“Shame. I’ll kinda miss you,” Dean said simply.
Ayesha looked at the companions. “I guess we’ll miss you, too. But this is something we need to do for ourselves.”
“Parting is such sweet sorrow. You know, that’s a phrase I recall from somewhere, but it eludes me somewhat,” Doc said as he took Ayesha’s hand and kissed it. “No matter—the origin is unimportant when the sentiment remains constant.”
“You are one weird old guy, but I do like you,” Ayesha replied with a soft smile.
The companions were gathered in the mat-trans unit to enter the chamber and jump, ready for whatever fate may throw at them next. They turned and entered the chamber, having made their goodbyes. Dean was the last to enter, and as he did he stopped and turned to Danny.
“Remember, as soon as the mechanism locks then the comp starts charting the course. Never been able to stand outside and see it, but if you watch, it may teach you something. And mebbe one day we’ll cross and you’ll be able to tell me,” he said.
“Bet on it,” Danny said with a tinge of regret in his voice.
Dean’s last view of Danny and Ayesha was as he closed the door. He could tell that they were already poring over the comp console, watching intently for the mechanism to grid into action.
Dean seated himself, with some regret, on the chamber floor and watched as the white, curling mist began to rise from the circular disks inset into the chamber’s floor and ceiling, and he and his companions stood poised on the verge of another leap into the unknown.