Disclaimer: X-men will never be mine…. But at least I can play with it! Wish is mine though, as is the idea of her mutation.

The following morning, with Jean's approval, I leave my bed and head up to the Professor's office. I knock lightly on his door but it's hardly necessary; after all, the man is a telepath.

"Come in," he says as I open the door and step into his office. I've been here less than a month and already I feel a bond starting to form between myself and this unexpectedly sensitive gentleman. Indeed, he even has a gentleman's manner. I take no pains to conceal this thought from him, and I see his mouth twitch at the corners as he receives my mental compliment. He motions to one of the chairs opposite his desk and I sit down, making myself relatively comfortable. I still feel kind of weird from the painkillers.

"Jean told me- about Rogue… I really don't know how it happened," I suddenly say, my voice sincere. I'm not quite secure here yet, and I am so afraid I'll be kicked out for using my power. Which is silly, because this is probably one of the few places its ok to be a mutant. Old habits die hard, I guess.

"Don't be afraid Wish… you did not do anything consciously or with the intention to hurt. The same precautions Rogue took to ensure others' safety from her mutation are still effective now, and indeed, her burden is a little lighter now that she can have contact with a select few. You're not in any trouble, and indeed I want to impress on you that exploring your power as much as you safely can is highly encouraged here. You shouldn't be afraid of what you can do, and the more you learn about yourself, the more control you'll have." He smiles at me reassuringly, and I smile back. I really, really like this man, so I decide to be honest.

"I am afraid. Honestly, this last wish nearly made my head explode." I shake my head, hugging myself. "I'm terrified, expecting every time my power comes out to be my last time."

"Jean and I have been discussing this issue while you were unconscious. We think the reason you reacted to strongly to Rogue's wistful wish was because you identified with her. Do you feel a closeness?"

"Well… she is one of the first people I met here…, besides Logan and yourself. I guess she's my first friend."

Professor Xavier nodded. "All this predisposed you to a strong empathic link with her, and if I'm not mistaken, your wishes have always been more likely to occur if you sympathized with the wisher."

I shrug. "Yeah, from what I can remember, it did help if I truly believed in what I was wishing for. But it always had to be me wishing… I've never fulfilled a wish that wasn't my own before. I mean, imagine what it would be like if every time someone said 'I wish' within my hearing range and I made it happen. I'd be dead by now!"

"Perhaps the reason for this unusual fulfillment is that it was made in a place where you had your natural mental barriers down, as people tend to do when making new friends."

This makes sense to me, but it's also very worrisome. "So I'll have to always be withdrawn from people, to prevent it from happening again? I can't ever really share myself with anyone then, can I?"

"Not exactly. I believe that with practice, you can achieve control over your mutation, and maybe even over how it works, although that part is highly complicated. I have never before heard of a mutation that affected the fabric of reality before."

"Oh. So… what can I do? To protect myself and my friends?"

"Jean and I can place an artificial barrier in your mind to keep you from being affected by the desires of those around you."

I sigh in relief, leaning back into my chair. Thank god. The professor isn't done yet though, and his words of caution slice through my relief as easily as a hot knife through butter.

"Nevertheless, our barrier is still artificial, and given enough time, your mind will wear it away. So you must try to learn to control it naturally as much as you can."

I ignore the last part. "Can't you make it stronger?" I ask earnestly, leaning forward in my chair. "Can't you make it permanent?"

Professor Xavier shakes his head. "It would be easier that way, but it is never wise to alter a person's mind unnecessarily. And it is not safe either."

I stand up, twisting my hands in anxiety. "I'll do my best. But it'd be great if we can get the block up before I go back to everyone. I will try my best to control myself though."

He nods. "That's all we ask." The professor closes his eyes briefly, and seconds later Jean Grey comes in. I guess they communicate something to each other wordlessly, because seconds later I find myself dismissed from the office.