Irreconcilable Differences

+++++++++



"Knock knock," Jason said, before poking his head in Kelly's room. She was standing in front of the mirror in a simple yet beautiful black dress, putting on a diamond necklace. Her hair was pulled back with two curls framing her face.



"You look beautiful," he smiled, walking to help her with the necklace.



"Thanks," she smiled, unbelievingly.



"So what's the occasion?"



"Oh, one of Carrie's friends is a new chef at this fancy restaurant, so she asked if I wanted to go."



"So this is a press thing?"



"Yea," Kelly lied, but suddenly she wasn't so sure. She thought that Carrie had invited her because she wanted to spend time together, but maybe she had complete misread her, and this was just another photo op.



"Well, I just heard from Narville," Jason smiled. "Sober's number one on Billboard."



"And to think," Kelly frowned. "All I had to do was date a girl."



"Kell, you know that's not why," Jason argued.



"That's why it got noticed."



"But it was their choice to love it," he pointed out.



Kelly gave him a small smile, "Yea, I guess you're right."



"Of course I am. I'm the big brother, remember? Being right is what I do."



"Whatever," Kelly pushed him playfully. "So you really think I look good?"



"There will be many a broken heart tonight when you show up with Carrie," he smiled.



"Thanks Jay," she smiled back, bending to slip on her heels.



+++++++++



Carrie bit her lip nervously as she stood before the door to Jason's house. She had on a deep blue dress with her hair pulled up. The necklace that Kelly had given her was around her neck. She reached out and pressed the doorbell with a shaky finger.



Moments later, the door opened to reveal an equally nervous looking Texan.



"Hey," she smiled.



"Hey," Carrie smiled back. "You ready?"



Kelly nodded, walking out of the house and closing the door behind her. Carrie quickly leaned forward, stealing a kiss.



"What was that for?" Kelly asked, blushing.



"You looked too beautiful not to," Carrie shrugged.



Kelly's smile grew as Carrie slipped her hand into hers, guiding her back to the car.



"What? No limo?" Kelly asked as she got into the vehicle.



"Limos aren't really my thing," she admitted.



"You know, you're not so bad after all," Kelly teased.



+++++++++



"I didn't think there would be photogs," Kelly frowned as Carrie linked their arms together.



"I didn't either," Carrie admitted. "I guess this place was more famous than I thought."



Kelly looked at her with an expression that Carrie didn't recognize.



"Don't worry. You look amazing," Carrie assured her, kissing her cheek. "I promise."



"Let's get this over with," Kelly sighed.



They passed by the row of paparrazzi, giving them a wave and a smile before walking into the restaurant.



"Yes, two for Underwood please," Carrie said with a smile as they reached the hostess.



"So you're guests of Pancilli?" the hostess asked as she escorted them to their table.



"Who?" Carrie questioned, sitting down.



"The new chef."



"Mikey?"



The hostess gave her a confused look, "Um, what would you like to drink?"



"Water's good for now," Kelly smiled.



"Yea, make that two," Carrie nodded, watching as the hostess walked away.



"You ok?" she asked, turning to Kelly. "You look like something's bothering you. Everything went ok today?"



"Yea, I'm fine," Kelly nodded. "Who's Pancilli?"



"I have no idea," Carrie laughed as an assistant chef walked to their table.



"Miss Underwood," he greeted with a smile. "Miss Clarkson?" he greeted in confusion.



"Yea," Kelly laughed. "It's me."



"Well, Pancilli said that if you wanted he'd be willing to give you a sneak peek into the kitchen," the assistant said.



Carrie looked to Kelly who smiled, "Sounds fun."



Carrie nodded, "Sure."



The two stood and followed the assistant to the back and into the kitchen. They walked past several counters where cooks were busy cutting and mixing and grilling.



"Pancilli!" the assistant called out. "I got them!"



He was tall and thin with bubbly blue eyes and jet black hair, "Squelliers?"



Carrie blushed deeply as he embraced her in a hug, kissing both her cheeks.



"What's this about?" Carrie asked. "You go away to some fancy cooking school in Italy for a year as Mikey Longford, and come back as Pancilli with a double kiss?"



"Why you jealous?" he smiled.



"Please," Carrie rolled her eyes.



"And who is this?" he asked with excitement, pushing past her. Carrie shook her head with a laugh, no matter what he thought, he hadn't changed a bit.



"Kelly freaking Clarkson. Well, I'll be damned," he smiled, hugging her.



"Hey," Kelly laughed.



"Hun, I swear to you I am you're biggest fan," he beamed. "I know people say that all the time, but trust me on this. I voted every single week for you and that voice. Girl, you can sang."



"Thanks, and from what I heard you can cook, so you are like my favorite person right now cause I'm starved." She felt Carrie's hand slip into hers, "Well, besides Carrie."



"So the rumors are true, then?" he asked, looking at the two of them.



"No," Carrie shook her head.



"Yea," Kelly agreed. "I'm not...and Care's not...you know we're both..."



"Sweetie," he leaned forward, dropping his voice. "You can't hide it from me. You look up gay in the dictionary, and my picture will be right next to it."



Kelly laughed nervously, but felt Carrie squeeze her hand reassuringly. She looked up at her with an appreciative smile.



"Exactly my point," Mikey smiled. "Now, like I said. I'm a fan. So, I know you."



"Ok?" Kelly questioned.



"Yea, and I know this restaurant, and it is not for you. Carrie, maybe, with her vegetables and small portions, but not a smart girl like you."



Kelly laughed as Carrie made a face at him.



"Look at you, being all playful and stuff," Mikey smiled. "You two must be spending an awful lot of time together, cause that's not the painfully shy girl I knew."



"Shut up and get on to your point," Carrie laughed as Kelly nodded in agreement with Mikey's assessment.



"Right, as I was saying. If you want, I've been dying to try out this new recipe for a steak, and I have the perfect little 8 oz. filet waiting for it. You game?"



"Hell yea," Kelly replied.



"Perfect. I'm telling you, it's amazing."



"Right on," she drawled, making the other two laugh.



"You know, you read about you being just as cool and dorky in person as you seem, but I don't know, it almost doesn't seem possible, but apparently it is," he smiled.



"Aw, thanks," she smiled back, accepting his hug as Carrie did the same.



"Ok, you two girls go back to your seats. Enjoy yourselves. I'll send out a bottle of wine for you, and come check on you later, ok?"



"White," Kelly said.



"With steak?" he questioned.



"I'm weird," she shrugged.



"Alright. I have just the thing. I'll send it out."



"Thanks Mikey," Carrie smiled.



"Anytime Squelliers," he replied, his eyes twinkling.



"Squelliers?" Kelly asked as they sat back down at their table.



"Up until the sixth grade, I called squirrels 'squelliers'," Carrie explained.



Kelly laughed, "Cute."



++++++++++



"Please, thank Mikey again the next time you see him," Kelly said as they drove back to Jason's house. "That was seriously, amazing."



"Yea, he always had a way with food, even when we were younger. He's the one that made me my first vegan meal, actually," Carrie smiled.



"Cool," Kelly replied as they pulled up in front of the house. Both of them got out of the car and slowly walked up to the door.



"I had fun," Carrie smiled as they came to a halt.



"Me too," Kelly nodded.



Carrie leaned down to kiss her.



"Care, why did you invite me?" Kelly asked before their lips met.



Carrie pulled back, "Huh?"



"Why did you invite me to the restaurant?"



"Because I wanted to spend time with you," she replied, looking at her curiously. "And I thought you'd enjoy it. You didn't like it?"



"So, it wasn't just for the paparrazzi and because of what Clive said?"



Carrie sighed, finally recognizing the look that had been in Kelly's eyes when they first saw the photographers. It was much the same look she was receiving now: a mixture of fear and betrayal.



"Of course not," Carrie replied honestly. "I'm sorry you thought that, but no. I asked you because I missed spending time with you, and I wanted to see you."



Kelly looked up at her nervously, "You sure? Because, I mean, if not, I understand. You agreed to this whole thing, so we have to go through with it."



Carrie placed a hand on Kelly's cheek, tilting her face upwards, "Kell, are there any cameras around right now?"



"No," she replied.



"Exactly," Carrie said as she kissed her sweetly.



Kelly smiled as they pulled away, "Sorry, for doubting you."



"No, it's fine. If I had been you, I'd have done the same thing. This whole thing, whatever it is, whatever we're doing, it's new to both of us, so we're both kinda vulnerable right now. That's ok, though, cause I trust you. You just gotta trust me too, ok?"



"Ok," Kelly nodded, accepting another kiss from the country singer.



"Alright, I'll talk to you later."



"Bye," Kelly drawled.



"Bye," Carrie smiled, kissing her cheek before making her way back to her car.