Disclaimer: I own none of these characters. I promise. I also don't own the band The Strokes.

Caroline is still rich in this one.

Maxoline: And the Fountain Bathing

Max was desperate. This wasn't exactly breaking news. She had just gotten evicted because her not-so-wise landlord finally learned she had no intention of paying her debt off. That much was clear when he barged in on her the other day smoking high-grade pot while in the bathtub listening to The Strokes on blast. Unfortunately, her little "vacation" came to and end when he threw her out (after letting her get dressed, of course) leaving her with one duffel bag and a whole load of depression. Now she was just wishing she hadn't smoked all her pot.

She didn't know what to do. She wasn't going to sleep in the streets. With her luck, a crazy man would try to slit her throat before taking everything she owned leaving her with nothing but the clothes on her back. It was like she had nothing and everything to lose at the same time.

…

Caroline was desperate. She spent the past hour scouring the internet looking for a pair of Saint Laurent black pumps that appeared to be sold out on every single website. That sucked for her because she would be the only one not wearing them at Hilary Walldare's stupid ass party. She had to go to it. If she didn't, she might as well dig her own grave and lie in it. No matter how much she couldn't stand Hilary and her nasally voice.

"Caroline, how are you?"

"Caroline, that purse is so two months ago."

"Caroline, blah, blah, blah."

Ugh, how she hated her. She hated her so much she had to like her. There was just one other tiny problem: she didn't have a date.

Hilary stole William right from under her. She would no doubt be there with him. Caroline couldn't be the sad, lonely girl ay the back of the party crying over how no one would love her and how she'd die alone with 67 cats.

She had to think of something.

She sighed, rested her head on her propped-up hand, and continued to search.

She felt like she had been walking forever. Somehow, she found herself in a prissy, gated community. It wasn't just the sign that gave it away, half of the driveways alone were worth more than everything she owned combined. Max clearly didn't belong there. She gave off a dirty hippy vibe. All she needed was rainbow pants and a festive bandana. Still, she continued walking. She wasn't dumb enough to think some rich snob would let her crash on the couch or anything, but maybe she could find a nice fountain to bathe in.

She chuckled to herself. "I'm definitely not above fountain bathing."

Almost every estate had one. It was glorious. It was like Christmas. Max got to choose out of all these beautiful crafted fountains to get naked in.

"If I'm going to do this, I better make it quick," she says, looking up at the sky. "Well, at least it's night."

Max quickly walked up a driveway and ducked in the bushes. She carefully watched her step; cautious not to set off any possible alarms that could potentially send her to jail. If that happened, at least she'd have a bed…and a shower.

The whole area was eerie, but not in a horror movie way. There was smoke everywhere with hints of light mist that smelt of peppermint and something else unidentifiable. Perhaps jasmine? Who knows. It looked like a spa.

She tossed her duffel bag next to the fountain. Looking around seeing no one, she begins to take her clothes off. She didn't know why, but she suddenly got a rush of adrenaline. At any moment someone could catch her.

Max sat her butt in the water. Letting out an "ah" of cleanliness and content. Much to her surprise, the water was warm. It was weird. It was almost begging to be bathed in.

She closed her eyes only for a moment. When she opened them, she guessed she had drifted off because right in front of her eyes a tall, blonde woman stood screaming.

"Ahh!" Max jumps up. She looked down realizing she was still naked and tried to cover herself the best she could.

"Oh my god!" Caroline screams. "What-why? What are you doing in my fountain?"

Max looked around, her uncomfortable blue orbs looking virtually anywhere but at the woman. "I think it's pretty obvious. I'm taking a bath."

Caroline tried not to look back at her, but still caught a glimpse of her flawless, pale skin glimmering in the moonlight. "Uh, how about you come inside instead of being naked in my yard?"

Max Black had been in a lot of houses. Every time she ran away from home she got to see something new, but this house was like a palace. Like the ones in the fairy-tales with the elegant, sleek design, the chandeliers, the famous portraits, the statuettes – everything was so beautiful.

She was almost breathless. "Wow."

Caroline opened the door to her closet causing Max to almost faint.

"Holy shit!" she mused like a kid in a candy store. She ran up to the tub and stroked it longingly. "You have a tub in your closet!"

Caroline couldn't help but chuckle. "Yeah, I figured it'd be better than public fountain bathing."

The shock finally faltered from Max's face as she began to take in the heiress. She was tall – not just because of the ridiculous heels she was wearing; she had legs for days. Her blonde hair was so bright almost like a firefly. Two strains of pearls rested above her collarbone. She was gorgeous.

"Take a picture, it'll last longer."

Max snapped out of her gaze mortified. "I-I'm sorry…" she didn't know what was going on with herself today. It wasn't like Max to get flustered.

"I'm only kidding."

A moment of awkwardness washed over the room. Caroline took a step back. "Right, so I'll give you some privacy while you clean up."

As soon as the door closed, Max's clothes were back off.

The two find themselves drinking tea in the foyer. Max is clad in a silky robe with the initials "CWC" on the pocket in cursive font.

"Thanks for the robe."

"It's comfortable, right?" Caroline nodded. "So, do you normally clean up in fountains?"

She shrugged. "Not usually. It's something I just started doing recently."

The blonde put her drink down. "Name?"

"Max."

"Cute. Short for Maxine?"

"Something like that," Max responded.

Silence fell again, but only for a moment.

"Okay, here's what's going to happen. You are going to accompany me to Hilary Walldare's party tomorrow night."

She laughed dryly. "Why would you want me to go with you to some fancy, rich girl party? It's not like I'm worth anything."

"Look, I know we just meant, but I can't go alone. If I go she wins," Caroline sighed. "No one has to know you're a homeless poor person."

"Wow. Do you know how to flatter or what?" comes her sarcastic remark.

"Are you in?"

"I don't know. It's not really my thing."

"Oh, okay. I could always just call the police for you trespassing on private property, public nudity…"

"That is low and bitchy," Max declared. "I respect that."

"Wonderful. You can sleep in the guest bed."

…

The bed was the single most comfortable thing she ever slept on. More so than her own bed she had to leave behind. That, and her favorite "sweet sheets" with the edge she liked to rub. Caroline's sheets were silk (of course) – no edges and really sweaty come morning. Max couldn't begin to complain though. The tub she got to soak in made up for it.

"Ow," Max winced, as another needle poked her in the butt. She was currently in Caroline's dressing room getting fitted.

"Sorry, miss," the man apologized again in a thick French accent. He stepped out for a moment and when he left, Caroline stepped in.

"Well, that dress is coming along great," she smiled. The dress was an elegant black gown that swooped down to the ground. The shimmering gold gems around her waist came together in the back and lined down the bodice. The thicker straps supported her bust perfectly. It was simple yet gorgeous much like the person that donned it.

"Take a picture, it'll last longer," Max smirked.

She snapped out of her trance, blinking furiously. "Uh, um…I was just admiring the neckline."

"Uh-Hu," the brunette nodded clearly not buying it. "So, what's up with that French guy sticking needles in my ass? I'm starting to lose feeling." She rubbed the sore spot while scowling.

Caroline chortled. "He must have been sewing on the sequences," she says. "Anyway, if anyone's going to believe you are…like them, we need to work on your walk, speech and mannerisms."

"Ugh. Is that really necessary?" she threw her head back in agony. "I can just wing it."

"Oh, are you experienced in improv?"

"What now?" Max blinked. Caroline raised an eyebrow. "I mean, yeah…improv. I do it all the time."

"Show me."

"Alright." Max stepped down off the low stool and began to sway her hips as if she was walking down the runway. She turned then put a hand on her hip, flipping her hair to the side in a flirtatious way. "Nice to meet you. Sorry I'm fashionably late. I lost track of time drinking wine on my private jet."

"Okay, very funny," she laughed.

Just then the designer came back in with extra fabric. He motioned for Max to go back up on the stool.

Caroline watched him sew away but caught herself glancing over Max's curves. She was pretty sure her mouth was starting to water. It was just, she had never seen someone so beautiful. The party couldn't come fast enough for her to stick it to Hilary. She knew her "date" would turn some heads.

Once the fitting was over, Max stood in the mirror admiring the back of the dress. "Holy crap this is gorgeous."

"You sure are."

"What?" her head snapped back to Caroline.

"I-I mean, it…the dress sure is gorgeous."

Max pulled her lips up to her signature devious smile. She started to walk towards her with confidence and class; something Caroline didn't think she had in her. She could feel Max's hot breath on her neck. "Do you like what you see?" The blonde's eyes went wide as she thought of what to say. All she could manage was a weak gulp. "I think you do."

Max started to leave a trail of kisses down her neck. Caroline wasn't sure if she was worried or turned on. Probably a mixture of both peppered in with some nervousness. Whatever it was, it was making her absolutely mad. She was just about to put her lips on the homeless girl's when Max pulled away. Caroline's heart dropped to her stomach. It was probably for the best.

Max walked out the door, swaying her hips on the way out. Caroline slid down the wall trying to regain her stability. Her brain just about turned to mush, slipped out her ears and squirmed down to the floor.

It was that time again when Caroline walked through those double glass doors leaving all her pettiness and discretion behind. It was crucial Hilary thought she forgave her for stealing William. But what she didn't know is that Caroline had a secret weapon to make them squirm. After all, she was just using Max to get back at him. It wasn't like any feelings were involved.

"Hey! Caroline!" She knew that high-pitched cry anywhere. Caroline turned around looking to Hilary as she walked closer wearing a pink, strapless ensemble with her man candy hung around her arm. Caroline mentally snorted. It was the only color she could pull off and even when she wore it, it was just barely. "Aw, are you alone again?"

"Nope."

"Well then, where is your date?"

"Oh, they should be here any second."

The glass doors opened as Max stepped in slightly intimidated. That confident shimmer in her eyes was gone, that didn't go unnoticed by Caroline. She advanced forward and everyone stood aside taking in her appearance. Several women were hitting their men for staring though they were staring too.

Hilary stammered back in awe as Max came up to them. William just gawked at her chest.

"Hilary, William, this is my date Max."

She blinked furiously while pulling at William. "How…nice of you to come. I just realized we don't have enough champagne."

"What are you talking about, Hil? We have tons…"

Hilary silenced him with her elbow as she pulled him away.

"Well that worked."

"Yeah, did you see her face? She was clearly jealous," Caroline mused.

"Just wait until she finds out she's jealous of a lower-class poor chick," Max said, grabbing a glass of wine from the server. "That'll make her even more furious."

"You really do look incredible."

"Stop staring," she warns. "I already have enough eyes on me."

"Right, sorry. I forgot you're probably just not used to so many stares."

"Oh, I get stares. Mostly from old perverts at work, but still."

"Where do you work? If you don't mind me asking."

"A dead-end diner in Brooklyn." She finished off her glass of wine and goes to get another. "Um, I think I can get used to expensive wine and couture. Even if it's just for one night."

Caroline looked up. "Look at that gaudy chandelier."

"I feel bad for whoever has to clean that thing."

The sound of metal hitting glass rings through the ears of everyone in the room. Hilary stood on the steps. "I'd like to make a quick toast to everyone who was able to attend my amazing party. I am so grateful to have such good friends," she turned to William. "And even more to have such an amazing boyfriend." She drew him in for a kiss. The room filled was "awe's".

Caroline rolled her eyes and so did Max. Without warning, Max bashed her lips on Caroline taking the attention off Hilary an onto them. The couple on the stairs watched, one encouraging and one not.

Hilary stomped off.

When Caroline and Max broke the moment their eyes locked. The shimmer was back. They turned around and everyone who had been watching collectively looked away.

"That was some kiss," William nodded.

"Oh, it was just a peck," Caroline down played. Inside, she was beaming. Did her plan work? Had she made him jealous? However, her internal grin faded as William put his attention all on Max.

"You know, there are a lot of beautiful people here tonight, but you have got to be the best one."

Max rolled her eyes. "How original. What movie did you get that line out of? How Not to Pick Up a Lady?"

He shrugged. "Who says I'm trying to pick you up?"

"Even if you weren't, it'd still be no."

"Why don't you give me your number, so I can work on changing your mind."

Caroline cut in. "The answer is no." She cocked her head. "I suggest you go find Hilary before I do and tell her you're here flirting with my girl."

Max smiled at the thought of being her girl. It wasn't the most outrageous thing she ever heard.

"Well, I should go," he says nervously.

"That could not have gone better."

They sit in the back of the limo. Caroline grinned from ear to ear as Max ate a plate of prosciutto. "That couldn't have gone better, but this sure could. All I need is a glass of that fancy ass wine and I'll be ready to die."

"I happen to always carry a bottle of Dom Perignon," Caroline smiled, seemingly producing a bottle out of nowhere.

"You know, as amazing as this night has been, I just feel sorry for you. Having to bring some charity case to a fancy ball."

"I don't think of you like that…"

"It's okay, Caroline. You were nice enough to let me clean up inside, but I just don't belong with someone like you. I may look like this tonight, but I'll always be a broke girl."

"But Max…"

"You can just pull over here," Max said to the driver. He tipped his cap and stopped the car. Before Caroline could protest, she got out of the limo and headed down the road. Pretty soon Caroline was only left looking after her dark silhouette.

...

Caroline scoured the internet desperately trying to find anything on Max Black. The only thing that kept coming up was some old philosopher of the same name. she just couldn't get that woman out of her head. Everyone had been talking about Max at the party and Hilary, without a doubt, would be asking where she was. Caroline would just have to tell the truth unless she could track down the damn woman. Caroline couldn't care less if she was poor. Ever since she locked eyes with her mid-fountain bathing, all it had been was "Max" all the time in her head.

"Where do you work? If you don't mind me asking."

"A dead-end diner in Brooklyn."

That was it! She'd go find the diner and get her back. It sounded insane, but maybe just the right amount of insane to actually work.

Max had to work overtime due to Paulina not showing up. All she could think about was how Han better be giving her a raise. Well, that wasn't entirely true. She also kept thinking about Caroline. Why? The fun lasted for a while, but now reality had to sink in. they party was unbelievable, the dress was beautiful…that just isn't her life.

Paulina's small couch couldn't compare to the heiress' guest bed. At least it beat sleeping on the street.

"Hi, I'm Max. How can I help you?"

The customer lowered their menu to reveal the only person she'd been wanting to see.

"Caroline?" Max asked, stunned.

"Yes, I would like you to go please."

"I'm not on the menu," Max casually replied quickly gaining back her posture.

"What a shame. I'm sure you'd be a hot seller," she grinned.

"What are you doing here?"

"Isn't it obvious?" she shrugged.

"I'm not in the dress."

"And you're still fucking beautiful."

Max fought the urge to smile. She sat down opposite of Caroline and exhaled. It's not like she wasn't flattered by Caroline taking the time to hunt her down like this, however, Max knew she didn't deserve someone like her. Rich people are meant for rich people. There isn't anything she could give her.

"I don't deserve you, okay? I got out of the limo for a reason. I can't let you throw your life away for some dirty, destitute like me."

"I'll have you know I am known for getting what I want. I want you."

"What would people think?"

"I don't really care. You must be the hottest girl out there. Judging by people's reactions at the party, I'm certain you being poor would be the last thing on anyone's mind."

"I kept the dress."

"You look better without it."