Playing With Fire

+++++++++



Carrie laughed as she looked at the picture on her phone that Jason had just sent. It was of Kelly standing on stage during rehearsals, wearing a backwards baseball cap and flipping him off. That was her girl.



"So, after GMA, we're going to the View, then Leno," Carrie's new manager explained.



"Sounds good," she beamed before he gave her a smile and walked out of the dressing room.



"Well, you're in a good mood," her stylist smiled.



"I know."



"It's nice to see that for once," he laughed.



"Haha," she rolled her eyes.



"She's a cutie," he replied, motioning to her phone.



"Yea," Carrie nodded, her smile growing wider as another picture was sent to her phone. This one was a close up of Kelly crossing her eyes and sticking her tongue out at him.



"Yea, definitely a keeper," he laughed.



"I think so," Carrie replied, her face falling in realization. "Wait, how'd you know?"



"Sweetie, look who you're talking to. I specialize in this sort of thing."



Carrie laughed, "She's my world, you know? I mean, I don't know how I survived before I met her. I know this sounds corny, but it's like she makes me whole. I'm just not me without her."



He smiled down at the glowing blonde as he turned her around to touch up her make-up, "Well, anyone who has the ability to make you smile like that is ok in my book."



"The thing is," Carrie said, looking at him nervously. "Besides to like three people, we're not really out yet. So, if you can not say anything..."



"You're secret's safe with me," he winked.



"Thanks," she smiled, relaxing again, her phone ringing. "It's her," she grinned.



He motioned for her to answer it.



"Hey babe," she greeted happily.



"Hey hot stuff," Kelly returned.



"You're one to talk," Carrie laughed.



"Please tell me Jay didn't send you those pictures."



"He did. So tell me. Were you thinking of me in the last one?"



She heard Kelly's raspy laugh on the other end, and she felt her heart flutter.



"You know I'm always thinking of you," Kelly finally replied after catching her breath. "So what do you have scheduled today?"



"Um, GMA, the View, and Leno," she replied.



"Wow, so I caught you just in time," Kelly said as she laid back on the stage, stretching out.



"Yep. Where are you today?"



"Los Angeles," she yawned.



"It's almost Thanksgiving," Carrie reminded her.



"Oh, I know. I so can't wait. You're gonna watch, right?"



"I wouldn't miss it for the world," she replied honestly.



"You said you have the day off, huh?"



"Yea. I'm gonna go home!"



Kelly laughed at her excitement. "Good. You deserve some home time."



"And some good home cooking."



"How does that work?" Kelly asked. "Is there vegan turkey like they have vegan burgers."



Carrie giggled, "Not exactly. I'm gonna have to cook for you one day. It's not as bad as you think."



"I like the sound of that. You cooking for me. It makes me smile," Kelly admitted, relishing in the giddiness that was surrounding their conversation.



"Good," Carrie beamed. "But hey, I've got to get going. So I'm gonna call you in between shows today, alright?"



"Okay."



"Alright, miss you."



"You too," Kelly replied. "Love you."



"You too," Carrie smiled. "Bye babe."



"Bye."



++++++++++



"Are you ready for some football!" Einar cheered as the band sat around Kelly's dressing room.



"Sounds like you guys are having some fun," Carrie laughed through the phone.



"Not as much fun as it would be if you were here," Kelly replied cutely.



"Well aren't you just a sweetheart."



"No, I could just really use somebody to warm me up. It's freezing outside. Like snow freezing."



Carrie chuckled softly at the thought of Kelly trying to catch a snowflake on her tongue.



"So how's everything going?" Kelly asked. "How's the fam?"



"It's good. Everybody seems to be enjoying themselves, and it's nice to have a day off in the middle of all the chaos."



"Good. I'm glad you get to see everyone."



"So, I wanted to tell you something. I should have told you the other day, but you know how excited I get from hearing your voice."



"Ok, shoot," Kelly replied as Ashley swatted her arm for chewing on her bottom lip.



"My stylist knows about us."



"What do you mean? You mean..." Kelly's voice immediately lowered. "Care, what happened?"



"He was there when Jay sent me those photos of you," Carrie explained.



"He figured it out from a couple of pictures?"



"No..." Carrie felt her cheeks burning slightly. "It was more the smile I got when I looked at the pictures."



Kelly felt her heart melt, "Aww."



"So, you're not mad?"



"How can I be mad? You are just too perfect for words, you know that?"



"I'm sorry he found out," Carrie apologized.



"Don't worry about it, seriously. I mean, you can trust him, right?"



"Oh, definitely."



"Well, then it's ok," Kelly smiled. "But, hey, I got to get going."



"The guys are getting restless?" Carrie asked, knowingly.



"Chris is putting on my eye shadow."



"Alright," she laughed. "I'll talk to you tonight."



"Sounds like a plan."



"Love you."



"Love you too."



++++++++



"Baby are you ok?"



"Care, for the hundredth time, I'm fine," Kelly laughed as she snuggled into her warm bed.



"You had to have been freezing," Carrie fussed.



"I was," Kelly yawned.



"You looked scared."



"Because the stage was covered in a layer of ice," she replied. "I was afraid if I moved around I'd fall flat on my face."



"But you didn't, right? You're ok?"



"I'm fine."



"You didn't sound fine."



"Carrie Marie," Kelly said firmly. "If you don't stop worrying, I'm gonna come up there and kick your butt, you hear me?"



"But I love you," Carrie replied. "You're my girlfriend. It's my job to worry about you, because I know you don't worry about you."



"Well thank you, but I promise. I'm fine. I took a hot shower. I'm all snuggled up."



"Your stomach's full of turkey?"



"Yes," Kelly laughed.



"Good," Carrie nodded, finally satisfied that her girl was ok. "Kell?"



"Yea?"



"I'm glad you had fun today."



"Thank you, sweetie. You too. I'm glad you had a day off."



"Thanks. I'm gonna let you go so you can get some sleep, ok? I don't want my talking to you to be the reason you have no voice for your concert tomorrow night."



"Alright. Goodnight."



"Sleep well."



"Sweet dreams."



"Miss you."



"Love you."



"Love you too," Carrie beamed before hanging up the phone.



++++++++



"I don't wanna," Kelly sighed.



Carrie smiled, picturing the pout she knew would be on the Texan's face, "I don't think you have a choice."



"But why?"



"Because," Carrie replied firmly. "How many shows you have left?"



"Four," she frowned.



"See, you're almost done. You're gonna be back home before you know it," Carrie assured her.



"Why do they schedule the Texas dates in the middle of the tour, anyway? It's like they're taunting me. Here you go Kell, you get to go home. Oh wait, no, psyche!"



Carrie couldn't help but laugh.



"Care, you're not helping," Kelly pouted.



"I'm sorry, babe. What do you need me to do?"



"Tell me how much you love me."



"Alright," she smiled. "Kelly Brianne Clarkson, I love you with my heart and soul and my entire being. I don't know how I survived until I met you, because without you I see no reason in life. You mean everything to me. You're the reason for my smile and for my laugh, and I only hope that one day I will be able to repay all that you've done for me."



"Wow," Kelly breathed. "You must really love me."



Carrie shook her head, laughing again, "Can you blame me?"



Kelly smiled, enjoying the happiness that surrounded her at the sound of Carrie's laugh, "So how was your day today?"



"It was good. You see, when I got out of an interview today, I had this wonderful voicemail from this amazing girl, professing her love for me and telling me how much she misses me."



"I wonder who that could be."



"Thanks Kell. Seriously, you have no idea how good it is to hear your voice on long days like this. You could've been telling me you just ordered a pizza, and it still would have made my day."



"Can we be any mushier?" Kelly laughed.



"I just can't wait to see you again," Carrie replied honestly.



"I'm finished in a week," Kelly smiled.



"But I'm not," Carrie frowned.



"Well, then. I guess I might just have to go meet you."



"I'd love you forever if you did."



"And if I didn't?"



"Forever minus a day," Carrie laughed. "Besides, you still owe me."



"That I do," Kelly smirked. "And how am I supposed to repay this debt?"



"Oh, well. That is for me to know, and for you to find out."



"Care," Kelly whined. "At least give me a hint."



"You know," Carrie yawned. "I'm getting tired. I think I'm gonna head to bed."



"Oh no you don't."



"Night sweetie."



"Carrie Marie."



"I love you."



Kelly felt her heart melt at the sincerity in her voice, "I love you too."