Twisted

Hey y'all. More story...enjoy.

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Kelly's work in the studio had been going extremely well. With Mike's help, she'd remixed a couple of songs, and was hard at work on finishing the lyrics to three more. All that in a week, she smiled to herself. She'd hit a creative spurt, everything coming to her in a flash.

Ocassionally, she would find her thoughts drifting to a certain blonde. She'd smile to herself, and continue working.

"So, Kelly," Mike asked one afternoon as the were finishing the vocals on her latest song, "Too Much."

"Yeah," she answered coming out of the booth to sit behind the board. "How was it?"

"It was perfect." He played it back for her.

She smiled as she heard it. "Not bad."

Mike laughed. "Yeah, I'd say. I don't know who's got you like this, but thank him for me?"

Kelly shifted uncomfortably. "Uh, what?" She avoided looking at him.

"Well, it's been so amazing working with you. I can tell you're in a really great place. I mean, happy songs from you...not what I'm used to," he teased.

"Hey, now," she clarified. "I do write happy songs. It's just that people seem to embrace the bitter ones more, you know?"

"Very true, he agreed. "Well, we are done!" He clapped his hands.

"Really," she asked surprised.

Mike smiled. "Yes, you've already been here a week, and I've got everything I needed. So, yeah, I'd say so."

"Oh," she looked at the mic behind the glass booth.

"You almost sound disappointed to be done recording..."

"Well, it's been so much fun, and I've got so many more ideas in my head," she babbled, practically bouncing in her chair.

"That's great. Talk to Narvel. Maybe he and the label can work on extending the session. I'm planning on staying here for the next couple of months. I'd be more than happy so do some more work with you."

Kelly got up to hug him. "Thanks for everything, Mike." She started to walk towards the couch by the wall to wake up Jason, who'd fallen asleep. It wasn't really his fault. It was already 4am.

"Not a problem," he smiled warmly.

"Hey, Jay, wake up," she rustled his hair. Watching amused as he swatted the air in front of him. It only encouraged her to poke his side.

"Uhh," he mumbled, opening his eyes. "What time is it?"

"Time for us to get going, I'm done."

"Aw, awesome," he sat up and gathered his jacket.

"So, we going home?" He asked standing up and leading them outside.

"Well, I guess. I mean, I've got a ton more stuff I'd love to work on, but we only set a week session with Mike. I would love to stay or maybe come back. He suggested I talk to Narvel."

"I'm on it, sis," he smiled, knowingly.

"Thanks,"

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Kelly plopped herself in bed, thinking of getting some sleep, but finding it impossible. She glanced at the clock on the nightstand. "4:37am....that means, it should be about early evening. Hmm, perfect time to call Carrie."

She reached for her phone. "Hi!" she greeted the blonde cheerily as she heard her answer.

"Hey, you," came Carrie's casual response. "I'm glad you called."

Kelly smiled at the sound of her voice. "Yeah?"

"Yeah," she confessed. "I'd been thinking about calling you to catch up, but I've been insanely busy doing shoots and interviews, and I figured you were recording."

There it was, her stomach doing somersaults as she heard the blonde. "Um, well, yeah. But I'm done now!"

Carrie could hear the smile over the phone. "Oh, that's awesome! So, when are you back?" She calmed herself down. At least she tried, but failed.

"I think we leave tomorrow, so Thursday."

"Yay...cause I've missed you," the blonde let it slip. Her eyes widened when she realized she'd fessed up to what had been on her mind since the Texan left.

"Good," Kelly sighed. "I've missed you too..." she trailed off, shyly. "I mean, not that I don't enjoy the texting, but I think Jess and Ashley are demanding a rematch." She joked hoping to cover it up.

"That sounds great," Carrie smiled. "I can't wait."

"So, I'll see you in a couple days? Well, assuming you've got some free time coming up."

"Yeah. I'll check my schedule. But it doesn't matter. I mean, I am the boss...it's not like they can do a Carrie Underwood interview without Carrie Underwood," she cracked.

"Why, Care, did you just refer to herself in the third person?" she teased.

"Shut up," the blonde blushed. "You know what I mean." Kelly's raspy laugh made her shiver.

"I know. I just wasn't expecting that from you."

"Well, there are things in life you've gotta make time for...like your friends."

"Absolutely," the Texan smiled. "So, see ya in a couple days."

"You bet."

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"Ugh," Kelly whined opening the front door. "You know, they need to move Australia closer. I am so not made for long flights."

Ashley laughed as she took Kelly's bag. "Good to see you too," she teased. "And I'm sure we can get on that for ya."

"Hey!" Kelly hugged her.

"So, where's Jay?" Ashley asked looking behind Kelly.

"He wanted to see Amber. 'Spend some quality time', you know guys," she made a face. "But anyway, it's so great to be home."

"Well, home's glad to have you back..." she motioned behind her. "I'd say home was waiting for you."

Kelly walked in past Ashley and noticed the blonde smiling brightly at her. "How did you..." she wondered.

"Um," Carrie shifted. "Well, Ashley called me up and invited me over to wait for you. Hope that's ok."

Kelly quickly turned to Ashley who mouthed the words "You're welcome" at Kelly, careful that the blonde didn't notice.

Kelly smiled at Carrie. "Of course," she beamed as they walked towards each other and finally hugged. Both intoxicated from the scent of coconuts and vanilla mixing in the air around them.

"I think I'm gonna go take a nap. I mean, I love ya, Kel, but it's too early," Ashley piped up, yawning.

Both girls pulled apart and turned to her.

"Oh, alright," Kelly mentioned.

"Thanks," the country singer smiled at Ashley.

"You're welcome," she smiled towards them.

As Ashley left, they made their way out on to the porch. They sat close together on the couch, enjoying the morning sun.

"What a crappy host, am I?" Kelly suddenly fidgeted, starting to get up. "I mean, you want anything?"

Carrie laughed as she reached to stop her. "Kel?" she started tentatively as she took her hand.

Kelly's attention focused on the fact that the blonde was holding her hand. Her hand tingled, her heart raced, and she could feel herself starting to blush. "Hmm?"

Carrie had debated whether she was ready to have the conversation that had been playing in her mind ever since she'd been around Kelly. But after seeing the reaction she was having at the contact, she knew it was time to approach the subject.

"I don't need anything. Can I talk to you about something?" she looked expectantly at her, hoping she'd sit.

"Sure," was the shaky response as Kelly sat next to her, bumping her knee.

"So, is there anything you want to tell me...." Carrie asked, turning to be facing Kelly.

Kelly felt her heart stop. Her thoughts racing, thinking that Ashley had told on her. She sat there, thinking of a way to smooth things over. Denial. That was her answer. "No, not really. I don't think so....I mean, Australia was fun?" she offered lamely.

Carrie giggled. "Well, good. But no. That's not it...." She sighed. She was enjoying making the girl squirm, but felt guilty when she saw the horrified look on Kelly's face. "I know," she smiled.

Kelly quickly shifted, embarrassed. "Huh? What? Know what?" She was beyond nervous so she took her gaze away from the blonde. She didn't want to see the disgusted look on her face.

Carrie took the Texan's face in her hands. "Look at me," she whispered. "I know," she smiled again.

Kelly stared into her inviting hazel eyes. "You know?" came as a shaky whisper.

"Yes," Carrie stared lovingly into the other set of hazel eyes. She nodded, feeling the warmth of Kelly's cheeks in her hands.

"How?"

"I know," she began, still smiling. "Because I feel the same way."

Kelly's eyes grew wide. "Huh?" The shock still evident in her face.

The blonde laughed. "Never thought I'd see you struggle for conversation, you know."

Kelly got embarrased and started to look down. Carrie's hands still holding her face, moved to keep the Texan in her sights. "Just kidding. But seriously, Kel, it's that simple."

"What do you mean?" Kelly found her voice.

"I don't know," she replied honestly. She let go of Kelly's face and brushed her hands through her hair. "I mean, I don't get what's happening to me. Here I was, doing my thing, and then you came along. Now, I can't stop thinking about you, wanting to be around you, making you laugh...it's crazy!"

Kelly melted at the confession pouring out of the blonde. "I know. I feel the same way."

"And, I just don't know," Carrie smiled sadly. "I don't know what to do about it."

"What do you mean?" Kelly asked concerned.

"Well, I've never been in this situation before. I don't know what it means, and I'm scared."

There it was, Kelly thought. She feels the same way, but that doesn't mean it's gonna work in my favor. It never does, she sighed.

Carrie saw her expression change, so she reached up with her index finger to lift Kelly's chin up. "But that doesn't mean I don't want to find out..." she smiled.

'You do?" came the excited response.

"Yes," Carrie barely managed to squeak out before being pulled into a bear hug.

"And for the record," Kelly said looking into her eyes as she pulled away. "This is new and scary for me too..."

"We'll figure it out together," Carrie smiled as she leaned in. Kelly took a deep breath and relaxed as she felt the gentle brush of the blonde's lips against hers. It was one of the gentlest kisses she'd ever shared, almost a whisper. It barely lasted a few seconds, but it was all they needed to answer the question looming over them.

They pulled away smiling at each other. "That was..." Kelly spoke.

"Amazing," Carrie finished for her, as Kelly put her left arm around Carrie, drawing her close to her chest as she leaned back on the couch.

Carrie rested her head on Kelly's shoulder. "Welcome back!" she smiled looking up at the Texan.

Kelly giggled. "It's great to be home."