A/N-Sorry for the long wait. My attention has been going to the book I'm writing during school days and then to this on weekends. So I'm not too sure of this chapter, it's more like a filler with some foreshadowing thrown into it. I was writing this while I watched Torchwood (love that show) and that's really it. But I saw Penelope on Friday night...that was such a cute movie! Total chick flick though...which I love. But anyways...enjoy this chapter!

Disclaimer-You guys know the drill by now. The song is Daughtry's 'Feels Like Tonight'

Feels Like Tonight

Toby shot up at the sound of his door opening, the room too dark to see who it was.

"Toby?" Ben asked, fear in his small voice.

"Wot's wrong, Ben?" he made room for the 4 year old.

"I can't sleep." The child explained as he crawled next to the 16 year old.

"Nightmare?"

Ben nodded his head as he snuggled into the pillow, pulling the blankets up to his chin. Toby sighed and ruffled the 4 year old's hair, a small smile on his pale face. The 16 year old liked being the one Ben went to after having a dream of his parents dying, a memory of long ago coming back to Toby as he chased away the demons (as Ben had put it one night).

"Can you tell me a story, Toby?" his tired voice broke the silence.

"Of course." He answered. "Which one do ya wanna 'ear?"

"The one about the barber and his family. That one's my favorite,"

"Mine too, Benny." Toby whispered as he lay back down. "There was a barber a few years ago, the best in all of London. 'e 'ad a wife who owned the pie shop below 'is shop, and 'e loved 'er like she loved 'im."

"Was the baker beautiful?" the 4 year old asked, like he always did.

"Yes," the 16 year old muttered, the image of a certain baker flashing in his mind. "And they 'ad a son, completing their little family. The son, just like 'is mother, wanted to live by the sea one day...but it would 'ave been 'ard to run their businesses, was wot the barber would say."

Toby looked down to find Ben fast asleep, a smile on his face. He was glad that he was able to keep away someone's nightmares, even if they weren't his own. He remembered all the nights he had stayed up after waking from a nightmare, having no one to comfort him; no one to protect him from his demons. His eyes begin to droop, and he smiled as he saw a familiar face, a familiar voice singing softly to him and only him.

He jerked away, grimacing at the sharp pain in his neck. Toby looked around the barber shop, his eyes slowly adjusting to the dark. It took him a few seconds to remember what the object in his hand was, the feel of the razor almost comforting. Almost. The sound of the small bell caused him to jump to his feet, clutching the razor.

"You okay, Toby?" Ben asked, holding up his hands in surrender.

"Sorry," he muttered, closing the razor. "Bit on edge."

"How come?" the 19 year old asked as he took a seat on his side of the shop.

"Nightmares...memories that are best forgotten." The older man replied as he sat back down, his eyes focusing on the silver object in his hand.

They sat in silence for a while, both lost in their own thoughts. Toby hadn't even realized he was opening and closing his razor until the blade ran across his hand, leaving a small scrap.

"Do you remember the story you would tell me when I couldn't sleep?" Ben's voice cut through the silence. "The one about the barber and his family,"

"Wot bout it?" Toby muttered, his eyes still focused on the razor.

"It was about you, wasn't it?" Ben watched his friend tense as his dark eyes gazed at him. "None it ever happened..."

"It's 'ow things would 'ave been if it worked for us." He whispered, a far away look taking over his features. "It's 'ow I saw us, Ben. In my mind we were a family...something I can't 'ave, even now."

"Toby," Ben started as he saw the dark look cross his face. "Things will better. You'll have your family back in no time."

"Ya don't get it, Ben." There was something about his voice that made Ben feel uneasy. "I will never get my family back! Elizabeth, the woman I love and would die for, married me cos she didn't want to marry the bloke 'er parents 'ad in mind.

"Every day I go downstairs and see 'er down there, looking just as beautiful as the day I first saw 'er, and she doesn't even look at me. It kills me to know that she doesn't love me like I thought she did, to know that I'm as good as dead to 'er." Toby got to his feet and stalked to the window, glaring at his brother-in-law's shop. "You should get some rest for tomorrow. I don't think you wanna be tired for yer wedding."

"Will you be okay, Toby?" the 19 year old asked as he walked towards his friend, not sure he wanted to leave him alone at the moment.

"Yes,"

There was silence as the young barber left the shop, leaving Toby alone with his thoughts. The last week had been hard for him as he adjusted to not having his wife and son with him, not counting the hours Elizabeth spent running the pie shop. Although Toby was grateful that John would come over to see him when he got the chance.

'Ya know ya want to do it, Tobias.' Daniel's voice seemed louder than usual. 'It wouldn't take long either. It'd be simple even.'

Toby looked at the razor still in his hand, contemplating the idea Daniel was encouraging. It was so tempting, he had to admit, but he was better than that; he had to be. To resist temptation, Toby put the silver razor back with the others, his eyes seeing Mr.Todd's reflection in the mirror.

"Ya know that ain't the answer, boy." The ghost pointed out as Toby turned to face him.

"Why do ya think I put it away?" he countered as he walked away from the vanity. "I should be sleeping."

"Than go to sleep,"

"I can't," Toby muttered as he sat in the barber's chair, careful to avoid the pedal. "Every time I close my eyes, all I see are nightmares Mr.T. More than ever, now that Elizabeth's gone."

"That's a shame," the dead barber replied as he looked down at Toby. "Seems as if yer growin' more an' more like me every day."

Toby stared up at Mr.Todd, too exhausted to argue with him.

'It's true, Tobias.' Daniel said as Toby stifled a yawn.

"Mr.Todd,"

The ghost grunted.

"Do you remember the few nights when I couldn't sleep and you would tell me a story till I fell back asleep?" Toby relaxed into the chair as his eyelids began to feel heavy.

"Why?" Mr.Todd replied.

"'ow come ya did it?" he yawned again, growing more tired. "I wouldn't 'ave minded if ya 'ad told me to go back to bed."

There was silence as Toby struggled to stay awake, wanting to hear the answer.

"Cos it was the proper thing to do." The barber finally spoke up.

"But I ain't yer son," he was slowly falling asleep.

"True, but ya considered me yer father. The least I could 'ave done was tell ya a story."

Toby was drifting into a dreamless sleep as he felt Mr.Todd pat hi shoulder, another hand (most likely Mrs.Lovett's hand) pushing back his messy hair. He smiled to himself just as he fell asleep, knowing his parents were there if he needed them.

Did you know every time you DON'T review a barber's apprentice gets whacked in the head with a rolling pin by the baker down stairs, who is still mad at said apprentice for getting her employees drunk. (thank to tenlong for this one)

If you review, you get to spend an afternoon with mini-Todd or Toby (who is feeling neglected since no one wants him). You also get a meat pie! The flavors are:

Priest, the people responsible for not nominating Sweeney Todd for best picture at the Oscars, my bastard of an ex, the three little terrors who caused me to be a bitch today, Depp-bashing friends, Burton-bashing friends, clergy, friar, poet, student, fop, shepard's pie (peppered with actual shepard on top), royal marine, lawyer, my 2nd grade teacher who hated my guts, Judge, and Beadle.

If you don't review Mr.T will come and give you a 'shave', you won't get a meat pie, I'll pull a Mr.T/Mrs.Lovett, or Mrs.Lovett with make you into a meat pie.

S.M.Hoffman