Title: 'Pride and Paradox'
Characters/Pairings: Gibbs POV with Team
Word Count: 1,042
Rating: G

Disclaimer: All characters are the property of DPB, CBS & Co. No copyright infringement is intended.

Summary: Two years ago, he was too proud to say anything. Today, he's too proud not to. Episode tag for 4x3 Singled Out and 6x16 Bounce. Written for the ncis_verse Mini-Round Challenge #2.

"You should be proud of him."

Gibbs sets the bourbon down on his workbench and winces, as Jenny's voice echoes in his head. It's been almost three years since they shared that conversation in Observation, watching Tony and Ziva grill Calvin Hopper about his stolen car. He remembers feeling somewhat bemused at the time by Jenny's prodding. It's no secret that Gibbs is a man of few words; he's never been one to share his feelings. Besides, Tony was only doing what he was expected to do. Praise has always been something best reserved for the most outstanding performance...and for Abby.

Over the last couple of days though, with the implementation of Rule 38, Gibbs' eyes have been opened.

He supposes that on some level, he's known for a long time that DiNozzo was maturing, developing into a superb NCIS agent – a man any team would gladly follow and respect. Why had he been so reluctant to tell him so? He remembers the somewhat caustic remark he made at the time. He'd tried to couch it as a joke, but if he's honest with himself, it was deliberately condescending...

"Oh. Trust me. When DiNozzo thinks he's ready for his own team, you'll know about it. Hell, the whole world will know about it!"

What irony. It was several months later that he'd learned of the offer Tony had turned down. A career-limiting move...and for what? To watch over his boss, the man who'd come back and bumped him out of the big chair. He'd never have believed Tony was capable of that kind of self-sacrifice, never mind keeping it completely under wraps, even when McGee used his demotion as the cruellest of insults against him. Just one more indication that the kid had grown up.

And yet, Gibbs also knows there's still a needy little boy inside of Tony too. It's the part of him that never received any validation as a child; the part that's never quite sure he's doing well, no matter how cocky and self-assured he might appear to the rest of the world. And it's that part of Tony that died a little when Gibbs came back; he sees it now. If only he'd followed Jen's advice back then, DiNozzo might have had the confidence to take Rota. Who knows where he'd be by now?

He takes another gulp of his drink, and ponders the team dynamic that he's witnessed over the past couple of days. It's not what he might have expected.

As Senior Field Agent, Tony garners little respect from Ziva; taunts and insults are tossed around like a basketball on a routine basis. Not so since he began leading this investigation. Suddenly, she's showing him respect...admiration, even. She eagerly participates in his "campfires", and she's at the top of her game, trying to impress him with her skills and enthusiasm.

McGee, on the other hand...well, Gibbs had sensed the shift almost as soon as he returned from Mexico. Once Tim had a taste of the more senior role, he would never again be satisfied with being the Probie. Nor, it seems, with taking orders from Tony. It's not that Tim dislikes him, really; but McGee's always been ambitious, and now that he's found his footing, he no longer sees Tony as the icon he used to look up to. He seems to be taking every available opportunity this case affords to slight DiNozzo, and it makes Gibbs uncomfortable to be the unwilling object of McGee's diverted attention.

Given the circumstances, there's nothing much Tony can do to address the insubordination. It's up to him, Gibbs realizes. It'll have to wait until after the case is wrapped up, though – the last thing DiNozzo needs right now is Gibbs intervening when he's not supposed to be running the show. He should have said something a long time ago. It's quite abruptly all becoming clear, as if a veil has been lifted from his face. He eyes the glass in his hand suspiciously. Maybe it's just the bourbon talking?

Renny Grant is missing...in all likelihood, abducted by the third embezzler. And Tony's losing his cool. Gibbs is acutely aware that his presence puts additional pressure on DiNozzo that wasn't there when he led the team before, but that's no excuse for yelling at Ziva. It's time to intervene, before Tony loses control of the team. What's needed right now is a calming voice...time for a "campfire".

"...now you're making it right...and me proud." There. That wasn't so hard, was it? It actually feels good to finally tell Tony what's been on his mind for the past two days. He's on a roll, might as well keep going. "You've been doing...a hell of a job, Anthony." Ok, better not get carried away. He didn't mean for this to be a pep talk; more like a reality check. "Until about three minutes ago. Get your head on right." "Trust your gut."

Damn straight, he's proud. When Tony regains his composure and gets right down to business with the evidence Abby's brought him, Gibbs simply can't contain the smile that erupts on his face. The gleam in Tony's eye tells him all he needs to know – he's won him back. The kid finally knows he's got the stuff. It's the validation he's been desperately seeking for years; the validation Jenny had urged Gibbs to express over two years ago.

Well, better late than never.

Tony bursts into Interrogation. Sergeant Mitch Wilkins feigns confidence, but they all know he doesn't have a leg to stand on, and that they're about to be highly entertained by DiNozzo's performance.

"You can almost hear the band playing in Tony's head," McGee says. Gibbs detects just a tinge of disdain in his voice, and files that away for future reference.

"He really does love this part," Ziva replies, grinning broadly.

"Ah...he's earned it." The words come more easily this time. Gibbs is no longer hiding the fact that he's proud of his Senior Field Agent. Watching him in action, Gibbs wonders yet again where Tony would be if he'd taken the team in Rota. But he's secretly glad things played out the way they did.

There's no one he'd rather have on his six.