We walked out of the locker room, and I told him I would meet him at the car.
I walked over to Luke's office and knocked as I walked in. Jerry told me he would fill everyone in on what was happening, so it saved me from having to tell Luke; atleast, thats what i thought. "Hey, I was just leaving and wanted to let you know."
He sighed, "Andy, I don't think you should do this."
I gave him a confused look, "what do you mean Luke? This is my job."
He rubbed his hand through his hair, "This is bigger than anything you have ever done, and I don't think you're ready. I think you are just doing this because Sam is."
I was shocked into silence but quickly recovered and was now fueled by anger, "First of all I am ready for this, I have been trained and I'm going to do it whether or not you think I should. And, Second of all, stop applying Sam to every argument we have. I'm doing this because it's my job and that's all. Now, I have to go. I'll see you later," and with that I turned and stormed out of his room, not stopping until I reached the car.
I got in and slammed the door, "What's the matter McNally?"
His voice caused all the anger raging though me to dissipate. I sighed, "Nothing, I'm fine now, let's just get going or we are going to be late."
I looked at his face and it was both stern and concerned, "You aren't fine. Talk to me. You need to get it out of your system before we go in there."
While waiting for me to respond, he pulled out of the barn and began driving toward the mermaid lounge, where the bust was to take place.
I sighed, "It's Luke. I went to tell him I was leaving and he told me I shouldn't be doing this, that I wasn't ready, and that the only reason I am doing this is because you are."
I looked over to Sam and saw him clenching his jaw, "He shouldn't have said those things to you. Firstly because you are ready for this or I wouldn't have agreed to it, and secondly because he should know better. He shouldn't have said anything that could distract you tonight."
"It won't distract me, if anything it's given me even more drive to do this right, just to prove him wrong. Sam, there is one thing he said that was true though." I looked down at my hands, purposely avoiding his eyes.
He didn't say anything so I continued, "He said I was only doing this because you were. I mean, it's my job, and I would have done this regardless, but knowing that you were going made me push to find some way to be involved in the op. I am your partner, and I wasn't comfortable letting someone who doesn't know you as well as I do, have your back."
He didn't speak for a few minutes, and I didn't look up at all during that time. "I get it Andy, and there is no one I would rather have watching my back tonight, but don't forget that I am also watching yours. And McNally? If the roles were in reverse, I would have done the same."
I smiled and looked up just as he took his eyes off the road to look at me. We arrived at the lounge minutes later. We waited for the back-up team to arrive before exiting the car with the duffle bag.
When we walked in Angel was there with a younger man.
"Gabe, I presume." Sam nodded, and Angel looked at me, "You must be Edie, you are stunning. You got yourself a looker, Gabe." "That over there is Rick; just forget he is even here."
"Gabe, I just ask that you please put your gun on the table in front of you; just for security purposes, you understand?" Sam did as asked, while Angel continued talking, "It's a shame we even need to bring these things at all?"
Sam smiled and said, "But would we really respect each other if we didn't." Angel smiled at that then directed Rick to release his weapon as well.
Angel walked over to me, "Sorry, but I must check."
I smiled, "Of course." I lifted my jacket to reveal my sides
"This is a great outfit, and you wear it well. You look familiar, have we ever met?"