me a whole hell of a lot of pissed off readers, so I thank you all! Here's SWEENEY!

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Finally, Johanna had begun to realize what it meant to be whole. She smiled more often, yet she barely left the very sight of her father. Perhaps it was out of fear of his possible leave or out of devotion to her only family member, either way, the barber had no complaints.

Somehow, a particular thought continuously perturbed his mind. Johanna was finally happy, but that was only because she did not know her mother. No doubt, if the girl knew her dear mother only for her to be taken away from the living, then life would not be very joyful. Mr. Todd knew this feeling all too well. Lucy Barker had changed his life, and no matter how glad his daughter was, Sweeney could never fill the hole that Lucy's death had burned into his heart. If only that hole could be filled with the tranquility that Johanna so easily found.

Oddly enough, Mr. Todd had sensed ghosts when he came back to his home. Then, why was there no ghost for his beloved Lucy? Why had he not felt her death, but only a foreboding feeling that she was alive, but ultimately suffering? But, Mrs. Lovett continued with her assurances of Lucy's passing, her eyes for some strange reason, darting to and fro when she told of his wife's fate.

Johanna had been disturbed by the fact that there was no grave for her mother, leaving her only to whisper things to her mother as if she were next to her. On some nights, Johanna would gaze at the cloudy moon, whispering things to her mother, though she was sure that her magnificent mother was an angel. That was the girl's motivation. Her angel…the girl would sit and speak of the outdoors, her father. She would cry of her experiences as a child, only to be comforted by the deafening silence. Nevertheless, Johanna would continue her ritual. The night was where she felt somewhat close to Lucy.

The shops were opened once more. Johanna would stare in awe as she watched her father shave the men, his hands moving in graceful patterns across the faces of the customers. On one day, she was slightly nervous that her father might kill the man, for the night in the bake house still seemed to haunt her. Her father would look up from the man, smile slightly at his daughter, and wipe the cream of off of the shaven cheek.

Still disturbed by her recent behavior, Mrs. Lovett had hired Johanna's help around the shop in hopes of earning the girl's acceptance. Days were long, but Johanna was glad to be doing something productive now that she had a home and a use for her hands.

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Johanna let out a small cough as powder from the pie dough crept into her nose. Johanna then lifted a pitcher of ale and returned outside to the tables of eaters.

Mrs. Lovett spared the girl a cautioned glace before returning back to her tray of pies and bringing them out to the hungry customers, who did not seem to notice the change in ingredients in her pies. As long as she had a reputation, it would not matter.

After Todd had finished with one of the customers, he stepped back outside and gazed upon the crowd of people. Johanna had just finished pouring a kind looking man a glass of ale, when she saw her father outside. Their eyes met and she produced a small smile towards him, almost as if she were shy. Sweeney, never quite the one for full smiles, nodded his head towards her. The girl accepted the small gesture and returned to work, blushing when the men she served whistled at her.

Lucy stepped onto Fleet Street, unable to think of an exact location to which she was destined. People had been talking of Mrs. Lovett's meat pies, and she was starving…With a sigh, the beggar decided to walk by the shop and possibly catch a morsel of pie. Even if it would have to be out of the trash, it would be better than dying. Or would it?

With a laugh, a woman patted Johanna's shoulder after the girl had served her a pie. "Best damn pies in all of England," she cackled, causing Johanna to turn and hurriedly walk back to the booths, glancing every now and again behind her back.

Johanna then saw her. The beggar women was walking on the other side of the road, her head down but her eyes large with hunger as she stared at the people who gorged themselves with the delicacy. A sudden sorrow washed over Johanna. The poor woman was starving! Johanna picked up a meat pie and walked past the tables filled with people.

Sweeney gaped at his daughter as she gestured to the woman with her hand. The girl smiled at the woman and held out a pie to her. People froze and turned to stare at the confrontation. Mrs. Lovett had ceased in serving and stared at the exchange.

"Here you are, madam," Johanna offered. The woman looked upon the pie that the girl held out, uncertain.

"Are you giving this to me?" she asked quietly.

Johanna nodded her head, realization causing her to laugh. "You were the woman, who held me in the alley when those men tried to hurt me, aren't you?"

Lucy nodded her head, recognizing the girl the moment she had laid eyes upon her. "Are you feeling any better?"

Johanna bowed her head. "Much, thank you. Now, please take this pie."

The woman accepted with a grateful, "Thank you," and turned to leave.

"Wait!" Johanna yelled after her. "May I ask for your name so that I may see you again?"

The beggar stood, stunned that someone wished to call upon her as a friend. She cocked her head to one side, deliberating the fact if she should tell the girl her full name.

"My name is Johanna," Johanna said for guidance.

The woman bowed her head once more. "You are truly wonderful, Johanna. My name is Lucy."