"Luck is on your side, laddie, I can feel it." The Leprechaun said as Jack entered the old bar.
"What in the world are you doing in Phoenix?" Jack asked.
The Leprechaun laughed. "I could very well ask you the same question, Frosty."
At Jack's pissed-off look, the Irishman rolled his eyes. "Fine, your old pal Paddy tends to prefer less rainy areas these days, let's just leave it at that." Jack raised an eyebrow, but let it slide. "How did you find me if you didn't know I was here?"
"I guessed. Did you know the only thing green in this neighborhood is the little field of four leaf clovers growing through the parking lot here?" Jack asked mockingly.
Paddy sighed. "Can't be helped. They tend to follow me like cold weather is drawn to you. Speaking of which, you'll need to leave town soon, sorry you're visit was so short." Paddy turned to leave the bar, place was dry as a bone anyway.
Jack snorted. "There's only one thing short around here, Lucky Paddy and that's you. Trying to get rid of me?"
Paddy stopped and turned back to face the white-haired immortal. "Word travels, Jackie, even to a dusty oven like this. And there's a story about you that makes me more than a bit leery of dealing with the like of you."
Jack stiffened in surprise. "Who could've?" Then it hit him. "Bunnymund." He didn't have to look at the Irish immortal to know he'd guessed right.
Paddy nodded anyway. "Aye, 'twas Mr. E. Aster himself what told me. I'd come to visit like I usually did near summer's end, but he had none of his usual cheer."
"Like the Bunny is known for being cheerful." Jack replied in a tone as dry as the city. Paddy ignored him.
"And he says to me, Paddy, he says, that blasted Frost has gone and done a horrible wrong. Then he says he hasn't the time for ol' Paddy at the moment, because he was busy training eggs to look for you. Or trying to, leastways, mind you, since most of his eggs were either too fresh or else spoiled." Paddy took a breath and kept a close eye on Jack as he spoke. "Finally I get to hear that you went and killed a believer. Not only did you kill a believer, he was your first."
"And I was dating him." Jack said suddenly. "Did Bunny tell you that? How about the field of icebergs that the ship ran into before it blew up, did he mention that? Or how the Guardians decided to hunt me down rather than actually listen to me?" Jack was emotional, but controlled his temper. He knew Paddy was just itching for an excuse to disappear and tell the Guardians where he was.
"No, he neglected to mention any of that. However, that doesn't make you look any better. Just gives you more motive and a a method." Paddy folded his arms across his chest. "Why are yiu here, Jack Frost?"
"My powers are fizzling out. I can barely make ice and I can't fly for more than a few miles. I think it has to do with..."
"All the power that you're leaking?" The Leprechaun asked.
"What?" Jack managed to ask after adjusting to the shock.
"Yep, it's probably seeping out of you and into your surroundings. It's very faint, I wouldn't have noticed usually, but I am pretty lucky." He answered.
Thinking for a moment, Jack made a decision. "Can you help me fix that? Please?"
Paddy clenched his fists. His face remained remarkably calm. "Now why would I help you? We barely know each other Frost. You seemed keen on getting a believer to see you. Until the Guardians chose you. I figured you'd never consider becoming friendly with the folks who could see you. And now you're apparently responsible for killing your first believer in a lover's quarrel! Things don't look good for you, Jack."
"Do they add up to you? You're no stranger to the odds, luckster. So what are the odds I would kill my boyfriend and first believer?" Jack stuck his hand in his pockets to keeo them from shaking.
A long pause fell between them. Paddy looked Jack straight in the eyes and Jack didn't flinch away. Finally, the Leprechaun spoke. "Suppose I believe you. Why are you running from the Guardians?"
"I have to find out who killed Jamie. There's...someone very important to me that I need to convince. She's a mortal so I don't know how much time I'll have. I can't let the Guardians stop me or distract me. And having this problem with my powers is driving me insane." Jack said, eyes never wavering from Paddy's.
"I don't know..." Paddy said uncertainly.
"The Groundhog believed me." Jack said. "He even told me how to evade the Guardians and gave me the first clue to finding Mother Nature."
"Her island on the equator." Paddy said simply.
"How did you know?"
"Lucky guess." Paddy said. Jack was sure there was more to it than that but he didn't want to press the issue. "Fine, laddy. I can help you close the leak. Mind you, it'll take time to regain what you've lost, even after I seal the leak. You'll need to recharge in the Antarctic for about six months and then stick to your own season for another three. By then you should be close to normal."
Jack nodded, trying not to look as disappointed as he felt. So much for hitting the equator soon, Jack thought. "Should I sit or what?"
"Either way, you'll likely end up on the ground at some point." Paddy said. He threw his hand outward, palm out and pointed at Jack. A bright green light in a familiar U shape formed a few inches from his hand.
"Is that a horse shoe?" Jack asked, before it shot towards him and knocked him out cold.
Note: Okay, so the outline helped some, but it looks like this will be more chapters than I planned. I'm sure y'all are disappointed by that (not). :-) Sorry this one was late. My older brother's birthday was last weekend and I just kept losing track of time. Thanks for the read and as always, I'd love to hear you're feedback!
