Playing With Fire

++++++++

"Slept well?" Ashley asked as she climbed onto the bus, sitting opposite Carrie and Kelly at the table.

"Extremely," Kelly smiled as she felt Carrie's fingers dancing on her thigh.

"I'm glad someone did," she groaned, trying to rub a kink out of her neck.

"Rough night?" Carrie asked, standing to fix a plate of eggs and biscuits. She sat back down, placing it in front of Ashley who smiled appreciatively.

"For me? No. But the people next door sure sounded like they were having one hell of a time," she grumbled.

The two singers had to fight back their laughter.

"That sucks," Kelly replied, unable to contain the giggle that escaped.

"What are you so happy about that you are laughing at my lack of sleep because some horny couple..." her voice trailed off as she looked at the pair of glowing faces before her. "You two so did it last night," she said, pointing at them.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Kelly replied, biting her lip to keep from beaming.

"Oh, yes you do. You totally hooked up."

Carrie tried to hide her nod from Kelly's view, but with no luck.

"Hey," Kelly laughed, giving her a playful push.

"Bout time," Ashley rolled her eyes.

"She loves me," Carrie grinned, giddily.

"Well, I knew that. Hell, the entire world knows that, just most of them are too dumb to realize it. Good for you for getting her to admit it though," Ashley replied. "And for finally getting her in bed. Although, I didn't think you'd be able to wait that long. I guess I underestimated you."

"Trust me, it was worth the wait," Carrie smiled.

"Excuse me," Kelly broke in, her cheeks red. "Can we not talk about my sex life as if I'm not sitting right here."

"Alright, then Kell, was it as good as Carrie says it was?" Ashley asked.

"Oh God," she drawled, placing her face in her hands.

"What? You asked us to include you," Ashley pointed out, as Carrie gave her a high five.

"Seriously? You two are worse than guys," Kelly frowned, nudging Carrie.

"What?" Carrie looked at her.

"I wanna get out."

"Kell, we were just joking."

"Please," Kelly sighed.

Carrie stood up, allowing her to slide out the booth and watched as she walked to the back of the bus, closing the door to her room behind her.

"You should go after her," Ashley said.

"Yea, I know," Carrie nodded. "I'll see you in a bit. If not, come check to make sure she didn't throw me out the window or anything."

"Alright," Ashley laughed.

Carrie walked to the back of the bus, knocking on the door. When she got no response, so opened it, finding it wasn't locked, and walked in, closing the door behind her.

"Kell, I'm--"

The rest of her apology was cut off as a pair of soft lips eagerly collided with hers, making her take a step back.

"What took you so long?" Kelly smiled, pulling back.

"I am so loving this side of you," Carrie laughed, pushing a stray curl out of Kelly's eyes.

"Well, don't get used to it. You're just lucky I've missed you like crazy."

"You can't do that to me," Carrie shook her head, wrapping her arms around her. "Now that I've had a glimpse of you, I'm gonna want to have you every chance I get."

"You have a chance right now," Kelly's eyes sparked.

"Ashley's right outside," Carrie reminded her.

"I'll be quiet," Kelly smirked, leaning forward. "I promise," she whispered raspily.

"Girl, the things you do to me," Carrie groaned as Kelly captured her lips once more.

++++++++++

"So, where are we headed?" Carrie asked, looking out the window. She was sitting sideways on the sofa with Kelly curled up at the other end, busy doing something on her laptop, her headphones in her ears.

"You didn't look at the schedule before you decided to jump on a plane?" Ashley asked as she played a game of cards with Jill and Kate.

"No," Carrie admitted.

"We're going to Washington," Kate laughed.

"Cool," Carrie nodded, going back to looking out the window. Well, actually, she was watching Kelly out the corner of her eye, finding the way she crinkled her nose in thought absolutely adorable, but she seemed as if she were looking out the window.

"You wanna sing a duet with me?" Kelly asked, not looking up from the computer screen, still in total concentration.

"Huh?"

"Do you want to sing a duet with me?"

"For what?"

"The show tomorrow," Kelly replied, finally looking up at her.

"I don't know," Carrie frowned. "I mean, I'd love to, but..."

"But what?"

"Kell, I love your fans. They are such die hard supporters of you, it's ridiculous."

"Ok?"

"And, while we do share some fans. The majority of them, don't really like me too much."

"Why wouldn't they like you?" Kelly asked, confusedly.

"They see me as trying to step in on your territory. You know, we're both from Idol, we're both majorly successful. They see me as a rival. So, I don't know."

"It's not like they're gonna boo you off of stage or anything. They'd never do that," Kelly assured her.

"I know," Carrie sighed. "But if I get up there, singing a duet of one of your songs with you, I don't see them as being gung ho about it. I mean, when they go to your concert, they don't want to see you belting out a song, and some country girl trying to keep up with you."

"You can keep up with me," Kelly replied.

Carrie rolled her eyes, "And meanwhile back on planet Earth."

"Well, that doesn't matter anyway, because I thought maybe we can do a cover together."

"Of what?" Carrie asked.

"Well, I love Sweet Child O' Mine, and I performed it at a show once--"

"Metalskool?

"Besides that one," Kelly laughed. "And plus I heard you sang it on one of your tours."

"Who told you that?"

"Youtube," Kelly smiled, turning her laptop around to show Carrie the clip she had been watching of the country singer on tour.

"I don't know Kell..."

"Please," Kelly begged, sticking out her bottom lip, trying not to smile as she saw Carrie's eyes focused on it, clear desire running through the hazel orbs.

"Alright," she replied, rolling her eyes.

"It's gonna be great," Kelly assured her, happily.

"I'm sure it will. I just hope I don't get mobbed."

"I got your back," Kelly smiled.

"Yea, because you can't see over my shoulders," Carrie teased.

"Hey," she pouted

"It's true," Ashley laughed. "And I think it's a great idea Carrie. Seriously, don't worry about it."

"Yea, just have fun. They'll love it," Jill agreed.

"Ok," Carrie nodded.

Kelly winked at her, mouthing an 'I love you'.

Carrie smiled in return, 'I love you too'.

++++++++

"So what is there to do in Washington?" Carrie asked, sitting on the foot of the bed as Kelly searched the room for her sunglasses. It was obviously a losing battle thanks to all the gifts that had pretty much taken over the tiny room in the back of the bus.

"Spas," Kelly smiled.

"Oo," Carrie grinned, reaching out for her as she passed and taking a hold of her hips. "Like a mud bath?"

"Like a much needed massage," Kelly corrected.

"Have I ever told you that I can be quite the masseuse?"

"With those talented fingers, there is no doubt in my mind," Kelly replied.

"God," Carrie groaned, laying back on the bed as Kelly continued her search. "Must you be hot 24/7? I mean seriously, I've taken more cold showers since I've met you than I have in my entire life."

"Really?" Kelly asked, slipping on the aforementioned sunglasses.

"Yea," Carrie laughed.

"Well..."

Carrie let out an "oomph" as a shorter body landed on top of hers.

"We can't have you taking cold showers, now can we?" Kelly smiled, pushing the sun glasses up in her hair. "I mean, I don't want you getting sick or anything."

"No, we can't have that," Carrie agreed. "But what do you plan on doing about it?"

"Oh, I don't know..." Kelly's voice trailed off as she nibbled on Carrie's ear, making her giggle.

"God, y'all!"

Kelly sighed at the sound of Ashley's voice.

"Seriously, you two are worse than a pair of honeymooners," Ashley laughed. "That's like the third time."

"Well, if you'd quit interrupting us, then maybe we could finish," Kelly pointed out.

"You're gonna miss your appointment at the spa," she reminded her.

"We should go," Carrie whispered in her ear, a finger trailing down Kelly's stomach making her squirm. "We can finish this later."

"I so don't wanna know," Ashley groaned at the sight of Kelly blushing.

"Shut up," Kelly laughed. "Alright. We're going. You ready?"

"I was born ready," Ashley replied.

"You ready?" she asked, looking down at Carrie.

Carrie smirked up at her, her eyes still darkened, "What do you think?"

Kelly took a deep breath, reminding herself that her best friend was still in the doorway, "And you fuss at me for your cold showers?"

"I can't help it if you want me," Carrie smiled innocently.

"I'll wait outside," Ashley shook her head, closing the door behind her.

"Yes, you can," Kelly replied. "You know exactly what you do to me. That little smile of yours gives you away every time. At least, I don't know when I do it."

"Which is worse, cause it makes it so much hotter," Carrie pointed out, her fingers somehow finding their way under Kelly's shirt.

"Five minutes?" Kelly asked, her breath catching in her throat.

"Make it ten," Carrie replied. "I want to enjoy this."

"Oh, all I need is five," Kelly assured her, her hands already dancing at the waistband of Carrie's jeans.

"You're on," Carrie grinned as their lips melted together.

+++++++++

"Pay up," Kelly laughed as they stepped out of the bus, joining Ashley.

Carrie handed her a twenty dollar bill which Kelly slipped to a little kid that they passed as they walked to the spa.

"What was that about?" Ashley asked.

"Never bet that she can't do something," Carrie replied, her eyes still glazed over.

Kelly just smiled proudly as they walked down the sidewalk.

+++++++

"I am starving," Kelly admitted as they walked into the restaurant. She was completely relaxed and tense free after a good ninety minute massage.

"I wonder why," Ashley laughed.

"For the last time," Kelly lowered her voice as the three of them were ushered to a table. "We did not do it in the locker room."

"You know when she leaves," Ashley said, pointing to Carrie. "And you're horny as hell cause you're used to getting some every five seconds, I don't wanna hear about it."

"We didn't do it in the locker room," Carrie laughed.

"Hello ladies, and what can I get you today?" the waiter asked, walking up to the table.

"I would like..."

Kelly didn't hear the rest of Ashley's order as the small hand that was on her knee began to travel it's way upward.

"You know," Carrie whispered, leaning towards her. "I think five seconds is up."

"And what can I get for you?" the waiter asked.

"Oh, I'd like the ceasar salad," Carrie smiled politely, pausing her hand for a moment, but not pulling away.

"And you?"

"Um, I'd like, um, whatever she's having," she managed, nodding her head towards Carrie whose hand had now made it to Kelly's upper thigh.

"Ok, it'll be out in a bit," the waiter nodded with a smile.

"Keep your hands to yourself," Ashley scolded as soon as he walked away.

"It was all her," Kelly said, raising her hands in surrender.

"I don't know what she's talking about," Carrie smiled, placing both hands clasped, on the table.

++++++++

"Hey hot stuff," Carrie teased as Kelly crawled into bed on the side of her.

"Hey," Kelly smiled. "You had a good day?"

"Yea, thanks for letting me bum around with y'all. I hope I'm not like disturbing the routine or anything."

"No, you're good," Kelly replied, sitting up next to her, leaning against the back wall.

"Tired?" Carrie asked.

Kelly smiled at the feeling of the country singer's fingers dancing up the inside of her arm, "No, but not right now."

"Not in the mood? I knew we should have slowed down today," Carrie frowned.

"No," Kelly giggled, finding Carrie's hand and taking it in her own. "I just think that with everything that happened last night, we might have gotten carried away. We didn't really get a chance to talk."

"You don't regret it do?" Carrie asked worriedly.

"What? No. Oh my God, no. Care, if there is anything I regret the least in my life it was last night," Kelly assured her, making her smile. "I just think that we buried some things and keep pushing them aside, and that if we don't deal with them now, they're just gonna blow up later."

"Like what?"

"Like when you said that you wished I hadn't gone on tour."

"Kell, I was upset," Carrie sighed.

"Did you mean it?"

"Yes, but not like it came out. I just meant that I wish you didn't have to leave, not that I didn't want you to go out and live your dream. I would never stop you from doing something that you love so much, ok?"

"I know. It just kinda sucked when you threw my cancelled tour back in my face. You know I couldn't control that, or the timing of this one."

"I know," Carrie nodded. "And I'm so sorry that I hurt you. I was just upset and lonely and confused."

"Confused?"

"Kell, we hadn't talked in days. The last time we did it wasn't pleasant. I hadn't seen you in weeks. I was supposed to be angry with you."

"Ok?"

"But when I first saw you last night, and held you in my arms again, I felt like I was falling in love with you all over again. But that wasn't supposed to happen. It's not easy holding a grudge against someone as adorable as yourself, you know that?"

Kelly nodded, feeling the last bit of stressed tension that had been surrounding them fade away as she laid down.

"You ok?" Carrie asked, laying beside her.

"Yea," Kelly replied, turning to her and placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. "So," she smiled. "Tell me about your CD."

Carrie groaned in frustration as she folded into Kelly, placing her head on her chest as she wrapped an arm around her waist. Kelly laughed softly.

"It can't be that bad."

"Other than the fact that the world is full of complete idiots, no, it's not bad," Carrie replied, unable to hold back a sigh of content as she felt Kelly tracing gentle circles on her back.

"Do you have a release date yet?"

"November 27th," she nodded.

"Care, that's only a couple weeks away," Kelly pointed out.

"I know, as soon as I get back I start promotion."

"Well, see, that's not so bad. It's getting released, isn't it?"

"Yea, I just wish it could've been right the first time around. That way, I wouldn't have to be so stressed out right now, and I could stay longer with you."

"But," Kelly replied with a slight smile. "If you hadn't been so stressed out about the whole record thing, you would have never showed up on my door step, looking for a place to stay and get away from it all."

"How do you always do find a way to spin things like that?"

"Life's too short to focus on the past," she shrugged. "Besides, I have the most amazing girl in my arms right now. How can I not be all giddy and optimistic?"

Carrie smiled up at her, giving her a quick kiss, "Love you."

"Love you too," Kelly returned the smile.

"And you do know that if I there was any way at all, I'd stay on tour with you, right?"

"Of course I do," Kelly replied, pulling her closer. "But you need to do promotion, I get that, trust me. And I only have a couple weeks left of the tour, so it won't be that long."

"I told you that I love you, right?"

"Yea," she laughed.