It's late the next day when drama enters Rose's life. During her shift at the Grill, which for the most part was quiet, considering the back to school bonfire that was happening just outside of town. No high school students in the Grill. Which doesn't actually make a huge difference in how busy it is. Rose looks up from the table she is serving, just in time to see Bonnie and Caroline making their way across the Grill. Bonnie trying to corral Caroline forward. Helping a stumbling Caroline into a chair. Drunk. Worse. She is drunk and upset. Rose has never seen Caroline like this, so she knows it can't be good. Rose taps her teeth together trying to decide if this is worth getting written up for abandoning her work for. She has to. She finishes serving the drinks from her tray to the table she is at before she heads back to the bar.

"Chris" She starts, turning to the bartender who has noticed exactly what she has. He waves for her to deal with it. A drunk teenager in the Grill is a bad look for them. Caroline obviously hasn't been served here, but she is drunk here and people might jump to that conclusion. Rose sets her tray down on the bar top and then heads over to her sister and Bonine who is trying to sober and cheer her up. Bonnie looks up at Rose as she joins them.

"I tried," Bonnie admits as she grabs her purse. "But I have to get back..." Rose hums a little and gives her a soft smile.

"Thank you" She whispers and Bonnie touches her arm before she leaves. Rose turns to look down at Caroline who looks absolutely wrecked. "Oh, Care" She lets out a breath and shakes her head. She can't really scold her on this, because this is typical teen behaviour. Whilst she wasn't into drinking herself, she saw it enough. She gently touches her sister's shoulder and then encourages her to her feet, picking up the teen's jacket and purse. "Come on" She guides softly. Caroline leans into Rose's side and lets her walk her out of the Grill.

........

At home, Caroline manages to get her shoes off, only just, before she is collapsing onto her bed with a groan and an upset snuffle. Rose watches her sadly before she moves towards her to help her get into bed to sleep off whatever this is. Rose slips the blanket out from under Caroline.

"Why didn't he go for me?" Caroline asks Rose as she tucks her into bed.

"Who?" Rose asks her softly.

"Stefan" Caroline admits and sniffles. "You know, how come the guys that I want never want me?" Rose sits on the edge of Caroline's bed and gently touches her forehead, brushing her hair away from her eyes.

"Care" Rose starts and gives her a warm look. "It's not a slight on you" She whispers. "Some people just have different tastes" Caroline shakes her head.

"I'm inappropriate," Caroline counters. "I always say the wrong thing. And...Elena always says the right thing. She doesn't even try! And he just picks her. And she's always the one that everyone picks, for everything. And I try so hard, and...I'm never the one" Rose looks down at her sadly as she rambles. She's never heard Caroline sound so insecure about herself or her friendship with Elena.

"If he can't see how amazing you are" Rose starts and gives her a small smile. "Then it is his loss and he doesn't deserve you"

"Will you stay with me?" Caroline asks, patting the bed next to her. Rose nods.

"Always" Rose assures her as she kicks off her shoes before she climbs into the bed beside her sister. Caroline curls into her sister's side, clutching to her. Rose strokes her fingers through Caroline's hair to comfort her. Humming softly to her. An old tune that resonates through her memories, as if sung by a long figure in her life.

.........

Later in the night-slash-early morning, Rose stands on the porch with Chris from the Grill. A soft pattering of rain accompanies the early morning. Rose has a blanket wrapped around her to protect her from the cold air.

"I covered for you with Roberta, told her you weren't feeling very well" Chris offers as he hands over her things. The things she left at the Grill to get Caroline home, along with her car which is now parked on the curb by the house. "Maybe take a few days to sell it"

"Thank you" Rose offers as she takes her things from Chris.

"How is she?" He asks her quietly, neither of them want to wake Caroline. Rose pulls a face and shrugs.

"Boy trouble" She answers and he snorts before he gives her an encouraging smile.

"You've been there, surely....if anyone is equipped to help her" Rose nods slightly and sighs. She was really hoping that Caroline would follow in these footsteps. Rose has had rotten luck with men and she thought that by this point in Caroline's life, that she would have answers or a way to guide Caroline away from bad men. She doesn't have those answers. Caroline is right where she was at her age, only Rose didn't have someone to lean on for comfort when those relationships went wrong. Caroline has her, and the if all she can do is hold her hand and whisper soft comforts then that is exactly what she will do. "I'll drop off some food in the morning" Chris offers as he pulls his car keys from his pocket. "Maybe some aspirin" He teases a little and Rose smiles in thanks.