A/N: Again, kind of a while between updates...but I'm back on track with this story and hope to finish it before my Spring Break (which starts the 20th). I already have another chapter after this one finished, and a third started.

Time-line is Season 5, somewhere between "Bury Your Dead" and "Internal Affairs."

Pride

Cynthia stood as Gibbs stalked into the Director's reception area, continuing his charge toward Jenny's personal office.

"Agent Gibbs, Director Shepard has a meeting-"

He ignored her, opening the door and stepping inside.

Jenny, who was standing at her desk, smiled tolerantly at the intrusion.

"It's all right, Cynthia," she called, anticipating her secretary's apology. To Gibbs: "Can I help you, Jethro?"

Gibbs shut the door. "We need to talk."

Jenny sat down. "Sounds serious." She was joking, but Gibbs' glare remained as he leaned his palms against the desk and looked his former partner in the eye.

"What the hell is the matter with you?"

Her eyebrows rose. "I beg your pardon?"

"La Grenouille," Gibbs growled, "for starters."

"What about him?"

"'What about him' is that you almost got one of my agents killed! You kept the entire operation between yourself and DiNozzo. Do you know how irresponsible that was?"

Jenny straightened in her seat, her eyes going cold. "Wait just a minute. I'm not your probie anymore, Jethro. You can't lecture me on how to do my job. And you're making a very fair accusation considering you're the one with the rule about secrets."

"Secrets, yes. But your infatuation with La Grenouille was no secret from anyone."

Jenny's eyes flashed, but she recited calmly, "It's better to seek forgiveness than ask-"

Gibbs groaned and stepped away from the desk.

"Don't quote my own rules at me, Jen. Do you think you're invincible? Nothing can hurt you? Or are just that proud? It's acceptable to ask for help every once in a while."

"I don't need help. Thanks for offering." Jenny's tone hardened pointedly as she stood.

"You really are that sure of yourself," Gibbs said, somewhat incredulously.

"Out, Agent Gibbs."

Gibbs turned obediently to the door, glancing back once. "I'm disappointed, Director. I just hope that arrogance doesn't get you killed someday."

The door swung shut behind him.