Playing With Fire

+++++++++++++



"So, you're ready?" Ashley smiled as Kelly was bouncing on her toes in her dressing room. Her eyes sparkling.



"I feel like I'm on tour," she admitted, grinning.



"Just, please, make sure you don't trip," Jason reminded.



"It's not that slippery," Kelly laughed, rolling her eyes.



"But your pants are kinda long," Carrie pointed out.



"I'll be fine. I just wanna get out there."



"It's almost time," Jason assured her, checking his watch. "You got about ten more minutes."



Carrie watched the shorter girl, bouncing happily with a smile. She knew what it was like to get that rush before performing. There was nothing greater. She met Kelly's eyes, and smiled fully as Kelly grinned at her, ear-to-ear.



"You guys?" she asked, her eyes never leaving Carrie's.



"Yea?" Jason asked.



"Can I have a minute alone with Carrie?"



"Why?"



"You don't want me to answer that question," she replied, making Carrie's heart jump excitedly.



"Ok, but you have seven minutes," Ashley said, dragging Jason out who had plugged his ears with his fingers.



"Why are you looking at me like that?" Carrie asked, still sitting on the sofa.



"You know why," Kelly responded walking over to her.



"You're so pumped right now," Carrie laughed. "If only you could see yourself."



Kelly sat on Carrie's lap, straddling her waist.



"You're happy to be performing again?" Carrie asked.



Kelly nodded, her eyes dancing, "My heart is racing."



"A crowd of a hundred thousand will do that to you."



Kelly nodded again, wrapping her arms around Carrie's neck. Carrie smiled at the girl before her that was just radiating in happiness.



"I love seeing you like this," Carrie admitted.



Kelly leaned in, kissing her lips fully. Carrie sighed into the kiss just as Kelly pulled away. The Texan still had the hugest grin on her face.



Carrie shook her head, laughing, "You're something else, you know that?"



Kelly nodded, leaning in for another kiss, pulling away once again when Carrie started to deepen it. This time she giggled at the look on Carrie's face.



"You're teasing me, aren't you?"



Kelly could still only smile in response. She was completely engulfed in this giddy feeling. She could hear the crowd cheering from the room they were in. She could already feel the music flowing through her veins, and she knew that there was no one else she would rather share this moment with than the girl sitting before her.



Carrie laughed as Kelly leaned in a third time for a kiss. She decided to play along. Whatever was going on in the girl's head, she seemed to be happy, so Carrie didn't see the harm in partaking in this teasing game of hers.



This time Kelly let Carrie return the kiss. She felt the country singer wrap her arms around her, pulling her close. When she ran her tongue along Kelly's bottom lip, she pulled away.



"You're evil you know that?" Carrie laughed.



She leaned in to kiss Carrie once more, sliding her hands to Carrie's face. Just when their lips were inches apart, she turned Carrie's face, kissing her on the cheek, making herself giggle.



"Ke--" Carrie began, but lost her train of thought as Kelly kissed her once more just behind her ear. Then, she slowly began to kiss her way down Carrie's neck. Carrie swallowed her, her eyes closing on their own accord. Her breathing was ragged as Kelly pushed back the collar of Carrie's shirt slightly so she could get better access to her collarbone. Carrie brought her hands up to Kelly's face to pull her up so that she could taste those talented lips, but Kelly pushed them away, holding them back as she kissed up the side of Carrie's throat, her lips pressing against the pulsing vein. Carrie let out a low moan.



Kelly pulled back with a smile, watching Carrie slowly come back to. She shook her head, confused by the sudden lack of lips against her skin. Carrie looked at the grinning girl in her arms, and she couldn't help but smile back.



"You're lucky you're cute."



"I know," she giggled, giving her one last kiss before standing up. "It's show time."



"Please tell me, I'm going on tour with you," Carrie begged as Kelly led them out the room, their fingers laced together.



"If you're lucky," she responded, starting to bounce once again as soon as they exited the dressing room.



"Quickie?" Ashley asked.



"Not enough time," Kelly winked. "I'm not Jason after all."



"Hey," he fussed. "Not cool."



The three girls just laughed as they made their way through the backstage area.



++++++++



"You were great!" Carrie exclaimed as Kelly ran off the stage and into her arms. Carrie spun her around, kissing her cheek.



"I wanna do it again," Kelly laughed.



"Well, from the sounds of the crowd, I don't think they'd mind," Carrie smiled as the crowd continued to yell Kelly's name.



"Great job," Ashley smiled, pulling her into a hug.



"So, is it game time yet?" Jason asked.



"Not yet," Kelly replied. "Plus I need to change and get cleaned up. I'm all nasty."



"Shower?" Carrie offered.



"Not with you," Kelly laughed.



"She never lets me have any fun," Carrie said turning to Ashley.



Ashley laughed, "So, we're going back to the hotel?"



"There's no way we could get through that crowd," Jason said.



"No, it's ok. I have all my stuff here, and there's a shower in my dressing room. It's like micro size, but it'll do."



"In the mean time?" Jason asked.



"Y'all can just hang out here if you want," Kelly shrugged. "Listen to the bands and stuff."



Carrie looked at her, wearing a pout.



Kelly rolled her eyes, "Alright, you can come with me. But you're not coming into the bathroom, you're staying in the dressing room, got it?"



"Yes ma'am," Carrie replied happily.



+++++++++



"So..." Kelly said, exiting the bathroom, refreshed and changed. Carrie sat up quickly on the sofa. "What do you think?"



Carrie struggled to keep her jaw from dropping. She had on a pair of low rise jeans with her signature Chucks. She wore a tight fitted jersey that revealed her lower stomach and back perfectly. Her short hair was pulled back into two baby pigtails, and under each eye she had a blue line of face paint.



"Before I met you, I would have said it was impossible to be adorable and sexy at the same time," Carrie smiled. "But you have definitely proven me wrong."



Kelly smiled happily.



"But you do know that the Cowboys aren't playing, right?" Carrie asked, pointing out the star on the front of Kelly's jersey.



The Texan just shrugged, "Yea, but I still have to represent."



Carrie laughed, standing up and pulling her into a hug.



++++++++



Jason smiled as the four of them walked into the box that they would be sharing with Kelly's band and the guys from Hinder. The smell of catering hit him immediately. Yes, being Kelly Clarkson's brother definitely had it's perks. He walked over to the table of food and began fixing him a plate, overhearing a couple of the guys from Hinder talking.



"Wow," one of them smiled. "Hot."



"I didn't even think that was possible," another one stared.



"Which, the curve of her back, or her ass?" the third asked.



Jason's ears perked up at the sound of a hot girl. He immediately looked up, searching the room, but all he saw was Kelly, Carrie, and Ashley talking with some of the band. He frowned.



"Hey," he nodded to the three guys.



"Hey," one replied, holding out his hand. "I'm Austin."



He shook it, "Jason."



"So what do you think?" Austin asked him, nodding towards the other group of people.



"Of?"



"Would you do her? Cause I mean, I would."



"Carrie?" he asked confusedly.



"No," Austin laughed. "I mean, yea, probably, but I would rather trace my tongue over the curve of her back," he said, nodding towards them.



Jason raised an eyebrow, still not getting it.



"Kelly Clarkson," Austin replied, not understanding why the guy couldn't see that.



Jason nearly spilled his plate of food as he choked on the sip of coke he had just taken.



"You ok, man?"



"That's my sister," he replied, completely grossed out.



The three guys' eyes shot open.



"Oh, man, I'm sorry."



"Yea, we didn't mean, anything by it. We were just joking."



"Beer?" the third one offered shakily.



Jason just put his plate of food down and walked away, joining the other group.



"You ok?" Kelly asked, rubbing his back, noticing how pale he looked. "I thought you said you were hungry."



"I lost my appetite," he mumbled, going sit in one of the theater chairs.



"Hey," Carrie smiled, joining him, not long after with a plate of food in her hands.



"Hey," he replied.



"So, she seems to be happy," she said, looking over her shoulder at Kelly who was now talking to the guys from Hinder.



Jason looked over his shoulder, raising an eyebrow, "I wouldn't allow that if I were you."



"Allow what? She's just talking," Carrie said, confusedly.



"They wanna get in your girl's pants," Jason informed her, trying not to throw up while thinking about it. He suddenly regretted not punching that guy's lights out. But he knew that would only create drama for Kelly and her career.



"What?" Carrie asked, her eyes ablaze. Jason leaned over and whispered what Austin had told him in her ear. He smiled when he saw Carrie's jaw clench.



"Kell," she called out.



Kelly held up a finger signaling one minute. Carrie stood up, walking over to the group.



"Hey," Kelly smiled when Carrie put her arm around her. "We were just talking about my album. I still can't believe that you guys have heard it."



"Yea, we love it," Austin smiled.



"I'm sure," Carrie replied, her eyes throwing daggers at him.



"Yea, we were actually headed to this party tonight," he continued. "Would you two be interested?"



Carrie saw the look in his eyes. She knew that look. She felt like kicking him in the balls because of that look. Carrie let her hand fall from Kelly's shoulder to the exposed skin of her side. Kelly took a steadying breath, her skin on fire under Carrie's hand.



"We'll get back to you," Carrie smiled, noticing Kelly's reaction to her touch. She knew she had nothing to worry about. She guided Kelly to their seats, rejoining Jason and the rest of the group that had settled in.



Kelly looked at her, her eyes sparkling, "I don't know why, but I really wanna kiss you right now."



Carrie smiled, "I just have that affect on people."



Kelly smiled back, settling for giving Carrie's hand a gentle squeeze.



+++++++++++



"So now what?" Carrie asked on their flight back to Texas, trying to distract herself from the fact that they were thousands of the feet in the air in a metal coffin.



"Now, I start getting ready for the tour and you start kicking a certain old man's ass," she replied, smiling at how their fingers were laced gently together. It felt as if it were the most natural thing in the world.



"Do you think I can really do this?"



"Of course, but that's my duty as your girlfriend. The real question is do you think you can really do this?"



"Look at you, getting all philosophical," Carrie teased.



"Look at you," Kelly laughed. "Using words like philosophical."



"You're good."



"Did you doubt me?"



"Never," Carrie smiled with a wink.



+++++++++



"You seem happy to be home," Carrie laughed as Jason practically skipped up the front steps to the house.



"Well it is home," he pointed out. "Plus I got a lot of work to do around here."



Carrie looked at him questioningly, "And you're excited about that?"



Jason's eye got wide like a little kid's, reminding Carrie of how Kelly gets when she's excited about something, "You wanna see my tractor?"



Kelly wrinkled her nose, making a face, "That sounds dirty."



Carrie turned a bright red, making Kelly and Ashley laugh as they walked into the house.



"Don't be jealous," Jason replied with a smile. Kelly stuck her tongue out at him.



"Don't worry," Carrie smiled, wrapping an arm around Kelly's waist. "I'm all yours."



Kelly turned her face to give her a kiss.



"Sorry Jay," Carrie laughed, turning to her girlfriend's brother as they walked into the living room. "But I would love to see your tractor later, if the offer still stands. I kinda miss living on the farm."



"Welcome home sweetie," Jeanne greeted, standing up from the sofa. The other four people in the room froze, Carrie's arm falling away from Kelly's waist. "Had a good trip?"



++++++++



"Mom?" Kelly questioned, her heart was racing nervously. She fought the urge to take a step back as her mother walked towards her, enveloping her in a hug.



"I didn't know you had company," Jeanne smiled at Carrie, letting go of her daughter.



"Ugh, yea," Jason said, fidgeting with his hands nervously. "Carrie's been having a lot of problems with her new CD. A lot like Kelly had, and so we offered to let her just come relax for a bit, and we'd help her out as best we could."



"Well that's very nice of y'all," Jeanne replied, her eyes never leaving Carrie's. Carrie tried not to falter under the hard gaze. She had to resist the temptation to take Kelly's hand in her own for support.



"Yea, they've been really helpful, and I figured who best to go to than somebody that's been through it already," Carrie managed a smile.



Jeanne nodded, finally taking her eyes off of Carrie, "So who wants dinner?" she asked, walking into the kitchen.



Kelly looked at the other three fearfully. This couldn't be good.



+++++++++



"So, Jason," Jeanne said, joining them at the table. "Why didn't you tell me Carrie was with y'all when I called?"



"It must have slipped my mind," he lied. "We were really busy that morning."



"You called?" Kelly questioned.



"Yes, and you were supposed to call me back," Jeanne replied.



"I'm sorry. I never got the message," Kelly said, eyeing Jason carefully. He smiled apologetically.



"So how long do you plan on staying Carrie?"



"Oh, um, not too much longer," she smiled politely. "I need to get back to Nashville, and I know Kelly has to start rehearsals for the tour soon."



"That's right," Jeanne nodded. "She's got a busy schedule coming up. You know, traveling all over the world and what not. It's no wonder she's still single. Doesn't have time for anybody really."



Carrie's face fell.



"I'd make time if I found the right person," Kelly replied, fighting not to narrow her eyes at her mother.



"You've said that before," she pointed out. "Never happens."



"Well, maybe they weren't the right person."



"Why not hunny? You've dated some very nice boys."



"If by nice, you mean bastards, than yea, Kelly's had the pick of the litter," Ashley grumbled. Kelly shook her head at Ashley, making her to stop. It's not that she didn't appreciate the help, this was just her battle to fight.



"They just weren't my type, mom."



"And what is your type?" Jeanne asked innocently.



Kelly could feel her temper rising, knowing that her mom was baiting her, "I don't know yet, but I'll know it when I find it."



Jeanne nodded, "I'm sure you will."



The rest of the meal was spent in a tension-filled silence. They couldn't finish eating fast enough.



+++++++++



Carrie knocked on Kelly's bathroom door. She had showered in the guest bathroom, and was hoping to get a moment alone with the Texan before they went to bed.



"Hey," Carrie said, poking her head in.



Kelly was standing in front of the mirror, leaning against the counter. Her eyes swimming with tears.



"Hey," Carrie soothed, closing the door behind her and taking the shorter girl in her arms. "It's ok."



"She knows," Kelly said, her voice shaky.



"You don't know that," Carrie replied, taking Kelly's face in her hands.



Kelly nodded, "She knows. She's just playing games with us."



"Well that doesn't seem very fair to you."



"God, what am I going to do?" she asked, the tears now falling. Carrie quickly wiped them away.



"You do nothing. Until she outright asks you, or you're ready to tell her, you do nothing."



"But you don't deserve this."



"As long as I have you, I'm good," she smiled.



Kelly's eyes dropped.



"Oh, no you don't," Carrie said firmly. "We're not going through this again. I won't let you."



"But--"



"That's it. We're doing this here and now."



"Doing what?" Kelly asked nervously.



"What is it that you want Kell? When you think of yourself in ten, twenty years from now, where do you wanna be?" Carrie asked.



Kelly took a shaky breath, looking up into Carrie's eyes that were full of doubt and fear.



"I wanna be in your arms," she replied with a gentle smile.



Carrie fought back the urge to cry tears of happiness, "And is that worth fighting for? Are we worth fighting for? Because if we continue this relationship, we're going to have to fight for it, and I'm willing to, but I can't keep going through this if you're not in it for real."



"It's worth it," Kelly nodded. Her heart sped up just from looking in the country singer's eyes, "It's definitely worth it."



Carrie smiled as she leaned down, kissing her fully.



"Yea," she giggled as she pulled away, "that's definitely worth fighting for."



Kelly blushed as she wrapped her arms around the taller girl, and Carrie pulled her close.



"I wish you could sleep with me tonight," Kelly admitted.



"I know," Carrie said, rubbing her back. "I was getting used to it too, but I really don't think it's a good idea. Not yet, anyway."



Kelly nodded, looking up at her innocently, "Goodnight kiss?"



Carrie smiled, gladly obliging.



++++++++++



Carrie crept down the hall quietly. It was two in the morning, and she hadn't been able to fall asleep. She carefully opened the bedroom door, closing it softly behind her and locking it. She had learned her lesson from previous experience.



She walked over to the oversized bed, biting her lip nervously, "Kell?"



The only response was the Texan's gentle breathing.



"Kell," she repeated, shaking her slightly. "Are you awake?"



Kelly stretched, rubbing her eyes. She looked up at Carrie and smiled sleepily, "Mornin' beautiful."



Carrie wasn't sure if it was the southern drawl, or the extra raspiness of her voice, or the honesty in her eyes, but she found herself blushing at the greeting.



"I couldn't sleep," she admitted.



Kelly nodded, turning onto her other side and scooting over. Carrie climbed in bed behind her, pulling the covers around them. Kelly lifted up her arm, expectantly, making Carrie smile. She slid her arm around the smaller girl's stomach, pulling her close.



"Better?" Kelly asked, sighing happily.



"Much," Carrie nodded.



Kelly turned her head, searching for Carrie's mouth, but missed, getting her cheek bone instead.



"Aw, you know what I meant," she said tiredly, making Carrie laugh. She took Kelly's chin in her hand, guiding their lips together.



"Better?" she asked with a smile.



"Much," Kelly laughed.



"What's wrong?" Kelly asked, after a few moments of silence. She could tell something was on Carrie's mind.



"Am I your type?" she asked, nervously.



Kelly closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. She cursed her mom for making Carrie doubt their relationship.



"Of course you are," she replied, turning over to face her. "Don't listen to any of that stuff my mom said, alright?"



"But, she had a point. You're like one of the hardest working people out there. You hardly have any time for yourself, let alone anyone else."



"And what did I say? What have I been saying for the past few years?"



"That if you found the right person, then you'll make time," she frowned.



"Exactly. And you know what?" Kelly asked with a smile.



"What?"



"You're the right person," she answered. "And I know, I've had a crappy way of showing it thus far, but I promise, I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make this work because I can't see my life without you in it. More importantly, I don't want to see my life without you in it."



Carrie smiled in response.



"So, you're ok, now?" Kelly asked. "Anything else bothering you?"



"No," she shook her head. "I'm good."



"Good," Kelly smiled, turning back over, enjoying the feeling of Carrie pressed against her as she pulled her close.



++++++++



Carrie smiled at the feeling of warm softness beneath her fingertips. She gently ran her fingers across Kelly's stomach, causing the sleeping girl to arch into the touch. Carrie propped herself up on her elbow, pushing Kelly's hair away from her face and neck. She traced her finger down Kelly's neck, causing the girl to shiver and mumble in her sleep. Carrie licked her lips before leaning down to kiss the soft skin lightly. She did it again, this time allowing her lips to linger. She heard Kelly moan softly as she wrapped her arm tighter around the girl's waist, pulling her closer. Carrie's lips made a path just below Kelly's jaw bone; she could hear the sleeping girl's breath growing ragged and felt her own pulse rushing. Carrie's hand slowly made it's way further up Kelly's shirt.



"Carrie..." the girl mumbled, the warning in her voice evident.



Carrie frowned, pulling back. As they say, all good things must come to an end.



"Mmm," Kelly groaned, sleepily. "Don't stop."



Carrie's eyes widened as a wave of dizziness washed over her at those words. Carrie used her hand that was still under the girl's shirt to turn her over onto her back. She slid on top of her, looking down into her eyes. She could see the fire burning it's way through the cloudiness caused by sleep. Carrie used her other hand to slowly tilt Kelly's head back, giving herself better access. Her lips found that beautiful skin once more, and she couldn't help but smile as she felt Kelly fight back a moan.



Kelly was still struggling to wake up, and the sudden fuzziness in her brain brought on by Carrie's delicate touches was not helping. She stretched, trying to gain control of her muscle movement.



"God woman," Carrie groaned as Kelly arched against her. Her breath, hot on the Texan's neck. "Could you warn a girl before doing that?"



Kelly could only smile as she tried to hide the blush that had crept up. Carrie pushed herself up, reveling in the sight beneath her. She wanted to imprint this in her brain, holding onto this moment for forever. She moved her hand, tracing a finger along Kelly's jaw line, causing the girl to tremble beneath her. Carrie smiled at the way smaller girl was clinging on to her shirt.



"You're beautiful," she smiled, pushing her hair out of her face. She lowered herself once more, this time finding Kelly's lips in a sweet, gentle kiss. She rolled the two of them over, wanting to let Kelly feel that she had control of the situation. She cradled the Texan's face in her hands, as the kiss slowly became more passionate. She eventually had to pull away, in dire need of oxygen. Kelly, on the other hand, seemed to be able to survive without breathing, and she began to plant warm kisses down Carrie's neck. Carrie ran a hand down one of the girl's shaking arms that was struggling to support her weight. The other found the small of Kelly's back as it slipped beneath her shirt. She pressed the girl down, trying to relieve some of the strain on her shoulders. Kelly moaned against Carrie's neck as their hips collided, involuntarily rolling hers against the girl beneath her.



"Oh God," Carrie cried breathlessly, her eyes rolling back. "I love you."



Kelly froze where she was. She carefully pushed herself up so she could look down at the Oklahoma native.



"W-what?" she asked, her voice cracking.



Carrie's mouth was moving, but nothing was coming out. Her mind was spinning. Had she really meant it? Was she really in love with the girl above her? She looked up into Kelly's eyes. They were both still breathing heavy, their eyes glazed over. But Kelly's eyes held so much more than that. She was always so amazed at how much emotion was behind that girl's gaze. They held everything at that moment: love, lust, passion, care, hope, fear, warmth, nerves. Carrie could see herself in those eyes. More importantly she could see her future in those eyes. And as always, with just a simple look from Kelly, she felt her heart start to speed up again.



"I love you," she repeated, more firmly this time.



"I...you...wow," Kelly breathed, sitting on Carrie. Carrie sat up, causing the girl to slide into her lap.



"Y-you sure?" she asked, her voice shaking.



"I'm positive," Carrie smiled gently, running a hand across Kelly's cheek.



"Wow," she repeated.



"And I'm not just saying it because I was caught up in the moment, or whatever. Well, I might have been, but I'm not now. Kelly, I love you, with all my heart and soul."



She noticed the wave of sadness that washed over Kelly's features as she bit her lip nervously.



"And I'm not expecting anything from you," Carrie assured, knowing what was on her mind. "You don't have to say it back. I don't want you to, not until you're ready."



Kelly looked back up at her, a small smile of appreciation playing on her lips, "Really?"



Carrie nodded, "Just the fact that you've opened up enough to let me love you is enough for me. And I know that you're trying, and I know that love is a big deal for you, so the fact that you're trying means so much to me--"



She was cut off by a gentle kiss from Kelly that was so soft, yet filled with so much emotion that she felt tears forming beneath her closed eyes. When she pulled away, she noticed that she wasn't the only one.



"Say it again," Kelly smiled through her watery eyes.



"I love you," Carrie beamed, making the other girl giggle. This time it was Carrie that leaned forward, kissing the other girl. She carefully laid them back down, breaking the kiss. She kissed the top of Kelly's head as she snuggled into Carrie's neck. Carrie wrapped her arms around her, loving the feeling of warmth that was coursing through her veins.



+++++++++



"Kelly," Jeanne called out, knocking on the door. "Unlock the door, sweetie."



"I'm not dressed mom," she lied, causing Carrie to raise an eyebrow.



"What have I told you about wearing clothes when you have company?"



"That's why the door's locked," Kelly responded. Carrie looked down at Kelly's pajama clad body and frowned.



Kelly smiled, "I had a feeling that I would have a certain blonde visitor in the middle of the night," she whispered.



"So you put clothes on?" Carrie pouted.



Kelly just giggled, giving her a kiss, before tuning back into her mom.



"--Carrie? She wasn't in her room," she caught the end of Jeanne's conversation. Carrie's eyes widened, but Kelly just smiled, pointing to her bathroom door. Carrie nodded, untangling herself from the Texan and climbing out of the bed. She leaned down for another kiss before making her way to the bathroom.



"She's taking a shower in my bathroom," Kelly responded, feeling her heart tug at the sudden lack of warmth, surrounding her.



"In your bathroom?"



"Yes," Kelly sighed, getting out of bed when she heard the shower turn on, finding herself wishing that she could be in there with Carrie. She fought down the blush that was rising as she unlocked the door. "She's my guest, so I didn't see the need in her invading Ashley or Jason's privacy."



Jeanne nodded, entering the room, looking around. She frowned when she heard the shower running. Kelly couldn't help but smile, knowing she was safe.



"Well," Jeanne sighed, turning back to her daughter. "Tell her to hurry up, then. I've made breakfast, and it's getting cold."



Kelly nodded, closing the door behind her mother. She smiled, looking at the bathroom door. It was definitely worth it, she decided as she walked over to her ipod, turning it on, causing the music to resound around her room through the speakers.