Mrs. Lovett was going about her usual business of closing the shop, cleaning the last of the tables while Toby swept the floor. She was just about to tell Toby to call it a night when a sharp rap was heard on the front door.

"Oh, now 'oo could that be at this 'our?" She pulled back a curtain near the door and peered out into the darkness. A young woman was standing on the stoop, looking over her shoulder anxiously, like she felt afraid of being seen. Mrs. Lovett opened the door a crack and spoke around the corner of the door.

"Can I 'elp you, miss?" The young woman nodded quickly and burst into frenzied pleading.

"My name is Lily and I need a place to stay, please! I've seen you in your shop and you seemed so kind and I was hoping you could let me stay with you and I wouldn't do it for free, I'd work really hard in the shop if you wanted, please!" Mrs. Lovett felt her heart soften at the sight of the tired young woman and let her into the shop. As the lady crossed the threshold she sighed and removed her cloak from her shoulders. "Thank you Mrs. Lovett. Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Mrs. Lovett laughed.

"You'll 'ave to earn your keep. No mouth in this establishment gets fed without workin' for it first!" Lily nodded solemnly. "That's a love. I'll take you to get some'in fresh to wear. You look like you've through the mill once or twice." Mrs. Lovett turned and motioned for Lily to follow, while giving her the quick once over. She was about the same height as Mrs. Lovett, with pin-straight black hair and electric green eyes that jumped out of her olive-tone skin. She was slim, but she had shapely curves and long legs that came together in a very comely figure. "You're a pretty one, ain'cha? Bound to make me clothes like rags, but they'll 'ave to do until we can get your dress cleaned up." Lily looked bashfully down at the ground.

"Thank you, Mrs. Lovett." When they reached the room, Mrs. Lovett bustled over to her wardrobe and shuffled around in it until she pulled out a slightly worn, but still presentable dress.

"Here you are. Not the newest thing, but it'll do." As she handed the dress to Lily, heavy footsteps were suddenly heard from above them, pacing back and forth across the floor. Lily turned to Mrs. Lovett.

"What's that?" Mrs. Lovett laughed lightly.

"No need to be frightened love, that's just Mr. Todd. 'E's a barber that works upstairs, probably in one of his sulks again." Lily felt a sudden stab of jealousy at the tender smile that graced Mrs. Lovett's face as she gazed up at the ceiling. The soft grin faded when she her eyes met Lily's again and she saw the fire flashing in them, like a lightning storm inside of her soul. Her smile faltered as she went to leave the room. "Well, I'll just let you dress, then." She closed the door gently behind her and Lily felt her anger melt away as she lifted the dress to her face and inhaled deeply, taking in the scent of soap, flour, and daisies, the scent of Mrs. Lovett.

"Nellie…" she sighed as she replaced her dress with the borrowed one. She composed herself as she exited the room, entering the parlor to find Toby sitting on the sofa, drinking gin straight from the bottle. She chuckled as she down on a stool next to the chair she assumed to Mrs. Lovett's.

"Where's Mrs. Lovett?" Toby wiped his mouth on his sleeve before answering.

"She's gettin' Mr. Todd 'is dinner, miss." Lily felt the anger again.

"Why?" Toby shrugged.

"I'm not sure. She's likes 'im I suppose. 'E doesn't seem too nice though." Lily felt the jealousy bubbling. "She ought to be back in a moment. He never lets 'er stay long." Lily nodded, pushing back the bile rising in her throat. True to Toby's prediction, Mrs. Lovett re-entered the room at that moment, and Lily felt her anger drop off like it have never been there. As she collapsed into her chair and propped up her feet, Lily took the opportunity to appraise her legs as her skirt slid up, but quickly pulled her eyes away. Once Mrs. Lovett was relaxed, she turned her head to Lily.

"So, what's your story, love? How comes you's runnin' around by yourself at this 'our?" Lily swallowed the lump in her throat, hesitated, then plowed forward.

"My father chased me out of the house. I had no where to go. I had been by your pie shop a few times and you seemed so kind and understanding, I thought I could come here." Mrs. Lovett's brow furrowed with concern.

"Now why would your father throw out a pretty thing like you?" Lily glanced over at Toby, but he was fast asleep, curled up with a half-empty gin bottle.

"He's ashamed of me. He hasn't been able to marry me to anyone respectable, and now that I'm almost twenty five, he threw me out so he wouldn't have a useless mouth to feed. I was always a barter chip for him, and once I lost me value, he got rid me." Her eyes filled with tears of anger. She was soothed when she felt Mrs. Lovett's hand stroking her hair.

"Now, now, love. It was 'is mistake. Men is just morons is all. You can stay 'ere as long as you need. I'm sure we'll find you a nice man in the shop one day." Lily stared Mrs. Lovett straight in the eye, the truth choking her as it lodged in her throat. She looked away as the hand was removed from her hair, and thought silently in her head:

I don't want any man...I want you...

Meanwhile, Mrs. Lovett was reclining in her chair, unknowing, and wondering:

What the blazes am I goin' to tell Mr. T?

AN: A quick first chapter I drew up. I had to go and make a lesbian Sweeney Todd fic, simply because I want so badly to jump Helena's bones. Haha. Anyway, I'm expecting flames so do your worst, and constructive criticism is greatly appreciated. If you find any gross errors, let me know.