A/N: I am so sorry for the long wait. I hope this chapter makes up for the delay.

I want to thank: diggydog, KMN91, Makrciana, ForeverACharmedOne, Amelia Badguy, Ms. Imaginative, TinkerbellxO, Silver Coco Dove, Labyrinth Fan 23, xOXxDayDreamingGirlxOX and xBelekinax.

Disclaimer: I do not own Sweeney Todd.

Chapter 25

Sweeney was going insane from the wait. He was situated in front of his window, sharpening one of his razors, while gazing outside the glass. His eyes were glued on Mr. Logan's shop just across the street. He had been sitting there for hours, waiting for Eva to appear, but she hadn't. His intention was to catch her leaving the shop so he could trail after her and ask her for explanations. He wanted to know what she had meant that day. What was she hiding and what was so important that she was sure he'd harm her if he knew?

As always, his devious mind went to the judge; he thought that perhaps she had done something with him. If it wasn't for that, why else would she fear his reaction to her secret? Perhaps it had something to do with something that had happened in the past? Something he didn't know from her life after prison?

Those thoughts had been plaguing him for a week now. He had to talk to her and this time he wouldn't leave without answers.

He pulled away from the window with a growl and snatched his jacket from the hanger. He tore open the door and descended down the stairs quickly.

"Where you're going, Mr. T? It's almost rush time." Mrs. Lovett said as she looked up from the table she had been scrubbing.

"Don't wait for me. I'll be late." He called from over his shoulder, not stopping his stride towards the grocery store.

"Strange man." The baker muttered as she carried on with her cleaning, a scowl on her pale face.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Mr. Logan looked up from his old yellow notebook when Sweeney entered his shop.

"May I help you?" The older man asked when he saw the barber's eyes perusing the entire shop.

"Yes…Is Ms. Chapman here?" He asked gruffly.

"No…she didn't come today. A strange thing if you ask me. She is usually never absent from work." Mr. Logan said with a furrowed brow and Sweeney's eyes narrowed in confusion.

"She is not here you say?" The barber asked and Mr. Logan nodded.

With a groan and an undignified curse Sweeney turned and exited the shop, earning a disapproving glare from the older man.

"People today." He muttered as he got back on his business.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Sweeney knocked forcefully on Eva's door since he saw that there was light in the house from the window. Once the door was opened several moments later, the barber opened his mouth to speak.

"Where on earth have you been, woman-…" he trailed off as his eyes looked down to see the young face of Eva's son looking up at him uncertainly. Sweeney closed and opened his mouth several times, resembling the face of a fish and Oliver looked up at him curiously.

"Do you want to see momma?" The child asked and Sweeney cleared his throat.

"Yes, as a matter of fact I do, lad." He said as softly as he could. He didn't know how to speak to a bloody child!

"She's sleeping." The child said while biting his lower lip and Sweeney took his time in studying the boy' face. His face was familiar, but he couldn't quite place it. He had never noticed before.

"Is she? At this hour?" The barber muttered with confusion.

"She's been asleep all day…I think she is sick." Oliver said as his eyes started welling up with moisture.

"Let me pass then." The barber said harshly as he passed by the boy and headed for Eva's dim lighted room. Oliver shut the door and hastily scurried after the barber with his small legs. Sweeney rolled his eyes when the child almost stumbled over his own feet to get into the room before him. Sweeney finally entered Eva's room and Oliver was already situated next to his mother who was still sleeping with a thin layer of sweat covering her face. The barber frowned and leaned over to touch her skin with the back of his hand.

"Bloody hell. How long has she been like this, boy?" Sweeney asked, turning to the child with wide eyes.

"All day." Oliver whispered as he looked between the barber and his mother with red eyes.

"Move out of there. The last thing I need is for you to fall ill while I'm here." Sweeney said as he reached over and pulled the child off the bed.

"But-But, momma makes me dinner at this hour every evening. And now she is sick and how-…" Oliver started hesitantly.

"Silence!" The barber hissed and the boy gulped.

"You haven't eaten?" he asked through gritted teeth and when the child nodded he groaned.

"Go to the kitchen and stay there." He commanded and the boy reluctantly did as he was told.

Sweeney muttered under his breath and headed for the small washroom next to Eva's room. He picked up a cloth and soaked it in cold water before he brought it to Eva. He removed his jacket and sat down next to her before he placed the cool cloth on her burning face. He felt her shudder under his hand and sighed.

"How many times do I have to care for you?" He asked her. but his comment was not laced with venom, it was quiet and hoarse. He placed the cloth firmly on her forehead and stepped back. He regarded her sweat soaked dress and frowned. He pushed back the covers and hesitantly reached for the ties of her dress. If she wore lighter clothes she would not be so warm. He pulled the heavy dress from her with little effort and then drew the covers back over her. He pulled back from her and regarded her with intense eyes. He once more reached over to touch her face with his hand, but this time instead of checking her temperature he started stroking her face with gentle fingertips.

"We have nothing to eat…Momma didn't cook today." Oliver's voice made Sweeney jump and he quickly withdrew his hand from Eva's cheek.

"Didn't I say you ought to stay in the kitchen?" The barber asked irritated as he stood up from the bed and passed by Oliver to get to the kitchen. The child followed him eagerly and quickly took a seat on one of the chairs. The barber took off his vest as well and placed it on a chair before he turned to look at the boy.

"Where does your mother keep the eggs?" He asked, not believing what he was about to do. Eva would kill him if she found out that he left her child unfed while she was ill.

"I don't know…" The child mumbled and the barber sighed heavily before he started searching every cupboard that was in the kitchen until he found what he was looking for. He boiled three eggs and then placed them in front of the boy. He found bread and cheese and then sat down across from the child who was looking at the eggs with hesitation.

"Eat." Sweeney said as he looked at the child.

"They still have the shell on." Oliver said with a pout.

"Peel it then." The barber replied monotonously.

Oliver heaved a sigh and did as he was told. Apparently the eggs were fresh and peeling the shell was not an easy task for him.

"Oh, give them to me already!" Sweeney snapped suddenly as he took the eggs from Oliver and quickly removed the shell before he handed them back to him.

"Pepper? I always put pepper on my eggs." Oliver said quietly and Sweeney glared at the child.

"I don't know where the pepper is, you insolent mini-devil!" He snapped and Oliver narrowed his eyes in confusion.

"What's insol…insole-…"

"For God sake's! Are you going to eat or not?" The barber obviously had enough of the child's demands which were not much, but for him they were huge.

"I'll eat." Oliver mumbled as he started eating slowly and with small bites that reminded Sweeney of Eva.

Sweeney stood up and headed for the bedroom, leaving Oliver to his food. He walked over to her and removed the wet cloth, earning a displeased moan from her.

"Eva? Are you awake?" he asked as he leaned over her. The only response he received was a mumbled sentence and a cough. The bloody woman had caught a cold. He replaced the cloth on her forehead and sat back on the bed to look at her. What was he supposed to do? Leave or stay? He wasn't sure. Would she be pleased if he stayed or would she verbally abuse him for his interference?

"I am done." Oliver said from the doorway while looking at the bed with tentative eyes.

"Right." Sweeney mumbled as he spared him a glance and then looked at his lap with a sigh. When the boy didn't move to go to his room or wherever he went after dinner, Sweeney looked up.

"What?"

"I'm sleepy."

"Then sleep." Sweeney snapped with annoyance. He should not be around children.

"Who's going to tuck me in? Mommy's still sick." The child said close to tears.

"Your mother will be fine." The barber said as he felt something pulling at his chest at the boy's teary face.

"But-…"

"Go to bed, boy." The barber murmured and Oliver looked at his mother one more time before he turned and walked to the next bedroom.

Sweeney sighed and sat there for a while, trying to remember who exactly the child reminded him of. Thinking that perhaps he could remember if he studied him enough he stood up from Eva's bed and headed for the boy's room. Once he entered he winced for the child was still awake.

"This side is wrong. Can you help me, sir?" Oliver asked as he touched the right edge of his covers. Stifling a groan, Sweeney walked over and leaned down to tidy the covers before he tucked the boy in properly.

"Good enough?" he asked gruffly and Oliver nodded happily. The barber moved back and looked at the candles hesitantly. Should he blow them out?

"You can blow out the candles. I'm not scared of the dark." Oliver's muffled voice answered his question and Sweeney fought the urge to smirk.

He diminished the light and then exited the room without another word.

He returned to Eva and sat down on the bed, stifling a yawn. He looked at her still slumbering form before he shrugged and lied down next to her. He got under the covers and turned his back to her. He fell asleep to the feeling of a warm body snuggling up to him. He had never slept better.

End of chapter 25

Author's note: Thank you for reading. Liked it? Hated it? Please review and tell me your thoughts!

Xxx Lina :)