"Come on, Cassie, let's go!" hollered Jacob as the Back Door swung open. Eve and Ezekiel stood next to him, impatiently waiting for the last member of their party to join them. "The current astronomical positions depicted in those ancient Mongolian petroglyphs ain't gonna calculate themselves, you know!"
"Coming! Coming!" the redhead sang as she ran across the workroom as fast as she could. Eve began ushering the boys through the doorway.
"OH!" Cassandra squeaked, skittering to a stop just as she was about to pass though the magic door. She immediately turned and rushed over to Jenkins's desk. "I almost forgot!"
"Aw, come on, Cassandra! We have to go now!" complained Ezekiel, but Cassandra ignored him. She hurried around the desk to where her husband stood somberly, and quickly kissed his cheek.
"Bye, sweetheart, I'll see you later!" she chirped, smiling brightly, though her blue eyes held a hint of sadness at their parting. The Caretaker returned her smile and fondly stroked her silky cheek before kissing the back of her hand. He let go of her reluctantly, then watched her as she ran back to the doorway.
"Be safe!" he called after her anxiously. "I love you!"
"I love you, too, sweetie!" She disappeared through the Back Door.
Ezekiel rolled his eyes and stuck his finger into his mouth to mimic gagging as he followed the mathemagician through the door.
Eve smiled at the touching little scene she'd just witnessed.
"Don't worry, Skip, I'll keep her safe for you," she said. Jenkins ran a nervous hand down his chest and stomach.
"See to it that you do, Colonel," he replied, a slight threat in his voice as his eyes narrowed.
Eve winked conspiratorially and grinned at Jenkins, then disappeared through the door.