--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: No, seriously, you go first. I hardly…" description: "\"“No, seriously, you go first. I hardly know this guy. What if he’s working with the people who took Liz?’ ‘Pete?’ Shane shook his head, evidently findi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/927/rachel-caine-217_gaze_no-seriously-you-go-first-i-hardly-know_2613476.jpg" --- # No, seriously, you go first. I hardly know this guy. What… ![“No, seriously, you go first. I hardly know this guy. What if he’s working with the people who took Liz?’ ‘Pete?’ Shane shook his head, evidently finding the whole thought funny, though Claire felt it had been a pretty reasonable caution. ‘Never happen. But okay. I’ll protect you.’ She hit him in…” quote by Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/927/rachel-caine-217_gaze_no-seriously-you-go-first-i-hardly-know_2613476.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/927/rachel-caine-217_gaze_no-seriously-you-go-first-i-hardly-know_2613476.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/927/rachel-caine-217_gaze_no-seriously-you-go-first-i-hardly-know_2613476.jpg) > ““No, seriously, you go first. I hardly know this guy. What if he’s working with the people who took Liz?’ ‘Pete?’ Shane shook his head, evidently finding the whole thought funny, though Claire felt it had been a pretty reasonable caution. ‘Never happen. But okay. I’ll protect you.’ She hit him in the shoulder. ‘I don’t need you to protect me.’ ‘Then why am I going first?’ ‘So you can take the first punch while I throw the second?’ ‘So I’m bait? Ouch. You’ve been in Morganville way too long, girl.”” [Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Characters negotiate protective roles, highlighting trust, risk, and the dynamics of partnership in conflict **In simple terms:** Friends protect each other, but motives can be ambiguous Key Takeaway Understand trust and risk in teamwork Themes friendship trust conflict Mood tense reflective Type narrative dialogue When to use this quote - dangerous missions - team building - personal boundaries Key Concepts Protective dynamics role reversal Questions to Reflect On - What defines healthy protection? - How to balance self‑reliance with support? A Different Perspective Protective actions may be misinterpreted as control ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Gaze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gaze/) [Going Punch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/going-punch-663180/) [Hit Shoulder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hit-shoulder-2048525/) [People Took](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-took-1477620/) [Second Bait](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/second-bait-2048524/) [Too long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/too-long/) [Took Liz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/took-liz-2048523/) ## Related quotes > [Shane said, "Don't worry. I'll protect you." Claire hit him in the shoulder. "I don't need you to protect me." "Then why am I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-caine/shane-said-don-t-worry-i-ll-protect-you-claire-hit-him-in-the/) [Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/) > [“And about Shane, I swear, if he doesn't snap out of it, I'm going to punch him in the face. Well, punch him in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-caine/and-about-shane-i-swear-if-he-doesn-t-snap-out-of-it-i-m-going-to/) [Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/) > [The metal blade hit her shoulder and passed cleanthrough her body as if she were made of water. HISSS!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/the-metal-blade-hit-her-shoulder-and-passed-cleanthrough-her-body-as/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“What are you doing here?” “Coming to pick you up for tonight.” “I’m not going.” “Would it help if I lowered to my knees…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenya-wright/what-are-you-doing-here-coming-to-pick-you-up-for-tonight-i-m-not/) [Kenya Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenya-wright/) > [When you got someone throwing full speed and then he has to hit you on that back shoulder, you have to slow down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandin-cooks/when-you-got-someone-throwing-full-speed-and-then-he-has-to-hit-you/) [Brandin Cooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandin-cooks/) > [I think people took Grenada for what it turned out to be, which was a very specific incident and from which one couldn't necessarily…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-negroponte/i-think-people-took-grenada-for-what-it-turned-out-to-be-which-was-a/) [John Negroponte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-negroponte/) > [People took what they wanted, they clutched at coincidences, the few there were, and made a life from them. . . . Choices are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paolo-giordano/people-took-what-they-wanted-they-clutched-at-coincidences-the-few/) [Paolo Giordano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paolo-giordano/) > [“...she had so many people she took for granted, all the time. She had never needed to be truly afraid before. There had always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/she-had-so-many-people-she-took-for-granted-all-the-time-she-had/) [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) > [“tonight. Anna, or her people, took her from her crib”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-abbott/tonight-anna-or-her-people-took-her-from-her-crib/) [Jeff Abbott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-abbott/) > [When I go to see a movie, I never think about all the people it took to make it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-waterston/when-i-go-to-see-a-movie-i-never-think-about-all-the-people-it-took/) [Katherine Waterston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-waterston/) > [The history of American politics is littered with bodies of people who took so pure a position that they had no clout at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-history-of-american-politics-is-littered-with-bodies-of-people/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“All of the people took it up and sung it over and over until it was wrung dry, and no further innovations of tone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zora-neale-hurston/all-of-the-people-took-it-up-and-sung-it-over-and-over-until-it-was/) [Zora Neale Hurston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zora-neale-hurston/) > [The Sixties are most generously described as a time when people took part - when they stepped out of themselves and acted in public,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greil-marcus/the-sixties-are-most-generously-described-as-a-time-when-people-took/) [Greil Marcus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greil-marcus/) > [“People took ownership of the shalom and wholeness of their community; and, if something was wrong, they worked to right it, even if it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-nicholas/people-took-ownership-of-the-shalom-and-wholeness-of-their-community/) [Jessica Nicholas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-nicholas/) > [Very few people took sordid things and made comedies out of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-morrissey/very-few-people-took-sordid-things-and-made-comedies-out-of-them/) [Paul Morrissey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-morrissey/) ## More by Rachel Caine > [Ay-firmative,' Eve said, and tried for a smile. 'Sorry. An Aliens reference always makes me feel better at times like this. Exept I'm not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-caine/ay-firmative-eve-said-and-tried-for-a-smile-sorry-an-aliens-reference/) [Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/) > [“Please don't go away. You--you matter. To me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-caine/please-don-t-go-away-you-you-matter-to-me/) [Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/) > [But that quickly faded, and he frowned. "You're bleeding," he said. "What happened?" Claire sighed and held up her wrist to show him the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-caine/but-that-quickly-faded-and-he-frowned-you-re-bleeding-he-said-what/) [Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/) > [Did he just say--?" "Yes," Claire said, smiling. "Yes, he did." "Whoa. Guess I'd better stay alive, then.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-caine/did-he-just-say-yes-claire-said-smiling-yes-he-did-whoa-guess-i-d/) [Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/) > [“Hell,' Shane spit in disgust. 'I can't hit a girl. Here, Claire. You hit her.' He tossed her the bat.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-caine/hell-shane-spit-in-disgust-i-can-t-hit-a-girl-here-claire-you-hit-her/) [Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/) > [“If she were any friendlier, she'd be giving you a lapdance right now.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-caine/if-she-were-any-friendlier-she-d-be-giving-you-a-lapdance-right-now/) [Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/) > [“I get maudlin. Some people drink; some get depressed; some run around having sex with anyone with a pulse. Me, I get philosophical. It’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-caine/i-get-maudlin-some-people-drink-some-get-depressed-some-run-around/) [Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/) > [“I felt I should repeat it for the other slipper, in case there should be any bad feelings between the two. One should never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-caine/i-felt-i-should-repeat-it-for-the-other-slipper-in-case-there-should/) [Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/) > [“As he filled the mug with coffee, Michael waited for Shane to make some sense. Which Shane finally did, holding up the cheaply printed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-caine/as-he-filled-the-mug-with-coffee-michael-waited-for-shane-to-make/) [Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/) > [There is a certain freedom in giving up all hope. One is no longer bound by the cords of dread or fear; you simply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-caine/there-is-a-certain-freedom-in-giving-up-all-hope-one-is-no-longer/) [Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/) > [Shane talking to Claire - "Hang on - Slow down. I'm not going anywhere. You know that, right? You don't have to put out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-caine/shane-talking-to-claire-hang-on-slow-down-i-m-not-going-anywhere-you/) [Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/) > [Oliver laughed - actually laughed."I like this new Claire," he said. "You should work her this hard all the time, Myrnin. She's interesting when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-caine/oliver-laughed-actually-laughed-i-like-this-new-claire-he-said-you/) [Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/) > [Here," Myrnin said, his voice still gentle and low. "Amelie said you had to work. No one said you had to work alone." He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-caine/here-myrnin-said-his-voice-still-gentle-and-low-amelie-said-you-had/) [Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/) > [shane:you only love me for my abs clair:shut up loser shift off](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-caine/shane-you-only-love-me-for-my-abs-clair-shut-up-loser-shift-off/) [Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/) > [Maybe I should, I don't know leave? Because this is starting to sound like one of those reality shows I don't want to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-caine/maybe-i-should-i-don-t-know-leave-because-this-is-starting-to-sound/) [Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/) [Explore all 872 Rachel Caine quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/) ## More Gaze quotes > [I need a bath." He chuckled. "You smell of smoke, as do I." The duke turned, leaning heavily on his cane. "Jameson, open the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/i-need-a-bath-he-chuckled-you-smell-of-smoke-as-do-i-the-duke-turned/) [Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/) > [“Taylor said a prayer for the man, and apologized out loud. Knowing there was nothing left to do, she turned to leave. As she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-t-ellison/taylor-said-a-prayer-for-the-man-and-apologized-out-loud-knowing/) [J.T. Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-t-ellison/) > [“If it makes you feel any better, he’s been all sad doll lately too.” “What are you talking about, Chels?” Chelsea stopped walking and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-derting/if-it-makes-you-feel-any-better-he-s-been-all-sad-doll-lately-too/) [Kimberly Derting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-derting/) > [“Rodrigo tried to draw a deep breath, but his chest was too filled with anguish, rage and guilt. He kissed his ash-coated fingers. “I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-valdez/rodrigo-tried-to-draw-a-deep-breath-but-his-chest-was-too-filled-with/) [Lisa Valdez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-valdez/) > [“still feel the same way? Could he have changed this much on the inside too? Struggling for the right words, I opened my mouth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meredith-wild/still-feel-the-same-way-could-he-have-changed-this-much-on-the-inside/) [Meredith Wild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meredith-wild/) > [“Being held by him, kissed and mastered, taken under and swept away, enthralled her in a way she—an independent woman if nothing else in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-sumner/being-held-by-him-kissed-and-mastered-taken-under-and-swept-away/) [Tracy Sumner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-sumner/) > [“Don’t you remember how hot we were together, Lane? God.” He takes a quick breath through clenched teeth and runs his hand down my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-a-valentine/don-t-you-remember-how-hot-we-were-together-lane-god-he-takes-a-quick/) [Michelle A. Valentine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-a-valentine/) > [“She knew how to play him so very well. He slipped his hand around hers. "Friends," he repeated roughly. Her smile was bright enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-smith/she-knew-how-to-play-him-so-very-well-he-slipped-his-hand-around-hers/) [Kathryn Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-smith/) > [“Damn.” Phineas turned the Big Boy off, then noticed he’d left the box on the bed. Damn, had Zoltan seen it? He stuffed the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerrelyn-sparks/damn-phineas-turned-the-big-boy-off-then-noticed-he-d-left-the-box-on/) [Kerrelyn Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerrelyn-sparks/) > [“Now you," Grandma barks at him. "Yes, you, the invisible truck driver," she added, giving me a wicked grin. "Go stand next to Rose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/now-you-grandma-barks-at-him-yes-you-the-invisible-truck-driver-she/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [His fingertips slid down from my face, lightly stroking the line of my neck, down toward my shoulder. Everywhere he touched, a trail of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/his-fingertips-slid-down-from-my-face-lightly-stroking-the-line-of-my/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) > [“from THE DEVIL YOU KNOW : She wanted him too. He could see it in the rapid rise of her breasts. He could smell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emery-lee/from-the-devil-you-know-she-wanted-him-too-he-could-see-it-in-the/) [Emery Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emery-lee/) > [“You know when I said I didn't need you?" I asked. He lifted one brow. "I was so wrong.I can't find words to express…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-jensen/you-know-when-i-said-i-didn-t-need-you-i-asked-he-lifted-one-brow-i/) [Melissa Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-jensen/) > [“I didn’t say it just to get you to jump. I’m in love with you, Zane,” he admitted in a calm, clear voice. “I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-urban/i-didn-t-say-it-just-to-get-you-to-jump-i-m-in-love-with-you-zane-he/) [Madeleine Urban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-urban/) > [“This explains so much," she said, clucking her tongue in mother-hen fashion. "You're compensating for this withered appendage." Withered appendage? What the devil was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tessa-dare/this-explains-so-much-she-said-clucking-her-tongue-in-mother-hen/) [Tessa Dare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tessa-dare/) [Browse all 15,087 Gaze quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gaze/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“No, seriously, you go first. I hardly know this guy. What if he’s working with the people who took Liz?’ ‘Pete?’ Shane shook his head, evidently finding the whole thought funny, though Claire felt it had been a pretty reasonable caution. ‘Never happen. But okay. I’ll protect you.’ She hit him in the shoulder. ‘I don’t need you to protect me.’ ‘Then why am I going first?’ ‘So you can take the first punch while I throw the second?’ ‘So I’m bait? Ouch. 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