DAVID COOK is THERAPY for me!

I love David Cook and I'm so thrilled he won American Idol to the point where I had to write fic. So here it is.

Title: Transformation
Author: Merlin7/clarkangel
Disclaimer: Not mine. I'm just writing about a real boy.
Rating: T for language
Summary: This is from Carly's POV about how David has changed since the beginning and what's to come.

TRANSFORMATION

It was a good thing she had a big heart, Carly thought to herself, as she felt the confetti falling on her head. She loved her husband more than she’d ever thought it possible to love another human being, but he had to share space in her big heart with another man. David Cook. Who was smiling and crying and singing his heart out as the world lauded their new American Idol. She was so damn proud of him.

He had earned this moment, he truly had. They had all worked so hard to get there, but no one had worked harder than Cookie. He was the real deal, the entire package. He had the kind of talent that made her feel a bit in awe of him most of the time. Like now. Right now she felt her heart swell with love and pride as she watched him doing his thing. He was so beautiful in this moment, making her catch her breath as she watched him, remembering the first time she had met him.

They had clicked from the start, falling into a deep and easy friendship. He had caught her eye from the beginning with his faux hawk, nerdy clothes, perfect smile and gorgeous eyes. They were both fair-skinned, both had tats and she had noticed a touch of red in the soul patch he used to sport. Right from the start there had been something about him that had drawn her to him like a magnet. And she hadn’t been alone in being mesmerized. He had pulled everyone into his realm and they’d all gone willingly.

Carly didn’t think she could be happier had she been the one standing in the spotlight right now. It was impossible not to be thrilled for Cookie. Impossible not to want this for him. And, being typical Cookie, he was bringing them all along for the ride, gathering them together, making them a team again. Always. That was Cookie and she loved him for that, so much it almost hurt.

She was so caught up in watching him that it took Carly a moment to realize he’d finished singing. She smiled wider as she watched him and MJ hug. In many ways Cookie was the team leader of them all, but MJ was Cookie’s mentor and they had a beautiful friendship that warmed her heart.

Then they were all hugging Cookie and he was looking happier than she had ever seen him look. He was glowing with happiness and it was well deserved. He hugged them all, then they ended up drifting off stage and David bounced up and down, almost dancing through the blanket of confetti and he looked like a little boy at Christmas. Best Christmas ever, no doubt.

He had been in the spotlight for months and she knew how hard it was to feel like you were under a microscope, every nuance of who you were being studied and dissected, so Carly slipped away, wanting to give David some space. He deserved the chance to absorb this moment on his own, to imprint it into his heart and memory for all time.

It seemed like as good a time as any for a bathroom break, before heading to the VIP party. So she headed down the hallway and spent a bit of time preening in the mirror before stepping out and almost colliding with Cookie. He was laughing as he reached out to steady her.

“I thought you’d left already,” he said, making it sound almost like an accusation.

“Potty break,” Carly replied, drawing him into a hug. Cookie hugs were the best and he gave them freely. Resting against his solid warmth, Carly could almost feel him vibrating with joy. “Congratulations, Cookie,” she whispered. “You deserve this so much.”

He squeezed her, just right, vibrations shifting into tremors. “Thanks, tater,” he breathed against her neck. “Can’t believe it’s real.”

Carly hugged him, hard. “Believe it, Cookie. It’s as real as it gets.” Easing back, she looked into his eyes, seeing the wet brightness in his gorgeous hazel eyes. But he had earned his tears as well. “I’m so proud of you.”

“Wouldn’t have made it here without you,” he shot back, swiping a hand over his eyes. “You’ve always had my back.”

“Always will,” she assured him

David shook his head and exhaled slowly, one hand pushing through his hair and ruffling it so it stood on end, reminding Carly of his early hairdo’s. He had changed so much since the beginning. Not his heart or soul or personality, but his looks. He had always been beautiful to her, and inside he was as exquisite as they come, but somewhere along the way he had become as painfully beautiful on the outside and she wondered if he realized it. Wondered if it would matter. Cookie would always be Cookie. Always be true to himself.

As if snagging onto the general theme of her thoughts, he locked eyes with her and said, “It’s been a long and winding road, Tater. Can you believe the word nerd with the bad hair and no charisma is the American Idol for 2008?”

“Yes, I can,” Carly replied, reaching out to smooth an errant lock of his hair back into order. He was going to be facing an army of press in a few minutes and she wanted him to be tidy because this was television and they all knew it was all about appearances. “I’m so glad it’s you and that you did it your way. You never sold out.”

“Wasn’t ever an option,” David drawled, but his sincerity was viable. “I just got to be meeeeeeee….” he sang, straight-faced for maybe thirty seconds, then he dissolved into laughter. “It feels like a dream. Seriously. And I’m scared to death I’m going to wake up any second and…poof…it’ll be gone.”

Shaking her head, Carly hugged him again before whispering,”It’s real and no one can ever take it from you, love. You own this.”

He squeezed her and inhaled sharply, sniffing back tears. Before he could reply, however, someone called his name. It was time to move on and back into the spotlight.

Carly gave him a gentle shove. “The world awaits,” she teased gently.

“Yikes.” David straightened his shirt, tugging at the hem, and only then realizing it was unbuttoned up to his sternum. “Oh god,” he groaned. “I freaking flashed thirty-million people.”

“Nothing wrong with that,” Carly assured him. “You’ve got a lovely tummy. Lovely everything. No reason to hide it.”

There was a moment of silence as David stared at her, his eyes flashing a *Thank you* at her repeatedly. Then he was tugging at his shirt again and almost shuffling his feet. “See you at the party?”

Carly nodded. “I’ll be there. Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” She watched him nod then walk away, smiling as he pulled himself together with each echoing step of his booted feet. This was his moment to shine and she wanted him to glory in it because she was pretty sure this was the only space to breathe he was going to get.

David Cook was the American Idol, but he was so much more than that. His transformation during the past eight months was mind-boggling and beautiful, but it was just the beginning.

Not wanting to miss a moment, Carly ran to catch up, giggling as she caught David having stopped and now bending over to pick something up off the floor. Which afforded her a great view of his ass, and a mighty fine ass it was. She might be married, and deeply in love with her husband, but she wasn’t blind.

David Cook was the entire package. Beautiful, smart, talented and with a heart as big as the great outdoors. But he had only just begun to shine.

Carly made a mental note to buy a pair of metaphorical sunglasses, cause she was damn well going along for the ride,.

Catching up, she patted him on the ass, watching him jump and straighten up, looking shocked. But then he was grinning at her.

“Hand’s to yourself, tater,” he mock-warned her.

Which was all the challenge she needed to dig her fingers into his ribcage, making him explode with laughter. It was music to her ears and his smile was radiant.
“When did you get to be so beautiful?” she whispered, feeling a bit awed as she stared at him.

David blushed, shaking his head. “It’s all smoke and mirrors,” he whispered.

Carly knew better than that. “Not you, Cookie,” she replied. “You’re the real deal.”

“DAVID, COME ON!” an impatient voice shouted at him.

“You’re public awaits. Go wow them.” Carly nudged him forward. He smiled at her, eyes suspiciously bright again, before turning and walking towards his future.

David Cook was a star who was transforming into a superstar with every second that passed swiftly by, as molten and dazzling as quick-silver. Carly knew in her heart that he would always burn bright and he would always be beautiful. Catch your breath and forget how to breathe beautiful.

And she felt warmed by the glow.



THE END