Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Austin Stowell) and Cecilia “Lala” Dominguez (Mariel Molino) in the Season 1 finale of "NCIS: Origins." A lot of steam, no kiss.
Mariel Molino as Cecilia “Lala” Dominguez, who steps out again in Season 2 of "NCIS: Origins."
Mike Franks (Kyle Schmid) is happy to see Cecilia “Lala” Dominguez (Mariel Molino) back on the job in the "NCIS: Origins" Season 2 premiere.

Spoiler alert! This story reveals the end of the Lala Dominguez mystery in Season 2 of "NCIS: Origins."

The case file fans demanded reopening ahead of the Oct. 14 Season 2 premiere of "NCIS: Origins" (now streaming on Paramount+) was obvious: Was NIS Special Agent Cecilia "Lala" Dominguez (Mariel Molino) dead or alive?

It might sound crazy, considering Dominguez is one-third of the holy trinity in the "NCIS" prequel series that features young Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Austin Stowell), his mentor Mike Franks (Kyle Schmid) and Dominguez in 1990-era Camp Pendleton. You don't kill off a beloved main character who nearly broke a season's worth of tension with Gibbs during a steamy pool clinch in the Season 1 April finale.

Or do you?

It seemed like all bets were off, and this love affair was over before it really started when Dominguez flipped her Jeep on her way to urgently meet Gibbs. The last finale episode moments show the motionless Dominguez, blood coming from her nose, in the overturned vehicle. Moments later, Gibbs, unaware of Dominguez's peril, meets his red-headed real estate agent, Diane (Kathleen Kenny). "NCIS" canon dictates that Diane and Gibbs will marry. Their instant chemistry reinforces that direction.

Then, Mark Harmon, the OG "NCIS" Gibbs, who provides rueful "Origins" voiceover, intones about Dominguez, "I loved her all along. I still do.”

That all sounded past tense and very fatal; even actress Molino thought so.

"When I first heard the details of that episode, at the end of the conversation, even I asked, 'Wait, do I die?'" Molino tells USA TODAY. "And then Gibbs meets Diane, I could totally justify that Lala dies, and it changes Gibbs' life trajectory. But I was assured, Lala's story continues."

There, we said it. After much online speculation amid CBS's silence – except for a last-minute interview with star Stowell, who accidentally spilled the beans – we can confirm Lala Dominguez is alive in Season 2.

Lala Dominguz is back in Season 2 of 'NCIS: Origins'

"We always knew that Lala was coming back," says executive producer Gina Lucita Monreal, "But the fan love and support for Lala and Muriel was wonderful. Fans connected with her."

The Season 2 return features Dominguez back in the pool she used to trespass-swim in late at night, where she nearly kissed Gibbs in the finale. This time, we learn that Dominguez has permission from the owners, and it's during the day. The heavily scarred accident survivor is taking physical therapy for her leg wounds months after surviving the Season 1 finale crash.

"That's a little bit of PTSD about that pool right now," Molino says half-jokingly.

Still dealing with the traumatic murder of his first wife, Shannon (which occurred before the series' action began), Gibbs appears to be on the wedding path with Diane, even in Episode 1. They're cute.

"It's fun writing Diane and showing the reasons that Gibbs would end up marrying that person," says Monreal, who has encyclopedic knowledge of "NCIS" mythology.

But the red flags are there, too. Gibbs gets obsessed with his cases, partially to block out his own issues. On the bright side, he solves crimes and studies files at home while shirtless. But does he really love Diane? "NCIS" makes clear this is not forever love.

The NIS crew is ecstatic about Dominguez's return. "Badassery lives," NIS senior chemist Woody Browne (Bobby Moynihan) says. But it's awkward for the reunited colleagues and almost-lovers Gibbs and Dominguez.

"In the 'NCIS' canon, we know Gibbs ends up marrying Diane, so life events happen," says executive producer David J. North. "But there's a magnetic pull between (Gibbs and Lala), so writing away from that wouldn't be true to these characters."

Molino says she's currently shooting Episode 7, and "these two characters still don't know how to talk to each other." But she insists fans shouldn't give up hope on this star-crossed couple.

"Fate separates them, but they find their way back," says Molino. "I think they'll find their way back to each other, maybe not as conventionally as people would like."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Lala Dominguez alive or dead in 'NCIS Origins' Season 2? Premiere resolves the mystery

Reporting by Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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