A/N: Omg you guys I'm so sorry for the long wait for this chapter, I have just been so unbelievably busy and I just could not find the time to write. To everyone whos still invested in this story thank you so much! I will not take this long to do another chapter again it's just been a mental month for me. Anyways, I hope the wait was worth it, more to come soon...

When Eleanore awoke in the morning she was pleasantly surprised to see Sweeney with her. Not next to her, simply present - alseep in the chair in the corner of the room like a guardian angel. She rarely saw him sleep, and when she did she couldn't help but smile a little. He looked very content and at peace while he slept, the happiest she had ever seen him.

Her smile faded a little as she moved her wrist and felt the dull ache of pain. A whimper escaped her lips as she remembered the terrifying encounter with the Judge the other night. At the sound of her cry, Sweeney's eyes snapped open and he tensed up, like he was ready to pounce. When he realised that everything was fine however, he relaxed but still sat forward in concern.

"Are you alright?" He asked before he could help himself. She looked so innocent and vulnerable on the bed holding her wrist. She was like a lost child and he felt the urge to ensure she was not hurt badly from last night.

Eleanore swallowed and nodded, rubbing her wrist tenderly. Sweeney's eyes filled with something like distress and she stared at him in confusion as he parted his lips and asked fearfully "Eleanore, did he...he didn't- he didn't...violate you?"

"No mista Todd." She shook her head "Ya got there in time, 'e jus' bruised me up a bit."

Sweeney heaved a sigh of relief that spoke a thousand words to her. He slouched back against the chair and closed his eyes. Eleanore watched his throat bob as he swallowed and his eyes reopened, this time they glazed with something like grief, then they blazed with growing anger and she could see his chest heave with repressed rage.

She slid her legs out from under the duvet and stood, approaching him cautiously. He did not look at her and seemed to be lost in his thoughts of Turpin. When she stood in front of him she reached down to touch his hand, only then did he snap out of his gaze and turn to look at her.

"Thank you." She said, with all the meaning and gratitude she could possibly muster. Her eyes welled "Thank you for savin' me, Sweeney."

Sweeney tilted his head and observed her stood before him. He took in her big doe eyes and full red lips, his eyes ran down her swan-like neck to just above her collar bone where a bruise had already formed from Turpin's mouth and teeth. Fresh rage tightened his chest but her hand on his made him feel a little at ease. The thought of Turpin actually hurting her, doing to her what he had done to Lucy horrified him. He hadn't realised how much it would have an effect on him, walking in on such an act.

Eleanore was the driving force behind his will to live these days, he didn't want to loose her. Just the thought of her actually being gone hit him full force and made him feel sick to his stomach. Losing Lucy had been unbelievably painful, but the idea of loosing her was unbearable.

His other hand moved to slide around her waist and pull her a little closer. Eleanore raised her hands to cup his face and pull him against her body in an embrace. When he didn't pull back or resist she rested her chin on his head and wrapped her arms around him and shut her eyes in bliss. Sweeney relished in the feel of her warm embrace and let out a breath he had held in for fifteen years.

~•O•~

Later in the afternoon, Eleanore stood with Toby in the shop by the counter, mixing another batch of cake for Beth's birthday meal tomorrow. The lad had agreed to help her of course, and in the space of a few hours, they'd made all the meals and were now onto the desserts; pastries, brownies and all sorts of delicious treats that were enough to make anyone's mouth water with delight.

"So wots next mum?" Toby asked, sucking the icing off his finger.

"The birthday cake of course!" She smiled at him "Can't 'ave no birthday without a cake now, can we?"

"I ain't ever 'ad a cake mum...ye birthday woz never celebrated in the workhouse." He said sadly "I feel so bad for me friends that are still there, I wish they all 'ad a mum like you who took 'em in..."

Eleanore dropped the dishes into the sink and turned to face him with watery eyes "Oh love. If I could take all of 'em home with me I would – I 'ate seeing children live like that too..."

Toby bit his lip in thought, but he soon perked up again "Frederick and Annabelle are really excited about tomorrow night, they told me themselves when I went out ta play this mornin'. They're super nice mum, you'll like 'em."

"I'm sure they will do a great job, love." She smiled.

Toby watched her closely as she began to wash the dishes and he dried. He was itching to tell her about the encounter at the market when that man had followed him and Beth. But he hesitated. Beth had not wanted him to tell and he didn't want to go against her, he'd grown quite fond of her as of late and she crossed his mind a lot ever since then. Biting his lip again he decided to ask another question that had been on his mind too.

"Mum, are you an' Mista Todd a couple now?"

The baker stopped scrubbing at the bowl and looked at him "Wot makes ya think that?"

Toby snorted "Well I may not be smart but I ain't dumb. I know he's stayed the night with ye a few times – and ye ain't exactly quiet."

Toby's tone was very nonchalant, but what he said made Eleanore flush red and drop her plate loudly in the sink. She cleared her throat and tried to hide her red cheeks from him. "I'm sorry love, if I'd 'ave known I woz keeping ya awake...it-it won't 'appen again."

Toby looked at her in amusement as he continued to dry the dishes "So ye are a couple then?"

"Well..." It wasn't as straightforward as she would have liked. She supposed that they were in a sense, but not the traditional one. She was still unhappy about the way he had treated her in the past, but she was content with the fact that he seemed to have a change of heart and was trying to make her feel happy again. "Yes... I suppose we are."

Toby smiled somewhat "I'm 'appy for ya mum. I know ya really like 'im. I jus' hope he treats ya right, cause if he don't... I'll kill 'im."

"Toby!" She gasped, snapping her head to face him in shock.

"I'm sorry mum but it's true!" He protested "I'd kill anyone who 'urts ya. And... I dunno Mista Todd, he...he scares me sometimes...I just don't want him to hit you."

"Mista Todd would never do anythin' like that, love." She told him firmly "Now where's all this questionin' come from? Ya were never interested in Mista Todd before..."

"Well I couldn't 'elp but notice the mark on ya neck mum," He said sheepishly "Woz jus' curious that's all."

The baker stopped what she was doing to face her boy and debated whether or not to tell him. No, she decided. The poor boy would beat himself up knowing he was asleep while his mum was being manhandled in the shop without him knowing. She didn't want to do that to him when he was already so protective of her.

"Well," she sniffed "'Ere, why don't ya take some of those leftover brownies an' go play for a bit?"

"Thanks, mum!" He chipped taking three chocolate brownies and running out the door with them.

Eleanore watched him go with a smile and decided to put the kettle on for herself and have a brownie of her own. As the kettle whistled loudly, she heard footsteps from the shop above and was pleasantly surprised to see Sweeney come down and offer her a hello in greeting.

"Hi love," she offered him a smile, sensing his pleasant mood. In his hands were a brush and dustpan. Inside that, she could see the broken remains of a golden frame and pieces of glass from the picture he had smashed last night. He had still kept the photo it seemed, but she didn't comment.

"Fancy a cuppa an' a brownie love? Jus' made 'em meself. There's quite a lot of 'em."

Sweeney approached the counter after tipping the contents of the pan into the bin and eyed the cakes hungrily. He couldn't remember the last time he'd had chocolate, Benjamin Barker had quite the sweet tooth. Some things certainly hadn't changed.

"Alright." He said a bit too eagerly.

The baker giggled and told him to take a seat while she made the tea. She placed the cup and saucer in front of him and took a seat opposite, watching in amusement as he bit into the brownie and finished it within seconds.

"Made light work o'that didn't ya?" She said over her teacup.

Sweeney nodded, still chewing "It's good." He reached for his tea to wash it down before it could stick to his throat and choke him.

"Well, I'm glad ya like it cause I'll be servin' them at a party tomorrow."

Sweeney stared at her "Party?"

"Yes, for a friend's lil girl. In fact, he's comin' ta me shop tonight ta pay a deposit and run things over with me. I still 'ave ta make her birthday cake so I'd really appreciate a bit o'help decoratin' the place before they arrive. Then ya can go back upstairs an' brood." Sweeney threw her a glare and she lowered her tea to look at him apologetically for the snide comment "Sorry..."

Sweeney brushed it off and sipped more of his tea, unbothered as he often was. "Why didn't you tell me about this sooner?"

Eleanore shrugged and tucked a curl behind her ear "Ye ran off before I could mention it..."

Sweeney swallowed and felt a little guilty at the way she'd said that. Cowards ran, and he did not consider himself a coward. He couldn't keep running every time he didn't like how close they were becoming. It was not fair to her, especially when he initiated it.

An awkward silence passed between the pair and the baker kept her sad eyes on him, wanting him to look at her, but he was avoiding doing so. She sighed, "Ya don't have ta run from me, Sweeney. I'm not yer enemy, love. Ya don't have ta be afraid of facin' me now an' then."

Sweeney finally raised his eyes just as she looked down to the floor, her eyes lost in thought. It's not you that I'm afraid of, my pet, he thought idly, I'm afraid of myself.

The barber sniffed and cleared his throat, that familiar sensation in his chest returning at the sight of her sad, lost eyes. He coughed "I have a plan."

Eleanore's eyes snapped to him, a little jarred by his voice and change of subject. "Oh? Wot's that love?"

"I've heard Turpin's throwing a masquerade ball in two days time. This may be my chance to kill him." When Eleanore did not respond and merely stared at him he continued "Anthony is eager to get Joanna out, with my help we plan to sneak in and free her, then she will come here...before...before Anthony takes her away..."

Eleanore brought a hand to her heart "Oh love, I can't believe it. W-why didn't ya tell me? Yer gonna get yer daughter back!"

"Anthony and I discussed it yesterday when I was up in me shop. He came to me and told me that Joanna had dropped him a key, the two are clearly smitten with each other."

"But - Turpin! If he finds out what you've done he'll kill ya! You an' the boy!"

"Which is precisely why I'm going to kill him first." He responded simply. "I'll have a mask on, no one will know it's me. I'll do it silently and swiftly - they'll find his body that night..." A grin curled his lips at the thought of innocent partygoers stumbling upon the gory sight of a bloodied, throat slashed Turpin. The grin grew wider at the image of all the ladies and gentleman running and screaming wildly. Oh how he'd love it, and the chaos would give Anthony and Joanna the perfect opportunity to escape.

Eleanore continued to stare at him, a little put off by his devilish smile. She wasn't entirely happy with this plan, she didn't want to be kept out of it when she could be a valuable asset. They were a pair after all. "Well, there's no way ya not takin me with ya."

Sweeney's smile dropped "You're not going."

"Sweeney I could help ya! I know the layout of that house, Lucy described it ta me once. I could 'elp distract-"

"No!" Sweeney slammed down a closed fist on the table violently, making her shoot out of her seat in fright. His teeth gritted and his eyes blazing, he pointed a finger at her and growled; "You are not going, understand?"

The baker stood quietly, her fear obvious. This made him calm down considerably when he realised she probably thought he was about to hit her. Something he would never dream of doing. Inhaling deeply through his nose, he scrubbed his hands over his face. "Eleanore, I can't lose you like I lost Lucy. Please don't ask me to do this."

At once the frightened, terrified look in her eyes softened into something tender. Swallowing she approached the sitting barber who still had his head in his hands and knelt down. She brushed her fingers under his chin, forcing him to look up at her.

"Sweeney, ya aren't gonna lose me. We've bin partners in crime ever since ya got back - an' I've loved every minute of it. Now ye know I'm far too stubborn ta jus' let ya tell me what to do." She said lightheartedly "Don't cha think it'll be a bit suspicious if ya turned up without an invite?"

Sweeney's mouth tightened. He knew she was right, but he was determined to prove her wrong. Turpin had avoided his clutches for far too long now - it was killing him. And seeing the way he had manhandled Nellie the other day...it boiled his blood. He just had to cut his throat. He had to do it before his daughter became the next victim of Turpin's lustful hands, that was if she wasn't already...

"You're not going." He said again, calmly this time. "Nellie I barely got there in time the other night. I wouldn't forgive myself if anything happened a second time..."

The baker felt her eyes widen and her heart melt. This was perhaps the most affectionate and tender Sweeney had been with her in a while. And this time he wasn't doing it before getting her into bed. A sentiment that she appreciated greatly.

She laid her hand on his knee and smiled weakly at him "Nothin' would 'appen love. I'm a lot stronger than you think, I'd know wot ta do this time." She lowered her eyes and looked at him through her lashes "But if it means that much to ya...then I'll stay 'ere. But I'm bloody well helping alright? I don't care how, jus' so long as I am."

Sweeney smirked at her and snorted with laughter "You're a bloody wonder, pet."

She merely winked back.

~•O•~

Later that evening, Eleanore was expecting Richard and was rather peeved that he was running late. She'd spent quite the amount of money on all the ingredients for the food - so the sooner she got paid the better. Toby had drifted off on the couch while Sweeney was sat in one of the booths after finishing his dinner and was keeping her company while she washed up from the evening rush.

Soon enough, there was a low rumble of an approaching carriage and outside one pulled up with Richard inside. Eleanore sighed and threw down her wet rag "Bout bloody time."

Richard entered and at once it was apparent that something was off about him. "Eleanore, evening - I'm very sorry I'm late I was just a little busy at home."

Sweeney frowned at him suspiciously from his place at the booth, the smell of alcohol present on him, but he could smell his lies far more strongly.

"Oh, no worries love. Come on in." She stepped to the side and allowed him to enter.

The posh bloke regarded Sweeney with a somewhat small smile and was polite enough to say hello. Sweeney however, didn't respond.

"This is Sweeney Todd, me tenant." Eleanore filled him in, glaring over Richards's shoulder at Sweeney's rudeness.

"Oh, hello sir. I'm Richard Sykes, a friend of your landlady's."

"Charmed." He said dryly. Standing up from the table he informed them he was going back upstairs to his shop, he was aware that Eleanore probably wanted to talk with him about the party alone, and he certainly had no interest in listening to this man. He would however not stray far. He was on edge now whenever Eleanore was alone with a man, a friend of not.

"Ahem," She coughed then smiled awkwardly at Richard. "Why don't cha take a seat love, I'll run ya through what I've made for tomorrow."

"Thank you." He said half-heartedly as he took off his hat and sunk into the booth.

"So," She began, sitting in front of him "Tell me who exactly is comin' tonight."

"The whole family, my sister's, Amelia's children – Eliza also invited three of her friend's daughters who are at school with Beth. They're coming too."

Eleanore smiled, glad to hear that Beth had some friends over and not just family. Richard had mentioned it before that she was struggling to find friends at school, so she was over the moon that other children would be present to celebrate her birthday. "Perfect. I've done plenty for you all, an' I've got some little 'elpers so I can join in for a bit myself."

Richard smiled at her, but the smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "I have another question for you. What are your establishments rule about dogs?"

"Dogs?" She frowned "Umm, well, I love dogs meself, never 'ad one in me shop tho. Why'd ya ask?"

"Because I'm getting Beth a puppy for her birthday. She's wanted one for years and it'll be good for her. The reason I ask is that as soon as she gets him I know she'll want to take him everywhere with her."

"Aw Richard, she'll love that! And yes, of course, she can bring the pup in the shop, I wanna see it too! I love puppies!"

"Yes me too," He laughed "He's a little chocolate Springer Spaniel, about six weeks old. I got him from a friend."

"Oh, how sweet!" She gushed.

Richard nodded then reached for his bag "So how much do I owe you for all the trouble?"

"Well..." She began awkwardly. "With the birthday cake too and all the food, It'll come to about thirty-five pounds please."

"Here." He handed her a wad of notes "Take forty for all the trouble, especially for needing the extra help."

Eleanore stared at the notes as she took them in her hand, this was the most money she had earned on the spot in almost twenty years working as a baker. "I- thank you, Richard. Thank you so much."

He nodded, his face looking a little fatigued "I don't suppose I could sit here and have a couple of drinks, could I? I won't get in the way of clearing up."

"Oh course ye can love, jus' sit tight 'ere an' I'll get ye a drop of ale." She stood from the seat to go behind her counter and slip the notes into the locked box she had tucked away in one of the cupboards.

"Thank you." She heard him whisper. Peering over at him while she poured his ale, she couldn't help but notice how deflated he looked. His shoulders sagged, his head remained down and his gaze was lost. It was apparent he was also drunk.

"Richard..." She began gently, approaching him with his ale "Is...is everythin' alright?"

"Perfectly." He slurred a little, downing his ale "Never been better."

Eleanore bit her lip and watched as he finished the ale in another few gulps and asked for another, but she shook her head "Richard, don't cha think ye've had enough?"

His eyes snapped to hers and he looked offended and shocked "I'm a paying customer, I give you my money all the time. I'd like another one."

"Richard ye already drunk." She said firmly "I can't be servin' you much more, I wouldn't feel right. How are ye gettin' home? I'm sure Eliza will be wonderin'-"

"Just give me another drink!" He snapped.

Eleanore flinched, his tone and sharp demand taking her by surprise. She had never seen him like this before.

"Wot the hell is wrong with ya?" She fired back, after getting over her shock "It's yer little girls birthday tomorrow an' your gonna drink yerself into a stupor!"

Richard stared at her with bleary eyes, the anger was gone and he rubbed his eyes with a sigh and kept his head down. Eleanore stood over him with her arms crossed "Wots wrong with ya?"

The man winced and shook his head "I...I'm sorry I just..." He sniffed and raised his head to finally look at her, and she was struck by the pain in his eyes "Eliza and I...we're...we've not been getting along well...lately."

"Wot do ya mean?" Eleanore asked, her tone much softer now that he was beginning to open up to her.

He let out a bitter laugh that sounded more like a sob and shook his head again "She's having an affair, Eleanore."

The Baker stood speechless for a moment, her lips opening and closing like a fish. When at last, she managed to find her voice again all she could manage was "What-...are ya certain?"

"We've been having problems for a while lately. She's been acting strange, and different around me." He swallowed, looking down at his feet. "The other day she told me she was going out to see a female friend of hers, I followed her. She went to a restaurant to meet with a man I didn't recognise. They had dinner together..."

Eleanore lowered herself into the seat opposite, her heart breaking at the grief-stricken man. "Oh, Richard." She sighed "Why did ya never tell me? I always thought you an' Eliza had a stong, lovin' relationship."

"So did I."

The two stayed quiet for a little while, Eleanore did not know what to say or do in order to comfort him. She was gobsmacked. How could Eliza do something like this? Richard adored her, he spent every waking minute talking about how much he loved her and Beth. He would die for her.

"I'm trying to be strong, for Beth." Came Richard again "But inside I'm dying..."

Eleanore's eyes watered a little when she heard his voice crack, and she reached over to take his hand "Richard, have you talked to 'er? Perhaps...perhaps if ya just talked about how yer feelin', you could work it out together?"

"She can't stand me, Eleanore." He said quietly "We fight constantly together. Surely you've noticed how many times I've come here by myself, or just with Beth? She doesn't want anything to do with me anymore."

Eleanore sighed and brought her hand to her head.

Richard swallowed "Sorry for snapping like a drunken idiot. But Eliza will certainly not be wonderin' where I am..."

Eleanore sighed but nodded. Now she understood what was wrong with him and why he was acting like this. The poor man's marriage was over. She stood up again and leaned over the table "Wot are ya gonna do?"

Richard seemed to forget she was there and broke out of his drunken daze to look at her in confusion "Huh?"

"I said, wot are ye gonna do about it? Ye can't jus' let 'er get away treatin' you like this. You 'ave to confront her."

"I don't know how," He said meekly, peering into the empty cup of ale to see if there was one drop left to drink.

"Well drinking heavily certainly isn't going to help," She huffed, taking the cup away "Ya need to keep a clear head an' a clear conscience. Now, tomorrow is your lil girls day, so you stay strong for her an' make sure she enjoys it. Then, after that, you take Eliza to the side an' you give er the chance ta come clean. If she does, now ya might 'ave a chance. If she doesn't - then that's where the problem lies."

Richard gazed off again, but she could tell that her words were sinking in. Finally, he raised his eyes to her and nodded, his expression morose but determined. "You're right Eleanore. I'll do just that."

Biting her lip awkwardly the baker looked around the empty shop and shuffled a little closer to him "Why don't ya head home Richard...? Ya gonna have a splittin' headache in the morning. Ya best get ya head down now while ya can."

Sighing, he nodded again and stood, almost knocking the table over as he did so. "Thank you, Eleanore. For the talk." He dug his hand into his pocket and threw down some shillings for the drink. "I can always feel welcome in your shop."

"Of course ya are." Eleanore smiled sympathetically at him. Now she understood why Richards visits to her shop were so frequent lately, and why Eliza never accompanied him. The man was never made to feel welcome in his own home and instead was turning to her and her shop for a sense of comfort. The thought made her extremely sad for him. At least he had told her and wasn't battling the fight alone. What was it with this family that made them feel like they could open up to her so much? First Edith, now Richard. Would Amelia be next?

"Bye." He whispered, stumbling towards the shop door and opening it. He gave her a wave and flagged down a carriage that was passing. Sighing in relief once he was inside and the carriage made off, Eleanore shut the shop door and locked it.

"That man likes you."

The baker whipped around in fright at the dark voice behind her. Her eyes fell upon Sweeney lounging against the parlour doorframe, looking at her intently.

"Nonsense, love." She said, after getting over her shock. "The man just found out his wife is cheatin' on him, he's hurtin ' - an' he needs someone to talk to."

"Why you? He's a grown man with family members." said Sweeney coldly "He shouldn't be burdenin' you with his marital problems."

"Oh Sweeney enough," She snapped, walking past him "He's a friend o'mine an I'm always there ta listen to a friend."

Sweeney's mouth shut, he was unable to argue with that. Following the baker, he watched her yawn and head into the bedroom where she began to untie her corset. When the constricting fabric slipped down her back, exposing her upper half he turned away to give her some privacy and Eleanore couldn't help but smile a little at the gentlemanly action as she pulled her nightgown over her head.

"Ya can look now love. Nothin' ya haven't seen before anyway."

Turning to face her again he watched as she took the pins out of her hair and let her thick luscious curls tumble down her back. He didn't want to go back up to his cold lonely shop tonight. Thoughts of Lucy, Joanna and the Judge would be waiting for him up there.

Clearing his throat awkwardly he asked, "Would you like me to stay here again tonight?"

Halting what she was doing, Eleanore turned to look at him in surprise. A smile began to grace her pretty features "That would be nice, love."

Nodding, he kicked off his shoes and sank into the chair in her corner again. Eleanore tried not to let the disappointment show on her face. She wouldn't have minded him sharing a bed with her tonight. She would take any ounce of affection from him he would give, and she felt untouchable when his arms were around her.

"Ye could sleep in me bed tonight Sweeney...if ya want...?" She voiced quietly.

"I...don't think that would be appropriate, Eleanore," Sweeney said, sounding a little taken back by the offer. He was conscious that she had recently been viciously assaulted and probably didn't want to be touched, least of all by him given his tendency to have sex with her then give her the cold shoulder.

"Oh..." He heard her say sadly "No problem, love."

She slipped inside the covers of her bed and lay on her side, facing away from him and praying that he couldn't see the hurt on her face. Sighing heavily she tried to push the thought away and concentrate on getting to sleep, she had a big day tomorrow and lots to do.

Just as her eyes began to grow heavy, she felt the bed dip a little and gasped when something brushed against her back. She relaxed instantly when Sweeney's scent filled her nostrils and his warm, muscular body pressed against her from behind. His arm slid around her and pulled her to him possessively, but Eleanore did not care in the slightest.

"Goodnight, Sweeney." She said through a large smile.

"Goodnight, Nellie."

Within moments, she was in a blissful sleep.

A/N: Phew, that was a long one haha. Beth's birthday will be next and I'm really excited to write it cause a LOT happens. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this one. Stay safe everybody! x