Saturday was only two days away, but they had to live in the town for those days. Jim Kirk thought he stuck out like a sore thumb in a place…and the fame of his fast draw seemed to have traveled over the line. He did not know how they knew him, but he supposed in a time of limited population, they just did not have much trouble recognizing people by a description. He wished he could hear that description. Did they say he had cold blue eyes? He had read westerns before and he could not help but wonder if descriptions actually went like that. Did they think he was a cold gun slinger? Surely they had seen him in town with Carol…and she had certainly not hidden the fact that she was engaged to be married. She had brought Uhura into town with her after she got her some new clothes, and they had a big secret about Carol's wedding dress. They were always talking about it in whispers.

Jim thought he was on the outside of the loop when it came to that dress. She had not even told him what color it was. He walked down the boardwalk in the town wondering where he could find a job, although he thought he already had one if he was going to be working with West and Gordon. They had assured them that they would be paid for their help in the mission. They had already compensated them somewhat in giving them an advance so they would not be walking around town with no money.

Today, Jim was wearing a yellow shirt under his brown vest, and he was even wearing brown chaps and jeans, plus that tied-down gun. He had thought about not wearing it but West had told him that word travelled and he might meet up with someone who wanted to challenge him, and he certainly did not want to be unarmed. Carol had argued that point saying that if he was not wearing a gun, then he would not be challenged. After a long session with Jim West, Jim decided that he would wear it anyway.

The town was not as crowded today as the train had left the previous evening. However, in a town as big as San Francisco, there were always people around. As he was passing by a saloon, there was a woman standing beside the door. "Hi, Handsome," she said. "Why don't you come in and have a drink?"

"No thanks," Jim replied.

"Oh, you're that gun slinger everyone's talking about."

"I'm not a gun slinger."

"From what I hear, you are. You sure are a handsome one. No scars."

"Who says I'm a gun slinger?"

"Word travels, Honey. You're getting real famous for outdrawing Curly Bill. I'm sure he's not going to take that too lightly. You're ruining his reputation."

Jim frowned. "Thanks for the information," he said and walked on. He did not want people to think he was a gun slinger. However, he supposed he had caused that himself, but it had simply been a reflex. After all, he had jerked phasers out of the holster before, and he supposed doing that had made him quick on the draw.

Bones caught up with Jim. "Where you going ?" he asked.

"I don't know," Jim said. "I'm so bored! There's nothing to do."

"Going stir crazy, huh?"

"You could say that. At least we'll be getting into something when we get on that mission with them."

"I think I'm actually looking forward to it. I am going to see the town doctor though. Hopefully I can alleviate some suffering."

"Lucky you."

"Hey, why don't you just come with me?"

"I think I'll go see the sheriff."

Bones frowned. "I'll see you later then. I already had a meeting with him."

"I heard. You sure that Hatfield isn't out and about again?"

"If he is, I intend to avoid him."

"In this town?"

"Yes, in this town. I'm going to help the doctor. Don't you be a patient again."

"I don't intend to be. I never intended to be. You know how that goes."

"So where are Carol and Uhura?"

Jim pointed. "Right there," he said.

Bones looked to see the "Dressmaker". He smiled as he looked at Jim. "She's really going with this wedding, isn't she?" he asked.

"What do you mean? You think we were kidding?"

"Well, no, but…you're going to just get married here? Jim, what if…"

"I can't think about that, Bones. I'll see you later."

Bones just watched Jim a moment. He wished he could get hold of that Q. He did not like what he was doing to Jim. It was a sick game of mind play. He turned and went on to the town doctor's office which he was glad to see was not up a flight of stairs.

"Good afternoon," the doctor said as Bones entered. "What can I do for you?"

"I'm Doctor Leonard McCoy. I just wanted to drop by and visit."

"Doctor, huh? We've got more than enough doctors in this town. Then again, we might need more if it keeps growing."

"I just want to see what kinds of medicines you use."

"The usual. What kind do you use?"

Bones just stood there a moment. "The usual. I thought maybe I could help you if you don't mind."

"How long you been a doctor?"

"Well, for about ten years."

"Ten years? You don't look old enough to have been a doctor that long."

"Well, I have," Bones said a little testily.

"Yeah? Well, we'll see then, won't we? I gotta go out and see a pregnant patient. You up to that?"

"Sure."

"Alright then. You can go with me. She's had four already, so she's kinda used to the situation."

"I guess so."

"You got any credentials on you?"

"Actually no. I left those with my bags."

"A likely story. If you're not a real doctor, I'll know it soon."

Bones wondered what he meant by that, but he supposed he was referring to witnessing child birth. Well, he had witnessed that plenty of times, and had made plenty of babies scream their first cry.

Bones went with the doctor to get a horse and buggy. "So, do these people live far out of town?" he asked.

"About four miles," the doctor answered. "By the way, I'm Doctor Herman Shoebridge."

"Well, Doc, I guess we're gonna deliver a baby."

That evening, Jim was at the hotel when there was a knock at his door. He opened the door, and Spock was there. "Come on in," Jim said.

Spock went in and stood as he usually did. "Jim, I hope that you are not upset with me because I did not want Uhura to disclose any information," he said.

"Why would I be? You're probably right."

Jim lay down on his bed. "I feel that you are upset with me," Spock said. "I do apologize if I…"

"It's alright, Spock," Jim interrupted. "I'm not your captain anymore, remember?"

Spock did not know what to make of Jim's mood and attitude. "I do not wish to be out of your command, Jim. I am not certain of what my place should be in this time. I would prefer to remain as your friend and help you in whatever endeavor you choose."

Jim sat up as he thought of the position Spock was in being thrown into a time when no one on Earth had ever seen a Vulcan. "I'm not sure what I'm going to do either," he said.

"If you choose to have a ranch, I will work as a ranch hand," Spock said. "I believe it would be a good cover since most ranches are fairly isolated."

Jim nodded. "Don't worry, Spock. I'm not gonna just leave you for the vultures."

"I am relieved to hear that."

"Besides, we might work with West for a while. At least we could make some money that way."

"And then purchase a ranch?"

"Something like that."

"Although we usually enter situations without much thought, I would like to have a plan in this situation."

"That's our plan, Spock. Carol even wants a farm…ranch, whatever."

"What is it that you want, Jim?" Spock asked.

Jim walked over to the window and looked out at the dark streets. "I don't know, Spock. I've never really known what I want. I seem to have just fallen in where I was and just went along with whatever happened."

"Jim, you worked very hard to become the captain of the Enterprise. I would not say that you simply fell into that position."

"Are you sure about that, Spock? I snuck aboard the ship, and it was just a chance that Pike made me first officer. You threw me off the ship. I mean…it was just by chance that I found the older Spock, and Scotty. Did I really work to become the captain or was it just…something that happened, and I was lucky?"

"Jim, your leadership capabilities were recognized by Starfleet, and you were appointed as the captain because it was clear that you were the right choice."

"They had no problem snatching it way from me though."

"Captain, you are letting this being play with your mind and cause you to doubt yourself."

"Spock! I don't know what I'm supposed to do here! I'm lost!"

"As are we all, but you will lead us into what we will do here, and we will all work together as we did on the Enterprise."

Jim thought he could not upset this Vulcan, even though his situation was probably worse than all of them. "I guess you're right," he said. "Whatever we do, we'll do it together. I take it Uhura and Carol have discovered that people in San Francisco are not so prejudiced?"

"That is so, Captain. I believe they like it here. I also believe that we would do well to settle here if that is what you wish."

"Carol and I were thinking of Wyoming. I think that's where we're going. It's more isolated."

"That might be a wise choice, Captain."

"Spock, you would be an excellent school teacher. You could retain order and have a booming school."

"I am not known here, Jim."

"Well, we're going to that dance Saturday, and you're going to get known. You're not going to hide on this train."

"I will go if that is what you think is best. However, I will continue to hide my ears."

"That'll probably be a good idea."

"I believe I will turn in now."

"Thanks for the talk, Spock."

"You are welcome, Jim."

Just as Spock was about to leave, Bones was at the door. "Talking without me, I see?" Bones asked.

"I did not realize that I have to have you present to talk to Jim," Spock replied.

"Well, I like to know what's going on around here."

"You have been gone most of the afternoon, and I do not find it necessary to find you before we have a discussion."

"You guys will never change no matter what time you're in," Jim said. "Why don't you both just come in?"

Bones went in and Spock closed the door. "So, what's going on?" Bones asked. "You heard anymore about our mission from West?"

"No. We were just talking about what we're going to do here if we're stuck here."

"And what's that?"

"Spock suggests that we buy a farm or ranch together and work it."

"You mean like a cattle ranch?"

"Something like that. You know, we could start out with a small herd and build it up like other people do."

"Jim, do you have any idea what goes into cattle ranching?"

"Some…but I'll just bet you know a lot more."

Bones frowned. "Are you telling me that you think I can help you create a cattle ranch? I'm a doctor, not a cowboy."

"Bones. Not only could we do that, but Spock could have himself a science lab out there. We can be in an isolated area where he won't have to worry about being seen."

"Oh, I don't know about this. I thought we were going to help West and Gordon."

"For a while, until we make some money."

"Jim, it would take a long time to make enough money to do that."

"Maybe not. We can make some kind of deal with them."

"A deal? Oh, this should be good. You're gonna try to swindle government agents?"

"Who said anything about a swindle?"

"You might as well have. I can see that twinkle in your eye now."

Jim chuckled at that. "Come on, Bones. We have to do something. We can't just sit here and twiddle our thumbs."

Bones leaned back on the dresser and folded his arms. "What happened to trying to manipulate Q into sending us back?" he asked.

"That could happen, but what are we supposed to do till then? Sit here?"

"No. We're gonna be helping Gordon and West. It'll be almost like what we did on the Enterprise, only it'll be a lot simpler."

"Simpler? We don't have technology here to help us."

"Don't I know it? I delivered a baby today. You don't have to remind me that we're away from technology."

"You delivered a baby?"

"Well, you don't have to sound so surprised. I am a doctor…in case you forgot with all the other tasks I've had to take on in the last few years, like flying alien vessels and fighting my way out of prisons, and I don't know…whatever came along."

Jim just looked at Bones a moment. "You know what? You and that Gordon fellow are a lot alike," he said.

"Really? You and that Jim West fellow are a lot alike too. Oh, I like to jump in the middle of situations and work my way out. I thought I was seeing a mirror image of you or something. Who knows? He might be one of your far off ancestors."

"It seems that every time we engage in a discussion, part of it is either arguing or insulting each other," Spock pointed out.

"It's not really insulting, Spock," Jim said. "Relax. It's just blowing off steam."

"I believe since we have been riding this train, I know the meaning of that phrase."

"Oh really? That's good."

"You are attempting to use humor or arguing to relieve stress."

"I believe he actually did get it," Bones said. "Don't you ever get stressed out about anything, Spock?"

"Not that I can recall."

"It's not good to hold in all your emotions all the time. You gotta explode sometimes."

"Vulcans do not have the need to…explode."

Jim could not help but laugh at Bones' frustration. "I think you have enough stress for all of us, Bones," he said.

"Before you came in, I was simply pointing out to Jim that this Q is playing with his mind and attempting to cause him to doubt himself. He believes he became the captain of the Enterprise just by chance."

Bones looked at Jim. "By chance?" He scowled at that. "I don't know about that, but you've earned the respect of the whole crew. I don't know what we would do if you weren't the captain. We wouldn't know all the things we know." He paused a moment. "We know how to survive, Jim."

"He is correct, Captain," Spock said. "Without you as our leader, we may never have learned the skills that we possess in surviving and simply dealing with whatever may come our way."

"You were taught that at Starfleet Academy," Jim said.

"Perhaps in word, but not in deed until we began following you. I have learned that one cannot always adhere to rules letter by letter, but that some situations require wits."

Bones looked at Jim. "You hear that?" he asked. "You taught Spock something. Don't let that guy cause you to think it was just by chance. You became the captain because you're a natural leader. It didn't have anything to do with Khan or anyone else."

"So you think I would have gotten the ship back without Khan?"

"Yes. Might have taken a while but…"

Just then, there was another knock at the door. "Are you sure we're not having the party here tonight?" Jim asked as he went to the door.

West and Gordon were at the door. "OH, well, it looks like the gang is all here," West said as Jim let them into the room.

"You got some more information or something?" Jim asked.

"Not exactly, but another diamond has been stolen, and we think the international diamond display will be a prime target. It's supposed to display some of the biggest diamonds. I'm supposed to safeguard the diamonds until they're displayed. On Monday, Artie will be going to pick up three of the diamonds from Margaret Midas that will be displayed in the exhibit, and we'll transport them to that display rather than her risking being hijacked on the way. I intend to send one of you with him since there are more of us now. Maybe we can avoid anymore trouble."

"I'll go with him," Bones volunteered. "You're liable to have even more trouble if you send Jim."

"Bones," Jim said.

"Well, if there's trouble, you'll find it."

"All we'll be doing is picking up the diamonds," Artie said. "Shouldn't be any trouble in that, and Margaret Midas is expecting us."

"So what are we doing at this dance then?" Jim asked.

"I'm meeting with our spy to find out if he's found out anything else," West said. "This all swings into action next week."

"And we're all going to be involved?"

"As much as we need you all."

"And another thing," Gordon said. "We should send the two Jims together. I think they would be perfect to get into trouble together."

"Now, Artie, you wouldn't trust me to someone else, would you?" West asked.

"I would. That way, I can bring in the cavalry." Artemus pretended to consider that. "Oh wait, that's what I always do."

"This conversation is very similar to conversations between Jim and Doctor McCoy," Spock said.

"So what? We're old friends…like brothers."

"We'll all be at the party," West said. "I'll meet with the spy, who will remain nameless. He'll let me know anything else he's found out."

"You're meeting your spy at this fancy party?" Jim asked.

"Exactly. It's the perfect cover, and there are diamonds there that will be transported to the display."

"Right. Whatever you want to do."

"Good. Once we know more information, we'll know more of what we have to do, so let's just get some sleep."

"See you in the morning, Jim," Bones said as he was leaving.

Jim closed the door after they were all out and lay down on his bed. He thought he liked the idea of getting involved in this…but he still had the feeling of not belonging like he had so long in his real life. How did he fit in? Where did he belong? Those were always the questions, but he hoped he would find the answers easier this time.