Playing With Fire

+++++++++++



And Kelly had been right, they had made it through the Texas airport without so much as a hiccup. But as she sat on the plane beside Carrie, she couldn't help but feel as if every eye were on the two of them.



"How you doing?" Kelly asked, slipping her hand into Carrie's, rubbing it soothingly with her thumb.



"Not too bad," Carrie replied, sitting stock still, trying not to focus too much on the fact that they were tens of thousands of feet in the air.



"You sure?" Kelly laughed softly. "Because you look a little peaky."



"Well, I've definitely been better."



"Hey," Kelly said, tugging on her hand. "Hey, look at me."



Carrie turned to her, her eyes drowning in nerves and fear.



"What exactly are you scared of?"



"Crashing. Call me crazy, but something about falling thousands of feet to my death, just doesn't appeal to me."



"You trust me, right?" Kelly asked, looking straight into her eyes.



"With my life," Carrie nodded.



"Good," Kelly smiled. "Now, if I promise you that nothing bad is going--"



"You can't know that."



"If I promise you," Kelly raised her voice over the country singer's. "That nothing bad is going to happen with this plane--that we will make it to Nashville, perfectly fine--if I swear my life on that, you'll believe me?"



Carrie nodded, her eyes showing her vulnerability at that moment.



Kelly smiled, leaning in slightly, "Good. Cause Carrie, I swear it."



Carrie smiled back as Kelly brought the back of her hand to her lips, kissing it gently.



"Ahem," an irritated voice cleared their throat behind them.



Both girls jumped out of their own little world, blushing as they turned to the flight attendant in the aisle.



"Would you like something to drink?" she asked briskly.



"I'm fine," Kelly shook her head.



"Sprite?" Carrie asked.



"Sorry, we're out," she replied before moving on to the seats in front of them.



"That was kind of rude," Kelly frowned.



"Well, you can't expect ignorant people to have manners," Carrie rolled her eyes.



"True," Kelly smiled.



"Would you like something to drink?" she heard the flight attendant ask another passenger a few rows up.



"Sprite," the man replied.



"Sure thing," the flight attendant replied sweetly.



"Bitch," Kelly's eyes narrowed, moving to stand.



"Kell, no," Carrie frowned, grabbing her arm and pulling her down.



"Care, come on," Kelly said, frustratedly. "That woman is completely out of line."



"Y'all ok?" Jason asked, poking his head over the top of their two seats.



"The flight attendant just completely snubbed her," Kelly said, crossing her arms indignantly.



"What did you want Carrie?"



"I just wanted a Sprite, but it's no big deal. I'm fine."



"I got it," Jason smiled, sitting back in his seat. He stopped the flight attendant on her way back, "I'm sorry, but can I have a Sprite?"



"Sure thing," she smiled, filling him a glass.



"Thanks," he smiled back, standing again, and handing it to Carrie over the seat. "There you go."



"Thanks Jay," Carrie replied, taking the drink.



Kelly smiled at her brother who just shrugged as the flight attendant narrowed her eyes at him.



"You good now?" Kelly asked, watching Carrie take a sip.



"You don't have to get so upset so easily, you know," Carrie replied. "I mean, not that you're not totally hot when you get protective and everything, but still, you've got to learn how to pick your battles."



"Any battle for you is worth it," Kelly replied, frowning as the flight attendant passed to return to her seat in the front.



"Me Kelly. Me make fire," Carrie mocked.



Kelly blushed, "I just..."



"I know," Carrie nodded, smiling softly. "And I love you for that, but you've got to watch your temper. Standing up for me is one thing. Wanting to kick a flight attendant's butt is another, especially since with the way things are in this country, you'd be taken down so fast by all the passengers on board, it isn't funny."



"True," Kelly laughed. "Sorry."



"It's ok. Like I said. It's hot," Carrie grinned. "How bout a kiss?"



"Care," Kelly rolled her eyes.



"The flight attendant's watching."



"Well, in that case," Kelly smiled, leaning in and pressing their lips together sweetly. She slowly pulled back, a goofy grin on her face. "I swear you make my heart stop and race all at once, if that's even possible."



"It is," Carrie nodded, leaving a quick peck on her lips before sitting back properly in her seat, knowing exactly what she meant, feeling it herself every time the Texan crossed her mind.



+++++++++++



"So, how bad do you think it'll be?" Carrie asked Kelly as Deaner pulled down her bag for her from the overhead compartment. "Thanks."



"I don't know," Kelly shook her head. "I mean, it's Nashville, right? It's usually not bad at all."



"I think this," Carrie said, pointing to the two of them, "warrants a few paparazzi."



"True," Kelly laughed. "A couple maybe?"



"You got all your stuff?"



"Yea, I think so."



"Where's your ipod you were listening to?"



"Um, in my bag," Kelly nodded. "You have your book?"



"Yea," Carrie smiled, sneaking a quick kiss. "Let's go."



Kelly followed her and her band off the plane, Jason and Ashley right behind her. She took a deep breath as they walked into the airport, watching the people all around them greeting loved ones. She felt a hand slip into her own, and she smiled, squeezing it.



Carrie smiled as well, holding onto her hand tightly.



"Have I told you how insanely jealous I am of the fact that you still look gorgeous after a long ass flight?" Kelly asked.



"Stick around, and I'll teach you my secret," Carrie laughed.



Kelly squeezed her hand once more as they followed her band to baggage claim. They turned a corner, and she stumbled as a bright flash went off.



"Welcome home," Kelly mumbled to Carrie under her breath.



"My home's in Texas now," Carrie replied, earning a huge smile from the short Texan.



"Kelly! Carrie! How was the flight?" they heard a voice call out.



Carrie sighed, at least their estimation had been right. There were only a handful of reporters there. It could've been far worse.



"It was fine," Kelly replied politely, staying close behind Cory and Deaner, holding onto Carrie's hand tightly.



"Excuse us guys," she heard her musical director's voice from in front of the group, and another round of flashes went off. So maybe, it was a little more than a handful. She felt Jason and Ashley start to walk closer behind them.



"It's ok," Kelly said over her shoulder. "They aren't doing any harm."



"So, it's true?" another reporter asked. "You two are an item?"



They just smiled as they continued to make their way through the airport, their names continuing to be shouted as more and more flashes went off, the crowd pressing in on them.



"Careful guys," Einar warned, slowing to walk on the other side of Carrie, putting some space between her and the reporters.



"Thanks," Carrie smiled.



"Do I get my shirt now," he grinned, making the two singers laugh.



"So, Carrie, who's better? The Cowboy or the cowgirl?" someone called out.



Carrie's face flushed, and Kelly giggled, whispering, "It's so me, right?"



Carrie nodded, her face still burning, making Kelly laugh harder.



"I bet Charlie could use some company," she smiled, referring to the Chevelle back home.



"Be nice, or it'll just be a one on one with me and him," Carrie replied, under her breath with a playful smirk.



Kelly laughed openly, the familiar raspiness of it sending Carrie's heart flying.



"Come on, just one kiss!"



"Ok, that's enough," Jason warned the reporter from behind them. The crowd that had gathered around them was continuing to grow--no longer containing just the paparazzi--and was starting to become agitated.



"We should probably pick up the pace a bit," Jason said softly, leaning in between the two singers.



"We can't," Kelly replied, motioning before them. "The guys are having to push through to make a path now. It's crazy."



"You two are ok, though?"



"Yea," Carrie nodded, frowning as they stopped completely.



"Excuse us," they heard Jason Halbert's voice again as he tried to remain polite. "We need to get our bags."



"Is that Kelly and Carrie?" they heard someone from the crowd ask.



"Regretting not doing the private jet?" Ashley asked from behind them.



"We were going to have to deal with it sooner or later," Kelly replied, standing on her toes and trying her best to see what the problem was.



"Doesn't this airport have security or something?" her brother frowned.



"Finally," Kelly sighed as a path was cleared, and they were able to reach the track for baggage claim. She took her hand from Carrie's, wiping the sweat off on her jeans. "Sorry," she laughed.



"It's fine," Carrie smiled, placing her arm around her waist instead and giving her a gentle squeeze.



Kelly frowned as she heard other people that were waiting for their luggage muttering about them.



"Don't listen," Carrie whispered.



"Where's Jay?"



"Why?"



"The hot head is a total Clarkson thing," she replied, looking around, noticing her brother standing next to Deaner, his arms crossed firmly, his jaw muscles twitching. "We really should get out of here before things get out of hand."



"Good, because no one wants your kind here, anyway," a lady commented from behind.



Kelly felt Carrie tense, "You ok?" she asked softly.



"Don't worry Kell," Carrie replied. "I'm fine."



"She's right you know," they heard a male's voice this time.



"Do you have a problem?" Kelly heard Cory's voice.



"Yea, I do--"



"Why don't you leave them alone and get out the way," she heard a voice that she recognized as one of the reporters. She always found it funny how they tried to be helpful when filming celebrities, but the most helpful thing they could do would be to just leave them the heck alone.



"I can do whatever the hell I want," the guy replied.



"Y'all, please," Kelly frowned, turning around, motioning for her band to stay where they were. "We just want to get our stuff and get home."



"Oh, so you're not just parading around that tramp for publicity?" the guy smiled.



"What did you call her?" Kelly's eyes narrowed as she took a step towards him.



Carrie immediately stepped in front of her, placing her hands on her shoulder, "Ignore him."



"Care..."



"For me?" she asked, softly.



Kelly sighed, her jaw clenched, "Fine."



Carrie nodded, squeezing her shoulder gently.



"Aw, how cute," he laughed. "Why don't you let the bitch go? What harm can she do? I mean, unless she plans on sitting on me."



Carrie turned faster than Kelly could grab her as she went after the guy. She fought against whatever had stopped her a few steps before him. She looked down to find Cory's arm around her stomach, "Let me go."



"No."



"Did you hear what he said about her?"



Cory nodded, "But not here. It's not worth it."



"Come on," Kelly said, slipping her hand back in the country singer's. "We got all our stuff. Let's get out of here."



Carrie nodded as Cory released her and held the people back as they made their way out of the airport, ignoring any more comments that were made.



"I was going to kick his ass," Carrie muttered.



"I know," Kelly couldn't help but grin.



"What?"



She shrugged, "Nothing. I mean, when they say something about you it's one thing, right? We're used to hearing that every day. But when they say something about the person you love, it's not so easy is it?"



Carrie took a deep breath.



"I'm sure you would've beat him to a pulp," Kelly smiled, patting her arm.



+++++++



Carrie smiled at the huge grin that was forming on Kelly's face as the Texan woke up in her arms.



"Mornin'," Kelly drawled.



"Good morning," Carrie giggld as Kelly's eyes opened as she stretched. "You're awfully happy for someone who had one hell of a day yesterday. Why's that?"



Kelly shrugged, "No reason. Today I get to start rehearsals for the tour that I'm going on with my musical hero, and I get to wake up to the most beautiful face in the world every morning for the rest of my life...that's all."



"That's all?" Carrie laughed, poking her side, making her giggle.



Kelly smiled at the feeling of Carrie's lips against her forehead, "I have an idea."



+++++++++



"I thought you said they wouldn't start getting here until nine," Carrie giggled as they hurried behind the stage, Kelly helping her pull on her shirt.



"Yea, well, I guess they're just as excited about the tour as I am," Kelly replied, kissing her with a smile.



"Where's your shoes?" Carrie asked, as they both buttoned up their pants



"Doesn't matter. It's not like I wear them when I'm performing anyway."



Carrie laughed, spinning her around and pinning her to the wall, kissing her sweetly, "What was that thing you were doing with your..."



Kelly blushed, "I wanted to try something new."



"Mmm, well, you are welcome to try as much as you want," Carrie whispered as she leaned down, leaving a lingering kiss on her neck.



"Care," Kelly laughed, pushing her off. "We've got to stop," she smiled at the look of mischief in the other singer's eyes.



"But we were just getting started," Carrie pointed out.



"Started? Care, we can cross the stage off our list...several times over."



Carrie just smiled.



"Alright," Kelly nodded, taking her hand, unable to resist that smile. "We've got forty minutes to get to my place and back here, and we need a shower."



"I love it when we multitask," Carrie smirked as Kelly reached up for another kiss before they took off down the backstage hall to their car that they had parked in the back.



++++++++++



Carrie beamed in pride as she watched the rehearsals. She got to witness her girl's dreams coming true--how great is that? She giggled as once again Kelly got sidetracked, staring in awe at Reba, causing her to forget to come in for her part.



"Kelly," Reba smiled, motioning for the band to stop. "Don't you sing there?"



"Yea," she nodded.



"Then why didn't you come in?"



"Huh?"



Reba laughed, "Girl, you are something else."



"Sorry," Kelly blushed. "I just...you're singing my song."



"Yea..."



"That's just not normal," Kelly shook her head.



Reba laughed again, patting her arm, "It's a great song. Why wouldn't I sing it?"



Kelly just stared at her.



Reba brought a hand up in front of her face, snapping, "Kelly...focus."



"Yea, ok, I'm good," she nodded, coming out of her daze. "We got this."



"Alright," Reba smiled. "One more time."



Carrie laughed, shaking her head. She heard her name called, and looked up to find Jason standing at the side of the stage, motioning for her to join him. She got up from her seat in the stands, walking over to him.



"Hey, I need your help real quick," he smiled.



"Jay, I really don't know about any of this stuff," Carrie replied, motioning to the various equipment around them.



"Don't worry, I just need an extra set of hands," he replied, handing her a box to carry then motioning for her to follow him backstage. "So, I've been meaning to thank you," he said, placing his box down.



"For what?" Carrie asked, doing the same.



"I know that I gave you a really hard time at first," he said, running a hand through his hair nervously.



"You don't have to apologize."



"It's not that, well, I mean, I am really sorry about that, but I was just...I know this has been hard for you. I know my family isn't exactly the best; although, I never anticipated my mom to react the way she did. I wouldn't have been surprised if you had left right then and there."



"I did leave, remember?" she frowned.



"But you came back, didn't you?" he countered. "And when my mom came back and made things worse...you stuck around. I know that can't have been easy. And trust me, I know how hard it is to handle Kelly. She's so hypersensitive sometimes...I just wanted to thank you. For being there for her. For sticking around. I don't think you realize how much of an impact you've had on her life, but you've completely turned it around in a great way."



Carrie nodded, "It's more me being selfish than anything else."



"How so?" Jason asked as they walked back to the front of the stage.



"I stick around because I can't live without her," she shrugged, smiling as she watched Kelly belting it out on stage.



Jason laughed, squeezing her shoulder playfully.



++++++++++



"So..."



"I don't care."



"Kell," Carrie frowned.



"I don't," she insisted.



"Kelly, some jackass keyed your Range Rover, and you don't care?"



"It's just a car," Kelly replied. "It can be fixed."



"What about the words they keyed in your car?"



Kelly shrugged, "So they had more free time than a normal person who would've just done lines."



"Kell," Carrie couldn't help but laugh, pulling Kelly down onto her lap. "You sure you're not upset?"



"Positive," she nodded, smiling as she kissed the tip of the country singer's nose, making her giggle.



"Good," Carrie grinned. "Because I wanted to talk to you about something."



"Good or bad?"



"Good, but I know you're gonna have something to say against it."



"Ok, go."



"I want to keep this house."



"But Care--"



"No," she shook her head. "This is it."



"But we're already keeping mine in Texas," Kelly pointed out. "I want to keep yours."



"It's not about who's house is who's," Carrie replied. "It's about where we want to spend our lives together."



"Yea, and your house is already done and ready. This one..." Kelly looked around. "This one still reflects the previous owner's rather vibrant tastes. But your's...that's your first house, right? You worked hard to make it your own. Why do you want to give that up?"



"Because," Carrie smiled. "I love your house in Texas. That feels so much like home to me, it's ridiculous. I'd seriously rather be there than anywhere else."



"Ok..."



"But, you and Jason made that, just like I made my house in Nashville. I mean, this place," Carrie looked around, unable to hide her giggle. "We'll be starting from scratch. I want a place that's ours, you know? That we set up ourselves. I mean, Jason and Ashley too, but it's something we can do together."



Kelly smiled, "I like the sound of that."



Carrie returned it, kissing her softly.



"God," Kelly groaned, pulling back. "Why the hell are you so freaking romantic all the time?"



"I can't help it," Carrie replied, linking her hands behind Kelly's back.



"Well, it's not fair," Kelly commented.



"No? And why not?"



"Because you impair my judgment."



"Oh really?" Carrie laughed.



"Yea, I seriously can't think straight whenever I'm around you as it is--"



"Well, that much is obvious," Carrie grinned.



"Shut up," Kelly giggled, hitting her playfully. "I meant I can't think properly as it is, then you go and say all these adorable things that just set me crazy..."



"And that's a bad thing?"



Kelly smiled softly, "Not at all."



"Good," Carrie nodded, pulling her closer, allowing her to snuggle into her. "Because I love the look in your eyes you get when I say those things."



Kelly could feel herself blushing and was glad Carrie couldn't see her face.



"It reminds of the look you get when you're on stage," Carrie commented.



"And how would you know what I look like when I'm on stage?"



"Um, we did a duet together, and I went to one of your shows," Carrie replied. "And when you were on tour, I youtubed all of your shows."



"You what?" Kelly asked, pulling back to look at her.



"I missed you," Carrie shrugged. "And I missed that look in your eyes, and I missed that smile. Like, especially during 'Breakaway', or oh my God, during 'Because of You' when you'd let the crowd sing, and you'd get this huge goofy grin, and your eyes just lit up so magically..."



Kelly smiled, wrapping her arms around the other singer's neck.



"Like that," Carrie said. "That look in your eyes right now. I love that look."



"Well, I love you."



Carrie felt her heart flutter, "I love you too."



Kelly kissed her adoringly, and she sighed in content as they pulled apart.



"I really think we're ready for this," Carrie smiled.



"Me too," Kelly nodded. "The tour starts tomorrow, and they'll be more hurtful words thrown at us, and they'll be more destruction of property, and I honestly couldn't care less. I mean, I know that's going to change when it actually happens, and I'll end up crying my eyes out in your arms as always...but hey, I'll be in your arms, and what's better than that?"



Carrie laughed, "Absolutely nothing."