Leo stepped into the bedroom that he and Piper shared.
"I don't want to hear it," said Piper, not turning around.
"Piper, be reasonable," pleaded Leo.
"I don't have to be," said Piper, turning to face him. "It's just like the last time. We make a wish and suddenly we're fighting for our lives. Or the life of someone close to us. No, Leo, I won't be reasonable. We aren't going through that again. No wishes. Just give him his gold and get him out of here."
"He can't," said Leo, "you saw that. It doesn't work that way. And Leprechauns aren't like genies. They're basically creatures of good. They try to help."
"All of them?" asked Piper. "You mean to tell me there are no evil Leprechauns?"
"No, I'm not," said Leo. "Like witches, there are those who are bad. But those are the rare exceptions. If Patrick was an evil Leprechaun, he wouldn't have waited four years."
"It doesn't matter," said Piper. "We can't take that chance. What if this is one of the evil Leprechauns? He can do a lot of damage with his wishes. You've seen that first hand. Damage we might not be able to fix this time."
"Will you at least hold off kicking him out until I can see if I can find out what kind of Leprechaun he is?" asked Leo. "He has waited four years. An hour or so more can't make much of a difference. Will you at least give me that time?"
Piper thought for a moment. So far, Patrick hadn't tried anything. Except to convince them to make their wishes. Maybe he couldn't do anything until they did make the wishes. If what they had learned so far were true, that would make sense.
"Okay," said Piper. "I'll give you one hour. Then he goes. No more arguing."
"Fine," said Leo. "I'll see what I can find out about Patrick. Most of them have been around a long time. I should be able to find out something about him."
Leo orbed out of the bedroom. Piper was considering if she should join the others in the kitchen when there was a knock on the door. She opened it to find Patrick standing there.
"I know I'm not being your favorite person at the moment," he said. "But I was wondering if I might be asking for a moment of your time. I'd like to be explaining a few things. I promise, I'll not be trying to convince you to be making your wish. You have me word."
"Make it quick," snapped Piper, some of the anger still in her voice.
Patrick walked into the room and jumped up on the bed. He reached into his coat pocket to pull out his pipe, and then thought better of it. He looked over at Piper.
"Listen, darlin'," he started.
"Wait a minute," said Piper in her most authoritarian voice, "no darling. No sweetheart, no babe, no honey, none of those little terms of endearment. I'm a very happily married woman, thank you."
"As you wish, lass," said Patrick. "I can understand your being a bit put off. What with the Djinn and all. But I can assure you, we Leprechauns are different. Djinn are a mischievous lot. Not evil exactly, mind you. Just prone to very bad taste in practical jokes, you might say.
"We Leprechauns be different. We're here to be doing good, just as you are. You have nothing to worry about with me. I'll not be twisting your wishes for some evil purpose of me own design. And in all honesty, I don't think you've been giving me a fair shake, as they say."
"What's that supposed to mean?" insisted Piper.
"Well now," said Patrick, "let's say there's this innocent who's been injured by a warlock. Then along you come. You announce you're a witch and you're there to help; to put things right. But this innocent won't have nary a thing to do with you claiming witch, warlock, there is no difference. Simply because of your having similar powers. Tell me. Would that be fair to you? How do you think that would make you feel?"
"I guess I wouldn't like it very much," said Piper. "But that's different."
"No, lass, it's not," said Patrick. "In a way, the Djinn and the Leprechaun are somewhat related. Much the same way in which a witch and a warlock are related. Our proverbial innocent is simply lumping both together because they have similar powers. You're doing the same thing. Treating me differently because of what a Djinn did to you."
Piper just looked at Patrick. She had to concede he had a point. How many centuries had witches been persecuted, even murdered, because of peoples' misconceptions of who and what they were. But it wasn't enough to changer her mind.
"Okay," said Piper finally. "I'll agree that maybe I've been a bit harsh. And maybe somewhat narrow-minded. So I'll give you a chance. Prove to me you can be trusted."
Patrick thought for a moment. At least she was willing to discuss it. But the way to prove he was to be trusted was a bit of a sticking point. He finally settled on what he thought would be the best way to do that.
"Well now," he said, "this be bending the rules a wee bit. But I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll give you a demonstration wish. Nothing big or fancy. Just a wee something to prove I'm a man of me word and that I can be trusted."
Piper thought for a moment. It had to be something that, even if he twisted it, it couldn't cause any serious problems. Something that would be relatively harmless. She stood up and walked over to the dresser. She removed a locket on a silver chain from one drawer. The chain was broken into three pieces.
"This belonged to my mother," said Piper. "I've been meaning to get it fixed but just don't seem to get around to it. I want you to fix it for me."
"Gladly, dear . . . lass," said Patrick.
The Leprechaun took the locket and held it in his hand for a moment. Then he opened his hand and handed it to Piper. She looked it over carefully. There was no sign it had ever been broken. It was even polished with all the tarnish removed. Patrick just smiled at her. Piper kept looking the locket over, trying to find anything that would prove she was right.