Sorry it's taken so long. I'm working around a schedule, so... I hope you understand.

Thanks to: JOJO, Kylria, The Original Queen, rainbowonfire, Solece, and watergoddesskasey for your awesome reviews. I'm glad y'all are looking forward to more!

And, don't worry JOJO, Wendy's not getting with HB. (sorry for those who hoped)

Abe was floating in his tank and listening to a different classical composer, Tchaikovsky, when Wendy quietly entered the library. Though her mind was once again blocked, her emotions were being unwittingly projected. She was very upset about something, and it disturbed him.

"Wendy, are you all right?" he asked, but she didn't hear him. Curious at what could affect her so, he proceeded to exit his tank.

She stood by a bookshelf, completely immersed in her music. So, her reaction was not completely unexpected when Abe touched her shoulder. She spun quickly into a defensive position, knocking his hand away, and he almost fell over from the force and his own surprise. Recognition flashed over her features, as did guilt and apology as she jerked out an earphone.

"I'm guessing you're fine." Her face flushed with apology.

"I'm sorry. I was startled."

"Understandable." He massaged his wrist. "You're quite strong."

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have had my music so loud."

"What were you listening to?" She fished the iPod from her pocket.

"It's on Bach. I was listening to Mozart, but I forgot it was on random." She turned it off and put it and the earphones back in her pocket; her pause afterward elicited a response from Abe.

"What is it?"

"Is that…Tchaikovsky?"

"Oh, yes, it is. Do you listen to classical often?"

"When I'm too uptight to play my guitar, I do. Or when I read."

"You play guitar?"

"I try to. My parents… They wanted me to play violin, but I took guitar lessons instead." The sadness was evident in her voice. "I should have taken those lessons."

"Why didn't you?"

"I was angry with them."

"Is that what's bothering you?"

"Huh?"

"When you walked in, I could tell you were upset. You still are. Do you want to talk?"

"No. The past is better left there—in the past."

"Not if it affects the future."

"This shouldn't."

"Very well, then. Just know that you're safe here." She was grateful, though he could still tell she was upset.

"Thanks. This is the safest I've ever felt. I think this is the only place that I can let down my walls." She didn't mean just her mental ones; she had built walls around her emotions as well. "Are there any poetry books?"

"Yes. They're over here." He led her to a different section of shelves, behind and around a desk, and let her pick on out. His mood changed when she picked up a smaller blue book; she looked his way to see what was wrong. He was sad; she knew the look. It was the look of memories one would rather forget. His gaze was on the book in her hands.

"Is something wrong?" His gaze finally broke from the book and met hers. While they had been talking, he realized, she had let some of her walls down. He could feel her worry and understanding; and suddenly, he felt the urge to talk to her, as if he could tell her anything, as if it would all be well if he did.

"I was just thinking." He didn't know how to word the rest of his thoughts.

"Anything bad?"

"Sad."

"Need to talk?" The perfect opportunity was there and he took it.

"Actually, that would be nice."

"Then step into my office," she joked as she led him to a couch and sat sideways to face him; he sat in the 'proper' seating position for a chair or couch, facing forward. "What kind of memories is this bringing up?" She set the small blue book of poetry between them and his gaze fixed on it once again. "Was it special to someone you knew?"

"It was. To the both of us, actually."

"Care to elaborate?"

"I think I need to tell you something first."

"What is it?"

"I have this feeling around you. I feel like I can tell you anything, should tell you anything, and it will be all right. Like everything will be better." Wendy closed her eyes and looked away.

"I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"This always seems to happen. That's why I don't ever have my mind unblocked." His desire to talk to her was lessening; she was blocking her mind again.

"What do you mean?"

"Every time someone was exposed when my mind is open, they would tell me things. I was almost killed for one secret someone spilled. That's when my grandfather showed me how to build walls, to protect people from me as much as me from them. The bit about blocking anything paranormal came later."

"Hmm."

"What?"

"It seems that your power is working in reverse."

"What power?" He just stared. "Oh. I've always thought of it as a curse."

"Liz was the same way. Now she can control her fire quite well."

"What fire?"

"You don't know?" Wendy shook her head. "Liz is a pyrokinetic."

"A pyro-what-nic?"

"A pyrokinetic. She can call fire at will. Granted, when she first found she had the power, she couldn't control it at all. Over time, she's gotten better."

"So, you're saying, with practice, I can master my 'power'?"

"Exactly."

"And how am I supposed to do that?"

"I'm not sure. Mayhap you can leave your walls down, and when I feel the urge to talk to you, you can learn what it feels like for you and block it."

"Hmm."

"You don't like that idea?"

"I didn't say that."

"What, then?"

What if I can't control it? What if it never works?"

"That's exactly what Liz said. It worked for her." She sighed.

"I'll think about it."

"Very well."

"And, if whatever this is isn't affecting you, and you really need or want to talk… I'm here."

"Thank you." Wendy twiddled her thumbs before suddenly jumping up and startling Abe.

"I'll be right back." She was gone before Abe could react.

What could Wendy have in mind?

Find out soon! (I promise!)

Please review!

A/N: I would really appreciate it if some of you would read Finally Free and give me some ideas. I'm seriously stuck on that one! Thanks!