Disclaimer: All characters are owned solely by their respective copyright and trademark holders. The author does not own the rights to any of the characters mentioned within. No money has been made from this.

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"During my time away, I learned a few things, Mrs. Lovett." One corner of his mouth twitched into a tired smile. A flicker of life lit his eyes, then vanished in a blink.

Mrs. Lovett smiled back, equally fleeting, her heart aching to catch more than just a glimpse of the Benjamin Barker she'd been missing all these years.

"Why don't you have a seat?"

Mrs. Lovett pressed her hand against her breast. Her heart still throbbed beneath her fingers, but for how long? "Me? What for?"

The smile again, this time a bit of color returning to his cheeks. "Don't you want to find out?"

"Well, of course, Mr. Todd," she replied, taking a few steps toward the chair. No trace of blood, no sign of the activities of the past few days. He was so neat and fastidious.

Mrs. Lovett perched on the edge of the chair, watching him. He studied her, head cocked to one side, eyes as unreadable and impenetrable as the London fog. Mrs. Lovett pressed her fingertips to her lips, feeling her pulse there as well. Blood rushing. Blood... rushing everywhere.

He held his razor before the light, admiring the glittering blade. "Beautiful, isn't it?" He strode towards her, then gripped one armrest of the chair, leaning forward. Mrs. Lovett squirmed away until her back pressed against the stiff leather. Her heart leapt to her throat, and she swallowed against the rising tide of fear and anticipation threatening to choke her. Mr. Todd's face was only inches from hers, and his breath skated across her cheek, peppermint cool. "Would you like to know what I learned?" The tip of the razor blade whispered against the flesh of her throat, trailing down between her breasts.

Mrs. Lovett nodded wordlessly, searching his eyes.

The sparkle was back. Mr. Todd laid the razor aside, then knelt before her on one knee. He pulled a tin from his pocket. "It's a nice little trick." He opened the tin and offered it to her. Mrs. Lovett took a peppermint. Mr. Todd tucked the tin away.

He loosened the laces on her boot. She gasped as his smooth, strong fingers caressed her calf, and the warmth of his hands seemed to climb upward like a vine, taking root in her veins, in her blood. She held her breath, terrified that he might stop. Terrified of how he might continue.

Mr. Todd gave a gentle push under Mrs, Lovett's knee, and she obediently lifted her foot as he removed her boot. "You really are quite delicate, aren't you?" He placed her foot on his thigh, caressing her ankle. Pushed her skirt and petticoat over her knee, then rolled her stocking off and laid it aside.

Mrs. Lovett wiggled her toes. "No one's ever called me that before."

Mr. Todd smiled at her again, and reached for his tools. "What they told me, Mrs. Lovett, is that many ladies like to dissolve the hair from their legs using a foul-smelling, homemade concoction. But why do that when you have me?"

"I have you, then?"

"Always, Mrs. Lovett. At your service." Mr. Todd picked up his brush and dipped it into the bowl, then applied the luxurious lather in a few long strokes from ankle to calf. In her heightened awareness, Mrs. Lovett might have sworn she could feel every bristle of that brush, every nuance behind it.

"Mr. Todd?"

"Yes?"

"I feel faint." Mrs. Lovett couldn't remember the last time a man had touched her like this. Not just her body, but her soul. Her blood rushed for Sweeney Todd. Her pulse raced, her body throbbed. She felt alive.

"Relax, my love." Mr. Todd picked up his razor. Mrs. Lovett watched his expert fingers wield the knife against her leg, the contrast between his warm skin and the cold blade making her shiver. She bit her lip, body awash with sensations. "You're trembling." The pressure of the blade relented. "Be still. I don't want to cut you."

Mrs. Lovett searched his eyes again. She knew he could be gentle. His lust for vengeance was suffocating him, burying him alive, much like Mrs. Lovett's own lust threatened to overwhelm her at night, alone... wishing to feel Mr. Todd's lips on hers and his hands caressing her naked skin. "Mrs. Lovett?"

"Yes. I'm sorry."

"Never be sorry."

Mrs. Lovett watched his pale hands as he resumed his work. He wiped away the traces of shaving lather from her calf and rubbed his thumb over her skin. He took her hand and placed it on her knee. "Is it to your liking?"

"Not even a nick! It's quite nice. I never felt me legs so bare before. Albert never would have stood for it. He would have said this kind of thing is only for the poor painted girls on the corner."

Mr. Todd smiled. "Not at all. I dare say many gentlemen prefer it." His agile fingers made quick work of her other boot. He slipped her stocking off. "How long's he been gone, love?"

"Almost ten years."

"That's a shame." Mr. Todd spread the lather over her leg. "A woman in her prime, not getting the kind of attention she deserves..."

"Oh, I do all right. I have me shop to look after."

"Ah, but who's been looking after you?"

Mrs. Lovett bit her lip. "I think you came back just in time, dear. I might have gone mad without you."

Mr. Todd smiled. He worked quickly, and before long both of her legs were completely smooth. Mrs. Lovett's cheeks burned as her breathing became more labored. "What beautiful work you do. How can I show my appreciation, love?"

Mr. Todd wiped away the last of the lather. "Without you, where would I be now?" His fingertips grazed her ankles. "You're my saving grace."

"That's what friends are for, innit?"

He pressed his cheek against her calf. "It's been fifteen years." His lips ghosted over her flesh. "Fifteen years since..."

Mrs. Lovett pushed a lock of hair away from his eyes. "It's all right, dear." He looked up at her, suddenly, and she gasped as his gaze penetrated her.

"Mrs. Lovett..." He rose to his feet, hands trailing up her calves, between her knees, between her thighs. He kissed her lips savagely and she leaned into him, tangling her fingers in his thick, dark hair.

"Mrs. Lovett..." The heat of his body, of his mouth, threatened to consume her, flames of desire lapping at her skin. She felt as if she might swoon.

"Mrs. Lovett..." His teeth grazed her bottom lip, drawing blood.

"Oh, Mr. Todd, please..."

"Please, what?"

Mrs. Lovett blinked, took in her surroundings. Mr. Todd stood next to the mirror, leather strop in one hand, razor in the other, staring at her as if she'd grown a second head.

"Are you all right, Mrs. Lovett?" Mr. Todd focused his attention back on finishing the blade, lips pressed together in grim concentration.

"Oh, I... I must have laced up me bodice a bit too tight this morning. Nevermind me, dear. Can I get you something to eat? You look like you could use it. And maybe a few winks, Mr. Todd. Ain't you been getting any sleep at all? You look dreadful, if you don't mind my saying."

Mr. Todd looked up, his severe expression giving way to a brief smile. "I'm glad I have you to tend to my needs, Mrs. Lovett."

Mrs. Lovett might have sworn he was looking right through her. "Any needs you need tending to... anything at all, Mr. Todd... I'm here for you, love."

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