Irreconcilable Differences

+++++++



"Do you know how long it's been since I've had time to go to Walmart?" Kelly asked as she and Ashley walked to the checkout line. They had to pick up a few last minute things for Christmas.



Ashley laughed, "And you are probably one of the few people that would actually be saddened by that."



Kelly smiled, "Well, yea. It makes everything almost seem normal when I come here."



"Give it two seconds," Ashley replied, knowingly.



"Huh?" Kelly questioned, but found her question answered as three young teenage girls were by her side, begging for autographs. Kelly smiled, signing the things handed to her, making small chat.



"So how's that normalcy thing going?" Ashley asked as the girls walked away.



"Shut up," Kelly laughed, pushing her playfully.



+++++++++



Ashley froze as her eyes scanned the cover of the magazine before her.



"Anything good?" Kelly asked as she unloaded the stuff they had bought.



"No," Ashley lied quickly.



"You sure?" Kelly laughed. "Cause you look like you've just seen a ghost."



"Oh, you know how those magazines can be," Ashley said nervously.



"Let me see it," Kelly said, curious at what had her best friend so shocked.



"See what?" Ashley asked, holding it behind her back.



"Don't make me fire you," Kelly replied with a smirk.



"You asked for it," Ashley frowned, handing her the magazine.



Kelly looked down at the picture. It was of her and Carrie, hand-in-hand at the charity dinner. It seemed innocent enough. The caption on the other hand, not so much.



"The Latest Idol Affair," Kelly read aloud. "What's that supposed to mean?"



"Open it up," Ashley said, watching her carefully.



Kelly found the article, "The latest news on the ever troubling friendship of everyone's favorite Idols, Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson, has many a man taking a nice cold shower. It's apparent from recent reports that the two singers have been working on their friendship, but from these pics, many are wondering if there's more than just friendship going on behind the scenes."



Kelly could feel her stomach drop as she looked at the pictures. Along with the one from the charity dinner, they had one from the club opening of Carrie with her arm around Kelly's waist as they walked down the stairs. The newest ones were probably the most foreboding, however. They must have been taking during their lunch two days before. One was of the two of them, walking towards each other, smiling wide. The next was of the embrace, Carrie's face turned slightly, placing a kiss that looked a lot less innocent in picture on Kelly's cheek. Kelly struggled not to smile, realizing that she hadn't been imagining the kiss. The last one was of them standing by Jason's car, Carrie gently cradling Kelly's face.



Kelly could feel her face burn as Ashley looked at her curiously.



"That kiss was practically nonexistent," she explained, quickly. "They had to have snapped it at exactly the right millisecond. Besides, since when is it a crime for a girl to kiss her friend on the cheek?"



Ashley shrugged, "They were probably running out of stuff to write about now that you two aren't at each others throats, so they got desperate. Besides, it's nothing you haven't heard before."



"Yea," Kelly laughed. "When are they going to give up? I'm sorry the fact that I'm straight upsets them so much, but come on now."



"But I have to say, this is the first time that they have pictures to back up the claims," Ashley said. "And those are some pretty convincing photos."



"Once again, taking things out of context," Kelly replied, looking back at the pictures of what had all been innocent interactions between her and the country singer. Well, all except maybe the last one.



"You worried?"



"About what? Like you said, it's nothing we haven't dealt with before."



"You are such a better person than I am," Ashley laughed. "I'd be suing some people right now, let me tell you."



"What good would that do?" Kelly asked. "I don't need any more money, and it would only draw more attention to it. Besides, it's one magazine that no one even reads except you."



"True," Ashley replied, helping her to finish unloading the new decorations.



++++++++



"What's wrong?" Kelly asked, turning down the volume on her computer that she had been working on a new song on. Carrie flopped down next to her on the bed, clearly pissed off. She closed her eyes, rubbing them frustratedly. Kelly could see a tear escaping, and she sat up quickly, putting her lap top on the bedside table.



"Hey, what's wrong?" she asked, worriedly. "What happened?"



"Nothing," Carrie replied, taking a deep breath. "I'm just tired and aggravated and I wanna go home."



"Oh," Kelly replied, unable to hide the hurt in her voice.



"No, no," Carrie said quickly, sitting up as well, brushing the tears from her eyes. "Not like that. I was just supposed to be able to go home for Christmas, like home home, like Checotah home," she explained.



"Well, that's great," Kelly said with a smile, knowing how nice it was to be home for Christmas.



"But not anymore," Carrie sighed.



"Why not?"



"Because I have to perform on some damn show."



"Perform?" Kelly asked. "Aren't those things usually pretaped? Besides, it's kinda last minute to be telling you, don't you think?"



"Well, apparently this one isn't," Carrie frowned. "And someone had to cancel, so they thought of me, and my lovely manager agreed to it."



"I'm sorry," Kelly said. "Where's it at?"



"Houston."



"Well, you're welcomed to stay here and spend Christmas with us," Kelly said sweetly. "I know it's not your home, but at least it's a home."



"I can't do that to you. I mean, I don't want to impose on you and your family. I know how rare holidays can be," Carrie replied.



"Nonsense," Kelly shrugged her off. "You're staying here and that's final."



Carrie smiled, leaning back against the headboard, "You are way too good to me."



"I wouldn't say that just yet," Kelly said nervously as she reached over, picking up the magazine that was next to her lap top and handing it to Carrie.



"What's this?"



"You'll see," Kelly replied, pulling her lap top back to her and putting in an earphone. She glanced over at Carrie who was reading the article with a curious look on her face.



"Well, this is new," Carrie commented.



"Yea," Kelly nodded, adjusting the bass in the song she was listening to. "You ok?"



"Yea. If anything I'm a little freaked out about how they got those pictures from the restaurant. I didn't see any photographers there."



"I know, and if I had known there would be, I swear, I wouldn't have suggested it."



"No, it's fine. Everyone knows these things are complete crap anyway," Carrie replied, surprising Kelly by not getting upset and just tossing the magazine aside. "So, what you listening to?"



"Nothing important."



"A new song?" Carrie asked, excitedly. "Can I hear it?"



"I'd rather not," Kelly replied, smiling apologetically. "I just wrote it, and I don't know, it's still a bit raw, I guess."



"Well, whenever you're ready, can I hear it?"



"You'll be the first," Kelly nodded.



"Kell," Jason said, rushing into her room.



"What is it?" Kelly said, feeling a knot forming in her stomach at the look on Jason's face.



"It's Sam. Something's wrong."



+++++++



Kelly paced the waiting room floor back and forth, nervously. She was starting to wonder how she hadn't burned a hole through it yet. Carrie watched her worriedly, not used to the fear that was clearly written in her eyes.



"Hey," she said gently, slipping her hand into Kelly's as she passed. She tugged on her, making her sit in the chair next to her. "It's gonna be ok."



"You promise?" Kelly asked, looking her in the eye.



Carrie frowned, knowing she couldn't promise something like that. Kelly felt her stomach churn as she turned away, staring at the empty space before her, her hand clutching Carrie's tightly.



"Miss Clarkson?" a young vet asked, walking over to the four of them.



"Yea?" Kelly asked as she, Carrie, Jason, and Ashley all stood up.



"Sam's going to be fine," he informed her with kind blue eyes and a sad smile.



She heard Jason and Ashley let out sighs of relief, but she only tightened her grip on Carrie's hand.



"But?" Kelly asked apprehensively.



"She went into labor. Unfortunately, there were some complications. She had three puppies, but only one has survived. I'm sorry," he said.



Kelly nodded, fighting back the emotions. She felt Carrie's free hand rubbing her arm soothingly.



A voice came over the intercom system, "Dr. Shard, please report to room twelve. Dr. Shard, please report to room twelve."



"Excuse me," the vet said, rushing away.



Kelly let out a deep breath as she fell into the chair behind her with Carrie right next to her.



"Sam's gonna be fine," she smiled at the Texan. "And you have a new puppy. I know you're probably upset about losing the other two, but just imagine them up there in puppy heaven, playing together."



Kelly returned the smile, leaning her head on her shoulder. Carrie tilted her head, resting it against Kelly's as she ran a gentle thumb over her hand.



"So how long do you think before we can take them home?" Jason asked.



"I don't know," Kelly replied. "He left before we could ask."



"I'm sure we'll hear something soon," Carrie assured her.



++++++++++



An hour later and Kelly was curled up in her chair, asleep on Carrie's shoulder. Ashley handed Carrie a cup of coffee.



"This place reminds me so much of a normal hospital," Carrie commented, taking the drink gratefully.



"Yea, the food sucks just like one," Jason frowned.



"What do you think's taking so long?" Ashley asked.



"I don't know. I hope everything's ok," Jason sighed, eyeing his little sister carefully. She had always had a big heart, and when it came to her pets she was no different, especially with Sam. She seemed to view them as equals, both being strays in their own sense, and both just looking for the comfort of having someone to depend on.



Dr. Shard walked down the hall towards the waiting room. He hated this walk. It always seemed so much longer than the ones that resulted in good news.



Carrie shook Kelly gently, causing her to stir. Her eyes slowly adjusted to their surroundings as she realized where she was. She saw the vet walking towards them and stood up along with the other three. The look in his eyes felt like he had just shoved a steak through her heart. She was already shaking her head as the tears formed before he opened his mouth to speak.



"I'm so sorry," he apologized. "Sam didn't make it. It appears that..."



Kelly didn't hear the rest of it. She didn't really care about any of it. She could feel Jason move to wrap his arm around her but she wouldn't have it. She dropped Carrie's hand, backing away slowly before she turned, rushing out the front doors of the animal hospital. She turned the corner into an alley way, her fists clenched tight. This wasn't how it was supposed to happen. Sam had come to her in need of help. She was supposed to take care of the dog. Give her just as much love as she was given, but she couldn't even do that. What was wrong with her?



"Kell?" a careful voice asked from behind her.



Kelly just shook her head as her shoulders started to shake.



"Hey," a soft hand was placed on her shoulder, and Kelly felt the tears start to fall. She closed her eyes tightly, turning into the warm body behind her, allowing herself to be enveloped in the protective arms.



"I got you," Carrie assured her, holding her close as Kelly wrapped her arms around her tight.



"It's not fair," Kelly replied, her voice muffled as she buried her face in Carrie's shoulder.



"Most things in life aren't," she said softly.



She could feel Kelly shaking in her arms, and it made her nervous that she was getting this upset about it. This was about something more than just a pet. Carrie closed her eyes, kissing the top of Kelly's head, pulling her closer. She had never seen the girl shed a tear before, so to now have her falling apart in her arms was enough to break Carrie's heart.



"Now, I know that you're upset right now," Carrie said gently. "But there's a little puppy in there that just lost his momma, and the little guy really needs someone to look out for him."



Kelly sniffed, adjusting herself so that now she was merely resting against Carrie instead of clinging to her.



"I don't know if I can," Kelly replied. "He's gonna need so much attention."



"And I think you're the perfect person to give it to him," Carrie said, rubbing her back.



"Can I see him?" she asked, pulling away enough to look up at the country singer.



"Yea," Carrie nodded, slipping her hand into Kelly's and leading her back into the animal hospital.



"Care, wait," Kelly said, tugging on her hand, making her stop before they went inside.



"You ok?"



"Yea...I just...thanks," she smiled softly.



Carrie smiled back, pulling her into a half hug. Kelly could feel the tears forming again as Carrie kissed her forehead, lingering slightly, trying to show that she'd always be there for her.



++++++++



"He's so little," Kelly commented, watching as the nurse fed the small puppy from a tiny bottle. Carrie still had a comforting arm around her waist.



"He was the runt," the nurse informed her with a smile. "Do you want to hold him?"



Kelly looked at the small creature fearfully, "I'm gonna break him."



"No you won't," she replied with a gentle laugh, wrapping him in a small blanket and handing him to her. Kelly cradled him carefully in her hands.



"He's so cute," Kelly smiled, bringing him up to eye level. His eyes were closed, his fur was a dark black, and he had a cute little nose with floppy ears--he looked just like a miniature Sam. Kelly could feel her eyes watering.



"Maybe you should name him," Carrie offered, smiling at the cute puppy in Kelly's hands.



Kelly looked at her, then studied him carefully, her nose crinkling in thought.



"Bear," she announced proudly.



"Bear?"



"Um, yea," Kelly blushed, not able to meet her eyes. "Because, you know, he looks like a little bear."



"I think it's perfect," Carrie smiled, giving her waist a gentle squeeze.



+++++++++



"You need to get some sleep," Jason said, joining the three girls in the living room.



"I'm not tired," Kelly replied, stifling a yawn, urging her head not to fall onto Carrie's shoulder. She could feel all the emotions that she had pushed down from earlier in the day starting to rise again.



"Yea, and Jason's a mac daddy," Ashley rolled her eyes, causing her to smile, however small it was.



"Haha, very funny," Jason frowned. "But don't you have a photo shoot tomorrow?"



"So?"



"So? Do you wanna look like crap?"



"I'm not tired," she insisted, her voice growing defensive.



Jason eyed her carefully.



"Maybe you should go to bed," Ashley said, worriedly. "You've had a long day."



"I don't want to go to bed," Kelly replied firmly.



Carrie turned to her, catching her gaze. Kelly's eyes were wide, almost as if pleading with her to not make her go to sleep. There was a certain level of fear in her eyes that completely caught Carrie off guard.



"You ok?" Carrie asked, dropping her voice to a whisper.



Kelly nodded, but Carrie knew from the look she was giving that she was lying. Realization washed over Carrie, and she leaned forward, whispering something in her ear.



Jason and Ashley watched the pair of them curiously. Kelly gave the smallest nod as Carrie pulled away to look at her. She leaned forward one more time, whispering again. Jason gave Ashley a confused look, but she just shrugged. Carrie pulled away a second time, and once more Kelly gave the slightest nod, brushing away a stray tear. Carrie smiled at her gently, offering her hand as she stood.



"I'm going upstairs," Kelly said softly. Ashley gave Carrie a worried look, but Carrie shook her head, letting her know it was ok as Kelly allowed the country singer to guide her up to her room.



Kelly eyed her bed carefully, not saying anything. Carrie took the initiative to pull back the covers and climb in first, neither bothering to change.



"Come here," Carrie said gently.



Kelly's eyes fell to the empty foot of the bed, and she felt a soft hand reaching out and taking her own.



"Please," Carrie pleaded, tugging on her hand. Kelly allowed herself to be pulled onto the bed as Carrie pulled up the blankets around them.



"Thanks," Kelly whispered softly.



"No big," Carrie smiled. "I still owe you for that lunch."



"No, I mean, not just for doing this," Kelly said, looking up at her. "Thanks for knowing that I needed you to do this."



"It's what friends do," Carrie shrugged, wrapping her arms around her and pulling her close. Kelly took a shaky breath, allowing the warmth to surround her. This is what she would probably miss most about Sam, the protective warmth that she always provided, even at the end of the most stressful days.



"Do you know when we can take Bear home?" Kelly asked, trying to think of anything that would stop the tears that were threatening to fall.



"Dr. Shard said in a couple days. They have to be real careful that he's getting all the right nutrients and stuff," Carrie said, shivering as Kelly's breath tickled her neck.



"Have I told you thank you yet?" Kelly asked, her voice growing thick with sleep.



"Yea," Carrie laughed. "Plenty of times."



"Well, thank you again."



"For what?"



"Believing me when I said I didn't say any of those things and giving me the chance to be your friend."



"Kell, about that," Carrie began, but Kelly's slow even breathing signaled that she was already asleep. Carrie sighed, placing a kiss on the top of her head. "I'm sorry," she whispered, pulling the Texan closer.