Jim was relaxed on one of the couches in the lounge area in the last train car of the Wanderer. He was bored, and could not wait till they got to Grand Island, Nebraska, which was the town they had chosen. The railroad went right through the town and that meant it had a way for things to be delivered and a way to get somewhere. Jim did not want to be in a place that was too isolated, but they could live outside the town somewhere and build their ranch.

West and Gordon had talked to them about everything they would need. Jim was worried about the task ahead but he had to trust that they could do it. He still thought it was odd that Q had not shown up again. What was he waiting for? He wondered what the rest of his crew on the Enterprise thought of the situation and whether they knew what had happened. However, Uhura had known about Q, but she had not known exactly where they were until she arrived there herself. There was certainly no way to let them know anything.

Grand Island, Nebraska was just about like any other Western town. It had dusty streets and the wind was usually blowing. The train came through the town so it was not isolated, and it was a growing town because of that railroad. People came in and some stayed.

Jim Kirk and his crew stepped off the train. "Well, I guess this is going to be home," he said. "So I suppose we should get to know this town."

"You mean we're staying in town a while?" Bones asked.

"We don't have our land yet, so…yeah."

"You know what I mean."

"I think we should. Maybe we can get to know people around here. We'll be having to come into town when we need stuff."

"New people," Uhura said. "I like meeting new people."

"I am not certain that it would be wise for me to venture around this town," Spock said.

Jim looked at him. "You can't hide forever, Spock," he replied. "They might as well get used to seeing you. You basically don't look much different than anyone else as long as they don't see your ears."

"I would prefer it if we did not stay in the town for too many days."

"Don't worry. We'll just figure out how people are here and try to blend in."

Bones shook his head. "I cannot imagine you blending in anywhere," he said.

"I'm gonna try."

The hotel they checked into actually had a bath inside. "You know where I'll be," Carol said to Jim.

"I'll go with you," Uhura said. "I think they have two tubs in there."

"Great."

Jim dropped his saddle bags on the bed. He had to go to the bank and deposit their money, but he would have to put all their names on the account. He intended to put Artemus Gordon's name on it as well…just in case. It would be the same account that their ten percent of the mine would go into as well.

Jim looked at the check. They could probably live on it for a long time, and would most likely be well on their way with the ranch before they ever needed anything beyond it. He supposed they were pretty well set if they worked it right. He had never thought he would be doing anything like this…building a ranch. What did he know about anything like that? Even though he had lived on a farm in Iowa, it was nothing like this, and he had certainly not built it. He supposed the first thing they had to do was buy a wagon and some horses. Then it was lumber, and food to last them while they were working. He had to make a list, and he was not used to needing pencils and paper and such.

Jim decided he would just go to the bank and get the account set up now, and then he would go to the general store. When he got out into the hallway, Bones was coming that way. "I was just coming to see if you want to get out there in town now," Bones said.

"Yes, I'm about to go to the bank and get our bank account opened," Jim replied.

They walked outside. "Bones, don't you feel excited about this adventure?" Jim asked.

"I think so," Bones said. "We're starting from scratch."

"You think we can do it?"

Bones chuckled at that. "I don't think this is the time to ask that question. We're on the verge of taking on a big task."

"I feel nervous and excited at the same time."

"The unknown. We should be used to that by now…remember?"

"Of course, but I think this is a little more complicated than just discovery."

"Oh, I know what it is. You're dreading that hard work. You gotta put your back into this."

"Maybe that is it. Can you imagine?"

"I admit, I've never done anything like it, but that's not going to stop me. You know, Spock is already working on the design for the ranch house."

Jim looked at Bones. "He is?"

"Yeah. He's drawing a blueprint."

"He didn't tell me about that."

"He's going to get it done first and then let you know. We can't just go out there and start building, you know."

"Of course I know that."

"He should have it ready and we should be able to estimate how much lumber to buy. All that good stuff."

"Do you know anything about building something like that? About cutting lumber?"

"Not a thing, but I'll learn. I intend to get myself a doctor's bag before we go out there though. I'll be the family doctor. Hopefully, we can create some gadgets. After all, Spock knows the specs for just about everything, and Carol's something of a genius herself, and Uhura knows how to create a communications array out there, and maybe we can even make our communicators work around the ranch."

Jim absorbed all that. "Okay," he said. "I feel like I'm on the outside of the loop here."

"You'll be supervising, making sure everything's working right. Keeping up with figures."

"Oh, give me the easy stuff."

"Better you than me."

They walked into the bank, and waited their turn. "We'd like to open an account," Jim said when they got up to the window.

"You'll have to talk to the bank manager for that," the clerk said. "Just a moment."

Jim and Bones stood and waited, but they did not have to wait long and they were taken back to a small office. "Hello, I'm Jonathan Brimmer," the manager said and offered his hand.

"Jim Kirk." Jim shook his hand, and could not help but notice the surprised look on the man's face.

"Jim Kirk? The Jim Kirk?"

"What do you mean the?"

"You're that gun slinger that outdrew Curly Bill."

Jim frowned as he looked at Bones. "News travels," Bones said.

"Sure does," Brimmer said. "There was a newspaper reporter there when it happened and they published it, and it has gone the rounds. Probably known all the way to the East by now."

"Well, can we just get this business done?" Jim asked.

"Oh, yes sir."

"There'll be six people listed on this account and either one can take money out."

"Six?"

"Yes. It's a joint account because we're gonna be starting a ranch out here when we can buy some property."

"Well, your credit's good here, Mister Kirk. You just tell me what you need and we'll help you get it."

"Look, I would like to not have that gun slinger reputation following me around here. All we want is to build our ranch and live."

"You're a little late to stop the reputation. Once people know you're here, they'll all know the reputation."

Jim gave him the check. "I want to deposit that," he said. "We sold our mine back in Colorado."

Brimmer's eyes widened just a little when he saw the amount of the check. "That's quite a large amount."

"Like I said, we sold our mine."

"Must have been quite a producer."

"Can we deposit the check or not?"

"Yes. Of course."

Jim thought some people were very nosey, and he supposed this banker was wanting some good gossip to spread. They got the account set up with all the names on it, but the others would have to come in and sign for it. "They'll be in soon," Jim said. "I assume we go to the general store to buy lumber?"

"Oh, no, there's a lumber yard right down the street there. Big warehouse. Can't miss it. Dowdy's Lumber Yard. He owns a big spread and sells trees. They have a steam powered plant there where they produce lumber."

"Nice. I'll make sure my friends are here sometime today to sign that."

"Yes sir."

Jim and Bones walked out of the bank. "I don't like that guy," Bones said. "He seems awfully nosey."

"Most people probably are in this day and time," Jim replied. "I doubt they have much excitement going on around here."

"Yeah, but he's gonna talk it up that you came in there and deposited a check and that you're planning to build a ranch." Bones shook his head. "It's a good thing Spock didn't go with us in there."

"He has to go in and sign that bank card."

"Maybe we can get outa town before he can spread everything, and maybe he won't pay too close attention to Spock."

"Don't worry so much."

"I can't help it. You know that Q tried to get Spock noticed, and tried to help that Curly Bill find you. Who knows where he is and what he's doing?"

"I'm trying not to think about that too much, Bones."

Bones stopped as they came to the saloon. "You know, I haven't been in a saloon in…I don't know how many days," he said. "If you want to hear gossip, this is the place."

"I don't want to hear gossip."

"I'll let you know if I hear any."

"Great."

Jim walked on to the hotel, hoping that Carol was done with her bath. He wanted to take one himself. He met Artemus Gordon in the lobby. "Mister Gordon, I put your name on the bank account," Jim said. "You have to go over there and sign it. If we, uh…" Jim looked around them. "If we disappear, the money will be yours and Mister West's. That goes for the ranch too."

"How would we ever explain that you guys were just gone?"

Jim considered that. "I'll think of something. Maybe I'll give you a letter and if we're suddenly gone, you can use it."

Gordon nodded. "We hate to leave you guys here like this. I feel like we're leaving good friends and comrades."

"You are, and we sure appreciate all your help. We've learned a lot from you guys, and when you come through again, make sure you come and visit."

"Oh, you can count on it. I'm sure we won't have a problem finding you. I have a feeling you folks are going to make a well-known talk in this town."

Jim smiled. "We're gonna try to keep a low profile," he said. "Although that guy at the bank knew my name. He's gonna let it be known that that gun slinger is in town. How do I get rid of that reputation?"

"You don't…unless you die."

"Well, good luck to you guys and we'll see you when you come through again."

"You sure will. I'll get down there and sign that card."

Jim started up to his room, and then saw Jim West coming that way. "Good luck to you guys," West said and shook Jim's hand.

"I was telling Mister Gordon that you guys should make sure you come and visit when you're over this way again," Jim said.

"We will make a point of it."

Jim went on up to his hotel room. Carol was lying on the bed. "You sleeping again?" he asked.

"Mmm, hmm," Carol said lazily.

"This isn't like you." Jim sat down beside her and leaned over her. "You sure you're alright?"

"Oh yes. I feel fine. I'm just sleepy."

"I'm going to get myself a bath, and then we're going to the bank to let you sign the bank card. We have a lot to do today."

"Oh, can't you take Doctor McCoy with you?"

"I guess so, but I thought you would like to help pick out some things for the ranch house."

"Gotta get it built first, Jim."

Jim nodded. "Right." He kissed her. "Is Uhura done with her bath too?"

"Yes."

"I'll see you later then."

Jim got himself some clean clothes and then went down to the bath room. He was glad this hotel had something inside. He could just run the water and take a bath. It would be relaxing.

Bones ordered himself a drink while he leaned on the bar in the saloon. "So, what's the gossip in town?" he asked.

"Who's asking?" the bartender asked.

"Leonard McCoy. My friends and I just got here. We're going to settle here, build a ranch."

"Oh. Well, good luck with that. You part of that new outfit I heard about?"

"Probably not. We haven't been here long enough to be heard of."

The bartender leaned on the bar. "There's this big outfit who bought a parcel of land out west of here," he said. "He even brought cattle along. Texas Longhorns."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Went down there to Texas to get them. You folks gonna raise cattle?"

"Soon. We gotta get some stuff built first."

"You best hurry if you're gonna get a shelter built before the snow starts flying. It can get pretty deep around here at times."

"It's about another month or two before that starts, right?"

"Maybe. It's been rather chilly at night lately. The wind blows in from the North. That's a sure sign that we could have an early winter. So whereabouts are you planning on building your ranch?"

"Don't know yet. We're going to find out what's for sale around here."

"You folks been gold mining or something?"

Bones scowled at that. "How'd you guess?" he asked.

"It's typical. Unless you're born into money or just inherit the land, most people who come here like you have gotten lucky in mining over in Colorado or California."

"We were pretty lucky. We've got enough to get ourselves started."

"What else you do?"

"I'm a doctor."

The man was surprised. "Truly?" he asked.

"Yeah," Bones said as he sipped his drink again.

"We could use another doctor in this town. It's growing so much."

"I'll be out there at the ranch when we get it started."

"Doctor McCoy, right?"

"Yeah. Gotta get myself a doctor's bag. You know where I could get anything like that?"

"I'm sure Doc James could give you something."

"Thanks."

Bones was silent a moment. "Anything interesting happening in the town lately?" he asked.

"Not so's you'd notice," the bartender answered. "That fancy train came in. Say, you're not associated with that, are you?"

Bones cleared his throat. "Well, not really. They did give us a ride."

"Gave you a ride? You must be friends of theirs to get a ride on that."

"We did some work with them."

"Whereabouts you from?"

"I'm from Kentucky."

"Kentucky. You ain't one of them feuding McCoys, are you?"

"No. I'm not part of that bunch."

"We had a Hatfield come through here a few weeks ago."

Bones set his drink down. "I met one not long ago too," he said. "I had to convince him that I'm not part of that feud."

"It's odd that you're from Kentucky and ain't part of that, but your name is McCoy."

"Look, I don't care about their feud, and I'm not associated with them. I'm a doctor, not a fighter."

"Well, that just beats all. You talk to Doc James. He'll tell you what to do."

"I'll probably have to order it and then it'll take weeks to get here."

"Things aren't instant around here, that's for sure, but with the railroad, it's faster than it used to be."

"I'm sure."

A while later, a young man came in and leaned on the bar. "Howdy, Lawrence," he said. "How about a drink?"

"Johnny, you know you're not old enough," Lawrence replied. "Get on outa here."

"Did you hear about that gun slinger that's in town?"

Bones froze as he was about to take another drink. He waited for the boy to go on. "No, I haven't heard," Lawrence said. "Who is he?"

"It's that Jim Kirk," Johnny declared. "That guy who outdrew Curly Bill."

"What would someone like him be doing here? I wonder if he's a bounty hunter."

"Doesn't seem like it. He's planning to buy a spread. Deposited a lot of money into the bank."

"Maybe it's blood money."

"I don't know, but he's gonna be moving into our town. A gun slinger."

"I haven't heard about any other fast draws he's been in. The only time I ever heard of him was when Curly Bill challenged him, and furthermore, he didn't even kill the man."

Bones was surprised that someone actually pointed out that fact. "Doesn't matter," Johnny said. "I'd like to challenge him. I bet I'm faster than him. I've been practicing a lot."

"You best leave that man alone, young whipper-snapper. You'll end up in boot hill before you even know what life's all about."

"Maybe I'd get some respect in this town if I beat him."

"You'd get no such thing, except a decent burial."

"I don't think the people of this town would like it if they knew a gun slinger was moving in. Do you?"

"You best leave that man alone. If he ain't hurting anyone, he's got a right to have a place to live."

"Yeah, well, we'll see."

Johnny turned and left the saloon. Bones watched him and then went out himself. "Hey!" he called. "Hey, you! Johnny!"

Johnny stopped and looked at him as he came up to him. "Who are you?" he asked.

"I'm Doctor Leonard McCoy. I couldn't help but hear your conversation at the bar."

"What business is it of yours?"

"None, I suppose, but I'm gonna tell you something…I'm a doctor, and a bullet wound ain't no picnic, even if you do survive it."

"I didn't ask you."

Johnny started to walk away but Bones grabbed him by the arm. "Listen, young one, Jim Kirk happens to be my best friend, and you just better know that he's no gun slinger."

Johnny jerked his arm from Bones' hand. "Leave me alone," he said. "You think you can come into this town and take over cause your friend's a gun slinger. You won't be able to get anything in this town."

Bones just stood there as Johnny walked away. Then his frown became one of anger as he headed for the bank. He knew exactly who had spread that rumor because there was only one person who knew it.

Jim and Carol were coming from the bank when Bones was about to go in. "Bones, where you going?" Jim asked. "Everyone's signed the bank card."

"I've got a bone to pick with that banker in there!" Bones declared.

"Wait a minute. What are you talking about?"

Bones did not answer, but went on into the bank. "I wanta talk to that Mister Brimmer!" Bones declared.

There was no one else in the bank, so Brimmer stood up from his desk which could easily be seen from the lobby of the bank. "Is there a problem?" he asked.

"You better believe there's a problem!" Bones said. "You made my friend a target by telling around town that he's a gun slinger! Now, he's gonna have trouble in this town! It had to be you because you're the only one who has done business with him!"

Jim and Carol had come back into the bank. "Bones, what are you talking about?" Jim asked.

"I'm talking about this loud-mouthed…"

Just then, the Marshal walked into the bank. "Something wrong in here?" he asked.

"This man is getting irate, Marshal," Brimmer said.

"Irate!" Bones exclaimed. He looked at the Marshal. "I'll tell you why I'm irate!"

"Why don't you just calm down?" the Marshal asked. "What's the problem?"

"We just got into this town, and that banker over there spread a rumor around here that my friend here is a gun slinger! There's this young kid…"

"I've already heard that rumor myself." The Marshal looked at Jim. "Are you a gun slinger?"

"No," Jim said.

"Jim Kirk. I've heard of you. News like that travels real fast over the wire."

"Look, Marshal, all we want to do is build ourselves a ranch and live peacefully. I am not a gun slinger."

"You have the reputation of one, but everyone has a right to have a life somewhere." The Marshal looked at Brimmer. "You've always had a big mouth, Brimmer."

"You know how much money he deposited into this bank, Marshal?" Brimmer asked.

"No, I don't, and I don't care to know. That's none of your business, and you shouldn't be spreading rumors around town about folks who are trying to move in here! You keep that up, Brimmer, and you're gonna end up with a reputation."

Brimmer bristled at that. "Are you threatening me, Marshal?" he asked.

"No. I'm telling you that bank business is supposed to be kept in the bank. Now, you best learn to keep your mouth shut about it or I'm gonna get a judge to have an opinion about it."

Bones was satisfied with that. "He best not be telling our business in this bank either," he said. "Just cause we're new in town doesn't mean we want everyone knowing our business."

"You heard that, Brimmer," the Marshall said. He looked at Jim. "I would like to talk to you, young man."

"Yes sir," Jim replied. He glanced at Bones and followed the Marshal out.

Bones went with them, and they followed him to his office. "I'm Marshal Mark Bishop. I've heard of you, Kirk."

"Marshal, I…"

"I have something to tell you. I know you didn't kill Curly Bill cause he's looking for you. I expect he'll be catching up with you."

Jim frowned. "How did this happen?" he asked.

"I heard about that draw. Folks said it was the fastest they've ever seen."

"It was just a reflex."

"And you'd most likely be dead, and a notch on Bill's gun if you hadn't drawn. Just watch out. I've seen plenty of men like you who were minding their own business and got into situations like this." Bishop looked at Carol. "Your wife?"

"Yes," Jim said. "We're gonna build ourselves a ranch."

"I wish you luck, but expect trouble."

"Yes sir."

Jim put his hat back on as they left the Marshal's office. Bones followed them as they went back to the hotel. "I wasn't going to let that go, Jim," Bones said as he thought Jim was sore at him.

"It's fine, Bones," Jim replied.

"You're gonna end up having to kill that Curly Bill."

"And then what? Kill every stupid gun slinger who comes along wanting to get a reputation?"

"I know you didn't ask for this, but it's what's happening."

"Let's just go to the lumber yard." Jim kissed Carol. "Don't worry about this."

"I'll see you later," Carol said.

Jim watched her a moment and then he and Bones went outside. "Bones, maybe you should…" He thought about what he wanted to say.

"Maybe I should what?" Bones asked. "If this is about that…"

"No. I'm kinda worried about Carol."

"Why? She doesn't look sick. Looks kinda rosy."

"Rosy?"

"Yeah. Healthy."

"She's sleepy all the time, but she says she feels wonderful."

Bones was silent a moment and then he looked at Jim. "Sleepy, but feels wonderful," he said thoughtfully. "Did she use that word wonderful?"

"Yeah, and happy."

Bones blew out a breath. "Yeah, I'll see if she would let me give her a checkup."

Jim looked at him. "What do you think it is?"

"Could be anything."

"Bones."

"How should I know what's wrong until I see her?"

"Don't give me that. You know something."

"I don't know a thing, Jim. Now, let's just get to the lumber yard. Could be just this change of location and the prospect of having a home and all."

"I'm not sleepy."

Bones rolled his eyes at that. "So? You think everything that happens to her happens to you?"

Jim scowled at that. "What?"

"Never mind."

"Bones, have you been drinking?"

"I was in the saloon, wasn't I?"

"You're a little drunk, aren't you?"

"Not really."

Jim was not sure of that, but he would not press the issue. They arrived at the lumber yard which was bigger than they had expected it to be, and they could hear a saw. They stopped a moment. "This is something," Jim said.

"We're gonna have to have a freight wagon, Jim," Bones replied.

Jim took a paper from his pocket. "The diagram of our house that Spock drew. I've never seen anything like it."

Bones looked at the drawing that was the most detailed he had ever seen. "Well, I'd say they can probably figure out what we need from that."

"That's gonna be quite a big house, Bones."

"Jim, we'll need a big house with all of us living there."

They looked at the materials there at the lumber yard. "This is very impressive," Jim said. "But you're right. We're gonna have to have a freight wagon."

"Maybe they sell those too, or build them," Bones replied.

Just then, a man came out to meet them. "Howdy," he said. "Can I help you folks?"

Jim and Bones explained to the man what they were about to build and he knew exactly what they needed, and did, in fact, build freight wagons, as well as regular wagons. "I can have you fixed up by the end of this week," he said.

"That's excellent," Jim replied. "I think we're gonna like this town."

"I guess we should go to the land office now," Bones said as they left the lumber yard.

"Yeah. I guess that's a good idea."

"Looks like everything's going to fall into place, if everyone ignores that kid in town."

"Don't worry too much about that, Bones."

They did not have to walk far to the land office, and they had to choose the right piece of land. The assayer advised them and even took them out to look at the land before they decided whether to buy it or not. Jim sat and looked at the land, and Bones did too. "What do you think, Jim?" Bones asked as they sat on a slight knoll.

"It looks perfect, doesn't it?" Jim asked. "I wish Carol was here to see this."

Bones smiled slightly and glanced at Jim. "You think she'd like it?"

"I think she would. You can see all the way to the horizon. Imagine the sunrise and sunset."

Bones considered that. "Imagine if there was a flood or a prairie fire…or a tornado."

Jim looked at him. "Do you have to come up with something bad?"

"This is not a flood plain," the assayer said. "There would likely be no worries about major flooding. You're not too near the river, and the creek there might overflow at times in the spring but that could happen anywhere."

"You have a lot of storms around here?"

"Not a lot, but during spring…but that's just about anywhere. There's going to be something to contend with."

"Right. I think we'll take this. It looks perfect, and there aren't too many trees to clear. Are there any neighbors?"

"Sure. There are some new people moving in. They'll be over there to your southwest, but you might never know they're there unless you're riding the line. You gotta know where the lines are, so I'll be out here tomorrow to show you. We'll establish them."

"Great."

Jim had never owned property in his life, and he knew nothing of property lines and such. However, he knew Bones did, and they would just figure it out.