Austin Stowell thinks his character Leroy Jethro Gibbs created Rule 12 because of his personal feelings.

The NCIS: Origins actor is playing a young Gibbs, who was originally portrayed on the first show by Mark Harmon. Gibbs has a series of rules while on the job which includes Rule 12 – never date a co-worker.

Austin’s experience playing Gibbs on Origins has him thinking why the beloved character created that specific rule, and it has to do with another character, Lala Dominguez, who is played by Mariel Molino. “There’s a reason that people who work together sometimes end up getting together. Its that they understand each other, Austin said in an interview.

NCIS: Origins star Kyle Schmid reveals unexpected advice from Gibbs actor Mark Harmon

“Theres a lot of Lala in Gibbs and vice versa that they see a bit of a mirror image,” he told US Weekly, “But theyre both very stubborn.”

NCIS: Origins takes place years before the original show, about a year after Gibbs’ wife and daughter were killed, which Austin believes impacts his character’s emotions. “Even if those emotions are creeping in, he probably is quieting them and feeling as if he shouldnt have those feelings, he said.

If his wife and daughter were still alive, he would be with them. It is only because of their death  their murder  that he blames himself for that hes even in the position and interacting with the people hes with,” Austin continued.

He explained: “The turmoil that probably causes him [is obvious]. [This weeks] episode was a great example of that, where you see Gibbs and Lala physically getting intimate for the first time and having to work together.”

Thats where their bond is created,” he noted. “When you go through experiences with another person  particularly ones where you have to overcome a certain endeavor and succeed  that can be a real bonding memory for the two of you. That event can be the catalyst for something more.

Mariel also saw the connection between their two characters. She told The Wrap: “With what weve filmed so far, her feelings toward Gibbs are starting to really get deeper, and that starts to get scarier for her.”

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