By the next morning, they had arrived in Sacramento, California. Jim was looking out the window at the town when Bones sat up from the couch he had slept on. "Morning," Jim said.

"Morning," Bones replied. He yawned as he stood up and stretched. "How long you been up?"

"Long enough to see the sun come up."

Bones came over there and looked out. "It's sure different than looking out and seeing stars, isn't it?"

"Yeah," Jim replied. "And it's sure different than Carson City looked. Paved streets, Bones."

Bones had to admit it was impressive for something in the time they were in now. "Better than a muddy street," he said. He looked at Jim. "What's bothering you? Did you get any sleep?"

"I don't know. I kept waking up during the night."

"You're worried about losing Carol, aren't you?"

"I am."

"You shouldn't be worrying about things that you don't even know. It's possible that that won't even be the case, Jim. You could be just as ornery and crazy with your father around as you were without him."

"I suppose you're right."

"And maybe there'll be another reason for Carol to sneak onto the Enterprise."

Jim frowned. "All those memories we have though."

Bones looked out the window again. "I guess all these western towns look about alike, don't they?" he asked, trying to change the subject. "This one's bigger with some paved streets and bigger buildings, but still the same old western town."

"Sacramento. You ever been to Sacramento?"

"No."

"Neither have I. Just never had a reason to go there."

"I'm sure the one in our day is a lot different than this one."

"I'm sure. Sometimes I wonder if technology is all it's cracked up to be. Just look at this town, Bones. They're just living and enjoying life. Not running for their next meeting or appointment. Not going on some dangerous mission in space that they might never come back from."

"Are you saying you would rather be here?"

"We are here, Bones. I want to enjoy it while we are too."

"What are you going to do? Get a horse and ride it?"

Jim smiled. "Aren't you?"

"Of course. I want to go see the town doctor though, and maybe I can help a little while we're here before we have to risk our lives to stop some mad scientist."

"No one said he's mad."

"Who else tries to alter the natural course of nature to create a perfect specimen like that who is bent on domination?"

"Well, they probably didn't realize they would turn out that way."

"Maybe that's the answer. Instead of trying to stop the research, perhaps we can help them to alter it and make Khan different."

"I don't think that's possible. I don't know anything about doing something like that."

"You don't, I don't, but we have two science officers on this train who do."

Jim looked at Bones. "You really think they're going to listen to a pointy eared freak?" Jim asked. "That's what they're going to call him."

"He doesn't have to let them see his ears," Bones declared.

"Things happen. It's very risky to get Spock out there among people like that. I mean, just think of what could happen. What if they captured him?"

"Capture Spock? The Vulcan pinching menace?"

"Bones, it's not impossible."

"Maybe not, but it wouldn't be easy. Besides, we wouldn't leave him alone."

"I don't know."

"It's definitely worth a try. I just can't believe that you can destroy all traces of this and expect no one else to figure it out."

Jim had been thinking about that all night. He had tossed and turned, almost fell off the couch he had slept on…if he called that sleeping. He was lying down, but he did not think he had slept much at all. He could not relax because of thinking of the consequences of their actions and about what would happen if they failed. What if they made things worse?

"Well, I've gotta find out what they use for a bathroom around this place," Bones said. "I'm sure it's an outhouse."

Jim chuckled at that. "Carol's gonna love that," he said.

"The one in Carson City wasn't all that…pleasant."

"I didn't think that much about it yesterday, but I will today."

"Yes, it's a natural part of life. Since you're talking about how everyone's enjoying life and nature out here, you might as well get used to it."

Bones went out the back door of the train. He stood up straight and straightened his suit. He hoped it was not too wrinkled after sleeping in it all night. Before he walked away from the train, Jim came out. Bones just looked at him a moment. "Jim, you sure do look like a gun fighter in that get-up," he said.

"Maybe I am one," Jim replied. "Maybe I can bring law and order to this here town."

Bones could not help but laugh at Jim's mockery of a western accent. "You?"

Jim looked at him. "Why not me?"

"I never thought of you as the law and order type."

"Let's just go."

They walked on away from the train and around the corner of the train station which came out onto the main boardwalk. "You think we should have waited for the others?" Jim asked.

"If I did, we might be swimming in that train car soon," Bones replied. "Where do they keep the outhouses around here?"

"If you keep talking like that, you're gonna make me have to go worse."

There were already several people walking down the boardwalk, and shopkeepers were sweeping in front of their shops. Bones stopped at the barber shop. "Excuse me, Sir," he said. "Could you tell us where the public facilities are?"

"Out back," the man said. "You can't miss it."

"Thanks."

Jim and Bones walked on. "Well, if I don't find it soon, I'm gonna be committing public indecency," Bones said as they turned down the alley between the buildings. "I'm going first, by the way."

"That's fine with me as long as you stop talking about it," Jim replied.

They soon came to the back of the buildings and they saw a small plain wooden building which said "Outhouse", painted in red letters on the front, and another larger one which had "Bath House" painted across the front door.

Bones hurried into the outhouse and shut the door. Jim stood looking around the area they were in. He could see mountains in the distance and buttes, but it was a dry place, and busy. He had thought Carson City was busy but it was nothing compared to this. And there were a lot more streets in this town than there had been in Carson City too, and some taller buildings. He even heard a train whistle in the distance. He thought he could get used to being in a place like this in the fresh air. If he had to stay here, he wanted to see what Iowa looked like.

Bones soon came out of the outhouse. "Well, that was a relief," he said.

Jim just shook his head and went on into the outhouse himself. Bones looked around the area much like Jim did while he waited. He wished he was back in his own time…in a way. However, in this time, he did not have the problems he did there. He supposed he could watch history happen before his eyes. Since he knew a lot of dates, he could just travel to where something happened and watch it. He saw a man come riding into the town on a white horse. Bones did not think he had ever seen such a white horse.

Jim came out of the outhouse. "I guess we should see if the others want to go eat some breakfast," he said.

"Is that all people do in this day and time? Sleep and eat?"

"No. They work."

Bones stood there a moment as Jim headed for the train. "Work," he said. He went on and followed Jim. "You know what? I don't want to live in California if we have to live here."

"Why not?" Jim asked.

"It's…too busy, and it's hot."

"Well, you could always go up north where it's freezing cold."

"I definitely want to live somewhere that there's winter."

"Why? Don't you like being warm?"

"Not all the time. Don't you like feeling the crispness of the cold air and see snow falling?"

"Oh, I don't know, Bones. After being stranded on Delta Vega, I'm not sure I like cold anymore."

"You can't compare that to here."

"Maybe not, but it was sure cold."

They arrived at the train. Carol and Spock were there but West and Gordon were not. "Where did they go?" Jim asked. "And when did they leave?"

"It would seem that our new friends left before the sun came up," Spock said. "Perhaps they went to investigate without us."

"Why would they do that?"

"Let's just go get some breakfast and talk about it then," Bones suggested.

Jim looked at Bones. "You're always hungry," he said.

"Well, I just don't happen to like being hungry, so can we go and eat?"

"Fine. Let's take the human trash compactor to the diner."

"Trash? Oh, no. This food is not trash. This is real food."

They walked around into the town, and to the boardwalk. "Hey, there's a diner over there," Bones said pointing across the street. "Rachel's Diner."

They turned off the boardwalk and went across the street, not without getting some strange looks from people. "Captain, do you believe people notice that I look different?" Spock asked.

Jim looked at him. "I don't know, Spock," he said. "I'm so used to seeing you, I just don't know. Try not to look so intense. Don't look at people so directly."

"Don't frown," Bones added. "You could try to blend in a little more by relaxing your face."

"I am not frowning, Doctor," Spock said. "I simply do not show emotion on my face."

"Well, you better start."

"Jim, look," Carol said.

Jim looked where she was looking and could see five horsemen coming down the street, right in the middle as though they owned the place, and did not have to leave room for anyone else. "Jim, if we've seen any trouble since we've been in this time, that's it," Bones declared.

"How do you know?" Jim asked. "They might be on the side of law and order."

"Let's hope. I have a feeling if trouble shows up, we're gonna be in the middle of it."

"Let's try not to be."

"Captain, I believe…"

"Spock, don't call me captain," Jim said.

"Jim, I believe it is our nature to take up a fight if we can be of help to someone who is being overwhelmed by another. That is why we find trouble in most cases."

"You had to point that out, didn't you?"

"Yes."

They went into the diner, and everyone in there looked at them. Jim figured they were a strange looking bunch, but the people seemed to not be all that interested and went back to what they were doing.

The waitress came to them. "A table for four?" she asked.

"Yes Ma'am," Jim replied.

"Right this way."

They followed her to a table with a red and white checked table cloth. They all sat down, and Jim noticed that every other man in the diner had his hat off to eat. He knew Spock could not take his hat off. He wished he had worn his now so it would not stand out so much that Spock had the hat on. He was glad they were at a corner table though so maybe no one would be looking that way much.

The waitress went to get them some coffee. "Jim, do you suppose it will be considered rude that I am eating with my hat on?" Spock asked quietly.

"I don't know, Spock," Jim replied. "Just try not to do anything to draw attention this way."

"I do not intend to."

"Jim, what are we going to do about him if we're here a long time?" Bones asked. "He can't always wear a hat, and he can't be isolated either."

"He won't be isolated, Bones," Jim said.

"Jim, I would prefer if you did not discuss my situation as though I am not sitting here," Spock said.

"We're not meaning to do that, Spock. We're just concerned."

"Perhaps we can trick the one who stranded us here into sending us back."

"I doubt that."

"I would not be so certain. You talked of his arrogance, and it is logical to believe that one who is so arrogant can be tricked into something he would not normally do. And you are quite capable of causing frustration."

"Well, thank you, Mister Spock," Jim replied sarcastically.

"That ability is quite important in some situations, Jim."

"I'm sure it is, just like being totally logical is."

"There are benefits to being logical."

The waitress arrived with their coffee cups and poured their coffee. She looked at Spock as she poured his. "I can take your hat for you if you'd like it hung on the rack," she said.

"Thank you, but no," Spock replied.

"His head gets cold," Bones said. "He likes to keep his hat on."

"I simply do not choose to remove my hat."

"That's fine," the waitress replied. She finished pouring their coffee. "My name is Rachel. I'll be right back to take your orders."

Carol fanned her face with the fan she had. "Jim, how are we supposed to take a bath around here?" she asked.

"Well, there is a bath house," Jim said.

"Is that for ladies too?"

"We'll have to talk to our new found friends…whenever they show up again. I guess they thought we could find our way around this town without them."

"We are adults. I think we can manage. If we're here a long time, we can't exactly have them watching over us all the time."

"No, but we are in a different time, and that's what makes it more difficult."

The waitress soon came back to take their orders. Bones, Jim noticed, knew exactly what to order and how to order it as though he had been in this time all his life. Jim thought he was going to have to find out what books Bones read and read them himself. They all managed to order and then the waitress went to the kitchen again.

Jim just looked at Bones. "You just blend in wherever you are, don't you?" he asked.

"I try to," Bones replied.

"But you're with the three people who probably stand out the most in this town."

"Maybe Spock."

"Let's just hope West and Gordon come back soon and let us know what's going on before we do draw too much attention in this town."

While they were eating, the five who had come in on horseback earlier came into the diner. They were a rough looking bunch if nothing else, and they looked like they knew exactly how to use the guns they carried. The one in front had a well-kept beard and hair that hung to his shoulders under a black, flat-crowned hat. The rest of his outfit was black except the shirt which was dark red. The others were dressed similarly, but not in black.

Jim tried not to stare at them. "Don't look at them too much," he said.

"Don't worry," Bones replied. "I certainly don't want to get into that trouble."

"Let's just finish eating so we can get out of here and talk more on the train."

"Jim, acting nervous is sure to draw attention," Carol said. "We have nothing to hide. As far as anyone knows, we're just passing through this town."

"You're right, but you know how things go for us sometimes."

"Yes, but we're in a western town and we're in the nineteenth century so I think this is quite different. No one here knows anything about time travel."

Jim had to admit she was right about that. He just felt like they had a huge secret and it was going to be known if they stayed around people too much. He hoped maybe Spock was right and they could talk or trick Q into sending them back where they belong.

After breakfast, they started to go back to the train…

"I don't want to sit in that train all day," Bones said. "I'm going to find out some things about this town, and see the town doctor. You can find me when you need me."

Bones walked away, and Jim and the others just stood there a moment. "Jim, go with me to the bath house," Carol said.

"Don't worry," Jim replied. "If you go there, I won't leave you alone."

"Jim, I believe it would be best if I return to the train," Spock said.

"You don't have to, Spock."

"I would prefer to."

"Go ahead then, but later, I'm getting us some horses and you're going with us wherever we decide to roam."

"Yes, Captain."

Jim almost chuckled at that. Spock was very accustomed to calling him captain, and it was hard to break the habit. "Come on," he said to Carol.

"Jim, do you really think this place is sanitary?" Carol asked.

"I don't think they worried about germs as much in this day and time."

Jim suddenly stopped short. "Wait," he said. "Do you have to pay to use the bath house? I only had enough to pay for our breakfast."

"I want some different clothes. I can't function in this dress. I intend to help you to stop this production of super humans."

"Do they even have pants for women?"

"We're going to find out, and our hosts should have left us with some money if they did not intend on returning."

"They did leave enough for the breakfast."

"Too bad we can't just contact them and ask."

"Right. Let's just find out about the bath house first."

"Until I can get more clothes, I don't need it."

Jim thought he could not do the right thing with Carol sometimes. "Alright. What do you want to do then? I thought we would at least find out if we have to pay for it."

"Jim, I'm just not sure I can adjust to this," Carol said. "It's a very difficult time, especially for women."

"I'll be here with you. Besides, as far as I know, men were very respectful to women in this day and time."

"I don't mean that. I mean, what if we are here a long time? What if we get married, and…what if we have a child? Or twelve!"

"Oh. Well, we're not stupid. We can prevent that. I don't want twelve children."

"Jim…oh, never mind! I'm surrounded by men!"

Jim just stood there dumbfounded for a moment as she walked away. He supposed he could not understand how Carol felt. She had no friends here. He at least had his two best friends with him…and her. He had not really thought of it like that. "Carol!" he called and went after her. He caught up with her. "I'm sorry, Carol. I haven't thought of that, but if we live around here long enough, you're going to make friends with the women here."

Carol stopped and looked at him. "I know this is not your fault. I'm just feeling overwhelmed. What am I supposed to do here?"

Jim was not sure of that. "Let's just go to the general store over there."

Carol looked where he was pointing. "Okay."

They crossed the street and went into the general store. Jim hoped they did not care for them just browsing because that was all they could do right now…