Playing With Fire

+++++++++++

"Kelly," Carrie sighed. "We really need to get up. Jason and Ashley are probably worried, and I'm losing feeling in my legs."

The only response she got was Kelly's warm breath teasingly tickling her neck.

"I know you're not sleeping," Carrie laughed, craning her neck to look at her face. "Yea, you're sleeping. I swear, you could probably fall asleep in the middle of a war."

Carrie leaned back against the tree, resting her chin on the top of Kelly's head. She looked up at the stars, drinking in the cool night air. The sky surely didn't look like that in Nashville.

"You know, I have no idea what it's going to take to get you to let me in again," Carrie said to the sleeping girl in her lap. "But this I vow today, I will do anything it takes. You hear me kid? Because there's no where I'd rather be than in your heart."

Carrie sighed, pulling Kelly closer as she began to slip. She didn't want this moment to end. It was too perfect for words, but the last thing she needed was Jason and Ashley jumping on her for keeping Kelly out all night long. She could also see goose bumps rising on Kelly's arm, and she definitely wasn't about to let the girl get sick because of her.

"Kelly," she called softly in a sing-song voice. "You need to get up."

"Mmm," Kelly groaned, burying her face into Carrie's neck.

"Wouldn't you rather sleep in a nice warm bed?"

"No," she pouted.

Carrie laughed, "Come on cranky pants. We need to head inside."

"Why?" Kelly questioned, turning herself on Carrie's lap so that she was straddling her waist as they faced each other.

"Because it's getting cold."

"No, it's not."

"You have goose bumps."

"Circumstantial evidence."

"You're crazy," Carrie laughed.

"It's all part of my charm," Kelly smiled.

"But we really do need to go back."

"I know," she sighed. "Come on," she stood up, and offered Carrie a hand up.

"We have to ride back in that thing?" Carrie gulped.

"I'll drive, don't worry."

"Yea, I'm not seeing the part where I shouldn't worry."

"Hey," Kelly said, playfully slapping her arm. "I'm a damn good driver. I just don't see the need to slow down, that's all."

"You should really invest in helmets for this thing," Carrie said as they climbed into the go-cart.

"Now, what kind of thrill would that be?"

"The thrill of life?" she offered as Kelly started up the engine. Carrie immediately wrapped her arms around Kelly's waist, holding on tight. She could feel the Texan's laughter bubbling up inside her.

"Girl," Kelly drawled as she pressed the gas. "This is what life's all about."

+++++++

Kelly stretched as she heard her bedroom door close quietly. A soft argument could be heard on the other side, but she was too tired to open her eyes, let alone care.

Her door opened and closed again, and she pulled the covers up over her head.

"What was she doing?" Ashley asked, trying to hide the anger in her voice.

"I'm sleeping," Kelly reminded her from under her blanket.

"Did she sleep in here last night?" Ashley asked in disbelief.

"Who are we talking about?" Kelly asked, giving up, and sitting up, keeping the blanket wrapped around her.

"Oh my God," Ashley breathed. "Did you sleep together?"

"Carrie?" Kelly asked, finally waking up enough to figure out what was going on. "What? No. Do I ever sleep with clothes on?"

"Well, no," Ashley frowned. "Then why was she sneaking out of here?"

"Because I told her she could use my bathroom and shower and stuff, so she wouldn't have to use yours and be in your way. It's my guest, so I didn't want her to impose on you. She was probably being quiet as to not wake me," Kelly explained.

"There's a door from your bathroom to the hall," Ashley reminded her. "She didn't have to pass through your room."

"I keep that door locked because Jason keeps stealing my shampoo and stuff."

"Oh," Ashley nodded.

Kelly smiled, "Ashley, relax. It's all gonna be fine, ok? I can handle myself."

"I know," Ashley sighed. "I just hate seeing you get hurt."

"Yea, me too. Which is why Carrie and I are taking things slow. We're just friends for now."

"Good," Ashley smiled. "Slow is good."

"So," Kelly grinned. "How about you get your big butt off my bed and out of my room so I can get dressed? And then I'll make some breakfast."

Ashley laughed, standing up, "I'll make the breakfast. I like seeing this house fire free, thank you."

"For the thousandth time," Kelly called out as Ashley exited the room. "I did not burn down that apartment!"

+++++++++

"So?" Jason asked, joining Ashley in the kitchen.

"She's fine. She's happy."

"Carrie's still here?"

"Yea, and I think she will be for a while. So, you had better get used to it."

"But--"

"Jason, look," she sighed. "I was just as pissed as you were about the kiss, but from the look on Kelly's face this morning, something tells me that we didn't have the whole story. Now, I'm willing to give Carrie the benefit of the doubt because Kelly has, and I think you should do the same thing."

"But she's a...a..."

"A what?"

"A girl," he frowned.

"Wow," Ashley laughed sarcastically. "And how long did it take you to figure that one out? I mean, didn't you have a crush on her?"

"I don't see how you can be ok with this."

"I'm not," Ashley admitted. "But we owe it to Kelly to at least try."

"I don't know."

"Jay, she's your sister. She deserves to be happy, and if Carrie is the one that makes her happy, so be it."

Jason sighed, "Ok, alright, fine. I'll try."

"Seriously?"

"Yea, as long as I don't have to see them make-out or anything."

"Well, you don't have to worry about that, not yet anyway. They're just friends right now. Besides, I thought guys like that sort of thing."

"Eww," he groaned. "Not when it's your baby sister."

"Not when what's your baby sister?" Carrie asked, cautiously walking into the kitchen. She bit her bottom lip nervously.

"Oh, uh," Jason stuttered.

"Oh nothing, we were just talking about how guys think it's hot when two girls make out, and Jason said it's not so hot when it's your baby sister," Ashley laughed, making both Jason and Carrie turn a brilliant red.

"I'm making some omelets and biscuits," Ashley continued as if nothing had happened. "You want some?"

"Oh, I..." Carrie began hesitantly.

"It's ok," Ashley said. "Kelly gave me the recipe. She said it's vegan friendly."

Carrie smiled, "Well, then yea, thanks. Um, do you need any help?"

"No, we're fine in here. Do you feel like going tell Kelly to hurry her ass up for us, though?"

"Yea, sure," Carrie replied, walking out of the kitchen, still wearing a smile.

+++++++++

"Hey hey," Carrie announced, before entering Kelly's bedroom.

"One sec!" Kelly called from the bathroom.

"Food's ready," Carrie replied, sitting on the edge of her bed.

"I'm ready," Kelly said, exiting the bathroom quickly.

"Hungry much?"

"Hello, I haven't eaten in like," she stared to count on her fingers, but shrugged off that idea. "Since before I went to bed," she concluded.

Carrie smiled at her, taking her in. Her hair was nearly dry from the shower, and fell in perfectly messy curls. She wondered why Kelly even bothered with a hair stylist when it looked like that naturally. Her t-shirt and jeans seemed to fit her impossibly amazingly. Her cheeks were still pink from washing her face, or was it from the fact that she had just caught Carrie checking her out. Carrie felt her own cheeks tinge as she met Kelly's eyes, realizing it was the latter of the two.

"So," Carrie laughed nervously. "How about some breakfast?"

"Sounds good," Kelly smiled, trying not to laugh at the country girl.

++++++++++

"So, I have called this meeting today in order to discuss," Kelly began, but immediately broke out in laughter at the look on all of their faces.

"Sorry," she laughed. "But seriously, I wanted Jason and Ashley here cause they've been through this whole ordeal with me, and I thought they might be able to help," she explained to Carrie.

They were in the den, seated around a table in large cushiony chairs that swiveled. Kelly had said if they wanted to beat Clive, then they had to think like him, and in order to think like him, they had to sit like him.

"So, I don't understand how he can release a record without your agreement," Ashley said.

"I don't know either. But apparently it's in the contract I just renewed with him. I have my lawyers looking over it," Carrie replied.

"Is it ok if I get a copy for my lawyer?" Kelly asked. "An extra set of eyes couldn't hurt, right?"

"Yea, thanks Kell," Carrie said, earning a small smile from her.

"So, until then, what are you doing about it now?" Jason asked.

"That's the problem. I just finished the initial round of promo, and I'm about to start the next round. I'm supposed to be performing songs from the new album, but I don't want to perform songs that I don't support."

Kelly frowned.

"What?" Carrie asked nervously.

"Well, if this all works out in your favor," she said. "Your CD's release date is going to have to be pushed back. I mean, they're going to have to redo the whole thing, reprint new copies, remake the booklets and the backings. So, your second round of promo might have to be pushed back."

Carrie bit her lip.

"Now I know how much you hate cancelling on people," Kelly continued. "Believe me, I'm the same way, but I really don't think it's a good idea to go around promoting a CD that you don't approve, saying it's going to be released on whatever date, and then that winds up getting pushed back. All that's going to do is draw media attention to it. Trust me, as soon as they hear the date's been pushed back, they're going to go back to those interviews, and they'll be able to tell that something was up, and the last thing you want or need is for the media to get involved."

It was now Carrie's turn to frown as she placed her forehead in her hands, "I don't know what to do."

"I know," Kelly said, rubbing her back comfortingly. "And that's ok. We're just thinking this all out right now, ok? Nothing's for sure yet. We just want to have a plan ready for when things start to get crazy. You don't want to go into this unprepared."

"I know," Carrie nodded, looking up. "And thank you guys for helping me out with this. I know I may not be your favorite person right now, but this really means a lot to me."

Jason and Ashley both shrugged it off with a smile.

"We're gonna go get in touch with Joe, and see if he can get a hold of Carrie's contract," Jason said as he and Ashley stood up.

"Joe?" Carrie asked after they had left.

"My lawyer," Kelly replied, pushing Carrie's hair out of her eyes. "Everything's going to work out fine," she assured her.

"Thank you," Carrie said softly, her eyes glistening.

++++++++++

"Hey," Kelly said, knocking on Carrie's door and poking her head in. Carrie was sitting on her bed, going through her email on her lap top. "Can I come in?"

"It's your house," Carrie reminded her with a smile.

Kelly smiled back as she walked into the room, closing the door behind her.

"So, I have some bad news," Kelly admitted, joining Carrie on the bed.

"Way to get right to the point," Carrie laughed.

"It's just that with all the excitement and stuff over the past few days, I've nearly forgotten, but I have to leave tomorrow."

"Leave?" Carrie asked, her face dropping.

"It's only for a little while. I have to go do the Oprah show with Reba, and then I have to perform for the NFL season opener thingy," she explained.

"Oh," Carrie frowned.

"Now, you're welcome to stay here while I'm gone. That's perfectly fine--"

"No, that's ok," Carrie said, the hurt evident in her eyes.

"But I would actually prefer it if you came with me," Kelly continued.

"You what?"

"I want you to come with me," she repeated, smiling as Carrie's eyes lit up. "I mean, it's always nice to have a few friendly faces around me, and there isn't a friendlier face than yours."

"When are we leaving?" Carrie asked giddily making Kelly laugh.

"Our flight leaves tomorrow at noon."

"You rock," Carrie smiled, pulling her into a hug.

"You actually thought I would leave you all by yourself when you're going through so much?"

"Well, yea," she admitted.

"You must have had some pretty crappy friends growing up."

"I can honestly say you are the most awesomest friend I've had."

"Most awesomest?" Kelly laughed. "Sounds like something I would say."

"I think you did, actually. I think that's where I stole it from."

"Thief."

"Yea, but I'm a thief with a friendly face," Carrie reminded her, batting her eyelashes, making Kelly shove her playfully.

++++++++++

"So, we're flying?" Carrie asked as they walked into the airport.

Kelly looked at her funny, "No, we're just here to shop around. I'm thinking of buying a plane."

Carrie's eyes got huge.

Kelly rolled her eyes, laughing, "Ashley, talk to that girl. She's having one of her moments."

"Blonde," Ashley laughed, shaking her head as she and Jason led the way through the airport with Kelly and Carrie close behind.

"Hey, Kelly's blonde," she pointed out.

"But I'm not the one who that tried to change a burnt out light bulb when the lights were still on," Kelly pointed out.

"You see, I try to do something nice for you, and this is how I get treated? See if I ever change a light for you again," she pouted.

Kelly took her hand, squeezing it softly.

"I'd rather you didn't," she whispered. "I hate seeing you in pain."

Carrie turned to her and smiled. Kelly gave her a wink before letting go of her hand.

"Ok, Jay, what's the schedule?"

"Alright, so, the flight leaves at noon, we land in Chicago, check into the hotel at four. You have four radio phone interviews tonight. Hopefully you manage to sleep, and not talk those poor people's ears off--"

"Hey, they love it," Kelly laughed.

"Yea, because you are way too open," Ashley said. "Every time someone interviews you, it's a chance for them to get some huge secret."

"I don't have huge secrets," she replied..

Ashley turned around and looked pointedly at Carrie, making the girls blush.

"Ok, so I have one huge secret," she giggled.

"--we wake up as six tomorrow and arrive at Oprah's studio at 8," Jason continued. "Do you want me to go on or is that far enough?"

"No," Kelly shook her head as they got in line to walk through the metal detectors, "I'll be lucky if I remember all of that."

"So," Carrie whispered, leaning over Kelly's shoulder from behind her, her warm breath tickling Kelly's ear. "I'm you're dirty little secret?"

Kelly felt her heart jump as her breath caught in her throat.

++++++++++

"Are you ok?" Kelly asked as she watched Carrie clutching the arm rests of her plane seat.

"Yea," Carrie nodded. "I still haven't gotten used to the whole flying thing."

"Seriously?"

"Hey, at least I'm not afraid of sharks."

"Hello, sharks eat people."

"What are the odds of you getting eaten by a--"

"1 in 300,000,000."

"Wow, Kelly, first of all the fact that you know that is kinda funny. Second of all, the risk factor is almost non-existent."

"Yea, tell that to Chrissie."

"Chrissie?" Carrie questioned. "As in the character from Jaws?"

Kelly shrugged.

"Kell, that's a movie."

"So? There's a 1 in 300,000,000 chance that I'll be eaten by a shark. So, I'll just diminish that chance by not going into the water."

"You're crazy," Carrie laughed.

"And you relaxed," Kelly pointed out with a smile.

Carrie wanted nothing more than to lean over and kiss the girl, but she had to settle for merely smiling back.

++++++++++

"Wow," Kelly breathed as they walked into the pent house that was their hotel room.

"Oprah really hooks a girl up," Carrie laughed. "This is like a house."

"So what's next?" Ashley asked as she plopped onto one of the white sofas in the living room.

"Food," Kelly quickly replied.

"I don't know why I even bother asking anymore," she laughed.

"I call the master bedroom!" Jason called out from somewhere.

"Not fair!" Kelly replied. "We didn't say go yet!"

"Ha," he smiled, walking down the hall into the living room. "Too bad."

"Whatever," Kelly replied, turning her back on him. Jason smiled evilly, rushing behind her and picking her up. He placed her on the other sofa, holding her down while tickling her.

"Jay...not...fair...stop," she struggled to breath. "I'll...fire...you..."

"No, you won't," he smiled, continuing his attack. "I'm the best and you know it. Say it."

"Ne...ver," she said, taking a swing at him, but he pulled back in time.

"Hey, now," he said, stopping. "That wasn't nice."

"Yea, well...neither was...that," Kelly replied, still trying to catch her breath. "You know I...hate being tickled."

"But it's fun," Jason pouted.

"Just for that, I get the...master bed."

"Aw, not fair."

"It seems fair to meet, right y'all?" she asked, turning Ashley and Carrie who were still laughing.

"Yea," Ashley nodded, laughing even more at Jason's face. It had betrayal written all over it.

"Perfectly fair," Carrie smiled.

++++++++++

"You seen Kelly?" Carrie asked, sitting at the snack bar in the kitchen while Ashley grabbed a bottle of coke from the fridge.

"Um, check her room, maybe?"

"Thanks," she smiled.

Carrie walked through the living room, and down the hall to the master bedroom. She opened the door, walking in slowly. Kelly looked up from her spot on the king size bed that was covered in a white comforter and placed a finger over her lips. She was in the middle of an interview over the phone. Carrie went to turn, but Kelly shook her head, waving her in with her hand. She patted the bed on the side of her, and Carrie smiled, climbing onto the bed with her. Kelly gave her hand a squeeze, moving the phone as she leaned over and kissed her forehead. Carrie sighed contentedly as she laid down, placing her head in Kelly's lap. Kelly absentmindedly ran her fingers through Carrie's hair as she answered another question.

+++++++++

Carrie was lazily drawing circles on Kelly's thigh with her nails. Kelly could feel the heat from her touch through the thin pajama pants she was wearing. In return, she was running her fingers up and down Carrie's arms, watching as the goose bumps formed. It was finally the last interview, and she was surprised that the girl hadn't fallen asleep in her lap yet. But, her teasing touch on her leg told her otherwise.

"No, no," Kelly laughed slightly. "I do not have a boyfriend."

Carrie couldn't help but smile. So, she was Kelly's dirty little secret after all. She daring slid her hand down from the top of her thigh towards the inside, drawing circles there. Her smile grew when she felt the muscles in Kelly's leg tense beneath her touch. She tried not to laugh when she heard Kelly's voice rise a few pitches.

"Yea, no," she replied with a laugh. "I'm seriously thinking of giving up on guys. Too much trouble. Maybe I'll become a nun."

Carrie giggled at the thought of Kelly in a nun's outfit.

"I know, I know," she laughed again. "But when you've had the luck I have, you just find yourself wondering, is it really worth it? I mean, is sex really that great?"

Carrie raised an eyebrow. Her eyes danced as she turned her face just enough to place a lingering kiss on Kelly's thigh. She felt Kelly breathe in sharply as she clutched the sheets in one hand. Carrie looked up at her innocently, loving the fire in Kelly's eyes.

"Ugh, yea, I'm ok," she giggled nervously. "Just stubbed my toe."

Carrie bit her lip to hold her laughter in. That's when she saw it. The tiny sliver of skin that was peaking out under Kelly's tank. It was staring at her, daring her. She ran a curious finger across, delighted at the shiver she got from Kelly. She raised it slightly, her heart pounding at the sight of more of Kelly. She looked up at her, smiling to find that her eyes were closed in delight.

Carrie licked her lips before leaning forward, placing a light kiss on Kelly's exposed stomach. Her ears were buzzing as she was surrounded with the scent of vanilla. She couldn't even hear the conversation that Kelly was trying to hold on the phone anymore. All she knew was that she had to taste more of the soft skin that was open to her. She kissed her once more, lingering this time. She pulled back, licking her lips, tasting the sweetness. Carrie placed her hands on Kelly's sides, turning to give herself better access.

She licked Kelly's skin, moving up her stomach, as Kelly involuntarily arched into her.

"Yea," Kelly's voice hitched. "I'm really excited about the interview tomorrow."

Carrie began to kiss her way back down. Kelly's fingers found Carrie's hair once more, causing Carrie to close her eyes in bliss as she kissed along Kelly's waistband.

"Ugh...Reba...yea, I love...she's great," Kelly managed.

"Actually, no...I think I might be sick..." her breathing was growing increasingly ragged.

Carrie nipped her skin playfully as her hands slowly slid up Kelly's shirt even more.

"Ok...thank you so much...I'll call in tomorrow...thanks again...." Kelly hung up the phone, letting out the moan she had been holding in. She placed her hands on Carrie's face, bringing her up, eye level.

"I know you're still new to this friends thing," she said, her eyes cloudy. "But friends don't do that to friends who are in the middle of an interview."

Carrie shrugged with a smirk, "I just wanted to show you just how great sex can be."

Kelly took a deep breath as the blood began to return to her head, "Friends."

"With benefits?" Carrie's eyes danced.

"I don't want to screw this up," Kelly replied, completely aware of how close their lips now were.

"I want you," Carrie replied, her voice low.

"Give me time," Kelly's breath was growing ragged again as she felt Carrie's hand against her stomach.

"Give me one kiss," she countered.

"It's never just one," Kelly pointed out.

"I'll make this one last," Carrie finished, closing the distance between their lips, pushing Kelly back into the pillows as she moaned against Carrie's mouth. Carrie ran a hand through Kelly's hair, her other sliding to the beautiful slope of her back, her fingers tingling. Kelly sucked on her bottom lip. She had forgotten just how good of a kisser the Texan was. She was so unselfish, paying her undivided attention to the person before her, kissing each kiss as if it were their last.

Carrie pulled away reluctantly, not wanting to push her luck. Kelly's eyes slowly fluttered open.

"I missed that," Carrie admitted.

"Me too," Kelly said, touching her cheek affectionately. "Just give me a little more time, ok? I just have to make sure I'm ok."

"You know I'd wait forever for you," Carrie replied, making both girls giggle at the cheese factor.

"I know," Kelly nodded with a smile. "But I won't make you."

"Good," Carrie laughed. "Cause that nun comment kinda made me nervous."