Jim West thought he was about to get his hand free when Midas appeared in the room. "You're not getting loose, are you, Mister West?" he asked. "By this time, your friend has a lot of explaining to do. Too bad I don't even know his name yet."

"You won't get away with this," West said. "The others all know what happened, and what they don't know, he will tell them. They're gonna be coming for you."

"Well, I'll be long gone by then, and you'll be dead."

West had managed to get his hand free and he turned the chair over that he had been sitting in. That let him get his feet free which had been tied to the legs of the chair. As Midas came at him, West swung the chair at him, but missed. Midas ran to his table and grabbed the flask which had the formula in it.

Before West could get to him, he drank some of the formula, but he dropped the flask, so West grabbed it and got just enough before Midas could hit him. West was soon in the same speed as Midas. "You'll never win, West!" Midas declared.

If there was one thing Jim West was, it was a fighter, and he would not simply give up. He tackled Midas and they rolled across the floor, knocking the lab table over. They got up and Midas hit Jim, knocking him backward.

Artie and the others arrived at the house soon and ran in through the front door. They could hear glass breaking upstairs. West was still fighting Midas and finally knocked him backward into a table which had a bottle of kerosene oil on it. It broke as it hit the arm of a chair and spilled all over Midas who screamed as he caught on fire.

West grabbed his chest as his formula was wearing off, and then he was not seeing Midas anymore but simply a fire burning. Then, Artie and the others came running in. "What's going on?" Artie asked.

"That's Midas!" West said. "He caught fire because the lamp oil spilled on him."

"Friction," Spock said.

"Let's get out of here."

"What about the diamonds?" Jim asked. "What did he do with them?"

"He didn't have them when he came in this room," West said. "He intended to kill me and get out of here. He must have them packaged and ready to go with him."

"Let's check his room," Artie said.

They all went out into the hallway. "Let's just check all the rooms," West said.

Everyone took their own room. Jim walked into the one he chose and there were definitely bags sitting on a bed in this room. He opened the suitcases and found a pouch that had the jewels in it. He sighed a sigh of relief. He took the pouch and went out into the hallway as the others were coming out too. "I found them," he said. "Looks like they're all here."

"Well, that should clear you," Artie said. He shook his head. "How are we ever going to explain all this?"

"Same as we always do," West replied. "They can believe it or not."

"What about the woman?"

"I haven't seen her again. I guess she's gone. May be at the other place he intended to go to from here. I'm sure she'll realize he's not coming."

"I'm just glad we got these diamonds back."

By that evening, West and Gordon had cleared up the matter, and Baines had to apologize to them for accusing them of theft and treating them like they were incompetent. "Well, let's just say you were out of sorts, and nervous because you were under a great deal of stress about this display," West said.

"What about your other friends?" Baines asked.

"They didn't want to come back here, and I can't say that I blame them. They were just here to help."

Baines nodded. "Will you extend my apologies to them?"

"I will. Now, if you'll excuse us, we'd like to be on our way."

West and Gordon walked outside and headed for the hotel where the others had agreed to meet them. "That worked out rather well," Gordon said. "At least with their help, we were able to capture Jim Kirk, and he was not taken back with Midas."

"I don't know how things would have turned out if he had been," West replied. "But at least all that's over. I don't think I ever want to see another diamond."

"Me neither."

"Did you ever figure out where Spock hid those diamonds in the train?"

Artie smiled. "He's very clever, Jim," he said. "I hope he'll just stay with us a while if he's going to be in this century. He and Carol helped me rig the doorway."

"I didn't see that little gadget."

"It worked splendidly."

They arrived at the hotel and went inside. Jim Kirk was staring out the window when he heard a knock at the door. "Come in," he said.

West and Gordon came in. "We just wanted you to know that everything's cleared up," West said.

Jim nodded. "Thanks."

"You guys are welcome to come along with us a little longer if you like. We'll drop you off wherever you think you'd like to be."

"When are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow afternoon. We've still got a few things to do here, and then we'll be moving out."

"Yeah. I guess we'll go with you."

West looked at Gordon as he thought something was troubling Jim. "You alright?" West asked.

Jim looked at him. "Yeah, I'm fine," he said. "Just…if something were to happen to me, take care of my friends until they get on their feet."

"What? Do you think something's going to happen?"

"You're not feeling ill from that formula, are you?" Artie asked.

"No," Jim said. "I just…never mind. I'm glad everything turned out okay with those diamonds."

"Yes, well, you and your friends were a great help in the matter. It might not have worked out quite so well if we hadn't had all of you."

"I'm glad we could help."

"I wish we could find a way to help all of you get back to your time."

"Don't worry about that. Something will happen, maybe."

"We'll see you tomorrow."

West and Gordon left that room. "What do you think about that, Artie?" West asked.

"I don't know, Jim," Artie answered. "But I think there's something going on that we don't know about."

As they were going to their rooms, Carol came into the hallway on her way to Jim's room. "Ma'am," West said. "Is everything okay?"

"Yes," Carol replied. "I'm just glad everything worked out well."

"I was very impressed with you and Mister Spock," Artie said. "I wouldn't mind having help like that all the time."

Carol smiled. "You may have our help for a while. There's no way to know."

"Well, good night, Ma'am."

"Good night."

Carol went on down to Jim's room. She intended to get him to tell her what was troubling him. He had left the dinner table early. She knocked on the door.

Jim opened the door. "Come on in," he said.

Carol went in and then folded her arms while he closed the door. "Jim Kirk, I want to know what's troubling you," she said. "And don't say nothing, because I know something is bothering you."

Jim leaned back against the wall. "I don't want to talk about it, Carol."

"Why not?"

"There's nothing you can do."

"About what? If you don't tell me…"

Jim looked at her. "If I don't tell you…what?"

Carol looked into his blue eyes. "I'm going to be very angry at you," she said. "You're supposed to share everything with me. I can't help you if you don't tell me."

"All you'll do is worry."

"Jim. Tell me now."

Jim folded his arms and sighed as he leaned his head back against the wall. "You remember in Carson City when I was in that little gun fight?"

"Yes. Why?"

"That guy, Curly Bill, he doesn't like the fact that someone outdrew him."

"He's challenging you? Jim, you can't go through with it."

"I don't see that I have a choice, Carol."

"Yes you do! Since when do you think you have no choice in your own actions?"

"Carol, we may be living here a long time. What if I don't meet him?"

"You'll still be alive. And you won't have killed someone over something so ridiculous."

"I know it's ridiculous, but I can't ignore it. He might get some of you involved. Besides, I know I can outdraw him, and I don't have to kill him. Besides, he said I would either draw, or I would die. I assume that means I have to draw against him or he'll kill me anyway."

Carol was silent a moment. "Jim, he's not going to let it go with you just drawing this time," she said. "Did you tell Mister West and Mister Gordon about this?"

"No. This is my problem."

"You haven't told anyone, have you?"

"No. Only you."

Carol walked over to him and hugged him. "I love you, Jim. Can't we just get on that train and go away?"

"I don't know," Jim said. "It's supposed to be tomorrow at Noon, and they said we're not leaving until tomorrow afternoon."

"Maybe they'll leave early. If you told them…"

"Carol…"

"You're not a coward, Jim. Everyone who knows you, knows that."

"I'm just thinking about it."

Carol kissed him and they lingered in that kiss a few moments. "Whatever you decide to do, I'll be waiting for you," she said.

"I know you will," Jim replied.

"Are you going to grow a beard?"

Jim smiled. "What's wrong with that?"

"Rough stubble."

"Well, I might shave it later, but I think men usually go to a barber and get that done here."

"Not very sanitary, right?"

"Oh, I don't know."

They kissed again and then Carol went to her own room. Bones came down the hallway next. "Jim, before you close that door," he said. "I wanta ask you something."

"Go ahead," Jim said. "Seems like everyone wants to talk to me this evening."

"What's going on with you?" Bones asked.

"Are you going into that again?"

"Yeah. I know when something's wrong with you, so why don't you tell me? Are you feeling funny from that stuff you drank? I can't believe you drank that."

"I told you…"

"I know, but I think I would have spilled it or something."

"We were sitting in a carriage, Bones. Not exactly enough room to sneak something."

"Have you had any unusual symptoms?"

"No. I already told you."

"I think I need to get myself a medical bag."

"You gonna stay here in San Francisco?"

"Not if you're not. I don't want to be here…" Bones frowned. "I don't know what to do. We don't belong here, Jim."

Jim did not think he had ever seen Bones so troubled, although he was usually worried about something. "Like I said before, Bones. We can get ourselves a ranch and just do whatever."

"Where?"

"I don't know. I don't know where they're going next."

"Well, I'm going with you wherever you go. I'm not ready to be alone in this timeframe. I feel lost."

"I know. I feel the same way, but we're gonna have to adjust until Q decides to send us back."

"I can't believe he showed up at that party. Everyone saw him."

"They didn't know him from anyone else around here."

"How can we get him to send us back, Jim?"

"By not doing anything that interests him."

"I'm just glad he didn't do anything to make it really look like you stole those diamonds."

"I thought I had had it then, and might even get hanged."

Bones shook his head and put his hat back on. "Well, I guess I'll just mosey on down to my room and get a few z's before we pull out tomorrow," he said.

Jim could not help but chuckle at that. "You fit in here better than you think, Bones," he said.

Bones rubbed his chin. "I kinda like not shaving too."

"You would."

"Night, partner."

"Good night, Bones."

Jim went back into his room and lay down on the bed. He stared at the ceiling wondering if he could outdraw that gun slinger. What would people think of him if he did not go through with it? What would West and Gordon think? They would probably think he was a coward. He was not a coward. He just simply did not see any sense in it, and he did not want to die either.

During the night, Jim was dreaming that he was on the street facing Curly Bill. "I'm gonna kill you, Kirk!" Curly Bill yelled. "You ain't nothing but a yellow coward!"

"This isn't necessary!" Jim replied.

"Draw or die! I don't care which way you die! You're dying today!"

Jim reached for a gun that was not there as he saw Curly Bill start to draw…

Jim sat straight up and fell off the bed. He realized he was having a nightmare and he was sweating. He leaned on the side of the bed. Why was he having such a nightmare?

There was a knock at his door. He got up and threw the covers back onto the bed which he had dragged off when he fell off the bed. He opened the door slightly, and Bones was there. "Did you fall out of bed?" Bones asked.

"What do you want?" Jim asked.

"I know a nightmare when I hear one. What's going on with you, Jim?"

"Bones, I do not want to talk about this tonight. Good night."

Jim closed the door. Bones blew out a breath. He knew something was wrong, and he figured Carol knew. He went on back to his own room. He had not been able to understand what Jim said in his sleep on the other side of the wall but he had been distressed about something.

The next morning, they all met in the dining room. Jim sat there and picked at his food thinking about what he was faced with. Carol knew what he was thinking about and everyone else was wondering what it was. "You should eat," Carol said quietly.

Jim figured she was right so he forced himself to eat, but he was still thinking about that shoot out he was supposed to be part of. If he did not do it, he figured that Curly Bill would just follow him wherever he went, and eventually, he would end up shot anyway. He figured he might as well get it over with now. It would be a long morning, contemplating something like this.

"You should just tell Mister West that we need to leave early," Carol said after they left the dining room.

"I suppose I could tell him that," Jim replied. "But what do I do the next time he shows up? Eventually, he'll find me again. If someone sees me, it'll go around that I'm there."

"You should still tell the others about this."

"I don't want to. This is not about everyone else. It's about me…and you."

Carol hugged his arm. "Jim, you have to tell them," she said. "I know it's not about them, but you have to tell Mister West."

"Fine. I'll tell him."

"Good. I'm going to the dress maker."

They kissed and then Jim stood there a moment watching Carol walk away. He sighed as he turned to go back toward Jim West's room. When he got there, West was coming out. "Kirk," West said as he closed his room door. "You looking for me?"

"Yes," Jim replied. "I wanted to talk to you about something."

"Alright."

Jim looked down the hall but there was no one out there. "It's about Curly Bill," he said.

"What about him?" West asked.

"He intends to challenge me today at Noon out in front of this hotel."

"In a fast draw?"

"Yeah. Carol wants me to just ignore it and try to get you guys to leave earlier than planned, but I think he'll just track me down."

"You're probably right. Then again, if you go through with the duel, you could be arrested. I'm not sure what the view is of fast draws on the streets here."

"Maybe I should go and talk to the sheriff then."

"You could do that. I'll try to get done early and we'll get out of this town."

Jim started to walk away. "Kirk," West said. "Do you think you could outdraw him again?"

Jim considered that. "I don't know," he said. "That was just a reflex."

"You would most likely have the same reflex again."

"You think I'm a coward, don't you?"

"Not really. I don't like fast draws either. Besides, I'm sure they don't have things like that where you come from."

Jim considered that. He certainly could not say that he had never killed anyone before. "I can't say that," he said. "It's not exactly the same thing, but…I can't say I've never killed people."

"Who were threatening you and your ship?"

Jim nodded. "This guy, though, he's not really…threatening me. I mean, if I get on the train and leave town, it would probably be a long time before he found me again."

"Maybe. But he would find you because your fame has traveled all up and down this railway and stage line."

"Yeah, I already realize that. What can I do about that?"

"Nothing."

"So it would be better now than later, right?"

"That's up to you, but you don't exactly have to kill him if you don't want to. You didn't last time. But if you did, you would probably save a lot of other people from dying. Or if you shoot his hand."

Jim blinked as he realized what West was saying. "In other words, just fix him where he can't draw?" he asked.

"It's up to you, but I wouldn't give him a chance to shoot at me if I were you. He most likely won't be drunk this time. He'll just have enough in him to make him stupid and bold."

When it was almost Noon, Jim stood in his hotel room with Carol. They had talked it over more, and he told her what he and Jim West had discussed. "I suppose I can't argue with you on that," Carol said. "I just don't want you to be shot."

"I know," Jim replied. "I outdrew him the other time, and maybe I can do it again. And maybe this time will get him off our backs."

Just then, there was a knock at the door. Jim opened the door and Bones was there. "Are you gonna tell me what's going on?" he asked.

"Come on in, Bones," Jim said.

Bones went in, and Jim told him what he was about to do. "You have got to be kidding!" Bones exclaimed.

"Bones, I'm not going to argue with you about this."

"Well, I'm glad you let me know at least. Maybe I can find myself a medical bag in case you're lying on the street with a bullet in you."

"This is not the first dangerous situation I have been in."

"Oh! Of course not! I seem to remember that those other situations were unavoidable."

"Don't start on that. This guy is going to keep on until we face off so I might as well do it here."

"That's the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard you say."

"It's not ridiculous!"

"It sure sounds ridiculous. You're gonna go out there and face some guy in a gun fight just because you might be considered a coward?"

"That's not the reason. I just told you."

"Then what? You're gonna probably be arrested and have to go through a trial."

Jim shook his head. "No. I already talked to the sheriff."

"Jim, they're trying to tighten the laws in this town, and they could use you as an example! You better walk away from this and just let him come somewhere else! This could just be something that Q will use against you!"

Jim had not thought of that, and neither had Carol. "He's right, Jim," she said.

"Let him follow you somewhere else besides here."

"How do we get out of here without him seeing us?"

"That's the easy part."

"You really think Q is involved in this? He didn't have anything to do with that fast draw before."

"Of course not, but he's looking for a way to get at you. You have to avoid this here. Jim, if you don't ever listen to me again, you have to listen this time."

Jim sighed. Carol was glad that Bones had finally found out what was going on. "Let's get the others and go out the back way," Bones said.

Once they were all together, they went down and checked out of the hotel. "Where are West and Gordon?" Bones asked.

"I don't know," Jim said. "I think West is expecting me to face that guy."

"I don't care what he expects. Let's get out of here."

They went out the back door of the hotel. The train was back there anyway. However, they had come out onto a back street and would have to walk quite a ways to get to the train. They all just walked on until they came to another street, and then Jim waved down a carriage which they could all get into. They were relieved when they were inside.

"I think we actually got away with it," Uhura said. "I guess if no one starts chasing us or shooting at us, we can relax."

"Right," Jim replied. "We're not at the train yet."

Q appeared in the alley as the carriage pulled away. "You won't get away so easily, Captain," he said.

Q reappeared at the front door of the hotel dressed in a cowboy outfit. He saw Curly Bill walk up outside. He walked outside, instantly grabbing the attention of Curly Bill, but he realized it was not Jim Kirk.

Q walked over to him. "You're looking for that Jim Kirk, aren't you?" he asked.

"Yeah," Curly Bill answered. "Who are you?"

"I'm someone who can't stand a coward." Q moved closer to him. "Your antagonist is running for the hills…or should I say the train! That fancy private train back there."

"How do you know?"

"Because I keep an eye on everything in this city."

Curly Bill considered that. "How do I know this ain't some trick of his?"

"I would never help a coward. And besides, don't you think he has a strange looking group of friends?"

"What do you mean?"

"That tall one with the pale face. Have you seen him?"

"No! All I care about is Kirk!"

"Oh. Well, by all means, proceed, but there could be money involved in such a discovery."

"What kind of discovery? And how much money?"

"Who knows how much it would be worth for information on a scientific discovery?"

"Like what?"

"Just observe. You'll see it."

Curly Bill decided he would try that. However, he did not see West and Gordon down the street who immediately recognized Q even in his get-up. "Isn't that Curly Bill?" Gordon asked.

"Looks like it," West replied. "What is Q up to?"

"It can't be anything good for our friends."

"Let's hurry and get to the train."

"You go. I'm gonna make sure they're not in the hotel, and check us out."

When they saw Q vanish, they swung into action. Jim West ran around to the back street. It would take him a while to get to the train but it would also take Curly Bill a while too. West just hoped the others were being careful.

Jim Kirk and the others from the Enterprise had made it to the train. They got inside and felt relieved that they were out of the public eye. Jim put his hat on the hat rack. He did not like wearing a hat anyway. Spock was relieved that they were about to be moving and he did not have to wear a hat and bandana.

Bones sat down on the couch. "I'm sure ready to get out of here," he said as he took his own hat off. "I feel like we're being watched and they're closing in."

"Who?" Jim asked.

"How should I know? Close those windows."

"Maybe they'll be here soon."

Bones got up and started pacing. He did not know why he felt so nervous. He closed the windows himself. "Relax, Bones," Jim said. "You're making me nervous."

"Jim, that guy is gonna realize you're not coming," Bones said. "What do you think he'll do then?"

"He won't know I'm on this train. Let's try to have a little optimism."

"Optimism? I lost that last night when I had to walk all the way back to town."

Jim West was still running for the train. Artemus Gordon had gotten their things and got a carriage to take him there. He hoped he and West beat Curly Bill in getting there.

Curly Bill had simply taken his own horse and was well on his way. As he came around the corner to the railroad yard, he had no trouble seeing the train that the stranger had told him about.

Q appeared at the back of the train where Curly Bill would not see him. As Bill dismounted and neared the train, Q snapped his fingers, and all the shades in the train popped up with that loud rolling sound.

Jim and the others were startled. "Spock, get down!" he said.

Spock squatted behind the wall away from the windows. The windows were not completely open but with the shades up, anyone could see in. "This has to be Q," Jim said quietly. "He's up to something."

They were all squatted behind the wall out of sight. "He must be wanting someone to see us," Bones said, stating the obvious. "That's the only reason for the shades to pop up."

"But who?" Carol asked.

"Let's just stay quiet," Jim said. "Maybe they'll go away."

Q could see that Jim Kirk and his crew were as cunning and intelligent as their reputations suggested. His plan was not working, but he would simply have to keep trying.

Artie arrived at the train next. He did not see anyone at first, but then he saw Curly Bill sneaking around the side of the train. Artie got out of the carriage, taking their two bags with him. He made sure he carried them on his left so his gun hand was free. He walked on toward the train. "Excuse me!" he said boldly.

Curly Bill was definitely startled, and his hand went to his gun, but he stopped as he saw that Artie already had his gun pointing at him. "What do you think you're doing?" Artie asked.

"I'm looking for a man named Jim Kirk," Bill answered.

"Well, I suggest you look somewhere else besides around my train!"

"Your train?"

"Yes. And when people snoop around it, I get real nervous and suspicious."

"Is Jim Kirk on that train?"

"Who I have on my train is my business. Now, if you don't want to make a real close acquaintance with this piece of lead in my gun, I suggest you get on your horse and look for him elsewhere."

Curly Bill frowned at that threat, but right now he was in no position to argue, and he could tell this gent meant business. "I will," he said. "Sorry to have bothered you."

Artie watched while Curly Bill mounted up and rode away. West suddenly stepped up behind Artie, startling him. "Jim, what are you doing?" Artie asked as he sighed.

"You nervous?" West asked.

"Let's get on the train and get out of here."

"Lead the way, gun slinger."

Artie gave him a sideways look. "What did you expect me to do?"

"Oh, I think you handled it quite well."

"Thank you."

When they walked onto the train, Jim Kirk and his crew were still hiding. They were relieved to see West and Gordon come in. "You've really made an enemy, Mister Kirk," Gordon said. "I met him up close."

"I'd say he has two of them," Bones declared as he was pulling the shades back down.

"We saw Q," West said as he was signaling the engineer to take them out of there. "He was talking to Curly Bill."

"He must have sent him to this train," Artie said. "We got here as soon as we could."

"Thanks, guys," Jim said.

They were certainly glad when the train started moving. They sat down in the train car. Jim leaned on his hand and sighed. "I think I could go to sleep now," he said. "Where are we going?"

"Denver," West said. "So no one is going to track us down for a while."

Jim leaned back on the couch. At least he was free for now…except from Q.