"Er- I, um…"

Nellie's mind was screaming at her to respond. The Judge was waiting with an expectant look on his face. He obviously was eager to hear her answer. She could feel the Beadle's beady eyes on her as well.

"Well?" Tupin prompted.

Just then, a voice came from behind her. "Mrs. Lovett! How are ya today?"

She knew that voice anywhere. Nellie turned to face him.

"'ello Mr. Barker!" She gave him a radiant smile. She also gave Ben a look that she hoped had clearly read 'help me.' She figured it to be understood by the words spoken next.

"I have a question for you, Mrs. Lovett. It's a bit personal," Though his face showed complete seriousness, Nellie could see he was just getting her away from the present situation. "Can we talk privately?'

She played along, keeping a straight face. "O' course Mr. Barker. Why don't why go into the parlor. It's quieter in there." She turned back to the judge. "I'm sorry; I'll have to speak with you some other time."

Judge Turpin gave Ben a glare that passed so fast, it was nearly impossible to see it.

"Well that alright," his tone was icy cold and contrasted with his words. "The Beadle and I should be heading to the Old Bailey soon anyway." He looked to the Beadle. "Come on." Both men got up and left without another word.

Nellie glanced at the plates they left behind. The judge hadn't even touched his pie. Bloody bugger. Why order somethin' if your not even gonna try ta eat it! The beadle had apparently eaten everything in one bite considering the small amount of time he had to eat it. Crumbs were the only thing left on the plate. His glass was completely drained of its contents. O' course 'e's gonna eat everythin' that's on 'is plate. Just like Albert used ta.

"Nellie, maybe we should actually go inta the parlor. Some people might've 'eard us," Ben whispered soft enough for her to hear only.

Nellie nodded. "This way, Mr. Barker." She led him through a curtain that separated the shop from the parlor. ""ere we are. Nice an' cozy, i'nt it?" She looked Ben directly in his eyes. "Thank ya for getting me outa there."

He smiled. "I told you Nellie, if you ever needed anythin' , I could 'elp ya. Anything includes getting you away from creeps like 'im."

She flashed a smile back at him. "Still, thank ya."

"You're welcome." He looked at the items still clenched in her hand. "Why did 'e give ya those, I wonder."

Nellie looked down at her hand too. She nearly forgot about the gifts Turpin gave her.

"I dunno." She thought for a bit. "I might 'ave an inkling though." She placed the flowers along with the necklace in the mantle above the fireplace.

Ben was still standing by the entry way.

"Sit down Ben, make yourself comfy."

He did as he was told and found a place to sit on the couch.

"What do ya mean by you 'might 'ave an inkling'?" he asked the baker. She sighed and sat next to her tenant.

"Well, after ya left me shop yesterday, the judge and beadle came by."

"Your shop was closed though. The can't have went in."

"They didn't. They was just standin' outside. And if I recall correctly, Mr. B, you came in 'ere when it was closed just before they arrived." She commented playfully.

He responded in the same tone. "Now you know that's not fair. I came in ta pay the rent!"

It seemed as if all she could was smile around him. Her cheeks began to ache from smiling so much. She rolled her eyes and continued with her explanation.

"Any way, I 'eard 'em talkin' but since the doors was closed, only 'eard part o' wot they was talkin' 'bout.

"Wot were they saying?" Nellie could tell Ben was very interested in the topic.

"All I 'eard was somethin' 'bout being a bride, that they would be back today, and 'bout sayin' yes."

Ben knitted his eyebrows together in thought. "You don't think he's planning on marrying you, do you?"

"That's exactly wot I was thinkin'. I just don't know why. There plenty of other women in the ci'y." Nellie moved her gaze from Ben's face to her hands which were folded in her lap. "I'm sure many of them are prettier than me."

Ben placed two fingers under her chin and lifted her head so she was looking him in the eyes again. Eye to eye, they looked at each other for several moments before he spoke. "You are one of the most beautiful women I've 'ad the pleasure to meet. Any man would be lucky to 'ave ya."

She could fell a blush begging to add color to her pale cheeks. Hopefully he wouldn't notice. I wot 'e said is true, 'ow come the only man I want already 'as a wife who can 'ardly think for 'erself! She argued with him in her mind only. She knew never to say it aloud. Nellie didn't want to upset Ben by insulting Lucy. Instead she sighed.

"Whatever ya say, love." She replied half-heartedly. She stood up. "Excuse me, Ben, I Have to see to the customers. " Leaving him in the parlor, strode out to the kitchen and to the counter. She didn't notice that Ben had followed her.

"Did I upset you?" He asked. The look of confusion on his face made her want to laugh.

"No, I'm fine, love. I can't leave me shop unattended though." She grabbed a rolling pin and began to flatten a lumpy piece of dough.

"Do ya need any 'elp running the shop? It seems busier than usual." His expression was completely sincere. He was speaking the truth. However the crowd was the size it was because she had taken a break during the middle of the lunch rush. It had been both their faults. But she could never blame it on him. To her, every moment spent with Ben was not a moment wasted.

"I wouldn't mind the 'elp, but don't you 'ave a shop of your own to keep?" She looked up from the dough she was smoothing out.

"Not today," he grinned, looking pleased with himself. "I made enough money this week to take the day off!"

"That's great!" She smiled back at him. Momentarily, she got lost in his dark eyes. It was like a sea of dark brown, nearly black, yet his gaze never seemed cold as darker shades tended to. It was warm. The kind of warm you can feel by a fire on a particularly cold day.

It wasn't until Ben began to wave his hand in front of her face, that she noticed she had spaced out.

"Are ya in there?" he teased.

She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts from her mind. "Sorry, dear. I must be really tired." She said quickly covering up for herself. "Wot were ya sayin'?"

"I was askin' wot ya needed 'elp with."

She looked around. Can ya take and fill the orders please. I need to get started on the pies for dinner."

Immediately he turned to take the orders of those who had not yet been serviced.

'E's already more 'elpful in one day than Albert was in 'is 'ole life.

Nellie took the now perfectly rounded and smooth dough and shaped it into a bowl. She grabbed a wooden spoon which sat in a different bowl that contain the filling for the pie and gave a couple of generous spoonfuls of the meaty filling. Taking another circular dough piece, she topped the pie and put it on a tray with other pies ready to be put in the oven.

Ben came back to the counter. "Are there any more pies Mrs. Lovett?" he asked. There weren't any more on the counters except the ones about to be baked.

"I guess not. Theses won't be done for another hour or so." She pointed to the pies. "We're sold out for now."

'I'll flip the sign to 'sold out', then." Ben walked to the door were a sign had 'open' on one side and 'sold out' on the other, hung. He flipped the sign.

Nellie smiled to herself. If only everyday could be like this. Ben, 'elpin'

'round the shop. And Lucy, almost non-existent.

A/n: I'm sorry if they got OOC. Or really cheesy.