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Augusta walked confidently down the hallway, but inside she was experiencing the worst sort of discomfort. It couldn't be an ulcer because she'd only had the one cup of coffee. She hated this part of her life. Delivering bad news to people she loved and wanted to protect from all of the evil the world was capable of inflicting was not something she prided herself on. She stopped at the end of the corridor and turned around just in time to see Mike knocking on Carrie's door. Satisfied, she headed once again for the exit. She simply had to get out of this hospital before she tried anymore heroics. She knew that Mike would go to Carrie. She had seen enough of the two of them to know that there was something special there that she hadn't seen in a long while, not since Anna had married Tony Dimera. It was only a matter of time before all hell broke loose, because if Gus was correct (and she usually was), Carrie's in-laws would not be happy with the way things were turning out between Carrie and the two men who had claims on her heart. More likely than not, Gus herself would be stuck in the middle. But she was glad that Mike and Carrie had each other. No matter what the obstacles, she was sure that what was happening between the two of them would last. "That was some stunt you pulled back there." Gus looked up to see who had so rudely snapped out of her reverie. Of course, she should have known. "Dr. Wesley." "In the flesh," he replied, turning his devilish smile on her. Gus wasn't in the mood to spar with Craig Wesley, but she decided that perhaps a little verbal combat might make her feel better. She looked at him in an extraordinarily naughty manner as she commented, "And which stunt were you referring to?" "Why, the taming of Orangutan Reed, of course." Gus leaned against the wall and folded her arms. She arched an eyebrow. "Why thank you, I think." He leaned against the wall next to her and adopted her posture, making slight adjustments to allow for the patient chart and inclined his head towards her. "It was meant to be taken as a compliment." She looked at him and smiled like a well-satisfied Cheshire Cat. If she was not mistaken (and she rarely was), he was seriously flirting with her. She thought it rather amusing to imagine the look on his face if he ever found out that she could break his neck with less effort than the average adult took to slice open a canteloupe. I wonder if he would be as intent on being so charming. "You find rather interesting things to compliment me on, Dr. Wesley," Gus returned, "Most men try to stick to trite remarks about my eyes or other various and sundry parts of my body." "Well, that's because I'm a gentleman, Dr. Fredericks," Craig answered, looking away from her and picking an invisible piece of lint off of his immaculate lab coat. Gus grinned smugly as she looked him up and down. "I don't think you could ever be considered a gentleman." He looked taken aback and pushed himself away from the wall. "And why is that, pray tell?" "You wouldn't have hit on me so hard when I first walked in here." She sounded all prim and proper, but she was enjoying herself immensely as she dueled with Craig Wesley and his clever wit. Craig deliberately stood as close to Gus as he possibly could and whispered in her ear. "Augusta, when I'm hitting on you, you'll know it." She was all wide-eyed innocence as she responded, "Oh, I will, will I?" There was no doubt in Craig's mind that Gus knew what he was talking about. "Yeah." She could see that he had incredibly long eyelashes, and beautiful teeth. Gus had always been a sucker for good teeth. Though she was loathe to admit it, Gus was just the tiniest bit interested. Here was a man who didn't know anything about her past, who had no clue about what she did for a living, and who was handsome, witty and sexy as all get out. Perhaps she should have a bit of fun before she left Salem. . . "Craig?!" Both Craig and Gus were shocked out of their conversation by a short, rather plump red-headed woman wearing a candy-striper uniform. Craig allowed himself a moment of internal annoyance before he made the introductions. "Dr. Augusta Fredericks, this is my wife, Nancy Wesley. Nancy, this is Dr. Fredericks." "Pleased to meet you, Dr. Fredericks," Nancy said, extending her hand as her mocking smile stretched the width of her face. Gus knew a jealous woman when she saw one, and since she had no interest getting involved with a married man (I've had quite enough of that kind of problem in my life, thank you, very much, Ramón!) she grasped Nancy's hand warmly and replied, "I am so thrilled to finally meet you! Dr. Wesley said he had a charming and wonderful wife and I can see that he's absolutely right." "Why, Craig," Nancy said as she turned towards him, giving him a look that plainly said, You are going to get it tonight, Mister! "How sweet of you! Tell me, Dr. Fredericks, will you be joining the hospital in an official capacity?" "Not as far as I know, Mrs. Wesley," Gus replied honestly, thankful that she could think on her feet. A break from ISA missions would be ideal, but from all of the loopy things that Gus heard went on in Salem, perhaps it was best that she just finish up her business and head on out. "Besides, I'm not sure if there's a position open in my field." "And what would that be?" Nancy asked. "I'm qualified for general practice, but I'm a chemotherapy-oriented physician." "I see. Well, it's too bad, isn't it, Craig?" Craig smiled, but it came out more like a grimace. "Yes, really too bad." "I just came to remind Craig that he has some patients to see to," Nancy said as she turned to him and adjusted his tie ever so slightly, "So don't you be long now." "I won't," he promised, and quickly kissed her on the cheek. Nancy walked off, secure in the knowledge that Gus would probably be giving her darling husband a set down the likes of which he had never had before. She would have been right, too. Gus turned to Craig, eyes ablaze. "Your wife is a charming woman, Dr. Wesley" she said icily before she adjusted her purse on her shoulder and started walking towards the exit. "Gus, wait," he said, trying to catch her arm before she got too far. To his surprise, she punched through his hold on her and whirled around to face him. In a low and private tone that she reserved only for people she truly despised, she said, "The name, from now on, is "Dr. Fredericks," Dr. Wesley, is that clear? And don't ever try to restrain me or grab me in any way or I will be pleased to pump you full of lead." He ignored her tone and asked conversationally, "Do you always carry a gun?" "Never leave home without one." She subconciously patted the overlapping front of her dress, as if to make sure it was still there. "And are you always so prickly around men?" he inquired, amused that he'd embarrassed her somehow. Perhaps she really was interested, and not just playing with him. She folded her arms and shot back, "Only the married portion of the species." "I see. I'll be sure to remember that the next time we're alone." He grinned at her, turning on the charisma full force. It was a mistake. She bristled instantly. "I'm sure that we won't be alone ever again. Good-bye, Dr. Wesley." She left him standing there, certain that he wouldn't try anything with her again. But what Gus failed to factor into the equation was the fact that Craig Wesley never gave up on anything. It just wasn't his style.
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