Playing With Fire

++++++++++



Kelly chewed on her bottom lip nervously as she walked down the stairs, fully dressed. She wasn't sure how she should be feeling. On one hand, there was the pure exhilaration at the fact of seeing Carrie again, and the glazed look the blonde had in her eyes when she saw Kelly in the towel wasn't helping matters. On the other hand, she couldn't help but feel angry at Carrie for waiting as long as she did to get in touch with her. But now that she was here, Kelly wasn't even sure if they still had a chance of saving whatever it was that they had together. Throw her conservative and lovingly overbearing mother into the equation and it would be damn-near impossible.



She entered the kitchen quietly, observing the scene before her. Jeanne had taken over the cooking, full-heartedly. Ashley was enjoying her breakfast, but kept casting nervous glances at Jeanne and Carrie. Jason was sitting there all but fawning over the country girl, and Carrie was politely chatting with him. Jeanne put a plate of eggs and bacon in front of Carrie.



"Enjoy," she smiled.



Carrie's smile faded as she looked down at the plate, not sure what to do. Kelly decided it was time to step in.



"Thanks mom," she smiled, sitting next to Carrie and pulling the plate in front of her. "There's some cereal on the counter, and we have soy milk in the fridge," she whispered to Carrie, who smiled greatfully. "We can go shopping for some food later today. That is if you're staying."



"Yes, I mean, if you want," she replied.



Kelly nodded, the faintest smile on her face, "Yea."



Carrie returned the smile and got up to fix her breakfast.



"So, what brings you here mom?" Kelly asked, digging in to the food before her.



"Well, I hadn't heard from you in a while, so I thought I would come check on my baby girl," Jeanne replied, placing a plate in front of Jason, avoiding his gaze. Kelly caught the look, or lack there of, and sent daggers his way. He just shrugged sheepishly, suddenly finding his plate of food very interesting to look at.



"It's ok, right?" her mom asked. "You didn't have anything going on, did you?"



"It's fine," Kelly smiled. "You know that you're welcome any time. We love having you. I actually have the next few days off. Carrie and I are gonna go the store after breakfast, but after that, we're just playing it by ear."



"Oh, no, let me do the shopping," Jeanne insisted. "I'm the one barging in."



"No, it's fine mom, we got it. Besides, Carrie needs to get some stuff for her too."



"Like what, sweetie?" she asked, turning to Carrie, who blushed at the affectionate name. "I can pick it up for you."



"Carrie's a vegetarian," Kelly replied for her, smiling at the blush that rose to her cheeks.



"A vegetarian?" Jeanne questioned. "You don't eat meat?"



"No, ma'am," Carrie said. "Actually, it's any type of animal byproduct."



"You are not from Texas, are you?"



Carrie laughed softly, "Oklahoma."



"Well, we'll just have to change that, now won't we," Jeanne nodded, turning back to the stove.



"Mom," Kelly fussed.



"It's ok," Carrie said, touching her hand softly. Both of their gazes fell to the touch, their skin burning against each other's. They both drew away quickly, avoiding the other's gaze.



"So, Carrie and I will go shopping," Jeanne said, joining them at the table.



"What?" Kelly asked, choking on her juice.



"Yea, that way she can get her food, and I can feel useful. Besides," she added. "I want a chance to get to know her some more."



Kelly opened her mouth, but closed it again, hearing the finality in her mom's tone. Even at twenty-five years old, she still knew better than to argue with her. She turned to Ashley who shrugged sympathetically.



+++++++++



"How long do you think they're gonna be?" Kelly asked, looking out the window as her mom and Carrie pulled out the driveway in her mom's car.



"I don't know," Ashley replied.



"What do you think they're gonna talk about?"



"I don't know," Ashley smiled. "Probably where Carrie's from. What's her family like. How's her career going. What's she doing making out with her daughter. That sort of thing."



Kelly's eyes widened as she stopped pacing the floor.



"Relax, Kel," Ashley laughed. "It's going to be fine. As long as your mom doesn't start pulling out the naked photos of you, you're going to be okay."



"Don't joke about that," Kelly sighed. "I think there's more pictures of me nekked than not from when I was younger."



"Well, if you wouldn't have been such a whore," Ashley teased.



Kelly picked up a pillow as she joined Ashley on the couch and threw it at her.



++++++++



"So," Jeanne smiled as they walked down the aisles of the grocery store. "How long have you and Kelly been friends?"



"Well, we've met a couple times before, but we didn't really get a chance to talk until the Idol finale this past year. Then, when we did that duet, we got a chance to, uh, really get to know each other," Carrie replied.



A cute little girl of about eight walked up to the pair of them.



"Are you Carrie Underwood?" she asked nervously.



"Why, yes I am," Carrie smiled.



"C-can I have your autograph?" the girl asked holding out a pen and paper.



"Sure thing," Carrie laughed, taking the paper and signing her name. "There you go."



"Thank you," the girl smiled, taking the paper and looking down at it in awe.



"You're welcome."



They watched as the little girl walked away excitedly.



"Sorry bout that," Carrie apologized.



Jeanne laughed, "Have you forgotten who my daughter is?"



"How could I?" Carrie asked, struggling to keep the smile. Her daughter just happened to be the woman who held Carrie's heart in her hands.



"So, about this no meat thing?" Jeanne asked. "Does that include barbeque?"



Carrie laughed, following her down another aisle.



++++++++++



"Where are they?" Kelly asked, joining Ashley on the back porch. Ashley tossed her a water out of the ice chest.



"Relax. They're going to be back any minute now."



"So," Kelly sighed, sitting on the bench next to her. "You know."



"I know," Ashley nodded.



"How?"



"It's easy to realize when you have feelings for someone Kel, cause it doesn't really happen all that often."



Kelly nodded, "So..."



"You want to know if I'm okay with it, right?"



"Well, yea."



"Honestly, I'm not sure."



Kelly frowned, looking down at her lap.



"It's just, I never thought...you know?"



"Me either."



"But, it's not that I have a problem with it, it's just, I'm not sure. I mean, it's obvious you care about her...a lot. And after last night, I'd say Carrie felt the same way."



Kelly couldn't hide the smile that was creeping up.



Ashley smiled, taking her friend's hand in her own, "I'm trying, ok?"



"That's all I ask," Kelly replied.



Ashley nodded, pulling her into a hug.



"But if she hurts you again," she frowned, pulling away.



"Y'all can do what y'all want with her," Kelly smiled, making both girl's laugh.



"So, what do you want to do for lunch?" Ashley asked, after their laughter had subsided.



"I was hoping to take Carrie out somewhere. You know, maybe get a chance to talk."



"You know that's not going to happen," Ashley replied. "Not with your mom here all in worried mode. She's not going to let you out of the house unless she's at your heals."



"True," Kelly frowned.



"Which is not my fault by the way," Ashley pointed out. "I had nothing to do with her being here. I told Jason to wait a few more days."



"I figured. He couldn't look me in the eye this morning at breakfast."



"Don't go too hard on him, though. He's only looking out for you."



"Yea, I know," she sighed. The sound of a car pulling up, made her sit up straight. A smile grew on her face as she jumped up, rushing to the front of the house.



"Chill!" Ashley called out with a laugh. "You act like you haven't seen the girl in like a year or something."



"They're laughing," Kelly commented with a frown as Ashley caught up to her as she looked out the window. "Why are they laughing? That can't be good."



"You never know. You're mom might have said something funny."



"Have you ever met my mom?"



Ashley shook her head, studying her friends eager face as she gazed out the window, "You are all crushed out, aren't you?"



"I think I'm way passed the crush phase, actually," Kelly admitted, her smile fading.



"Don't worry about it," Ashley smiled. "It's all going to work out, I promise."



"And if it doesn't?"



Ashley shrugged, smiling mischievously, "Let's just say I know some people that could take care of her."



"Since when do we have a mafia in Texas?" Kelly asked, following as Ashley made her way to help with the groceries.



+++++++++



"So, what are we doing for lunch?" Jeanne asked, after the groceries had been saved, and they had all settled in the living room. Jason had decided it was finally safe to show his face again.



"Well, I kind of wanted to take Carrie out. You know, show her around a bit?"



"Actually, I was hoping you and I could have lunch together. We need to catch up," her mom smiled. "Jason could show Carrie around."



"Gladly," Jason smiled broadly. Kelly frowned, but Ashley quickly chimed in.



"I think I'll join them," she smiled.



"Well, then, maybe for dinner?" Kelly said, turning to Carrie who frowned slightly.



"I told your mom we could barbeque tonight," she replied.



"Yea, I want to try out these veggie burgers," Jeanne said excitedly.



"Oh," Kelly sighed. "Well, ok, that's fine then."



"Kelly..." Carrie began, but couldn't think of what to say, at least not in front of everybody. So, she settled, for catching her gaze. Kelly nodded, understanding. So maybe, this would be a lot harder than she had thought.



+++++++



"So," Jeanne smiled as they settled into their normal table at the small cafe. "What's wrong?"



"You have no patience, do you?" Kelly asked, looking over the menu, although she had no idea why--she ordered the same thing every time she came here.



"Do you?" her mother countered. Kelly frowned, so Jeanne continued. "Jason wouldn't have called if everything was okay. So, just come out and tell me. What's been going on?"



"Nothing, mom. Everything's fine now."



"Now? So something was wrong then."



"It was nothing, ok?" Kelly said, losing her patience, but holding it back. She knew her mom was just being a mom.



"Why do I have a feeling that everything isn't fine now, like you say it is? You seem to have a lot on your mind."



"I do, but it's nothing you need to worry about."



"Kelly Brianne," her mother fussed. "You know I hate it when you do this."



"Sorry, but I really am not in the mood to discuss this. So, can we order, and just have a nice lunch, ok? I've missed you," she added, honestly.



"Well, I've missed you too," Jeanne smiled, wiping away a tear.



"Mom," Kelly groaned, rolling her eyes. Her mom was way too sentimental.



+++++++++



"So, how are you liking Texas?" Jason asked as he, Carrie, and Ashley rode around on the property.



"I love it here," she replied.



"This isn't your first time, though is it?" Ashley asked.



"No, I've been here on tour. You just don't get a lot of time to explore when you're on tour though, you know? It's always rushing from way place to the next. So, this is nice."



"So, do you have a boyfriend?" Jason asked.



"Jason!" Ashley scolded.



Carrie blushed profusely, "Um, no, I don't...have a boyfriend, that is."



"So, you're single?"



"Um, well, uh," Carrie struggled.



"What's with the third degree?" Ashley broke in. "Leave the poor girl alone."



"What?" Jason asked innocently. "I was only trying to get to know her. I mean, we are sharing a house with her, after all."



"Well, don't worry, I'm not a mass murderer if that's what you're worried about," Carrie replied with a smile.



"Good," Jason nodded. "Cause the last thing I need is to get killed by a girl. I would never live that down."



++++++++++



"So, who's up for a movie night?" Jeanne asked excitedly, sitting in between Ashley and Carrie on the sofa.



Jason stretched out on the recliner.



"Mom, we have a theater room for that. I'm sure everyone would be much more comfortable there," Kelly said, noticing that with the other recliner piled with the CD's she had bought on one of her CD binges a few days before that there was only one place for her to sit.



"Well, maybe if you would have cleaned up a bit," her mom pointed out.



"I wasn't expecting company," Kelly replied.



"Well, it's okay. We can scoot over, can't we girls?" she asked, turning to the other two. Kelly prayed they scooted to their left. No such luck. A space formed between Carrie and the armrest. Kelly looked at Carrie questioningly, and she smiled back awkwardly. Kelly sat down carefully, keeping her hands firmly in her lap. Carrie's jaw clenched to keep from reacting as she felt Kelly's thigh pressed against her own. She saw Kelly's right knee bouncing, and knew she was undergoing a similar struggle. Kelly prayed for the movie to be short.



++++++++



Jeanne stretched tiredly halfway through the second movie.



"It's getting late mom, maybe you should get to bed," Kelly suggested.



She yawned, "Yea, that sounds like a good idea." She went down the sofa, kissing each girl on the forehead, then doing the same to Jason. Carrie's hand fell slightly, as she lost concentration by the action, and Kelly could feel the back of her hand resting on her thigh. Kelly watched it, praying for further contact.



"I think I'll be heading up as well," Ashley interrupted her thoughts. "You coming Jason?"



"No, I want to finish watch--"



"You're coming Jason," Ashley replied, firmly. She took his arm, dragging him out of the chair and up the stairs.



"Women," he fussed.



"You do realize you are the only guy in a house of three women, don't you?" Ashley asked with a laugh, their voices fading.



Both girls were frozen in their spots, neither having moved.



"So," Carrie sighed.



Kelly was suddenly extremely aware of Carrie's hand, and the fact that they were still pressed together on the sofa.



"So," she laughed nervously, standing up quickly, but tripping on the rug.



"Kel, you ok?" Carrie asked, rushing to her side.



"Aw," Kelly smiled, sitting up. "I didn't know you cared."



"You know I do," Carrie replied, her voice serious.



"It would have been nice to have heard that over the past few weeks."



"Same here."



"Not fair, I tried calling you, but you're phone was disconnected."



"Yea, well, my phone took a little trip into the inferno," Carrie frowned.



Kelly raised an eyebrow.



"Don't ask."



"Look--"



"I--"



The two girls laughed.



"You first," Carrie said, joining Kelly on the floor.



"It's so good to see you. I've really missed you," Kelly began. "But honestly, the past few weeks have been hell. And I know, that it's mostly my fault. I overreacted, and then I was stubborn. But, I still needed to hear from you. I needed to hear your voice. I just," she stopped, taking a shaky breath as she fought the tears. "It sucks when the one person that could make me feel better was the one person who wasn't in my life, and I don't want to feel that way again. I hate feeling so helpless and so...worthless. I hate sitting there and thinking, what did I do that was so wrong that I can't be happy like everybody else? "



Carrie had to stop her, "Kelly--"



The brunette looked down, her bottom lip quivering.



"Please, look at me," Carrie asked. Kelly obeyed, and Carrie wanted nothing more than to take her in her arms, but she held back. "You are not worthless, you got that? And in my opinion, you deserve to be happy more than anyone else on this planet, and it kills me to know that I'm the reason for jeopardizing that. I've missed you so much. You have no idea how many times I've fallen asleep with your face in my mind. I wanted to call, to come, to do anything to be able to see you again, but I was scared. I was scared you wouldn't take me back, that maybe you realized how big of a mistake you had made, and I couldn't take that kind of rejection, not from you."



"I was afraid that you had realized that you had made a mistake," Kelly admitted.



"How could dating the most amazing person in the world be a mistake?" Carrie questioned.



"I could ask you the same thing," Kelly smiled.



Carrie returned the smile, enjoying the light that had returned to Kelly's eyes.



"Kel, I need you to believe me when I say that I never meant to hurt you," Carrie said. "I hated the thought of you not having that beautiful smile on your face."



Kelly felt herself blushing as she yawned deeply.



"Maybe we should get to bed," Carrie said, standing up. She offered Kelly her hands and pulled her up as well.



Kelly bit her lip nervously, looking down a the floor.



"What is it?" Carrie asked.



"Can I have a hug?" Kelly asked. Carrie felt her heart melt as she looked into those hazel eyes that were full innocence and fear.



"You never have to ask," Carrie smiled, pulling her close. She felt Kelly's arms wrap around her waist, tightly. The shorter girl started to shake in her arms, and Carrie pulled her closer, feeling her own eyes start to sting as she felt Kelly's tears.



"I missed you, so much," Kelly cried.



"You too, baby," Carrie replied.



+++++++++



"So," Carrie asked as they stopped in front of Kelly's door. "Where does this leave us?"



"I don't know," Kelly answered in honesty.



Carrie watched as Kelly started to bite her lip nervously once more. She hadn't realized how much she had missed that simple, adorable action. She leaned down slowly, searching for Kelly's lips.



"I think I should go to bed," Kelly whispered when she was inches away.



Carrie pulled back with a hurt look.



"It's not that I don't want to," Kelly answered her unasked question. "I just--I can't. Not yet. Please don't be mad," she begged.



"I'm not mad," Carrie replied, in understanding. She reached forward and placed an innocent kiss on her forehead. "Sleep well."



"You too," Kelly said, giving her a small smile before heading into her room and closing the door behind her. Carrie let out a sigh before going to her own room for the night.