Playing With Fire

++++++++++



Kelly woke up suddenly as something bounced on her bed. She opened her eyes to find Ashley sitting there.



"You do know I have a gun under my bed, right?" Kelly grumbled.



"It's Texas, who doesn't?"



"Ugh, Ash, what are you doing?" she asked, pulling the covers up over her head.



"Well, everybody else is up besides you, and I just figured you'd want to go down there before you mom convinces Carrie to go have another day on the town with her."



"Mom's talking to Carrie?" Kelly asked, sitting up quickly.



"Yea," Ashley laughed, but it faded. "So, how'd last night go?"



Kelly sighed, stretching, "I don't know. I mean, we got a chance to talk. Everything's out in the open. I'm just more confused than ever right now."



"Why?"



"I don't know," she admitted. "It's so good seeing her again, and just being in her arms, but when she went to kiss me--"



Ashley couldn't hide the look that crossed her face.



"Sorry," Kelly smiled. "When she went to say goodnight, I couldn't. I don't know why, I just couldn't do it."



"You just gotta give your heart time to heal," Ashley explained. "It needs to know that this is for real, and it's not going to get hurt again."



"Where would I be without you?" Kelly laughed.



"I don't know, but wherever you'd be, you'd be looking pretty rough."



"Hey! I can do my make-up and hair just fine."



"Yea, on a normal day," Ashley laughed. "But when you try to do it for like a photo shoot or a performance, well, let's just say I know five year olds that could do their own make up better."



Kelly stuck out her tongue.



"And you've just proven my point," Ashley smiled, standing up. "Now get your ass out of bed because heaven knows what your mother is doing to that poor girl."



++++++++++



"So, what's on the agenda today?" Jeanne asked.



"Well, I was planning on taking Carrie to the other house and show her around?" Kelly questioned, turning to Carrie.



"That sounds fun," she smiled.



"Yea, I haven't been there in a while," Jeanne nodded.



Kelly gave Ashley a pleading look.



"Um, actually," Ashley cut in. "I was hoping you'd help me out."



"With what?"



"Um...my room?" she questioned herself. "Yea, my room. I wanna redecorate it."



"Oh, well, that sounds fun. I'd love to help," Jeanne smiled.



Kelly sent a silent thank-you to Ashley who nodded in response.



+++++++++



"So, you have another house?" Carrie asked, following Kelly outside and into the garage.



"Yea, it was on the property so we bought it. We fixed it up into a game/music house. You're gonna love it," she explained excitedly.



"Are we going to drive there?"



"Kind of," Kelly smiled, opening the garage door. "Wait here."



Kelly went in, and Carrie heard what sounded to be like a miniature engine start up. She raised an eyebrow, but her question was answered as Kelly pulled out of the garage in a go-cart.



"Seriously?" she asked.



"I wanted to give you the real deal. This is how we get around. Go-carts, four wheelers. I sometimes go in my old jeep."



"Why couldn't we take the jeep?"



"Why, Miss Underwood, are you scared?" Kelly teased.



"No," she lied.



"Well, then, climb on," Kelly smiled, scooting up in her seat. Carrie frowned, climbing in behind her. She put her legs on the outside of Kelly's as she settled into the seat.



"You might want to hold on," Kelly said. "We kind of fixed up the engines a bit."



Carrie had barely enough time to wrap her arms around Kelly before she had stepped on the gas, racing them forward. Carrie immediately tightened her grip, and Kelly struggled to not let her eyes close at the feeling of the blonde pressed against her, clinging on tightly. Today was going to be very interesting.



++++++++



Kelly pulled the go cart up next to the front of the house, and gently pressed on the breaks.



"You can let go now," she smiled as Carrie continued to cling to her. Even without seeing her face, she knew the blonde's eyes were shut tight.



"Who says I want to?" Carrie whispered, her lips right next to Kelly's ear.



"Well, I don't plan on carrying your ass around piggy-back, so you better let go, or I'm gonna take you on round two of the go-cart," Kelly laughed, missing the meaning of Carrie's statement.



Carrie sighed, standing up. The girl was so clueless when it came to stuff like this. It never crossed her mind that somebody would actually want to flirt with her.



"This is a pretty nice house," Carrie commented, following Kelly up the front steps.



"Wait till you see the inside. It's like every kid's fantasy."



Kelly led her into the house, turning the light on as she entered.



"This," Kelly smiled, entering the first room. "Is our jam room."



Carrie walked into a huge open room. It had a drum set and a keyboard and several guitars and an actual grand piano.



"This is so cool," Carrie smiled, walking over to a set of bongos, tapping them playfully.



"I know," Kelly beamed, sitting at the keyboard and playing a few notes. "We love coming up here and just jamming out. Hence the name of the room."



"That must be nice," Carrie said, her smiling fading some. "I wish I had something like this."



"A second house? Cause I'm sure you could afford one."



"No, not just this house. This whole place. You know, somewhere I could just go to have fun, and hang out."



"What about when you go home to Oklahoma?"



"I don't go that often," Carrie admitted. "I've lost touch with a lot of my old friends, and it's so hard to make new ones now. You never know who you can really trust, you know?"



"Well," Kelly smiled, standing. "You are always welcomed here. Anytime you want. Even if I'm not here, and you just need a place to chill for a few days, come on over."



"Seriously?"



"What are friends for?" Kelly asked, holding out her hand.



Carrie looked at it, the disappointment etched across her face.



"No, Care, that's not what I meant," Kelly apologized.



"It's ok," she smiled weakly. "Why don't you show me the rest of the house?"



"Alright," Kelly nodded, retracting her hand that was still hanging in midair.



+++++++++



"You have your own studio?" Carrie asked in amazement as they entered another room.



"Yea, it's nothing special. I hardly ever use it actually."



"Really, why?"



"Well, when I write, I have to do it then and there when it's in my head, so I normally use my computer. Then we record at the nearest studio around, so we can capture that moment. I'm not home that often, so I hardly need a studio to record while I'm here," Kelly explained.



"Where were you when you recorded "All I Know"?" Carrie asked, her voice soft.



Kelly turned quickly to look at her, "How do you know about that?"



"I kind of heard it," she admitted.



"You mean the original version?"



"If the original version is just you and a guitar," Carrie frowned, knowing it wasn't.



"But, how did you? I mean, only three people have heard that song, and one of them shouldn't have. I haven't even listened to it."



"I-I got it in the mail," Carrie replied nervously. She could hear the betrayal in Kelly's voice.



"What?"



"Yea, it was on my doorstep in a brown envelope. It didn't have an address on it, just my name. I opened it and there was this blank CD and a note card."



"What did it say?"



"She's singing to you."



Kelly's eyes fell to the floor, trying to hide the tears that were forming.



"Was it true?"



Kelly shook her head, "You weren't supposed to hear that."



"Kelly, I'm sorry--"



"Is that the reason why you came?"



"Well, it was partially the reason, yes."



"Great," she sighed. "Just great."



"What? Why is that a bad thing?"



"Because you didn't come because you wanted to," Kelly replied. "You came because you felt guilty."



"That's not true."



"Really? Would you have come if you hadn't heard that song?"



"I-I don't know. Eventually, yea. I mean, Kel, I couldn't go on like I was, not without you."



"I would love to believe you, but..."



"But what?" Carrie asked, unable to hide the desperation in her voice. "But what Kelly?"



"But I can't," she replied sadly.



"Why not?" Carrie could feel her whole world crumbling around her once more.



"Because I already tried that," Kelly replied, no longer feeling the need to cry. Carrie could see her drawing back into herself.



"Oh, no you don't," she said, taking a step forward. "Don't you do this again. You can't just close yourself off every time somebody gets to close. It doesn't work that way."



"I'm not closing off. I'm trying here."



"Trying? No, you're pulling away because you're scared of getting hurt again. And it's not fair. It's not fair to the people around you. It's not fair to me. And it's not fair to you. You need to let somebody in Kel. If not me, than anybody, somebody, but God, please let it be me. I can't stand seeing you like this."



Kelly just shook her head, taking a step back, backing into the wall.



"Why?" Carrie asked, taking another step forward. "Why can't you let me all the way in?"



Carrie noticed Kelly's mouth open, but she couldn't hear the words that were formed.



"What?" she asked softly, taking another step forward. She gently took Kelly's hands into her own.



"Because I could actually love you," Kelly replied. Carrie felt a lump rise in her throat at the sight of the broken girl in front of her. She tilted her head down, but kept a space between their bodies. Kelly allowed her to kiss her softly before pulling away.



"Please don't keep me at arm's length," Carrie pleaded. "I need you in my life. All the way in my life. I can't stand the thought of not having you in my heart, completely. Okay?"



Kelly nodded softly, not meeting her eyes. Carrie smiled at her shyness.



"So how about you show me the rest of this place?" she asked, rubbing a comforting hand up and down her arm.



++++++++



"I'm getting kind of hungry," Carrie admitted.



"Now, are you really hungry, or are you just tired of me kicking your ass at foosball?" Kelly asked with a smile. Kelly had brought her into one of the game rooms, and Carrie had begged her to play, knowing that it would make her forget about everything else and go into competitive mode.



"Maybe a little of both," Carrie laughed. "But the hunger is the greater part of it."



"Sure it is," Kelly replied, scoring once more.



"No fair. I was distracted!"



"Well, maybe if you would keep your eyes on the game and instead of my gorgeous self, you might win a little more."



"Maybe if you wouldn't cheat."



"I never cheat," she laughed, scoring again. "You just suck."



Carrie started to pout, and Kelly sighed.



"Alright. Go wait downstairs. I'll be there in a sec."



Carrie gave her a curious look, but did as she was told.



+++++++++++



Carrie was sitting at the foot of the staircase when Kelly walked up with a basket on her arm. She raised an eyebrow.



"What?" Kelly asked as Carrie stood.



"I never figured you for the picnic type."



"Well, I guess I'm just full of surprises," Kelly smiled playfully.



"That you are," Carrie laughed, following the brunette out of the house.



"Please tell me we aren't riding on that thing again," she begged.



"No," Kelly laughed. "Not now anyway. We're gonna walk. It's nice right now."



"Yea, it is," Carrie agreed, stealing a glance at her.



They proceeded to walk side-by-side in a comfortable silence. Carrie's hand kept bumping into Kelly's, and Kelly couldn't help but smile as she gave in and took it into her own. Carrie beamed at the contact, trying not to skip in excitement. Kelly had a way of making her feel like a little kid again. Kelly settled on a spot in the shade under a big oak tree.



"So, let's see what our little chef has prepared for us today," Carrie teased, opening the basket.



"Hey, I can cook," Kelly replied.



"I'm sure you can," Carrie tried not to laugh. She pulled out two sandwiches, "Peanut butter."



"It's my favorite," Kelly shrugged, suddenly feeling embarrassed by her choice of food.



"It's perfect," Carrie smiled gently, pulling out the drinks and cookies. Kelly smiled in return, moving to sit next to Carrie as they leaned against the tree trunk, enjoying their lunch.



"Can I ask you something?" Carrie asked, after taking a sip of water.



"You just did," Kelly replied with a smirk.



"You're lucky you're cute," Carrie laughed.



"No," she smiled. "You're lucky I'm cute."



"I swear," Carrie sighed.



"So, what did you want to ask me?"



"Are you bipolar?"



Kelly choked on her water, "What?"



"I was just wondering cause you can turn it on and off like it's nothing," Carrie teased.



"No, I'm not," Kelly rolled her eyes. "I'm just southern. I'm defensive and a bit proud and extremely..."



"Passionate?" Carrie offered.



"Yea," Kelly smiled, looking at her. "So..."



"So?" Carrie asked, noticing the spark in her eyes.



"When you say I can turn it on like it's nothing, are you including yourself in that?" she asked, wiggling her eyebrows.



"You are so lucky you're cute," Carrie repeated, pushing her playfully, but unable to hide the blush on her cheeks.



+++++++



"Good, you're back," Ashley sighed, gratefully as Kelly and Carrie walked into the kitchen. "Thank God, cause I wasn't planning on redecorating, and now your mom's gone all Martha Stewart on me."



Kelly laughed, "Sorry, bout that. Just tell her I'm back, and I'm sure she'll drop everything and come running."



Ashley nodded, "So how was y'all's day?"



"It was good," Kelly nodded, giving Carrie's hand a gentle squeeze. "It was much needed, so thanks."



"Anytime," Ashley smiled.



"Kelly?" A voice called out. "Is that you?"



Kelly immediately dropped Carrie's hand, causing Ashley to laugh, "Yea mom, we're back."



"Good, we were starting to get worried," her mom smiled, entering the kitchen.



"Mom, it's only 3 o'clock," Kelly laughed.



"So, did you have fun?" she asked, ignoring Kelly and turning to Carrie.



The blonde looked around nervously, "Um, yea. It was really nice."



"Well, you must be starving. I mean, you did miss lunch. Let me fix you something to eat," Jeanne said.



"No, it's ok," Carrie smiled. "Kelly fixed us a picnic."



Ashley struggled not to laugh, "With what? Peanut butter?"



Carrie put her arm around Kelly's shoulder when she saw her blushing, "Hey. It was the best peanut butter sandwich I ever had."



Kelly looked up at her with a smile, causing Carrie to smile back down at her.



Ashley started to have a mysterious coughing fit. The girls turned away from each other, this time both of them blushing.



"So, um, how was your morning mom?" Kelly asked, as Ashley sniggered in the background.



"It was great," she smiled. "Ashley and I had a blast, didn't we?"



"Oh, yea, a blast," Ashley smiled back.



"Well, I better get back. The primer should have dried by now," Jeanne said, hurrying out the room.



Kelly raised an eyebrow at Ashley, "Primer?"



"You are paying to put my room back to normal."



Kelly laughed as she watched her best friend follow her mom up the stairs.



"Isn't my family great?" she asked, turning to Carrie with a smile.



"They're definitely something else," Carrie agreed. "So...I was thinking of redecorating my room."



"Oh, really?" Kelly asked. "You mean my guest room?"



"Well, not really the whole room. Mainly just the bed," Carrie explained.



"Oh..."Kelly nodded with a smile.



"Care to help me?" Carrie asked, innocently.



"Nice try," Kelly laughed. "How about we take a nap instead?"



"Together?" she asked hopefully.



"Yea," Kelly nodded.



Carrie followed her up the stairs. Kelly stopped at Ashley's room, laughing at what she saw. Her furniture was scattered everywhere and the walls were covered in different colors of paint. Apparently, they were having trouble agreeing on which to use.



"Is this ok?" Carrie asked quietly, suddenly getting nervous.



"Didn't I already explain this to you? It's no big deal," Kelly whispered back. She entered the room, "Hey mom, Carrie and I are gonna go take a nap, ok?"



"Yea, sure hunny," Jeanne replied, not taking her eyes off the window that she was currently taking apart. "Do you want me to bring you girls something to drink?"



"No, we're fine," Kelly said. "Thanks though."



Ashley gave Kelly a desperate look for help, but Kelly just waved with a smile, taking Carrie's hand in her own and leading her to her bedroom.