The CBS prequel concluded its second season with a long-awaited romantic moment between Gibbs and Lala, followed by a kidnapping cliffhanger involving team member Randy.
In the season finale, which aired on May 6, Gibbs and Lala shared their first kiss after Lala considered leaving the newly rebranded Naval Criminal Investigative Service. The pair confronted their feelings when Lala planned to depart for a quieter life with Manny, prompting Gibbs to rush to her home and ask her to stay. Whitney Houston's I Will Always Love You played during the scene, underscoring its bittersweet tone, as showrunner Gina Lucita Monreal noted it captured both romance and sadness similar to the film The Bodyguard.