As Gus expected, Austin froze at the authoritarian sound of an unfamiliar voice. Like a deer looking into headlights, he stood stock-still, unable to move. The coolness of the her tone as well as the unmistakable press of something hard against his spine told him that whoever she was, she wasn't kidding.

"Um, I don't know who you are, but this is between me and my wife," he managed to splutter, nervous as he was at the thought that he might lose something vital he'd be needing later.

Gus's voice was matter-of-fact and just the tiniest bit bored. "The name is Augusta Fredericks, and this may have been between just you and my niece, but I believe in foreign intervention when any situation shifts from the verbal into the physical."

"Aunt Gus, this really isn't necessary," Carrie said, but she was obviously struggling to free her arm from Austin's grip which had tightened and was now cutting off circulation in her wrist and hand.

Still unobtrusively training the gun on the small of Austin's back, Gus reached her other hand over and took a firm hold on Austin's pinky finger. As smoothly and nonchalantly as if she were peeling a banana, she began to pull gently and efficiently until she successfully pried it from Carrie's arm.

Still gripping that digit, she managed to get his ring, middle, index finger, and thumb to detach themselves by applying firm backwards pressure. Gus then let go of the finger and his arm dropped down to his side.

"Here's your hand back, and for your sake, you'd better hope you didn't bruise her. We Fredericks women mark easily."

Once freed from Austin's grip, Carrie began to rub her arm. Gus noticed the subliminal movement and hardened her resolve to give him the usual treatment.

"Carrie, I realize that I'm being insufferably rude, but I would appreciate it if you would get that looked at. In the meanwhile, Junior and I are going to have a little talk."

"Aunt Gus --"

Gus shot her a look that brooked no refusal. "Please, indulge me this one time. I promise that I won't hurt him."

Silently thankful that Gus had chosen to interrupt, Carrie looked warily at Austin, her eyes pleading with him to behave himself. Austin just gave her this look that seemed to mean Who the hell does she think she is?

At that moment, Mike came up to the little grouping, carrying two cups of coffee.

"Here you go, Gus, one cup of coffee-flavored tar."

"Thanks, Mike," Gus said brightly, taking the coffee with her free hand. "Oh, would you take a look at Carrie's arm? It might be a little bruised. I'm going to get acquainted with Mr. Reed while I have the chance. It's not everyday that I get to meet my new nephew-in-law."

Mike, noticing that Austin did not look at all happy, and that Carrie was holding her arm like she was hurt, decided to not ask any questions at the moment.

"Sure, c'mon, Carrie, we'll get that arm looked at."

Carrie shot one last glance at Gus, who said cheerfully: "Don't worry, sweet pea, I'll take good care of him."

Mike and Carrie watched as Gus and Austin walked away from them, heading towards a relatively private corner of the waiting room. Mike noticed that Austin hadn't said anything at all, and thought this was rather strange.

"Carrie, what happened?"

She turned to him, still rubbing her arm. "Austin and I had another fight about Sami. He wants me to go to the wedding and I really don't feel up to it. This is our anniversary and he hasn't said anything about plans for tonight; all he's thinking about is Sami! I'm really becoming frustrated with his whole attitude. All he can think of lately is Sami and Will."

"But why did she want me to look at your arm?" Mike asked.

Carrie bit her lip, unwilling to respond as candidly as she usually did.

"Can we talk somewhere else? I don't feel like this is the most private setting."

"Sure. Let's go to my office. I've got chocolate," he said in an attempt to lighten her mood.

"Okay, okay, you've got me. It's not fair that you know I'm such a fool for chocolate," Carrie said and smiled in a mock-half-heartedly manner at him.

"I use any and all methods to get people to visit my office willingly," he said and grinned at her. She felt an unexpected shiver shoot through her body and settle somewhere in the vicinity of the pit of her stomach.

Has he always had that incredible smile? she asked herself.

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