Playing With Fire

++++++++



Kelly felt three pairs of eyes on her as a wave of nausea hit, "I think I'm gonna be sick."



"You're gonna be fine," Narvel assured, quickly sitting beside her. He rubbed her back soothingly. "This is what you wanted, remember?"



She nodded, placing her head in her hands.



"Kelly, relax," he said. "You're shaking."



Kelly looked up, meeting Frank's eyes, "So..."



"It's none of my business who you date," he replied, his eyes suddenly cold. "I'm just a security guard."



"That's right," Tony said, standing as he saw the look of hurt on Kelly's face. "So why don't you do your job and keep an eye on people out there. You know as soon as they realize, they'll be swarming the door."



Frank nodded, turning around to look out the door's window.



Tony sat on the other side of Kelly, "You can't let that bother you."



"Did you see the way he looked at me?"



"First, the guy doesn't even know you, so he has no right to judge you. Who cares what he thinks, any way, and second, there's gonna be a lot worse than him, so you're gonna have to be able to deal with that."



"I don't know if I can," she frowned.



"You can," Narvel promised her. "I know you can. You're soft-hearted, yes, but you also have one of the thickest skins I've ever seen. Just don't take any mind to them."



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



Carrie bit down hard on her bottom lip as she felt three pairs of eyes on her, "So..."



"So..." Max echoed.



"So, you're gay?" Craig asked bluntly, making Carrie and Max laugh and relax some. Christi was busy texting away on her phone, so the others paid her no mind.



"Um, I wouldn't necessarily put it like that," Carrie said, feeling the tightening in her chest starting to subside.



"You just fell for a girl," Max offered.



"Yea," she nodded.



"It must be pretty serious if you're willing to announce it to the world. I mean, this could really hurt you, you know that, right?"



"I know, it could hurt both of us, but honestly," she smiled, thinking of the Texan outside. "I plan on spending the rest of my life with this girl, and there's no way we could hide it forever, so why not now?"



"You said us," Craig pointed out.



"Yea," she nodded. "Two people usually constitutes an 'us'."



"So, how could this getting out hurt her, unless she's in the spotlight too?"



Carrie just nodded again.



Max's jaw dropped again.



"You ok?" Carrie asked.



"This is just big, like huge, and I mean, my show. Why my show?" he asked curiously.



Carrie shrugged, "I figured I owed y'all after being away for so long."



"This is gonna put us on the map," he grinned. "Tell me she's here. Please, let her be here."



"Do you think of anything besides the show?" Craig asked. "I mean, the girl's baring her soul here. Poor thing's probably freaking out right now."



"It's ok. She's here," Carrie nodded, the nerves creeping back up.



"Can we get her in here?" Max asked, eagerly.



"Um, how about we wait till we're back on air?" she suggested, her voice rising several pitches as her stomach started to flip again. "Wouldn't it make for a better show to get your reactions live?"



"Beautiful," Max beamed.



"And we're back in five," Christi signaled, counting down.



"And we're back here with the newly outted Carrie Underwood," Max announced. He was practically dancing like a little boy in his seat. Craig rolled his eyes.



"Outted?" Carrie questioned.



"Yea, why?"



"I don't know," Carrie shrugged. "It just makes it seem so wrong."



"Well, a lot of people view this as wrong," Christi pointed out.



"And are you one of them?" Craig asked sharply.



She merely shrugged, going back to her phone.



"It's ok," Carrie said. "We know people are gonna be opposed to this. I mean, who knows, a couple years ago, I probably would've been opposed to this."



"But now?" Max asked.



"If someone or something has the ability to make me feel so...so happy, and safe, and loved, and just like I can do anything I've ever dreamed of...I just don't see how that can be wrong."



"Well, during the break we asked if you realized what kind of affect this would have on your career," Max told the listening audience. "And you replied by saying that you knew how much it would affect the both of you, meaning that maybe she's in the spotlight too?"



"Yea," Carrie nodded.



"Another singer, perhaps?"



"An amazing singer," she corrected.



Max laughed, "My bad...an amazing singer, perhaps?"



"Yea," she smiled.



"And you also said that she was here with you today?"



"Yea, she's right through that door," Carrie said, pointing to the door behind her.



"Do you think, maybe, you could bring her in here for us?"



"Yea," Carrie nodded, standing.



+++++++



Kelly looked up nervously at the sound of the door opening.



Carrie slipped into the tiny waiting room, closing the door behind her. She locked eyes with Kelly, and was immediately kneeling in front of her, "You ok?"



"I'm fine," Kelly smiled as Carrie took her hands. "We're gonna be fine."



"That's our girl," Narvel patted her back proudly.



"Whitney Houston," Craig's voice came over the speaker as the DJ's started to place bets as to who the mystery girl was.



"What?" Max choked on his glass of water.



"Yea, I mean, big voice, and wasn't there some rumor a while back that she had a girlfriend?"



"Yea," Max nodded. "Back when Carrie was like ten."



"Well, I don't see you giving any suggestions."



"Britney Spears. You know, she had that whole Madonna kiss thing."



"She said amazing singer," Craig reminded.



Kelly couldn't help but laugh softly, "Maybe we should get in there and help them out."



"You sure?" Carrie asked. "Cause I mean, I can just go in there and be like 'you just got Punk'd!'."



"I'm sure," Kelly nodded, standing and helping the country singer to her feet. Carrie smiled, leaning over to give her a soft kiss. Kelly felt herself relax slightly at the feeling of Carrie's lips against hers. An indignant cough came from Frank's direction.



"Just watch the damn door," Tony instructed.



"This is it," Carrie smiled weakly, holding onto to Kelly's hand tightly, leading her to the door that led to the station's sound booth. She opened the door, walking in first, with Kelly right behind her.



Kelly felt the shocked eyes on her immediately as recognition crossed their features, " 'Sup y'all?"



++++++++



Carrie had to resist the urge to kiss her at the mixture of innocence and nerves that were playing in Kelly's smile.



"You're...you're..." Max stuttered, staring at the Texan.



"Kelly," she offered as Carrie squeezed her hand gently.



"And you're...you're..." he tried, motioning to the pair of them.



"Together," Kelly nodded. "Yea."



"Sit," he choked out.



"Kell," Carrie said as they sat down in front of the spare microphone. "That's Max."



"Hi," she smiled.



"And that's Craig," Carrie pointed to the other man in the room. It was obvious where his mind was from the way his eyes were shifting back and forth between the two girls.



"Hi," Kelly blushed.



"And that's Christi," Carrie motioned to the woman who was now texting with a rather insane looking grin on her face.



"How are you?"



"Wonderful," she replied thickly.



"And everyone out there," Carrie said, taking a deep breath. "In case you haven't figured it out already, or in case you're in complete shock as are the other people in this room, this perfection of a girl sitting next to me is Kelly Clarkson."



"Hey y'all," Kelly greeted.



"I'm sorry," Max shook his head. "This is just...so out of left field. Um, wow. Kelly Clarkson. How are you sweetie?"



"Um, nervous?" she laughed shakily.



"Kiss," was the only thing to come out of Craig's mouth.



"What?" Kelly choked.



"Excuse me?" Carrie laughed.



Max shook his head, "What happened to worrying about how they feel, Craig? Weren't you just correcting me for not putting Carrie's feelings first?"



"But...but..." he motioned to the two girls sitting next to each other. "You know you were thinking it too."



"Forgive him," Max laughed. "He's like a fourteen year old boy trapped in a thirty-three year old's body."



"He'd get along well with Kelly," Carrie replied. "Although she's more like ten."



Kelly's mouth dropped open, "Am not."



"Are too."



"Am not."



"Just proved my point," Carrie beamed as they locked eyes, the electricity flowing between the two of them was practically sparking as the adrenaline of this moment caught up with them.



"You've got it bad," Max commented.



"You have no idea," Carrie replied, placing her hand on Kelly's knee.



"So, how long?"



"We've been dating?"



"Yea," he nodded.



Carrie turned to Kelly.



"Um," Kelly thought back. "Well, really since the awards show. The one where we did the duet for Reba."



"How's the sex?" Craig asked.



"Wow," Kelly laughed.



"That good?"



"No, I mean, ye--" Kelly growled, frustrated.



Max couldn't help but laugh.



"I mean, that isn't really an appropriate question," Kelly finally managed.



"Carrie?" Craig asked, hopefully.



"Uh-uh," she shook her head. "You heard the girl."



"Well, we can see who the butch in the relationship is," Christi commented.



"Whoa," Craig glared.



"Ok, that was completely out of line," Max frowned.



"What?" she raised an eyebrow. "I mean this has to be a joke, right?"



"No," Carrie shook her head, trying her best not to get angry.



"Prove it."



"Huh? No," she replied, shocked. "We don't have to prove anything to you."



"Then how do we know this isn't just some publicity stunt?"



"You really don't realize who you're talking about, do you?" Craig asked. "Kelly Clarkson. Publicity stunt? Ok. And what planet is that on?"



Kelly smiled at him.



He shrugged, "I've always been a closet fan. Shoot, sorry. Secret fan. I didn't mean anything by closet, I promise."



"It's ok," she assured him with a soft laugh.



"Ok, fine," Christi rolled her eyes. "If this is real, then Max and Craig, you two are insane. How can you act like this is ok? Like this is normal?"



"Because I don't see anything wrong with two people being in love," Max replied, assuredly. "Do you Craig?"



"Not one bit," he shook his head.



"You're careers are going to be ruined because of this," Christi pointed out to Kelly and Carrie. "And I can't say that you don't deserve it."



Kelly stood up quickly, standing protectively between Carrie and Christi, "Watch it."



"Oo, fiery Texan," Craig commented, winking at Carrie. "I see why you fell for her."



Carrie rolled her eyes, tugging on Kelly's arm, "Kell, it's ok."



"No, it's not," she glared icily at Christi. "You know what, I personally don't give a damn about what you say about me, but don't you dare start saying what Carrie deserves or doesn't deserve. She is one of the sweetest, most giving people I know, and she deserves the world, nothing less, so why don't you just shut up or get out."



Max hit the button that played the applause track as Carrie got Kelly to sit back down.



"Kell," Carrie couldn't help but laugh as she pulled the Texan onto her lap, wrapping her arms around her.



"You're gonna let her talk to me like that?" Christi asked, Max.



He just held up his hands with a shrug.



"I'm out of here," she said, tossing her headphones and slamming the door as she exited the room.



"How you doing there, tiger?" Max laughed.



"Sorry," Kelly sighed. "But people like that just aggravate me so much. I mean, who are they to judge what they're too close-minded to understand?"



"Amen, sister," Craig smiled.



"Don't encourage her," Carrie shook her head, poking Kelly's side.



"What? That protective temper is hot."



"I know," Carrie grinned. "So, I'd prefer it if she didn't show it off to the entire world."



"So how does it feel?" Max asked. "You know, now that everyone will soon know the truth."



Carrie looked at Kelly who smiled at her lovingly.



"It feels good," Carrie nodded, not looking away. "Like a big weight has been lifted off my shoulders."



"Yea," Kelly agreed, taking Carrie's hand in her own. "I mean, we know that the hardest part is probably yet to come, but I can't help but to feel relieved. At a peace of sorts, you know? The only downside of this has been that we've had to lie to our fans, and now that it's out there, it feels great."



"Completely," Carrie smiled.



"And what do you have to say to anyone out there who thinks this is just some publicity stunt?" Max asked.



Carrie shrugged as she stared into the hazel eyes looking back at her, "If this was just for publicity, then why haven't we come out sooner?"



"Besides," Craig added. "We all saw From Justin 2 Kelly, and I'm sorry, but Kelly can't act that good. I mean, if you guys out there, could see this, well, I guess you soon will, but they're so into each other right now."



"You can act perfectly fine," Carrie assured the Texan, making her giggle before turning to glare at Craig. She tightened her arm around Kelly to keep her from slipping off of her lap.



"Ok," Max nodded. "And what about to all those people who will be against this? What do you have to say to them?"



"I'd say that I feel sorry for them," Kelly replied thoughtfully, catching Carrie's eyes again.



"Sorry for them?"



"Yea," she nodded, smiling at the happy tears that were forming in Carrie's eyes which made her even more beautiful in that moment. "Because, if I'd been close-minded, or against this, or whatever, then I would have missed out on the most amazing person to have ever graced my life. And, I mean, the only people that could fully understand this, would be the people that have experienced a love this strong, this...epic. So, I feel sorry for those who don't understand it, because that means they've never experienced what I am experiencing right this moment as I look into these beautiful hazel eyes that hold everything that's important to me, and for that, I feel sorry for them."



Carrie leaned forward, blessing her with the slightest of kisses.



"Makes you want to go home and hold your wife, doesn't it?" Max said, turning to Craig. "Are you crying?"



"So what if I am?" Craig replied, wiping the stray tear away.



"So, unfortunately, we have already gone over our allotted time," Max addressed the listeners. "So this is Mad Max, you're favorite DJ for all the country hits, along with Craig Sheppard, and the no longer on the market Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson. For all of you out there today that have bared witness to this historical broadcast, good morning and good luck."



++++++++



"So..." Max sighed, turning off the microphones.



"Surprise," Carrie smiled innocently.



"I know, I'm gonna sound like a complete butt for only looking at this from the business point of view," he began. "But I don't know how to thank you for announcing this on my show. This is really gonna make us huge."



"You already thanked me," she replied. "The both of you."



"How?"



"By not turning on me because of this."



Craig shrugged, "It's what we do."



"What are you talking about?" Max laughed at him.



"What?"



"Kiss," he mocked, rolling his eyes.



"Hey, they did, didn't they? And who do you have to thank for that lovely vision now imprinted in your brain for future, um, release," Craig grinned.



"Ew," Carrie wrinkled her nose.



"I believe we have Kelly to thank for that," Max pointed out before turning to the Texan. "You spoke beautifully."



Kelly shrugged, "I just said what I was thinking."



"I'd love to get inside that head of yours," Craig admitted honestly, allowing himself to grow serious for a moment.



"Wouldn't we all," Carrie smiled, at the girl on her lap.



"Trust me, it's nothing you'd want to bare witness to," Kelly replied.



There was a knock on the door, and Narvel poked his head in, "Hey you guys, sorry, but we really should get going. There's already a crowd gathered around the door to the hall. If we wait any longer, it'll be madness."



"Can't Frank take care of them?" Carrie asked.



"Um," Kelly frowned, making the country singer turn to her. "I don't think Frank would think twice about letting us get mauled at this point."



Carrie sighed.



"And another one bites the dust," Craig sang.



"And I have a feeling it isn't gonna be the last," Kelly said as she stood up before helping Carrie up as well. "It was great meeting you," she said to Craig and Max as they walked them to the door. "Thank you, seriously, thank you."



"The pleasure was all ours," Craig replied as he hugged her as Max hugged Carrie.



She pulled away, making a face.



"For once, I didn't mean it that way," he insisted.



"It was great meeting you too," Max smiled as they swapped partners, and he hugged Kelly. "Don't be a stranger, ok?"



"Alright," she smiled.



"And make sure she isn't either," he said, motioning to Carrie.



"You got it," Kelly nodded.



"Um," Narvel frowned as he and Tony slipped into the studio, closing the door to the holding room behind them. "Is there another way out of this room? Cause that one isn't exactly..."



"Feasible?" Max offered.



"Safe," Tony corrected.



"Is it like just angry workers? Or what?" Kelly asked.



"Not all of them angry, most are just excited about the story," Narvel replied.



"Well, that doesn't seem dangerous," Carrie commented.



"Paparazzi," Kelly sighed, locking eyes with Narvel.



"Yea," he nodded.



"But since when are there paparazzi in Oklahoma?"



"Since the original American Idol decided to spend Christmas with her supposedly rival--the other American Idol. You know how they're always trying to pit you two against each other?"



"Yea," she replied. "So?"



"You know what the large reason for that is?"



"No."



"Because besides the duet and last years finale, it seems as if you two do all that you can to stay away from each other. There are like virtually no pictures of you together, so when they found out that you were over here for your break, you can bet they flocked. Either looking for a picture that would probably pay to put their kids through college at the very least, or to find out what they hell you are doing together since you supposedly hate each other so much."



Max looked at him in awe, "You're good."



"Narvel Blackstock," he shook Max's hand.



"Trust me," Kelly said. "Good doesn't even begin to cover it."



"But how the hell they got here so fast?" Carrie asked. "I mean, it's been like what? Five minutes?"



"They must have been close by," Tony said.



"I doubt they were listening," Craig shook his head.



"Christi," Kelly said, her eyes growing cold as she glared at where the DJ had been sitting. "Who do you think she was texting that whole time?"



Max frowned, "I'm so sorry about this girls. She is fired, I swear."



"It's ok," Carrie assured him. "You didn't know that any of this was going to happen. We kinda bombarded you."



"We really need to get going," Narvel broke in. "It'll only be worse the longer we stay here."



"He's right," Craig nodded. "Y'all come this way. I'll take you out of the producer's exit. You'll have to take the stairs instead of the elevator, though."



"That's fine," Tony replied, pushing the two girls forward as the DJ's led the way.



+++++++++++



"I feel like James Bond," Kelly grinned as the two singers hurried down the stairs with the two DJ's leading the way and Narvel and Tony right behind them.



"Well, then you need to step it up 007," Narvel laughed.



"Hey, my butt is not made for stairs," she argued.



"Why don't you try going down backwards, that way the pull of gravity will help it along," Carrie replied, earning a slap on her arm.



"Aw," Carrie smiled, rubbing her arm. "You know I love your butt."



"Good, cause it ain't going anywhere," Kelly replied as they finally made it to the bottom level.



"Um, the car," Tony said, turning to Narvel.



"Shoot, ok, y'all just stay here. I'll pull it around," he said, hurrying out the exit door.



"So, how are you really feeling?" Carrie asked the Texan, pulling her aside.



"I'm not sure yet," she admitted. "I don't think I've given it time to sink in. You?"



"Same," she nodded, taking Kelly's hand into her own.



The sound of a horn honking startled them.



"That's Narvel," Tony said, as Max held open the door for them.



Tony hurried out, opening the door to the back seat as Kelly and Carrie hurried in. By the time he had made it around to his own seat, the vehicle was surrounded by flashbulbs going off through the front windshield.. Kelly waved as Carrie instinctively sunk lower in her seat.



"Don't encourage them," Carrie fussed.



"What? I've learned that if you give them their picture, then they leave you alone."



"Kell, this isn't normal circumstances. They're not gonna stop at one picture."



Kelly frowned, realizing that she was right. Everything was different now.



Carrie saw the Texan's face fall, and she wrapped her arm around her, pulling her close, whispering an "I love you" in her ear.



"Love you too," Kelly replied, wrapping her arms around Carrie's waist, holding her close as Narvel finally managed to maneuver around the photographers.



+++++++++



Carrie let out a sigh of relief as Narvel pulled the vehicle into her parents driveway.



"I wouldn't relax just yet," Tony said, looking around.



"What do you mean?" she asked.



He looked at Narvel who replied, "We should get inside so we can all talk."



The two singers nodded, climbing out of the suv and making their way inside the house only to be swarmed by even more people.



Jason immediately stepped forward in front of the two girls, blocking them off from the rest of the family, "Ok, everybody just take a step back. Obviously they're gonna need a little bit of calm and some space."



"He's good," Carrie commented.



"Yea, well, a lot of times he serves as my body guard, so he's probably acting all on instinct," Kelly explained.



"How about we all just go into the living room?" Narvel suggested.



+++++++++++



"So, now what?" Shanna asked.



"Um, well, as for people finding out?" Narvel said. "It's done. The word's out. A story like this won't take long to spread."



"So, you don't think we should say anything else about it?" Carrie asked.



"If someone asks? Then yea. Do we hand out interviews? Definitely not," he replied. "The last thing we want is to go parading you two around. That'll only fuel the fire surrounding the speculation about whether this is a publicity stunt or not. You two just keep on acting normal."



"Both of us have off until after New Year's," Kelly pointed out. "Are we supposed to just stay here? Or go back to Nashville? Or what?"



"That's what Tony and I were discussing while you two were doing the interview."



"Yea, Narvel said that you live out in Texas Kelly, that's right?" Tony asked.



"Yea, I have about sixty acres out there," she nodded. "You think we should go there?"



"Yea, at least until you have to return to Nashville or wherever," he nodded.



"But why Texas?" Carole asked. "Why can't they just stay here with us?"



"Like Kelly said," Narvel explained. "She has sixty acres of land, and I've been out there, it's extremely remote. They're house is impossible to find, and if you do find it, it's impossible to get within a mile of it."



The Underwoods all looked at Kelly curiously.



She shrugged, "I needed an escape."



"Which is exactly what you two need right now."



"But, won't this look like they're running from something or that they have something to hide?" Alyssa asked. "I mean, wasn't that the whole point of the interview this morning? To disprove that?"



"Word's out. They announced it," he shrugged. "Right now, our top priority is their well being. If they can go to a place that they consider home and that's safe and paparazzi free...then that's where they need to be."



"So when do we leave?"



"The next flight to Texas isn't until later this afternoon. We booked you, Carrie, Jason, Ashley, and Tony all tickets. Reba and I have to head back to Nashville, but I will be in touch with you the whole way, and if you need, just call, ok?"



"Yea, thanks," Kelly nodded.



The sound of the phone ringing mad everybody jump. Shanna picked it up, looking at the caller i.d.



"There's no name."



"Don't answer it," several people replied at once.



"Ok then," she laughed, placing it back down just as the doorbell rang.



"That's probably Sean with the kids," Alyssa said, standing looking at Kelly who's face lit up.



"You told them to come here?"



"Well, I wasn't sure if you were gonna be able to go to the hotel before you left, and I knew you wanted to see them," she shrugged.



"I'll come with you," Jason said, walking with her to the door.



Carrie couldn't help but smile at the huge grin that Kelly was wearing. Soon after the sound of the door opening, a small boy ran into the room dead set on the Texan who was sitting on the sofa.



"Aunt Kelly!" he cheered, throwing his arms around her neck as she pulled him onto her lap.



"And how's my favorite nephew doing?" Kelly asked, hugging him tightly. "Is your mom and dad spoiling you like I told them to?"



"No," he shook his head. "But I got your present!"



"Oh really?"'



"Yea," Alyssa replied, walking back into the room. "And I have to say he is the only five and a half year old that I know with his own video ipod."



Kelly shrugged innocently, "That's what he told me he wanted."



"And if he asked you for his own plane?"



"You'd be flying sky high, huh?" Kelly said, tickling her nephew, making him squirm on his lap. "How about Santa? Did you get everything you asked for?"



"Yea," he grinned. "He even set me up my own basketball goal and everything!"



"You must've been pretty good this year."



He just smiled broadly.



"Hey Kelly," Jason smiled, walking into the room, cradling something in your arms. "Wanna trade?"



"Hey buddy," Kelly said lifting the small boy up and placing him in between her and Carrie. "Why don't you sit with me and Carrie while I hold your baby sister, ok?"



"You're Carrie?" he asked, turning to the blonde.



"Yep, and you are?"



"Noah. Did you know that my aunt is famous?"



Carrie laughed, "You know, as a matter of fact I did."



"I bet you don't have famous aunt."



"Noah," Alyssa scolded. "What did daddy and I tell you about that?"



"He's right," Carrie replied. "I don't have a famous aunt."



"And this beautiful girl," Kelly said, carefully accepting her three month old niece from her brother. "This is Isabella Jane." Kelly turned to Carrie with a look that just radiated joy. "But I bet if you're real nice she'll let you call her Izzy."



"She's adorable," Carrie replied, touching the small hand that was moving around.



"And this is Alyssa's husband, Sean," Kelly said, nodding to the tall man that had just walked in.



"Hi," Carrie nodded.



"She probably wants a nap Kelly," Sean commented. "She was fussy the whole ride here."



"You were able to find it ok?" Alyssa asked as he sat on the armrest of her chair.



"Yea, it was pretty easy."



"Can I go put her to sleep?" Kelly asked hopefully.



"Sure," Alyssa nodded as Kelly stood. She draped the baby's bag over her little sister's shoulder. "Plus, I think she missed her aunt."



"Well, I surely missed her," she replied. "Care, I'm just gonna go in your room, ok?"



"That's fine babe," Carrie smiled.