A/N Short and late.. Meep! Oh well, there's some much needed plot development in this chapter. I think I've screwed up in my portrayal of the judge, but you never know how long he's going to last anyway... Also, I'm working on a school project so I might miss my next update. Toodles-

25

All forms of communication pathetically dwindled to nothing as Toby and Sweeney continued their trek. The boy began to wonder if Mr. Todd even knew where they were going, after all, his head could be just as injured as the rest of his body. But as they reached another street corner, the man made a decisive turn, then stopped.

Toby assumed they either finally made it to their destination, or they were lost.

"You're done aren't you? You're just dawdling to make me out as a fool! Where is it?"

Mayhew began to seriously wonder if the judge had snapped under the stress of the long day.

"She's in there with my Johanna.."

He sighed, the man wasn't crazy. At least, not in the way Mayhew hoped. He was simply incredibly possessive of his ward.

"I have something." He finally cut it, getting a little fed-up with the man's ranting.

"Give it here!"

"May I suggest something?"

"What?"

"Have them come down to the parlor." This was it.. his stupid, ingenious plan.

"Why?" Turpin huffed, acting like a three year old.

"So you can lace her drink without accidentally poisoning Johanna."

"Bamford!" He suddenly shouted, nearly making Mayhew jump.

"Yes milord?" The man appeared as if out of thin air.

"Fetch Johanna and her.. guest. We'll be having a meeting in the parlor."

The beadle nodded his head and disappeared soundlessly. James always found it rather creepy a man of his size could slip around unnoticed.

Turpin held out his hand, and when all Mayhew did was stare at it, he cocked an eyebrow and hissed "well?"

It felt as if the room suddenly dropped in temperature as he handed over the phial.

"Just down this street.." The barber's pace quickened, as if to make up for the time spent standing still.

Toby knew better than to assume Mr. Todd was talking to him, so instead he cast the barber what was surely the millionth uneasy glance that day. The delighted and crazed look in the man's eye seemed to grow sharper at every step they took.

The pair suddenly halted, again.

"I suppose tha's the place." Toby grumbled, staring uneasily at the crowd of drooling Londoners that were positioned around the gate.

Mrs. Lovett did not particularly want to leave the security of Johanna's room; if a place in the home was even secure, but she felt she had little choice when the beadle came to inform them they were invited downstairs.

Invited in her own home, really! Johanna didn't seem to find it that odd though. In fact, she forced a smile for the beadle and said they would be down in just a moment. He tipped his heat but waited at the doorway anyway. Both woman took this as a sign they were to hurry.

Immediately feeling suspicious, Mrs. Lovett kept a tight hold on her rolling pin.

Turpin brushed at a patch of powder on his vest, starting to frown when it didn't disappear. He growled and began to vigorously rub at the spot until the sound of a clearing throat brought him back to reality.

"What is it?" He snapped.

"They're on the stairs." Mayhew walked past him and into the study. He didn't want her to see him just yet, but he needed to be closer than his makeshift lab. Luckily Turpin didn't question his actions.

"I think we can jus' walk past 'em sir."

The scowl remained fixed on Sweeney's face.

"They ain't doin' nothin'." Toby continued. "More than they normally don't do."

As the barber's silence continued the boy grew nervous.

Without a word he started to walk (or really limp) towards the door of the house. Toby didn't see a flicker of fear or hesitation in the man's eyes as he neared the horde, so he hurried after him. They didn't move as they walked past them, in fact, they seemed completely unaware that they were there.

Sweeney's smirk had turned into a grin by the time they reached the door. It was unlocked.

"So nice of ya ta 'ave us down." Mrs. Lovett drawled, feeling immediately angered just by being in the judge's presence. She also felt slightly frightened, but tired her best to make sure that it didn't show through.

A forced smile twitched at the corner of the man's mouth.

Johanna looked between the two before hurriedly taking Mrs. Lovett's arm and guiding her to a chair. She took the one next to it, feeling oddly nervous as she did so. Perhaps it was the glare that Turpin had fixed on Mrs. Lovett, or the one she was sending back at him. But it could have been something else.

"Is there a reason you wanted us sir?" She asked politely, not knowing quite knowing which of the two adults seemed more intent on killing the other with their eyes.

"Tea." He choked out, dragging his eyes to the table.

"Ya bloody well called us down for tea? We coulda done fine in her room!"

"Silence!" Turpin snarled, quickly losing all pretense of being polite.

Eleanor, Mayhew thought with a smile; head pressed against the study door. Her temper could always runaway with her. He quickly wiped the smile off his face as the shouting continued. James had planned on calmly walking into the parlor (eventually) and hopefully manage to prevent her from consuming any laced tea which the judge offered her. He had, unfortunately, been holding a phial of the stuff when the judge stormed in.

James winced at the loud shouts coming through the door, suddenly doubting Eleanor would ever even drink any tea.

"-you bitch!"

"Oh! 'Ow dare ya!"

Having vacated her chair almost right after she sat in it, Mrs. Lovett was now standing next to the coffee table, the judge just across from her.

"How dare I what?" He snarled.

As if to prove some point Mrs. Lovett brought up her rolling pin and swung at Turpin. He caught her arm and pulled her forward, forcing her face to be inches from his.

"Don't try that in my house again."

Furious, Mrs. Lovett pulled herself out of his grip and swung again.

This time she caught him in the side of the head, sending him to the floor in a crumbled heap.

"Ha!" She practically screeched, pointing her rolling pin at him. "Try what?!"

The study door burst open, and her attention immediately transferred to it. "Eleanor!" James gasped, gawping at the scene. The beadle was staring at the crazed looking baker in shock, Johanna remained in her chair attempting not to look at anything, and the judge, well; the judge was still on the ground.

"James?" Her voice had turned calm, and she simply stared at him.

Considering the first door he attempted to open was full of frightened maids, Sweeney decided he needed a better means of locating Mrs. Lovett, or the judge.

What sounded like shouting suddenly echoed down the hall, causing Toby to go rigid.

Sweeney figured who ever was on the other side of the door was who he was looking for.