We don't own any of the characters from The Phantom of the Opera, although we do rather enjoy borrowing them from time to time, especially Erik!

A/N Hey everyone and welcome to a Round Robin Fan Fiction. For those of you who are not quite sure how this works, different authors take turns writing different chapters of the story. We now have nine Authors, so we have one more spot open! Message me if you want to join our crazy little project. The following authors will soon share their amazing talents with you.

Chapter one - ToryD

Chapter two - Terpsichore314

Chapter three - KatieKay90

Chapter four - MJ Mod

Chapter five - LostBluePhantom

Chapter six – Moonshine's Guide

Chapter seven - Phantasmarose

Chapter eight - Susana

Chapter nine - Splendorous Night Unfurled

Chapter ten – To Be Announced

Chapter 2 – Author – terpsichore314 – Beta? who needs a beta?

A/N My humble (or arrogant) attempt at a chapter. I hope I did justice to Tory's superb beginning. Her fertile imagination never ceases to amaze me.

Tory's Note – She did an amazing job! I can't wait to see where we go from here.

Secrets Left Untold

Chapter 2

Erik saw that she had a trickle of blood running down the side of her face. She must have scraped her head when she hit the pavement. Holding the baby in one arm, he took out his handkerchief and wiped the blood away. "How do you feel? I am sorry we hit you." She is really quite beautiful if you look past the pallor of homelessness, he mused. Her eyes are the most amazing shade of blue. Why am I thinking this? I don't even know her!

"Ah, it hurts in my side. Yes, well it is my fault, I wasn't looking. I was focused on the museum," she admitted. Even her voice is beautiful.

"You scared Darius, and he is normally unflappable." Erik realized the inappropriateness of that comment and lowered his gaze.

There was an embarrassed pause.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. It wasn't your fault. I was trying to be funny."

"It's all right. I appreciate you trying. I haven't been out much lately, so any conversation is welcome." And she is very gracious too.

"Ben, is that your baby's name?" he said, wanting to get away from the subject of the accident.

Christine looked at Ben, who miraculously was still sleeping, then back to Erik. "Yes," she said, grateful for a normal topic. "How he can still be sleeping is a mystery to me." Her brother looked extremely cozy, albeit out of place, in the formally dressed man's arms. The car lurched and she gasped and held her side.

Erik moved closer to her so he could grab her arm to steady her. "All right?"

Christine closed her eyes a moment in pain and took a breath. "Yes, I think so."

"I'm sure you will like Dr. Martin, and he comes with the best credentials, I assure you."

"Yes, well, it is very nice of you," Christine managed. Erik could tell that her conversational skills were faltering because of the pain.

"I'm sure it is the least I can do, after hitting you like that." Erik was surprised to feel a protective surge run through him.

The car lurched again, and she gasped again. "Here, lean up against me, and I can steady you with my arm, and still hold the baby with the other. Good thing he's sleeping." Erik was not going to question why he was so willing to get so close to this "homeless person." It felt right somehow. Christine gingerly slid over to him, and leaned against him. Erik put his arm around her shoulders, and they rode the rest of the way to Dr. Martin's like that, in silence. Erik noticed that she seemed to fit nicely under his arm, and somehow she her scent was sweet, in spite of her homeless life. Christine seemed exhausted, and kept her eyes closed the entire way to the clinic.

They arrived at Dr. Martin's just as the baby started to wake up. Erik insisted on carrying Christine while Darius brought the baby. Dr. Martin had the most modern, state-of-the-art clinic possible, and even though he was a socialist, and supported public health, he was sought after by the wealthiest clients. His expertise was well-known, and on the days he wasn't at the teaching hospital he saw private clients. He took one look at Christine and knew exactly what dire straits she was in, both physically and financially.

"Erik, put her over here in this exam room." Dr. Martin and Erik were on a first-name basis, because Erik had funded several of Dr. Martin's charities. Erik put Christine carefully on the examining table.

"Now young lady, I have got you in my clutches," Dr. Martin said teasingly, putting on his best facetious bedside manner. Christine cracked an exhausted smile. "I am going to have to examine you; you just tell me where it hurts."

Ben was now awake and waving his fists in the air. Darius had been appointed baby holder in the absence of any car seat or baby carrier. He stayed in Christine's line of sight so she would know he was all right.

"You shouldn't have let her move so much – it has exacerbated the injury – I may have operate, depending on the severity of her injuries," said Dr. Martin.

"Hans, I had to do what was expedient. She didn't want to come at first." Erik said defensively.

"I have to conduct this examination now. Allow the lady some privacy and leave us," Dr. Martin commanded. He had to live up to his eccentric reputation.

After a few minutes Dr. Martin came out with Christine and led her to the waiting room sofa.

"Ben," Christine mumbled, hearing the infant fussing. "He needs his bottle." Darius was awkwardly jiggling the baby. Erik had to struggle to keep a straight face at the sight of his proper servant with the child in his arms.

"She was lucky, and I don't think her injuries are severe enough to warrant an operation. But she will need rest and quiet for a few days to recover. "

"I will bring her to my home. I don't think she has anywhere to go." Ben chose that moment to start wailing.

Christine said, "There's a bottle in his diaper bag. There is still some formula left." Darius shoved the baby at Erik and got the diaper bag and handed it to Christine, who found the bottle. Erik, who was sweating profusely with the crying infant in his arms, looked at Christine, a mute plea in his eyes. Christine held out her arms for the baby.

"No, no, no, you cannot hold the baby just yet. You have to rest," clucked Dr. Martin. Erik was forced to take the bottle from Christine. He found a seat, and stuck the bottle in the baby's face. The baby found the nipple and started sucking hungrily. Erik adjusted his arms around the infant and looked down at him in amazement. The baby's wandering hand found Erik's face and pressed against his mask. Erik started to tense, but the mask was not dislodged, and the baby smiled at him.

"He likes you," Christine said.

"Well, I am feeding him," Erik said sardonically.

"No, I think he really likes you, Erik," Dr. Martin said. "Look, he is not eating now, but he is still smiling at you."

"It is true, he doesn't like everyone, he is a discriminating sort," Christine added.

"Will wonders never cease." Erik was still in sardonic mode, but he felt himself relaxing a bit with the pleasure of holding a noncrying infant. Suddenly it occurred to him that Christine had been caring for the infant by herself, with no place to live. He could not begin to fathom the fortitude needed to survive in such a situation, and found himself impressed by her sheer strength of will.

Ben finished feeding, and was given a new diaper, and they proceeded to Erik's penthouse. By the time they got there it was late, and Christine had fallen asleep. Erik was carrying Christine in when she woke up and protested that she could walk, but Erik overruled her. Darius followed with the baby and their bags.

"Mr. Demetrius, you're back!" Erik's housekeeper, Jeanne Giry, exclaimed as they came in the door. Erik knew he was in trouble. She never called him "Mr. Demetrius."

"Yes, Jeanne, and we have company. I hope you are ready to add babysitting to your many duties?" Erik said dryly, knowing he was getting in even deeper trouble.

"Yes, but what are you doing with this young woman?"

"I acquired her when we hit her. You know what the Chinese say, once you save a person's life you are responsible for them. We brought her to Dr. Martin, and she has no one, it seems, so she is here." Erik could not acknowledge the deep connection he irrationally felt for Christine, not even to Jeanne who had practically raised him. "And she has a baby. Darius has him. I don't know what's taking him so long."

"The poor thing. The car hit her? Why did you do that? It is a wonder she is not in the hospital! Oh, and Isabel called for you. Numerous times." Jeanne said as she followed Erik to the guest bedroom.

"Oh, did she? Did she mention I stood her up for the museum fundraiser? When Christine here shot out in front of the car, she would not condescend to participate in the rescue. What was I to do?" Erik defended himself ironically. "I had to save Christine's life. Isabel is well equipped to fend for herself." Erik laid Christine gently on the bed, reluctant to break contact with her.

The ever efficient Darius chauffeur-metamorphosed-into-babyholder appeared with Ben. Jeanne rushed over to him and took the baby, and put him on the bed next to Christine. Ben was being the model baby, and had remained asleep ever since he was fed.

"We will have to do something about a crib of course. Is it too late to send Darius out for one?" Darius, who was intent on making his escape, looked positively depressed.

"Maybe we have a trunk we can put him," offered Erik.

Jeanne raised her eyebrows at that. "Who are you, and what did you do with my boss?"

"All right, Jeanne, stop teasing me. I am your boss, and you should maintain a modicum of respect."

Jeanne knew a reprimand when she heard one, and was silent.

Erik woke up suddenly in the middle of the night. (Even though it was already the middle of the night when he finally got to bed.) What was that noise? Erik got out of bed and hurriedly put on his mask and robe and went to investigate. Erik realized the noises were from Christine, and from the sound of it, she was having a bad dream. Erik slipped into the shadowed room, and approached the bed.

"No… Stop that!" Christine twisted and thrashed. Her hair was wild. Erik sat on the edge of the bed and caught her hand in both of his, hoping he could quiet her. Suddenly Christine opened her eyes and caught his gaze.

"Christine, you are in my home now, and safe," Erik said, pushing her hair back from her face. "I did not know where else to take you."

"No, there is no place," Christine said, and a tear started to roll down the side of her face. "Where is Ben?" Erik could not help himself and wiped the tear away with his hand, and stroked her cheek with his fingers.

"Your baby is safe. He is right here. My housekeeper Jeanne had to put him in a laundry basket because we had no crib. I don't usually entertain infant guests." Erik didn't want to see Christine cry, so he used humor on her. The tears stopped for a moment as she chuckled a bit, but they kept on going.

"I'm sorry, I can't seem to stop, everything is just so terrible right now." Erik took her hand again soothingly, and she did not pull her hand away.

"Yes, I can imagine, if you are throwing yourself in front of cars," Erik said and then asked, "Christine, how are you feeling?"

"I feel very sore. Like I've been hit by a car, as a matter of fact." She smiled at him, and Erik smiled back, amazed at the ease he felt with her. Erik lost himself for a moment in her cerulean blue eyes. All the awkwardness Erik usually felt with another human being was not present with her. She was looked at him, and not at the mask. No one had ever accepted him as quickly as she had.

"Christine, I want you to know you can stay with me as long as you need to recover. I don't want you to have to worry, and it is my fault you are in this state. Once you are recovered, then we can discuss what you want to do next."

Christine frowned, and for a minute Erik was afraid she would not accept his offer. But she sighed and said, "Even though I don't know you, you have been kind to me like no one else has been these past few weeks, and I feel safe with you. So I thank you and promise not to impose on your hospitality for too long."

Erik released the breath he hadn't known he was holding. "I promise not to betray your trust in me. I won't embarrass you by asking about the circumstances of your separation with Ben's father."

"Ben's father did not want me, did not want us." Her voice wobbled.

The cur, thought Erik, surprised at the violence of the thought. What man would throw out his wife and child? "I mean what I say, Christine. You do not have to worry while you are here with me."

"Thank you."

"I will let you get back to sleep." Erik got up to go, but found Christine would not release his hand and was tugging him back.

"Please don't go. Stay with me." She looked at him pleadingly. "I just don't want to be alone."

Erik knew it would be a mistake to stay, but he wanted to be near her, so he said, "All right, Christine. I will stay. Are you sure though? Because I am not going to sleep in a chair." Christine looked a little chagrined, but she nodded and moved over to make room for him in the bed. Erik got in next to her, feeling self conscious when the bed dropped with his weight. He had never gotten into bed with a woman unless they were going to have sex. Christine turned to face him, and put her hands on his arm, closed her eyes and went to sleep. Erik stayed up, watching her face and listening to her breathe, until he finally fell asleep.