"Eleanore." The judge smiled at her "How are you, my dear?"

The baker swallowed hard and had to clear her throat to answer. "F-fine sir. Wot can I get for ya?"

"An ale if you please, and one of your meat pies."

"I'm out of pies for the night I'm afraid, but I could give ya a fruit pie?"

"A fruit pie it is then." He nodded "Thank you."

Eleanore nodded and scampered away to fetch his order. Her hands were shaking so terribly when she poured the ale, she spilt a lot of it over her counter. Glancing outside again she realised that there weren't many people in her shop now. Two men were drinking together and a young couple were in the process of leaving. She hoped that the two men wouldn't follow soon, then the Judge would be alone with her.

Fear took over her body at the thought and she glanced to the stairs that led to Sweeney's apartment. Please come down...

Placing the pie on the plate for him she made her way back over to the Judge with his ale and tried to control the tremble in her hands. The Judge said little and simply thanked her and paid her a generous tip.

"Wot brings ya here ta me shop at this hour sir?" She asked, unable to help herself.

"Why, can I not visit my neighbours?" He sang.

The baker looked at him coldly, not believing him for a second. "Ye've never set foot 'ere in over fifteen years, sir. Last time ya did it was to lock me in bedlam and take away a baby from a loving mother."

"A mother who tragically passed away." He said calmly, his tone painfully condescending. "I had a duty."

"I was her mother. I considered 'er mine. So ya did take 'er from a lovin' mother." The baker's voice trembled with suppressed rage and pain.

Turpin surveyed her with curiosity as she placed down his pie and drink then swiftly made her exit again. This woman was renowned for being one of the most feisty women in all of London who'd battered two thugs and saved a man. She threw out men herself when they became too rowdy in her shop and she made it very clear what she thought of you. Yet whenever he was around, she was often demure. Submissive. He knew right there and then that he wanted her, badly.

"Mrs Lovett!" Called one of the two men sitting together "Our bill if ye please!"

Eleanore approached hesitantly, with her jug of ale still in hand. "Leavin' so soon gentleman?"

"As much as we love ya company we 'ave work tomorrow." Said the other.

"Yes, duty calls." His friend stood with a smile as he dug into his pockets for money. "Ow much do we owe ya?"

"Uhm well, that'll be four pounds in total for the both of ya, please." She said. She didn't want these men to leave, these were two of her regulars and despite being a little loud they were perfectly harmless and always respected her. She knew as soon as they'd leave she would be alone, with him. And that was beginning to terrify her. Where the bloody hell was Sweeney? He could kill him right now!

"Lovely dinin' here as usual." The man tipped his hat and offered her a smile "See you next week."

She forced a smile and bid them farewell, watching with growing helplessness as their figures disappeared into the night. She was alone now, she would simply need to keep her wits about her and distract herself by clearing up. She danced around the tables, collecting glasses and dishes while the Judge ate in silence.

As she wiped the tables she could feel his eyes on her from behind, watching her like a hawk would a mouse. She tried her hardest not to react and simply dashed into her shop to start washing the dishes that were waiting for her in the sink.

A few minutes later the shop door opened and in stepped the Judge with his empty plate and glass in hand. He cleared his throat and nearly made the baker have a heart attack as he approached her from behind and slipped his dishes into the sink. Her chest heaving, she turned to him and immediately noticed how close he was, so she took a step back and tried to wipe the fear off her face. She didn't want to give him the satisfaction.

"Mista Turpin." She breathed.

"Eleanore." He responded.

She looked to the dishes he had placed in her sink and wiped her wet hands on her dress "Um, there's really no need for ya ta bring ye dishes in me shop. I'm more than capable of takin' them out for ya."

"I wanted to do it myself." He said firmly, his tone a little colder and less friendly than before. An excruciating silence passed between them when Eleanore finally had the courage to ask him something she wasn't sure she really wanted to know the answer to.

"Why are you really here, your honour?"

"If you truly want to know, I have been meaning to visit you for quite some time now. You have been...on my mind quite a lot you see." He continued "I've been admiring you from afar since that morning I met you in the market. Then at the courthouse, I wished to know if you would join me for dinner this Sunday at my manor. I was rather distracted in your presence, however, and I never got around to asking you. So I will ask you now."

Eleanore tried to swallow the lump in her throat. What choice did she have? No one refused Judge turpin! The last time she had defied him he had slung her into bedlam to rot. She could not go back there, not when she had Toby to look after. And Sweeney...she'd never see him again...

"Well I, er ya see I'm awfully pre-occupied this Sunday." She started. Yes, be neutral she thought. Let 'im think that I would if I didn't 'ave a previous engagement. Stroke 'is ego... "I have a whole family that I'm hosting in me shop for dinner. I'm sorry, but I can't."

His lips formed a tight line, but his tone was calm "I see. Perhaps another time then."

"Another time." She nodded, desperate for the conversation to be over so he could just leave her alone.

But the Judge didn't leave, he remained where he stood watching her and she began to feel the bile rise in her throat again. She could sense he had expected something out of her, something she wasn't ready to give. She only prayed he wouldn't take it forcefully.

With her hand still shaking, she tucked a curl behind her ear and intended for her tone to come out firm when she said;

"It's awfully late now, sir. I'm gonna close up me shop an' get some rest. Thank you for the tip." Her voice, however, was far too shaky and while she knew she was good at hiding her fear, he could most certainly hear it.

"Are you afraid of me?" He asked huskily.

She shook her head and tried not to whimper. "No."

The Judge smiled at her like a Cheshire cat and moved a little closer "Weren't you ever taught that lying is a sin?"

Eleanore's hands began to shake. She glanced over to the parlour door in the hopes that someone, anyone would come in and help her. She was far too afraid to fight back, Turpin had that strange effect on her. He something of her nightmares. He was human, with human qualities and attributes - and that was what made him so utterly terrifying.

"It's not who ye are that scares me, sir. It's what you can do." She said bravely, willing her courage to come back to her and saying what she had wanted to say to him in over fifteen years. "I saw wot ya did ta the Barkers. The way ye banished an innocent man from 'is family, the way ye violated 'is wife when he couldn't protect 'er-"

The Judge let out a chuckle that startled her during her speech "You're far too naive, Eleanore. I can assure you it was consensual and we were having fun." He told her casually, and she could hear the pride oozing from his voice. "You know yourself that I don't take kindly to false accusations..."

Rage began to bubble within her. A memory flashed in front of her eyes of a broken and sobbing Lucy Barker bursting through the door in the early hours of the morning, her dress torn and her face stained with tears. She thought of Edith, one of the strongest women she had ever met recalling that night with Turpin and the tears that had fallen down her cheeks like rain.

"Mista Turpin, a word of advice." She gritted her teeth as her throat clogged and her eyes burned. "When a lady's cryin' after you've been intimate with 'er...she ain't havin' fun!"

The Judge didn't appear to be fazed by her emotional outburst, that usual smirk was still present on his lips as he looked into her eyes. "We could have fun, Eleanore."

The baker paled and she instantly froze as terror took ahold of her ability to move.

Do something! Her mind screamed. Run! Scream! Anything! But she couldn't, her body was out of her control. All she could do was tremble like a frightened rabbit, ready to bolt but too scared to make any sudden movements in the presence of the wolf.

The Judge stepped closer and when her back hit the wall she let out a frightened cry. The lust in his eyes blazed like fire and his gaze wandered to her chest which heaved in her corset. He moved a hand to her hip, aware of how stiff she felt under his touch.

"You are very beautiful when you are afraid." He told her, so close to her she could feel his breath on her face.

Tears sprung to her eyes as the images of Edith and Lucy were replaced with her face. No. She would not become them, she couldn't.

"P-please," She whispered in one last effort to dissuade him, but she knew it was futile.

The Judge buried his face in the crook of her neck, relishing in the softness of her skin and her divine scent. His hand reached for her breast when a loud crash sounded above them, halting him.

After a few seconds of silence, he continued and when his lips met her neck something inside the baker finally snapped. With a gasp, her hands shot up of their own accord to push him back but Turpin was anticipating her reaction and pinned her wrists against the wall while he continued to devour her neck with his lips and teeth.

He had obviously done this before, she could tell.

Eleanore cried out and the very second she did, footsteps came down the stairs to Sweeney's apartment and the barber entered, seemingly looking for her. "Eleanore, wheres the-"

The Judge jumped back from the baker like he'd been burnt when he noticed the barber's presence by the door. Sweeney surveyed the sight in front of him in shock. Turpin was here, not only that he had walked in on something between him and the baker, something bad.

Eleanore was ashen-faced and her wrists were still stuck to the wall where he had seen Turpin pinning them. Tears were glistening in her lovely dark eyes and Sweeney's blood boiled as he realised just what he'd walked in on. Or rather interrupted.

"What the hell do you think you are doing?" He growled.

The Judge adjusted his coat and stumbled over his words to reply. He had not expected someone to interrupt them, let alone a very scary barber who may or may not have been the baker's lover if the rumours were true.

"My apologies sir, I think I have overstayed my welcome. I shall take my leave." He turned to face Eleanore who was still frozen against the wall. He bowed "Good evening, Eleanore."

Without another word he turned and made a swift exit from the shop, leaving the barber and the baker to make sense of everything that just happened. Once the Judge was finally away from her, Eleanore let out a cry and slid down the wall, burying her face into her skirts as she sobbed quietly.

Just as she did, Sweeney raced forward to follow the Judge out the door. Why hadn't he brought his razor with him? He could have finished him! The bakers soft cries stopped him mid-stride and he turned to kneel in front of her in concern.

"Are you alright?" He asked, afraid that he had been too late. When she didn't answer and continued to cry he grabbed her shoulders and shook her a little "Answer me! Did he hurt you?"

"N-no!" She cried out, raising her tear-soaked face to look at him. "He...I'm okay, y-you stopped 'im before he could start..."

A sense of relief washed over the barber, but his heart broke for the woman at his feet. He'd never seen her so vulnerable before. Hell, a mere month ago he'd watched as she beat the shit out of two fully grown men in her nightgown while she was half asleep. Turpin was a whole other evil, and it was now clear to him now that his infatuation with Eleanore at the courthouse ran far deeper than a simple infatuation. It was just like before, fifteen years ago.

The realisation was sickening.

Without a word, Sweeney bent down to help her up from the ground and she raised her eyes to him questioningly. "Are-aren't ya gonna go after 'im?"

"No." He said quietly, pressing his hand to the small of her back and guiding her through the parlour into her room where he sat her on the bed.

When she swept back her hair to touch the tender skin of her neck he realised that Turpin had drawn a little bit of blood and he tried hard to conceal his rage. Moments later he was wiping at her neck with a cloth while Eleanore stared blankly ahead. Soon his hands turned to the strings of her dress to help her take off her dress for bed.

Her confused gaze turned to him as he gestured for her to slip under the covers of her bed and put her duvet over her like a parent tucking in a child. Eleanore watched him closely, surprised by his tenderness. She was still unhappy with him, but after he'd stopped Turpin she was grateful. She'd almost missed her conflicting feelings for this man - she could never hate him for long.

"Why did ya come down?" She asked him quietly, unable to take the silence.

"I smashed the picture of Lucy." He told her softly "I needed the broom."

Eleanore frowned "Ya coulda jus' taken it yerself or told me - ya know I'd always clean up ya mess. Even if it was an accident..."

"I wouldn't have expected you to clean up after me like a maid," He told her, fixing the cover so it fell over the end of her bed "And besides it wasn't an accident."

"Ye smashed it deliberately?" She inquired, when Sweeney didn't respond but gave her a look in confirmation, she pressed "Why?"

Sweeney sighed and shook his head. In an effort to destroy Lucy's memory entirely with Benjamin baker perhaps? He wasn't entirely sure.

"I don't know." He sighed "I break everything I touch."

Eleanore didn't respond but she felt something resonate deep from within her when he said that. In that instant she wished nothing more for peace and unity between them, when would this exhausting dance between them end? Perhaps the first step was letting go and accepting what was. It had taken Sweeney a long time to do so, but she felt as if life was finally starting to get the better of him.

She watched as he turned and made his way to her bedroom door, thinking that she didn't want to be around him. At the thought of being alone again, Eleanore sat up and fearfully cried "Wait!"

Sweeney paused, his hand on the doorknob when he turned to face her.

Eleanore swallowed, feeling rather foolish at what she was about to ask next. "Would ya stay with me 'ere tonight...?"

Sweeney raised an eyebrow, surprised by the notion that she actually wanted to be around him after the way he had blatantly ignored her all day. "Is that what you want?"

Her eyes welled a little as she nodded and Sweeney obediently took off his jacket and placed it on the chair in the corner of the room which he lowered himself into. He wouldn't push it by climbing into bed with her. The woman had just been assaulted and what she needed right now was to feel protected, he could do that without making her uncomfortable and tonight he would do it. And next night and the next, if that was what she truly needed.

Eleanore turned over onto her side and could feel the barbers presence as he watched over her. Soon enough, she felt safe enough to close her eyes and drift off.

~o0o~

Grange Park Estate

East London

Henry Wilkins didn't even attempt to look cheery as the carriage escorted him to his bosses lavish rented property. Another night they were currently conducting their meetings of the London Thorns.

The last week had been a large blow to their gang, especially himself. It wasn't every day you found out your brother was a snitch, and it wasn't every day that you had to stand back and allow said brothers murder. However, orders were orders and Henry was incredibly loyal to the man that led their gang, but there was no denying he had loved his brother dearly. His death was taking a great toll on him, not that he would tell any of his fellow associates that - he couldn't afford to have his reputation and image tainted.

Stepping out of the carriage and into the homes beautiful drawing-room he was hit instantly by the harsh scent of tobacco and women's perfume. Gathered around a table playing poker was around six men, with a few others scattered in the corners along scantly clad women wrapped around them. Escorts he realised, a gift his boss would often bestow upon the gang when they did a good job on a raid like the other day. Last night they had attacked and robbed a group of men at the docks – they'd come it with a rather healthy swad of money.

"Ah - 'Enry!" Cried one of their oldest members and his closest friend, Frank. Otherwise known to him fondly as Butcher Bill, because he had no mercy when he butchered those who got in his way. Much like himself. "Glad ye finally arrived - yer just in time for a game of poker!"

"Five pounds says I'll beat ya." Came another friend of his, Joesph - the best pick-pocket in all of London. Quick-Fingered Joe. Upon his lap was a favourite whore of his whom Henry could never remember the name of - she was older than him and always had far too much makeup on. Joe, of course, was never interested in his whore's faces and – like his Boss who had impregnated one five years ago – seemed to favour a particular whore over the others that offered themselves.

"Where's Boss?" He asked in response.

"With Violet upstairs," said Joe, stomping out his cigarette on the table and sliding a handful of coins over to the centre. "Oh, by the way - he wants to speak to you about last night. He told me to send you up when you arrived. You'd best go up now and get it over with - we'll save you a game."

"Cheers." He grumbled, not interested in playing any card games tonight. He took off his coat and hat and flung it on one of the highbacked chairs as he made for the grand staircase, passing a few other members of their inner circle as he did.

As he turned the corner into the hall he came upon Doug Hermand in one of the corners by a window seat, straddled by one of the whores with his hands up her skirt. When he saw Henry, he quickly stopped what he was doing and became afraid, but Henry simply passed him with a glare that could melt steel. He was not done with him yet, but he had other business to get down to with his boss first.

As he walked down the hall, approaching the door at the end where his boss had claimed an office, a door opened and out poked the head of a little blonde-haired boy "Mummy? Mummy...?"

Henry stopped where he was, unsure of how to deal with his bosses illegitimate son of five years. He did not like children, he had killed more than one over the course of the years when he and Bill had been assigned to take out their parents. While some men did not like the idea of killing a child, he did not bat an eye.

Just as he opened his mouth to tell the child to go back to bed, another door opened at the end of the hallway and out stepped Violet Morris, the child's mother and their bosses lover - or rather concubine as she was still, and always would be, a prostitute first.

"Nicholas! Wot are ya doin' out of ye room?!" She snapped, storming over to the child's door "How may times 'ave I told ya, go ta sleep an' don't bother anyone!"

The boy whimpered then scampered back inside his pitch-black room when his angry mother reached the door and slammed it shut with a loud groan.

"Still enjoyin' bein a mother, Violet?" Henry asked smugly.

"I'm seconds away from givin' him to the workhouse." She responded shortly "The brat is insufferable! Wantin' this wanting that! I'd be doin' myself a favour gettin' rid of 'im."

"Now boss wouldn't like that, now would he?" said Henry. It was true, as ruthless and cold as the man was he was undoubtedly smart and practical. A male heir could be useful to his lineage, and so any son illegitimate or not was enough to garner somewhat of his attention.

Violet pursed her lips in annoyance before pointing down the hall to the door at the end "He's in there. He's in a good mood so don't fuck it up. Lemme know once yer done."

Henry nodded and strode to the door where his boss was waiting for him. Before he knocked he drew in a breath and hoped he did not appear nervous. You never knew what was waiting on the other side for you with this man, he was like a storm. Unpredictable; but when he hit he brought great chaos and destruction.

Knock, knock.

"Come in."

Henry pushed open the door and set eyes on the man he had followed since his early twenties. The man stood by his desk in his crisp white shirt and black trousers with his suspenders slid off and his fly undone - it didn't take a genius to know what he and Violet had obviously been up to. In the corner of the room, his beloved ornate black cane rested, the silver eagle head handle watching on as the two men looked at each other.

"What can I do for ya, sir?" Henry asked.

The man sniffed and raked his fingers through his slicked-back hair and said "Now, Henry...I don't want there to be any hard feelings between us. I just want you to know that Tom's death was a very painful thing for us all - most of all me. I've known the two of you since you were in your twenties - Tom in his teens."

Henry looked at the floor in an effort to hide his eyes from him.

"But, you to know that his death was the right thing. We both know that any man who snitches on this group must be eliminated. I expect the same out of you."

Henry swallowed and nodded, aware that the statement was a threat disguised with a kind tone "Yes sir."

The older man drew in a breath and leaned against his desk "Now I know what must be going through your mind Henry. You're a man of revenge - you've said time and time again you want Doug and the woman that put him behind bars dead. But at this stage, I am telling you that we need to lay low and you will take no such action on your revenge without my explicit permission, understand?"

Growling, Henry bit his lip and clenched his fist. It was a big ask of him, he wanted nothing more than to wring that woman's neck after the way she'd humiliated him in her pie shop - and that man who'd thought it smart to attack him in her defence. But if it was what his boss wanted, he would have to channel his anger elsewhere. He had plenty of rabbits to hunt in London.

Begrudgingly he nodded "Yes...sir."

"Don't dwell on it," He told him with a condescending smile "I'm sure you'll find plenty of things to do to take your mind off of things, I have a lot of faith in you. You never disappoint during a raid."

Henry nodded silently and asked, "Is that all, sir?"

His boss smiled and nodded again "That will be all. You may go now, have a turn with one of the lovely ladies I brought over to ease your stress."

"I will sir," He bowed his head and left the office, nearly bumping straight into Joseph who was seemingly waiting outside. Henry ignored him and set off downstairs in search of a woman while Joe entered the office with a light tap on the door.

"What is it, Joe?" His boss asked impatiently, not looking up at him. "I asked specifically to be alone after my talk with Henry."

"I think you'll want to hear this, sir." He said enthusiastically, closing the door behind him. "You know how you asked me to watch Arthur Sykes son and his girl?"

The older man's eyes raised from his desk in curiosity "Yes?"

"Well, you won't believe what I have to tell you." He grinned, putting his feet on the desk in utter confidence and arrogance "Let's just say I have a very interesting proposition for you from a very wealthy source..."

His boss sat down behind the desk, an eyebrow raised and his eyes glinting with curiosity "Go on."

A/N: Okay so this chapter is super long which is partially why it took me ages to get it done but hopefully the wait is worth it haha! My thanks again to those who are reading, I hope you enjoyed x