When Saturday came, the town was buzzing with the people who would be attending the social that night. They were getting their best outfits to wear that night.

"You mean we have to dress up for this?" Jim asked as he was standing in the train with Gordon and West.

"Well of course you have to dress up," Gordon replied. "What kind of gentleman would you be if you went like that?"

"I don't know, but I think I would be more comfortable."

"I guess it's up to you, but everyone else will be dressed up."

"You guys seem to dress up all the time."

"We work for the government. We have to look our best. You wear uniforms on your starship. That's dressed up, right?"

"Well, I guess you could say that. I also have a dress uniform."

"It doesn't look all that dressy," Bones said as he came into the car. He was dressed in a suit much like the ones West and Gordon wore most of the time. His was green. "How do you like this?"

"Nice, Bones. You taking that Gina to the dance?"

"I sure am. She likes my Southern accent, and she has one of her own."

"One in a million chance, huh?"

"Maybe."

Jim sighed. "Alright, I'll dress up then," he said. "I'm sure Carol will be decked out."

"No doubt," Bones replied. "Seems to me that she's been decked out since we got to this time."

"Right. I think she's starting to like it."

"I'm not surprised."

"She and Uhura have been hanging around together."

"You missing her already?"

"Some of the time. She hasn't told me anything about that dress she's having made."

"You're not supposed to know anything about that dress. Now, come on and let's go get you a fancy suit to wear."

"If I have to. We better get one for Spock too."

Spock came over to them. "I do not believe I will attend this social," he said. "I will not be able to wear a hat the entire time, and I prefer to stay here."

"Are you sure, Spock?" Jim asked. "I mean, we can figure out something."

"No, Captain. Uhura has agreed that she will remain here with me. We will help with the mission if we are needed."

Jim nodded. "Alright then."

"Do not worry about me, Jim."

"It's not that I'm exactly worried about you. It's that I don't like you having to be cooped up in this train just because you have pointed ears."

"It is simply the way things are."

"We'll be back later."

Jim and Bones went outside. Gordon sat down to talk to Spock. "Don't worry," Gordon said. "I don't think I'll be having so much fun tonight either. I'll be collecting diamonds."

"I will be happy to accompany you," Spock replied.

"I don't think this will be a really simple mission."

"You are afraid the diamonds will be stolen in transit?"

"They could be."

"Then it is wise to have more than one operative."

"You know what, Mister Spock? I think you and I are going to get along very well."

"I anticipate no conflict."

"I do have a plan, and I'll be glad to share it with you."

Jim and Bones arrived at the men's shop. "This town is…uptown, Jim," Bones said.

"It's definitely not what I expected," Jim replied.

"What did you expect? A dusty town like Carson City?"

"Something like that."

"It's incredible, they even already have the rail cars."

"I'm sure that's because they can't get up those hills in a horse and buggy, and walking would be…"

"Ugh. Don't even say it."

They went on into the shop that smelled like cigar smoke and leather. "I hope my clothes don't smell like that," Jim said quietly.

The shop owner helped Jim choose the right suit and said that he could pick it up that afternoon after he had altered it. Jim did not think it needed to be altered but he decided not to argue. He and Bones walked outside and looked up and down the busy street.

"Now, there are some things to explore in this city," Bones said enthusiastically. He looked at Jim. "You wanta explore?"

"I don't know," Jim replied. "You and I seem to draw trouble wherever we go."

"Come on, Jim. Don't look for trouble."

"I'm not looking for it. It seems to look for me."

They walked down the street. "Look at that," Bones said. "Live theater. We should go watch a play if we stay here long enough."

As they walked, they could hear ships sounding their horns. "Bones, this is not the San Francisco that we know," Jim said. "Do you know what was going on in this town in this century?"

"The gold rush."

"Not just that. Surely you have heard of the Barbary Coast."

"Yeah, but we're not going down there."

"No wonder those diamonds are in danger of being stolen if they're here. This was one of the most lawless towns in the whole country."

"But not the whole town, Jim."

"Maybe not, but there were a lot of criminals. They definitely need to be cautious with those diamonds."

"Where exactly is this diamond display supposed to be?"

"He hasn't said. I'm not even sure where this big shindig is tonight."

"You know, if a bunch of criminals wanted to rob people, tonight would be the night for it with all those wealthy people in one place."

Jim considered that. "Maybe, but I think what we have to worry about more is whether they know about us transporting that diamond," he said. "You realize that diamond is one thousand carats? I've never seen anything like that."

"Neither have I. I was lucky to afford one carat. A lot of good it did."

"Surely it wasn't all bad, Bones."

"The only good thing about it was…never mind. It's all in the past now. What if I sent myself a letter and had it postmarked for the future? You think it would be delivered?"

Jim looked at Bones. "I don't know, Bones. Did you love your wife?"

Bones sighed. "I know. You can't tell someone not to marry someone they love."

"I shouldn't have reacted the way I did at that lab either. I don't even know why I did."

"I do, but I have to agree that you should have handled that differently."

"Of course."

"What does that mean?" Bones asked.

"Nothing," Jim replied.

"No. You didn't like it cause I told you the truth."

"You weren't that affected by Khan. You don't know what you would have done if you had been in my place."

"What about Carol? He killed her father right in front of her and caused her a lot of pain too."

"I saw it too, Bones."

Bones smiled. "I wonder what her father would think about her marrying you right now," he said.

"He'd probably find a way to have me thrown in jail," Jim replied. "I don't think he liked me very well." Jim frowned. "He would have killed us all if it hadn't been for Scotty."

"Yeah. I wonder if we'll ever see Scotty again…or anyone else on the crew."

"If we're stuck here for the rest of our lives, we won't."

"Maybe we should stop thinking of it as stuck. It's like Gordon said, this Q is playing a game with us and if we just go along with our surroundings and act like we're enjoying ourselves, maybe he'll get tired and send us back."

"You could be right."

Bones looked at Jim, noticing the way he said that. "You do want to go back, don't you?" he asked.

"I don't want to talk about that right now," Jim said. He pointed across the street. "Look at that."

Bones looked to see a candy store. He smiled as he followed Jim across the street. "You're gonna buy candy?" he asked.

"I sure am," Jim replied.

They went into the candy store, and it definitely smelled sweet like candy. Bones looked around them. "Jim, I could spend every dime I have in here," Bones said.

"There's no telling how much you could buy in here for a dime," Jim replied.

The shop keeper was a woman. "You gentleman looking for something?" she asked.

"Yeah," Jim said. "Candy."

By the time they got out of there, they each had a bag of candy. "This is pure sugar, Jim," Bones said while chewing a gum drop. "It's really bad for you."

Jim chuckled at that as he was chewing on his own piece of candy. "But you're eating it anyway," he said.

"Of course."

"I guess we should go and get ourselves all clean and smelling good for tonight."

"Oh yeah. I wonder how long that will last. I gotta tell you, I don't like not having deodorant."

"It's part of the times, Bones."

"I do kinda like growing a beard though." Bones stroked his chin as he had let stubble grow since they had been there. "I think I'm gonna keep one for a while, especially since I'm gonna be living in the west."

"You're just gonna get all rugged, huh?"

"Exactly."

"You're quite a character, Bones. They should write a documentary just about you."

"I think yours would be a lot more interesting on how a mid-west scoundrel and repeat offender became the youngest person to ever captain a star ship."

"I'm not such a scoundrel now."

"Oh. Well, of course. You've grown up a lot."

"Let's go back to the train."

When they arrived at the train, no one was there but Spock. "Carol and Uhura have just decided to roam this city, haven't they?" Jim asked.

"It would seem so, Captain," Spock replied.

"I wonder what Carol is wearing tonight."

"I do not know. I have been unable to talk Uhura into going to the party without me."

"Can you blame her? Would you go without her?"

"I am accompanying Mister Gordon on this secret mission of picking up a large diamond."

"I heard."

"We will perform a switch so that if there is an attempt to steal the diamond, the thief will get nothing but a fake."

"Sounds logical."

"I find that Mister Gordon can be quite logical. Have you talked with Mister West about your part in this?"

"Briefly. All I'm doing right now is being there. I won't be actually taking part unless he tells me to do something."

"Jim, I do believe there could be a great deal of danger in this mission."

"I suppose there could be. Anything that involves wealth and things like diamonds is going to be dangerous. Since these people have been successful at stealing these diamonds, it's logical to think they want to continue."

"It would be logical for us to find out how they have been stealing the diamonds without anyone seeing anything."

Jim nodded. "That is strange. I mean, some of these diamonds were being guarded, and no one saw anyone. The diamond simply vanished."

"That is not possible."

"It may not be, but that's what they think happened. Someone must have created some sort of diversion or something, and when they looked again, the diamond was gone."

"An inside job?"

"Likely. Someone had to steal it that they wouldn't expect."

"That was my thought as well, and Mister Gordon agreed."

"Then they are expecting something…unexpected."

"I believe so."

"He says one of the diamonds will be displayed tonight for the guests," Jim said. "I'm not sure that's a good idea, but what can you say?"

"We will simply have to make sure no one gets away with it."

"Right. I'll stay close to it while West is meeting his spy, and while you're making the trade with the other one."

"I do have another suggestion, Captain."

"I'm listening."

That night, Jim got into his suit that was much like the ones that West and Gordon always wore, except the jacket was long in the back. Jim thought he could really like the clothes of this time. This suit was blue, and he was yet to see what Carol was wearing. She had been very secretive all day. Bones came up beside Jim dressed in his green suit. "You know we're gonna have to drive a horse and buggy to that dance, don't you?" Bones asked.

Jim froze for a moment and then looked at Bones. "We're gonna have to do what?" he asked.

"You know, drive a horse and buggy."

Before Jim could say anything, Bones walked out of the hotel. Jim walked out there and could see that there were, indeed, two horse and buggies there. "You've got to be kidding!" Jim said. "I don't know how to drive one of those."

"Well, you better learn fast," Bones replied. "Besides, you can ride a horse, you can drive a buggy."

"Bones!"

Bones went on to his and climbed in. He looked back at Jim with a smile. "This is gonna be good," he said with a laugh.

Jim gave him a fake glare as Bones drove away. Just then, Carol came from the hotel dressed in a purple dress which was, of course, long and flowing. Jim could not help but smile. "You're looking quite beautiful, Ma'am," he said.

"Why thank you," Carol replied. "You're looking quite dapper yourself."

"I think we're enjoying this."

"Oh, I know I am."

Jim took her hand and she stepped into the carriage. He blew out a breath before he got in himself. "Uh, do you have any idea how to drive one of these?" he asked.

"You just flop the reins on the horse's back, and he'll go," Carol said.

"Oh. Okay. I can do that." Jim took the reins and flopped them on the horse's back. The horse lurched forward, jolting Jim back into the seat. "Okay, I don't think that was a good start."

"Give me those," Carol said and took the reins.

"You know how to do this?"

"Of course! I'm from England, you know."

"Oh."

Jim leaned back in the carriage and sunk down slightly. "Don't men usually drive these?" he asked.

"Not where I come from," Carol replied. "Besides, I would rather drive myself than die on the way."

"Thanks a lot."

"By the way, are you going to be abandoning me tonight?"

"Of course not."

"Uhura is coming with Spock, even though he won't be attending the party."

Jim sighed. "There has to be a way to incorporate him into society without him being taken off to a lab," he said.

"People might not be as closed-minded as you think," Carol said. "You haven't even tried. Fear is what causes people to be like that, and fear is causing you to hide your friend."

"He's hiding himself, Carol. I think he's a little afraid himself."

"I suppose you're right."

When they arrived at the party, Jim took the reins as Carol got the carriage stopped and before anyone saw that he was not driving. "Jim Kirk, I do believe you are becoming a man of the nineteenth century," Carol said.

"I am not," Jim replied but then he looked confused. "What does that mean?"

"You're afraid someone will see you being driven to this party by a woman."

"Well, can I not save a little of my pride?"

Carol laughed. "Get out and help me out…gentleman."

Jim got out of the carriage and held Carol's hand while she climbed down. "I'm wearing my own shoes," Carol said. "I wouldn't dare try to dance at this party in those horrible shoes they sell in the stores here."

"Fine with me."

They went on inside and met Bones waiting for them along with Gina. "Well, I see you made it," Bones said with a grin. "Gina, this is my friend, Jim Kirk, and this is Carol Marcus."

"How do you do?" Gina asked.

Jim nudged Bones. "You could have gotten a double carriage for us," he said quietly.

"Aw, you didn't have trouble driving, did you?" Bones asked.

"You're some friend."

Bones laughed quietly. "I just wish I could have seen that."

Jim looked around the room. "So where are our other friends?" he asked.

"I haven't seen them yet. We may not see Gordon…but I do see Uhura. I suppose that means Spock is here."

"Well, let's mingle and see what we can find out."

Carol grabbed Jim's arm as he was about to walk off. "You're my escort, remember?" she asked quietly.

"Yes," Jim replied. "I'm not used to this, you know."

They walked over to Uhura. "You're looking very lovely," Jim commented.

"Thank you…" Uhura did not want to call him Jim, but she could not call him Captain either…at least not here.

"I take it Spock is here somewhere with Mister Gordon?"

"Yes. They should be making the switch now."

Spock was with Artemus Gordon, and they were coming in through the back door of the place which was a very large, plantation house on the outskirts of the city. They were meeting with John Vortan who owned the house and was intending for his diamonds to be displayed at the international display along with others from different parts of the world. Spock was still wearing his cowboy outfit with the hat and bandana on to hide his ears.

"This is my body guard," Gordon said as he met Vortan. "We're here to pick up the diamond…and to see the one you're going to display tonight."

"Follow me," Vortan said.

Gordon and Spock followed him to a safe and waited while he opened it. He took out a small, black, velvet bag and dropped the diamond out of it into Gordon's hand. He stared at it a little stunned for a moment. He looked at Spock. "That's a diamond alright," he said.

"Quite lovely," Spock replied.

"My loupe?"

Gordon turned toward Spock as though to get the loupe from him, and swapped the real diamond with a fake one with Spock giving no more indication than he had done nothing. Gordon looked at the fake diamond through the loupe. "Exquisite," he said and put the diamond back into the bag. "We'll definitely keep this under very close watch. My guard here is quite skilled."

Gordon gave the bag to Spock. "That is not the only one I have," Vortan said.

"It's not?" Gordon asked. "Oh, you mean the one you will display tonight?"

"No. I have this." Vortan opened a black box that had a diamond necklace and earrings in it.

Gordon could not hide his surprise, and could not help but wonder where this man had acquired such an extravagant piece of jewelry…and how he afforded it. "You're going to display this?" he asked.

"Yes. It's so beautiful. Don't you think it deserves to be gazed upon?"

"I can hardly take my eyes off it."

"I think it will be the most beautiful display of all, don't you?"

"It will definitely be hard to beat."

Gordon took the box and handed it to Spock. "Hold onto that," he said.

"I will," Spock replied.

"So where is the one that you intend to display tonight?"

"Here," Vortan said as he took another bag out.

This bag contained another diamond much like the first one they had seen. "And where is the display case?" Gordon asked.

They followed Vortan, and Gordon switched the diamond with Spock as he did the first one. They arrived at the display case, and Vortan unlocked it. "Oh, allow me," Gordon said, not wanting Vortan to notice that the diamond was not real. He put the fake diamond which was made of glass into the case, and it was locked in.

Gordon hoped no one looked at that diamond very closely or they would know it was not real. Nothing could compare to a real one, although this one would fool anyone at a distance. "There," he said as he looked at the fake diamond which was quite an impressive replica. He figured no one would know it was fake unless it was dropped and broke. At least, he hoped no one would…including the thief.

Jim Kirk was standing at the food table when Jim West came in. "They have quite a nice selection of food, don't they?" West asked.

"Absolutely," Jim replied pretending to keep choosing finger foods. "You find out anything else?" he asked quietly.

"Not much," West said. "The spy was present when the last diamonds were stolen. He said the case simply shattered, and the diamond was gone. It was there one second and gone the next."

"That's impossible."

"Uh, well, no it's not because it happened."

"There has to be some sort of explanation."

"I'm sure there is but we don't know what that is yet. Tonight, this guy is going to be showing a diamond to this crowd, and we're hoping the thief can't resist."

"And we're gonna try to stop him."

"Exactly, my friend. When he asks us all to go in to view his precious diamond, we're gonna be close to the display case."

West handed Jim a small derringer. "That's just in case you need it," he said.

Jim shoved it into his jacket pocket. He hoped he would not have to use it. He thought he would like to see that diamond himself.

Later that evening, Vortan invited everyone to come into the next room to view his diamond. Gordon was back now and he went into the room with everyone else, along with West, Jim, and Bones too. Carol stood at the back of the room in case the thief tried to get out.

Vortan pulled the cover off the display case and everyone gasped at the diamond in the case. Jim stared at it, thinking it was very beautiful. "Man, just look at that rock," Bones whispered. "Sure would be nice to have enough money to buy something like that and still be living in a house like this."

"Bones," Jim said. "Let's just keep an eye out."

"I am. I am."

A woman came over to Vortan. "Such an exquisite diamond, John," she said with a strong accent.

Suddenly, the display case shattered, and there were screams and gasps of surprise. Jim could not believe what he had just seen. The diamond was gone! Gordon came up beside him. "Did you see that?" he asked.

"See what?" Jim asked.

"I'm not sure."

West came over to them. "I didn't see anyone," he said.

"Neither did I," Jim replied.

They all looked at the display case. "Just like the others," Bones said. "It just vanished."

"Well, at least it wasn't the real diamond," Gordon said quietly.

"You people were supposed to protect the diamond!" Vortan said. "It has been stolen!"

"Did you see anything?" West asked defiantly.

"No."

"Well, we didn't either. We have to figure out what's going on here before we can do anything about it."

"That won't get my diamond back!"

"If we can find the thief, we can find the diamonds."

"I hope that is true."

West, Jim, Gordon, Bones, and Carol stood together. "Are we going to tell him that wasn't the real diamond?" Gordon asked quietly.

"Later," West said. "But you have to convince him that the diamonds he has left will be safe at the international display."

"How?"

"You're the genius. Think of something. You're going to install security systems."

"Right. I think I'll get Spock to help me."

"That might be a good idea."

"I'm sure it will since he's a security officer anyway."

"He'll most likely have some suggestions," Jim said.