The thing about 'lying' 1
"You are not lying to cover for Mario, are you?" Neal asked Christa. Christa sat at the desk where she only minutes ago ate a piece of Pizza.
She knew the question was coming, but she still didn't know how to respond. She wanted to be honest to him, but she still wanted to cover for Mario. Because what he does, for once is something she wasn't sure he could do.
Something caring and nice. Don't get her wrong, she knew Mario could be nice, but she never thought he could do something for a stranger. Jeopardizing his career for someone he didn't even know.
That's what led her to the following response "Are you asking me as an attending or as a friend?" maybe she shouldn't have said this, but Christa knew she would answer honestly if he would say friend.
"What's the difference?" he asked her, not looking at her.
He couldn't because she really hit a sour spot. It was unknown to him why, but he started to look forward to seeing her at shift and work with her. He desperately wanted to see if there would be progressing more than a professional relationship. That's why he asked her out for breakfast a few weeks ago. Which she declined, she already had plans with the other residents.
She was loyal to her friends, even if she would've loved to join him. A few days back they just met at breakfast and drank a few Bloody Mary's. Which in hindsight wasn't the best idea, because now he was in a compromising situation.
Neal guessed that there was a difference.
If he would've said "As a friend." Christa probably would've told him where he was and then he wouldn't be able to use this as an attending because she trusted him. She wouldn't tell him where Mario is if he had the role as an attending, which he officially had now.
"So, my answer is no, I don't know where Mario is." She replied and technically it wasn't a lie. She was aware of what he was doing but she didn't know where exactly he was.
"…I won't protect you." She sure knew he wouldn't, but she would get surprised when she sees how he will treat her afterwards.
"I didn't ask you to." And it was the truth. She doesn't need protection for something seemingly wrong, which in the end was a good deed.
Without a word Neal left, thinking about his decision he made. He knew it wasn't the truth and he felt hurt. Even if he shouldn't be hurt. But he mixed up personal with professional, which he would realize later in the day.
Still sitting there was Christa watching Neal walk away. Was this really the right decision? She asked herself.
She sensed how their professional relationship blossomed into a friendship, no wonder with the amount of Bloody Mary's they shared.
The last thought she had before her pager announced an emergency was about her decision to cover for Mario and it was, it was an important step to "grow-up" for Mario and Christa knew if he wouldn't have the support he would still stay the same. Also, it was worth it, because this boy wouldn't have to stay outside all day and night. She just must figure out how to deal with Neal.