Irreconcilable Differences

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"You don't have anything to do today?" Kelly asked as they sat on the back swing, Kelly sitting between Sam and Carrie with Sam's head resting on her lap. She was absentmindedly scratching her ears while enjoying the relaxed calmness that had settled over them. It was the first day since Carrie had been there that she hadn't had some meeting or such to attend.



"No, you're stuck with me till tonight," she smiled.



"I'm counting down the hours," Kelly teased.



"Actually," Carrie said, turning to face her. "You wanna come with me tonight?"



"To some meeting or scheduling conference? Not really," Kelly laughed.



"No," Carrie rolled her eyes. "It's a dinner."



"For what?" she asked curiously.



"Well, it's this small charity thing in Nashville that I got involved with recently, and they're starting to grow and expand. So, tonight they're having a dinner here, you know, just trying to get the word out there and stuff."



"Really?" Kelly asked excitedly. She couldn't help but feel proud.



"Yea, it's to help raise money for kids with diabetes. You know, there's kids out there that can't even afford their own insulin shots? So, I was just wondering...I mean, I thought you'd like to..."



"Of course, I'd go," Kelly smiled. "I think it's great."



"Really?"



"Yea, sounds like fun."



"Cool," Carrie smiled.



"Cool," Kelly nodded with a laugh.



++++++++



"You seem nervous," Kelly commented on the limo ride there. There was going to be a red carpet, but Carrie had assured her it was a small one.



"No, just excited," Carrie explained.



"About?"



"Getting to do something other than pretend to be listening in some board room," she replied, making Kelly laugh.



"What time do you have to be somewhere tomorrow?"



"Um, not till three, why?"



"Well, if you manage to place nice throughout this whole thing, then I'm gonna take you out for some real fun," Kelly smiled.



"Play nice?"



"Yes, that means not getting moody on me."



"I do not get moody," Carrie pouted unintentionally.



"Right," Kelly smiled, laughing.



++++++++



"Water," Kelly smiled at the waiter.



"Diet Coke," Carrie said sweetly, a fake smile plastered on her face.



"Cute," Kelly laughed.



"I'm trying here," Carrie replied, flipping through the program.



"I don't get it," Kelly said, studying her curiously.



"Get what?"



"You."



"Trust me, I don't get you either."



"No, I mean, you seem like a sincerely sweet person," Kelly explained.



Carrie looked up at her with a genuine smile, "Thanks."



"See, that's what I'm talking about, right there," Kelly smiled back. "That smile could melt hearts, but I never see you use it. Well, no, I see you use it all the time, but other people never see you use it."



"I can relax around you," Carrie shrugged.



"You should try relaxing around more people," Kelly commented, thanking the waiter as he returned with their drinks.



Carrie made a face as she took a sip of hers. Kelly could see something flash across her eyes.



"Everything ok?"



"It's a rootbeer," Carrie frowned. "How do you mix up a diet coke with a rootbeer?"



"It's no big," Kelly said, standing. "Here, I'll go get you another one."



"That's the waiter's job," Carrie pointed out.



"It's no big deal," Kelly repeated, taking Carrie's drink and walking back to where the caterer was located.



She returned a few minutes later with a fresh drink.



"See? Nobody harmed," Kelly smiled, sitting back down.



"So, does this mean we're not going anywhere?" Carrie asked disappointedly.



"No, we still are. You did good."



"I didn't do anything."



"Exactly," Kelly smiled, teasingly.



"Carrie," an elderly man interrupted with a smile as he joined there table.



"Mr. Gary," Carrie smiled standing up, giving him a hug. "Thanks for inviting me."



"Oh nonsense," he waved her off. "We're the ones that should be thanking you. I don't know how we became so blessed as to have your support, but I thank God everyday."



Carrie felt herself blush at his compliment. He reminded her so much of her grandfather. She caught a glimpse of Kelly watching them confusedly and immediately apologized.



"Oh, Mr. Gary, I'm so sorry," she said quickly. "I forgot to introduce you to my friend."



"You brought a friend?" he asked, excitedly, his clear blue eyes dancing. Kelly couldn't help but be reminded of Santa Claus as she stood, offering him her hand.



"Hi, I'm--"



"Well, I'll be damned," Mr. Gary said in awe, readjusting his thin-framed glasses. "You're Kelly Clarkson."



Kelly laughed, "Yes, I am. It's nice to meet you."



"Mr. Gary's the founder of the charity," Carrie explained.



"Well, then it is an honor to meet you," Kelly corrected, shaking his hand.



"My dear, the honor is all mine," Mr. Gary bowed, kissing her hand. Kelly couldn't help but giggle.



"He's a fan," Carrie whispered.



"A fan is an understatement Miss Underwood. I happened to vote for you every show," he informed Kelly, proudly.



"You watched the first season of Idol?" Kelly asked in disbelief.



"Yes ma'am, and I have to say that the week you sang big band had me swinging and jiving like I was a kid again," he chuckled.



"That is probably the best compliment I've ever gotten," Kelly told him, making the elderly man smile.



"Well, I would rather nothing more than to continue this conversation, but this shindig needs to get started, so I'll leave you two girls alone now. Miss Underwood," he smiled, giving her a hug, "as always, it's been a pleasure. Miss Clarkson," he turned, hugging her as well. "Don't be a stranger."



"I won't sir," Kelly smiled as he walked to his seat at the head table, she and Carrie sitting back down in their own.



"You brought me here because of him, didn't you?" Kelly laughed.



"Yea," Carrie nodded.



"I feel used."



"Well, I also figured you'd enjoy this sort of thing. Was I wrong?" Carrie asked nervously.



"No, you were right," Kelly assured her. "This is really nice, Care. Thanks for inviting me."



"Anytime."



++++++++++



"So, was I good?" Carrie asked excitedly, as they slid into the back of the limo.



"I don't know," Kelly shook her head, struggling to hold back her smile. She loved it when Carrie was like this, showing her playful side, especially since she knew not everyone got to see it.



"Come on, please," Carrie begged, scooting closer.



Kelly just pretended like she couldn't hear her.



"Please," Carrie said, pressing her nose playfully against Kelly's cheek.



Kelly could feel the corners of her lips betraying her as they curled upwards.



"Please," Carrie begged, moving her lips to whisper in Kelly's ear. Kelly felt herself shiver, the warm breath tickling her skin. Her mind began to race, trying to figure out how far Carrie would go before she gave up.



"Alright," Kelly replied shakily, not sure if she was ready to find out. "You were good."



"Yea!" Carrie cheered. "So where're going?"



"Well first, we're going home to change into something more comfortable and let the nice limo driver go home to his family."



"When you say comfortable, you mean..."



"Jeans," Kelly shrugged.



"Oh, come on, what kind of clue is that?"



"It's a surprise," Kelly reminded her.



"Like an I'm gonna remember this forever, had the time of my life surprise? Or like an I'm gonna chop you up into little pieces and bury you alive surprise?"



Kelly looked at her confusedly.



Carrie just shrugged, "I watched Texas Chainsaw Massacre last night."



"No more scary movies for you after midnight," Kelly laughed.