The Alternate Journey

Chapter 28

As Bishop stepped from the cab, he paid the driver and began up the walk. The pep in his step was undeniable as he hurried into Maddie's office building; flowers in hand. He had arrived five hours earlier than he had anticipated. He had gone to the hotel, dropped his bags, made a few arrangements and called for a cab.

Though he was a little over an hour early, he had no problem getting past the front reception desk or through security; she had placed his name on all required lists. Following the directions from the gentleman at the front desk, Bishop found her office quite easily. Though she worked for the US State Department, her area was in Youth and Education and when he stepped into the large reception area, the young woman at the counter looked up to him with a bright smile. From the looks of it she was the assistant to a few offices, including Maddie's.

"Good Afternoon," she greeted him.

"Good Afternoon," he smiled back, taking a quick look around the place as he stepped up to the desk. "I'm here to see Dr. Forrester."

"Is she expecting you?" The young woman clicked on something on her computer, her eyes scanning what he guessed was an appointment calendar.

"She is," Bishop nodded. "Though I am a little early. I'll be happy to wait..."

"Can I get your name?" She looked back up to him.

"Bishop," he answered, his lips twisting as he smiled across the desk to her. "Jamie Bishop."

"Ahhh..." Her smile grew warmer as she recognized his name. "So you're Mr. Bishop." Her eyes did a quick once over of him before she rose to her feet.

"I...I suppose I am."

"I'm Jillian," she held her hand out to him. "I'm Dr. Forrester's main assistant. We all rotate hours at the front desk but I work mainly for her. I think I've put through a few of your calls."

"Ah yes," Bishop smiled charmingly as he extended his hand to hers. "It's lovely to meet you."

"You as well," she pulled her hand from his firm shake and moved it to her hip. "I would be happy to take you back to her office."

"I don't want to disturb her if she's busy..." Bishop held up a hand as Jillian rounded the corner. "I know I'm early."

"It's quite alright," she smiled and motioned for him to follow her. "She's been expecting you and I don't think she'll mind at all that you're early."

"Well if you say so," Bishop was nothing but charm and sweetness as he followed her lead. Their shoes clicked against the wood floors as they moved down the long hallway; passing a few offices along the way. When they came to an end, they took a quick left and there her office; her name on the plaque outside and her door closed. A small desk that must have been Jillian's main home sat out front. When Jillian turned a smile to Bishop, he stopped walking and watched as she stepped to the door.

A quick, soft knock and she opened the door. "Ma'am, there's a Jamie Bishop here to see you." And though he couldn't see the look on her face at that precise moment, he knew exactly what her smile must have looked like. But before he could spend much time on that image, Jillian moved aside as Maddie stepped through into the doorway.

"Well would you look at that," her eyes met his and her lips pulled into a smirk. "There is a Jamie Bishop here to see me."

"In the flesh," he tossed a wink in her direction, noticing the grin on Jillian's face as she silently excused herself and slipped past him, moving back down the hall towards the front desk.

"The one and only," Maddie's voice dropped as she took a few steps towards him.

"Well..." He shrugged, moving in closer. "There are actually three of us but..."