Jim and Carol arrived back at the home site where Spock and Uhura were sitting under the tree. Jim got down from the wagon and just stood there a moment. Then he helped Carol down. Spock came over to the wagon. "Did everything go well, Captain?" he asked.

"Fine, Mister Spock," Jim replied.

Jim walked away, and Carol looked at Spock. "He was in a gun battle with Curly Bill," she said. "He had tracked Jim here, and he challenged him."

"I presume that the antagonist is dead," Spock said.

"Yes. It was unbelievable, Spock. He didn't have a choice, but…"

"He is feeling guilty about it."

"I don't know. He won't talk about it."

"I will try to talk to him."

Uhura came over to Carol. "Did you get the food we need?" she asked.

"Yes," Carol said.

"I heard what you said. We've had to make a lot of decisions that weren't pleasant."

"It wasn't really a decision. He just had to do it."

Spock walked over to Jim where he was standing and looking across the land. "Jim, are you alright?" Spock asked.

"I'm fine, Spock," Jim said.

"Carol told me what happened while you were in town."

"I'll be alright."

"You should not feel bad about what happened since it was not your fault."

"This will probably go even further now."

"Perhaps. But as always, we will deal with whatever happens."

"I just realized something today, Spock. I really am a gun slinger. I don't want to be, but I am."

"Jim, I must change the subject for now. I realized today that the wind has changed direction. I believe we may be in for a storm."

Jim looked at him. "A storm?"

"Yes." Spock looked up at the sky. "Cirrus clouds are a sure sign of a change in the weather."

Jim looked at what Spock was talking about. "You think it could be snow?" he asked.

"There is no way to know yet, Jim, but I think we should prepare for whatever is coming. It will most likely be here before tomorrow morning."

"So we should spend the night in town. I guess we should get as much done as we can and secure the materials."

"I believe that would be the best course of action. Where is Leonard?"

Jim looked at Spock. He had never heard him call Bones by his first name before. "Uh, he stayed in town," he said. "Since when do you call him Leonard?"

"I get rather tired of calling him Doctor McCoy. You are the only person I know of who calls him Bones."

"Well, that's because of something he said to me the day we met." Jim was silent a moment. "Spock, I think Bones has a problem."

"Explain."

"I shouldn't be saying this, but haven't you noticed how he heads for a bar or a saloon everywhere we go? And he's been bringing bottles of whiskey home with him."

"Yes, Captain, but you used to do the same thing."

"Not anymore. But he was drinking in town earlier, and he couldn't even get the Marshal to listen to him. He thought he was drunk."

"And you believe it is becoming an addiction?"

"I don't know, but if it is, we're gonna have to help him with it."

"I do not believe the doctor is going to like that, nor do I believe he will admit to having a problem."

"I know he won't, but sometimes you just have to help people when they won't or can't help themselves."

"I will help you, Jim, because he is our friend. However, I do not see how we can help him."

"We'll see what happens first. Don't tell anyone we had this conversation."

"You can depend on my secrecy."

Jim knew that. He went back over to the wagon where Carol and Uhura were unloading things. "I don't think we should unload everything just yet," he said.

"Spock told you about the change in weather?" Uhura asked.

"Yeah."

"In this time of year, wouldn't it be likely that it's going to get colder?"

"Probably, but what will happen before that. It's rather warm today, don't you think?"

"It certainly is to me," Carol said. "Are you suggesting that we might have a stormy night?"

"We could. Either way, it might rain, so let's leave some of this in here so we can cover it up."

"We should go back to town and store it in the livery stable."

"If we can."

"I'm sure Mister Dowdy will allow you to store it in his shop. He seems to like you."

"He's a nice man."

"He certainly didn't agree with the Marshal."

"I'm hoping most people won't."

Later that afternoon, Bones walked out of the saloon, and he was definitely inebriated. He put his hat on and started to walk over to his horse, but he almost ran into the Marshal. "McCoy, what did I tell you about that drinking?" he asked.

"What did you tell me?" Bones asked. "I don't see as how your opinion matters for me anyway seeing as how I'm not even from this century."

Bishop scowled at that. "You're going to the jail, McCoy. You don't even know where you are."

"You can't arrest me. I haven't broken any laws."

"You're publicly drunk. Now, come on. So drunk, you don't even know where you are."

Bones jerked his arm out of the Marshal's hand. "I'm not going to jail," he declared.

"Yes you are. Now come on. Does Kirk know you drink like this?"

"He's not my boss here! He might have been on the ship, but here, I'm my own person!"

"Ship? You guys were on a ship?"

"Yeah!"

Bishop got Bones by the arm again as his deputy arrived. "Take his horse to the livery stable," Bishop said. "He's going to sleep it off." He shook his head as he took Bones along. "I've seen some silly drunks in my time, but I think you take the cake."

"I'm not a drunk!" Bones said.

"Sure you're not. You're just having some vertigo from being on that ship."

"I wouldn't have been on that ship if I hadn't lost everything in the divorce! Didn't have anywhere to go but up!"

"Up?"

"Yeah! To space!"

Bishop got Bones into the jail and locked him in a cell. "Now, lay down there and shut up," Bishop said.

"You don't have a right to keep me in here," Bones replied.

"Shut up."

Bishop left the cell block and closed the door. Bones lay down on the bed, not even realizing what he had said.

Later that day, Jim and the others rode into town. The weather was definitely changing. Spock did not particularly like being in town, but he was not used to such cold weather either since Vulcan had been an arid and very warm planet. He usually managed to deal with the cooler weather wherever they were, but this was much different. He thought maybe he could even start wearing a knitted hat that would not only keep his head warm but keep his ears well-hidden.

They checked into the hotel, and then Jim took the horses to the livery stable. He noticed that Bones' horse was in there. They had not seen him since that morning, but he supposed he was not leaving town if his horse was still in the stable.

The livery stable owner came over to him. "You know where the guy is who owns that horse?" Jim asked pointing to Bones' horse.

"Yeah. He's in jail," the man said. "The deputy brought him in."

"In jail? What for?"

"Why don't you ask the Marshal?"

Jim left the livery stable and went to the Marshal's office. "Marshal, why is Doctor McCoy in jail?" he asked.

Marshal Bishop leaned back in his chair. "Well, earlier, he wasn't acting much like a doctor. He was so drunk out of his mind, he was talking about going to space and all sorts of nonsense."

Jim's mouth almost dropped open. "Really?"

"Talking about being on a ship and stuff. You guys been on a ship?"

"Uh…well, not for long. Can I see him?"

"Sure, if he's awake."

Jim went through the door into the cell block where Bones was still lying asleep. He closed the door and went over to the cell door. "Bones!" He did not even get a response. "Bones!" He went back to the Marshal. "How long has he been out like that?"

"A couple of hours," Bishop said.

"Can you let me in there to talk to him?"

Bishop threw the keys on the desk. "Just don't let him out."

Jim reluctantly took the keys. He supposed if the man trusted him, he shouldn't question it. He went into the cell where Bones was. "Wake up, Bones!" he said and slapped him on the shoulder.

Bones moved then and rolled over onto his back. "Jim?"

"Yeah, it's me, Jim! I'm surprised you recognize me!"

"What are you talking about?"

"Bones, you are laying in a jail cell!"

Bones rubbed his face. "Oh yeah." He suddenly sat up. "Jim…"

"What?" Jim squatted beside him. "You know what you did?"

Bones swallowed hard and looked at Jim. "I didn't, did I?"

"I told you about that drinking, Bones!"

"What all did I say?"

"I don't know, but you sure said something about going to space and being on a ship. What's with you?"

Bones looked at him, suddenly a little angry. "I don't have to answer to you here, Jim," he said.

"You're jeopardizing our lives here, and you will answer to me."

Bones was taken aback by Jim's boldness in that statement. "Then maybe I won't stay with you guys anymore, " he said.

"And what are you going to do?" Jim asked. "Hang around town and stay drunk all the time? Be the town drunk?"

"You take that back! I'm not a drunk!"

"You're lying in this jail cell because you were drunk! And you said things that could cause people to wonder about us! That means you're a drunk, Bones!"

Bones shoved Jim and got up. "You take that back! You don't have any right to call me a drunk!"

"Yes I do! I'm your friend! You're a drunk!"

Bones swung at Jim, but he managed to duck and Bones was still not totally sober, so he almost fell down. Jim pushed him back onto the cot. "Just look at yourself!" he said. "No telling how long it's been since you had a bath, and you don't care about shaving! You look like you did when I first met you! And you smell just about as bad too!"

Jim could not avoid Bones' punch this time, and he stood up again. "I'll try not to embarrass you with my problems!" Bones declared.

Jim stood up and glared at him as he wiped a little blood off the corner of his mouth. "I oughta knock you out, "he said.

"Why don't you try it?"

"What's with you? You've gotten more bitter as we've gone along. What's your problem?"

"You!" Bones shoved him.

Jim grabbed him by the collars and shoved him against the wall. "You know what? I'm not gonna hold this against you because you're drunk, but you're very close to pushing me too far."

"I don't need your help!"

"Fine! I won't give it to you! I came in here because I care about you, you jerk!"

Jim left the cell and locked it back. "Rot in there!" he said. "See if I care?"

Bones was angry at Jim and he did not even know why. He was angry at himself too.

Jim gave the keys back to the Marshal. "How long you gonna keep him in there?" Jim asked.

"Probably till morning," Bishop answered.

"How much did he drink?"

"I wouldn't know. All I know is, he could barely stand up, and I wasn't gonna let him walk around like that."

"Thanks. I'll be here in the morning."

"You sure? Doesn't sound like he wants you around."

"That's my business. Just don't let him out before I get here."

"Alright."

Jim walked out of there and just stood there a moment. He did not really know how to help Bones. He thought he was very depressed. Everything was happening around him and he felt out of place. He was not out of place. They liked having him around even if he was grouchy. His grouchiness just kinda balanced everything else out, and blended in with Spock's logical ways. However, he had noticed a pattern with Bones.

Jim went to the saloon and walked in. Everyone looked at him and everything got quiet. He knew they all knew about that fast draw. "Howdy," he said and walked over to the bar.

"What'll you have?" the bartender asked.

"Nothing. A friend of mine was in here earlier today. Doctor McCoy?"

"Oh yeah."

"How much did he drink?"

"He bought his own bottles. Drank a whole bottle."

"How many did he buy?"

"Three."

Jim thought about that. He wondered where those other bottles were. "Did he take the other ones with him?" he asked.

"I suppose he did. I don't keep up with people."

"Did he cause trouble in here?"

"He's a silly drunk. I sure wouldn't want him to be my doctor."

The bartender leaned on the bar. "I've seen all kinds of people in here," he said. "I've never heard one talking about going to outer space."

Jim frowned. "Well, he's got a big imagination," he said.

"Sure does. He was describing things."

Jim had been afraid that was the case. "What things?"

"Oh, stuff like space ships and talking about some alien species. Your friend really does have a big imagination."

"He's been reading too many books, and when he gets drunk, he just kinda mixes reality with fiction."

"Oh. Is that it?"

"Yeah."

"Well, he was really drunk out of his mind. Betty over there probably heard more than the rest of us. He spent some time with her."

Jim looked around to see who Betty was. She was a young, blond woman who was dressed in a blue provocative dress. He walked over to her where she was sitting at a table. "Could I talk to you?" he asked.

"You can talk to me any time you want, Handsome," Betty said.

Jim sat down. "I wanted to talk to you about my friend, Doctor McCoy."

Betty laughed. "He's funny. I think I actually enjoyed being with him. At least he wasn't a jerk."

"He told you some pretty wild stories, huh?"

"Did he? He was so drunk he thought he had been to outer space."

Jim tried to laugh at that. "That's what I hear."

"You're that Jim Kirk, aren't you?"

"Yes."

"Wow. You're becoming a legend. Just about the best news that's been around here since the railroad came through."

"How much did he drink?" Jim asked.

"How should I know? At least a bottle."

"And he was with you for a while?"

"Quite a while."

"Well, if you'll excuse me."

Jim left the saloon before Betty could say anything else to him. He went back to the hotel and went straight to Spock's room. Spock opened the door promptly. "I have to talk to you," Jim said.

Spock closed the door as Jim went in. "Is there a problem?" he asked. "Did you find the doctor?"

"Oh yes, I found him alright." Jim folded his arms. "You know where he is?"

"No."

"He's in jail!"

"Why?"

"Because he was so drunk out of his mind that…" Jim did not know if he could tell it. "Spock, we have a real problem. He was so drunk out of his mind that he was telling people about being in space."

Spock was visibly disturbed by that fact. "Did they believe him?"

"I tried to make light of it and said he was reading books and got reality mixed up with fiction when he was drinking."

"Did they believe you?"

"I think so. I mean, it's not like they're going to believe he went to space, but we can't let him keep doing this."

"How do we stop him, Captain?"

"I don't know. I'm going to be there in the morning when the Marshal turns him loose."

"I will go with you if you wish."

"Good. We have to take him out there to the home place and try to help him."

"Jim, the doctor is quite stubborn."

"I know that, but we know he has a problem, and we're his friends. No one else is going to help him."

"I will help all I can."

"He's getting a reputation in this town for being drunk. Has he been doing this on the weekends since we've been here?"

"I do not know, Jim. I have not kept up with the doctor. As you know, I have stayed at the home place."

"Right. We have too so we don't know what he's been doing. If he wants to be a doctor around here, he has to stop this. People are talking."

"People always talk about things that can harm another, and never about the good one has done."

"I know that. I guess the bad stuff is more interesting to talk about."

Jim went to the door. "I'll see you in the morning, Spock."

Jim went to his own room where Carol was looking in the mirror. "Jim, do you think I will look fat?" she asked.

"Fat?"

Carol looked at him. "You know…when the baby is growing."

"No. Why?"

"Jim."

"I'm sorry. I'm a little upset right now."

"About what?"

"Bones."

"You found him?"

"Yes. He's in jail."

"Why?"

Jim told her what had happened, and what he and Spock intended to do. "You think that will work?" Carol asked. "He's not exactly the most cooperative person."

"Oh, I know that," Jim said. "But we're not gonna let him keep going like this. He's talking."

"But no one believed him."

"Carol, I don't want my best friend being called the town drunk. Have you just looked at him lately? It's not like him!"

"Jim, people make their own decisions."

"Well, I'm not going to let him make this one. I'm gonna stop him!"

"What if you can't? What if you just lose your friend?"

"Then I won't be his friend."

Jim lay down on the bed. He could not imagine not having Bones around. He was like an irritant that reminded you that you were still alive. "He even punched me," he said. "I owe him for that."

"Jim, you can't…"

"Don't say it. Spock and I are taking him out to the home place. We'll either fight or we'll work on the house. You and Uhura can stay here."

"Is that an order?"

"Carol."

"Alright…Captain."

"He even got that Marshal asking me if we had been on a ship."

"I suppose you do have to do something about it, but…" Carol sat down beside him. "Can't I have your undivided attention for tonight?"

Jim looked at her. "Of course."

"Good. Because I need it."