Nellie sat on her bed. Tears leaked down her face. She had been down in the bake house but she wanted to pin her hair up before she started to work with the dough. The poor thing had gone up the stairs much too soon. Lucy and Ben's argument was reaching its highest point when she set foot in the bedroom area. The walls were paper thin too which meant that even a normal conversation could be heard clearly. Even worse, the two rooms were across from each other, so Nellie heard practically everything from "You don't 'ave to see 'er everyday" to the closing of the restroom door.

So many emotions were making Nellie's stomach churn. First of all, a twinge of sadness and hopelessness because of what Ben had said of his choice of who he married. She knew it was almost pointless for keeping her hopes up for so long, but Nellie had always been dreamer. She would always have her little fantasies where Ben would get his marriage annulled and would realize that he married the wrong woman. Then he'd propose to Nellie and they'd have a seaside wedding and a small cottage overlooking the waves of the water. But tha's never gonna 'appen. She thought, giving herself a sad smile. I really am crazy, aint I? Well, I is talking ta meself in me own 'ead.

Another emotion causing her to feel uneasy was anger. She was angry at Lucy for two reasons. One was for accusing Ben of liking the landlady, then scolding him for it. Nellie couldn't understand how anyone could ever be mad at sweet Benjamin Barker. 'E was jus' tryin' ta be friendly! But 'virtuous' lit'le Lucy likes ta read between the lines when all there is, is empty space! The other reason she was angry at Lucy was for telling Ben that she, Nellie, wanted to be more than just friends with him. Well, not that that wasn't true, but it angered Nellie that she had the nerve to say it aloud to him.

The last emotion that was eating away at her was guilt. She felt that it had been her fault they had started arguing in the first place. In some ways it was, but she didn't do it intentionally. When Nellie heard the upset tone in Lucy's voice, she felt terrible, no matter how much she couldn't stand the nit. But I can't make 'em not figh'. The only way ta do tha' would be ta stop taking ta him. Suddenly, Nellie gasped. But I can't do tha'! I've known Ben for the longest time! I can't jus' ignore 'im! I can't stop talkin' ta 'im jus' like tha'! She sighed. I love 'im. But 'e don't feel the same way, now does 'e? Maybe it would be best. 'E could focus on 'is wife and soon ta be child. Maybe 'e'll be 'appier.

She looked up and out to the window and noticed that the sky grew lighter. Remembering she still had pies to make, she hastily wiped her tears away and stood up. She grabbed several pins from her vanity table and pulled her hair up. Taking a deep breath, she made her way out of the room and down to the shop.

A large lump of dough lay on the counter ready to be made into pie crusts. But before she could attend to that, she had to run down to the bake house and take the pies she had baking from the oven before they burnt. Quickly, she reached for a tray and took two steps at a time all while being careful not trip on her large skirts. Since she hadn't meant to stay upstairs for so long, there was no doubt in her mind that this batch of pies would be slightly crispier than the rest.

Once she had gotten down the stairs, she ran to the oven with the tray swinging wildly in her hand. She opened the giant oven's door and managed to get the pies out without burning her hands. She put the tray on a table, where she usually butchered the meat, to let the pies cool.

Nellie studied the pies with a critical eye to see the damage that had been done.

Almost overcooked. Not burnt in the least bit. She started to feel proud of herself. These'll have ta do. No one's gonna notice something that's almost overcooked.

She began to make her way up back up to the shop to make more pies. She was about halfway up when she heard a voice call out to her. "Nellie!"

She froze in her tracks. Having heard the voice only minutes ago she knew who it was. She forgot he was planning to come down. But I ain't s'posed ta talk ta 'im! Quick, Nellie, think! 'Ow can I get 'im ta go away? She shut her eyes tight in concentration and, in seconds, came to a solution, even though it was bound to hurt both of them emotionally. Be cold, indifferen', and uncarin'. She opened her eyes and could feel tars threatening to fall again.

"Nellie?"

She blinked them away. Holding her head high, she breathed deeply, and started to go up again. She could see Ben standing at the top waiting for her to appear. I can't believe I'm gonna do this! Oh Ben, I hope ya forgive me if I 'urt ya. When she got up to the top, she brushed straight passed him, bumping into his shoulder along the way.

"'ello,'" She muttered curtly. Nellie turned to the counter to prepare the rest of the pies. She couldn't help but notice the look of bewilderment on his face from the corner of her eye. She could almost feel her heart being torn just by seeing the look on his face.

"Is somethin' troublin' ya?" asked the confused barber.

Nellie began to knead the dough, slightly more fiercely than she normally would have. He could feel self anger begin to bubble. She really didn't want to do this.

"No," she said. She could hear the anger seeping out into her words. "Everythin' is lovely, Mr. Barker. " She looked up from the dough. "But, if ya don't mind, I really mus' start working on me pies and you should prob'ly be getting' ready ta open your shop too."

"Now I know there's somthin' both'rin' ya. Ya never call me 'Mr. Barker' unless we 'ave ta be formal. It's just me an' you 'ere."

Her hands went back to pounding the dough again.

"I don't know what you're talkin' 'bout." Nellie stared back down at what her hands were doing to avoid his gaze. Silence came over the shop and it remained that way for several minutes. The baker started to get annoyed. Can't 'e take a 'int!? "Don't ya 'ave a shop ta run?"

Ben studied her expression carefully. She hadn't look up when she spoke. She kept her eyes on the task she gave herself. "Wha's wrong? Yesterday ya were perfectly 'appy and now ya look upset. Are you okay?"

Nellie looked up finally, ready to tell him off, but the urge to do that faded when she saw the sincere concern reflected in his eyes. Her hard glare softened and she sighed. "I can't tell ya."

Ben neared her. "Ya can, ya just don't want ta. 'Onestly Nellie, we've been friends for years, you can tell me anythin'!"

"I dunno, ya migh' get angry."

He took her hand in his. "I won't. I promise I won't," he assured her.

Nellie couldn't help but notice her stomach was flipping inside her just from the contact between her hand and his. She could feel her heart beating faster. Stop thinkin' 'bout it! You're s'posed ta be getting' over 'im, remember?" she scolded herself. "Well, I was upstairs earlier," she paused when Ben's eyes grew wider.

"Ya 'eard me an' Lucy, didn't ya?" He bit his lip and, to Nellie's disappointment, let go of her hand.

She looked away, feeling a bit shameful for not leaving as soon as she heard their voices being raised. "Yeah," she said sheepishly. "I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault ya 'eard. And see? I didn't get angry. But what does that 'ave ta do with ya bein' upset?"

Nellie took a deep breath before answering. "I don't wanna get in the way of you bein' with Lucy. She thinks somethin''s goin' on between us, when there ain't."

Ben leaned against the counter with one elbow propped up on it. "But you and me know there ain't. That should be good enough for 'er. Besides, I've 'eard that when ladies 'ave babies, hey always get a lit'le emotional."

She shook her head. "All tha' worryin' can't be good for 'er or the baby."

"We can't do anythin' 'bout that."

"Yeah we can," she whispered. She looked up at him. "Maybe, it would be best if we didn't speak ta each other as much until the baby's born. Tha' way there's nothin' for Lucy ta stress 'bout and ya won't 'ave ta argue."

Ben's eyes always betrayed his emotions. At this moment, they showed sadness and hurt.

"But, I can't just stop talkin' ta ya! And Lucy 'as ta learn ta trust me. So wha's the point in doin' tha'?"

Nellie could tell she wasn't going to win this one easily. "Look, it's just 'til the baby comes. That shouldn't be too long. Lucy's 'uge!" she paused to think about what she said, "Uh, well, I mean, ya know, in a good way. She should be big. The baby's prob'ly healthy."

Ben laughed at her rambling. "It's alrigh' Nellie. We all know she's pret'y big." His smile fell a bit as he continued. "And the baby will be comin' soon."

Nellie smiled. "See love? Maybe for a week or two you'll jus' come down 'ere two o' three times. That won't be so bad!" For you anyway.

Ben shrugged. "I guess not."

Nellie giggled.

He tilted his head to the side. "What's so funny?"

"It's nothin'. Ya jus' reminded me of when we was kids. I think ya was about ten when all ya did was shrug ta everythin'."

"It's not that funny."

"It was when I asked ya so many questions ya stopped payin' attention. Then when I asked ya if ya wanted ta be pushed into a pond, you was so annoyed of all the questions tha' ya shouted "yes" just ta get me ta be quiet." She smirked. "And luckily enough, we was right next ta a pond."

"Hey!" Though he tried to sound offended, he couldn't stop from laughing along with her.

After a few moments, Nellie sighed.

"What's wrong now?" Ben asked.

"I think it's passed a half hour."

"Oh, ya heard that too then."

She nodded.

"So, I guess I should go."

Nellie quickly scanned the windows of her shop to make sure that no one was peaking in. When she saw that no one was paying attention to the unopened shop. She gave Ben a quick peck on the cheek.

His eyes widened. He raised his hand to touch where her lips had been seconds ago. "What's that for?'

She blushed. "Well, I figured, I won't see ya for a while an' you're like my brother, brothers an' sisters are allowed ta do that." She was lying to herself but soon she knew she would see Ben as just that, a brother and no more.

"Oh, okay." Ben cleared his throat before reciprocating the kiss. After a few awkward seconds he said, "I s'pose I'll go now. I'll see ya later."

"Bye."

"Bye."

He retreated back up the stairs, hopefully not having to go back to his bedroom to explain to Lucy why he's late.

Nellie went back to the chore of making the crusts. It seemed to be and endless task but within two hours she managed to use all the dough, make the filling, and got them into the oven.

Despite the fact that it was only 10am, she decided to open the shop just incase some people wanted to get an early lunch. There were only a few people who ate out on Sundays, but it still brought in money. She went over to the door that held the "open" sign and flipped it around. She unlocked each door before going to sit at a table and rest for a minute of so.

It wasn't long until she heard a door squeak open. She jumped up ready to serve whoever entered. She rushed to the counter with out looking back at the customer. "What can I get ya Mr…" she turned around to address who she was talking to and jumped. "Oh! Judge Turpin! Can I get you a pie?"

The judge stood at the doorway. His eyes focused on the baker. "No thank you Mrs. Lovett." He said in a sickly sweet and unconvincing tone. "I've come to ask you to do me a favor."

"What would tha' be me lord?"

He approached her slowly and didn't stop until he was close enough for her to feel uncomfortable.

"I'm having a ball at my house and I'd be delighted of you came with me."

She could feel his breath hitting her face and was repulsed that he had no consideration to back away.

She felt the words, "no thank you" ready come out to decline his offer, but she stopped herself before opening her mouth. After all she was trying to get over Ben. Maybe this was one way to do it. Maybe she'd get past Turpin's gross exterior and might actually find someone who was kind. Not likely she laughed in her head. But perhaps she could meet someone there. Surely Turpin wouldn't be around her the whole time she was there.

"I'd love ta Judge Turpin."

A/n: To be honest, I don't like this chapter very much. I think it moves too fast, but I'd love to hear what you think! I am trying SO hard not to make my updates a monthly thing but, unfortunatley, I have to go on vaction with my parents across the country for three weeks and I probably won't be able to update until I get home.