As far as cliffhangers go, the finale of "NCIS" season 12 was the worst. While other seasons ended with disturbing twists or cliffhangers, fans at least know that their favorite agents are still alive. But that's not the case now.

In the finale episode of the season, Gibbs (Mark Harmon), Tony (Michael Weatherly) and Joanna (Mimi Rogers) are in Afghanistan hunting down the terrorist group responsible for Agent Dorneget's (Matt Jones) death. During the last few minutes of the episode, Gibbs is confronted and shot twice by Luke, the boy he befriended and was trying to save.

With Gibbs' fate still hanging in the balance, rumors have started spinning that the team's leader might not make it out of the country alive.

Mark Harmon himself seems to have hinted that he will not be coming back. The "NCIS" stalwart appeared on "The Late Late Show with James Corden" and talked about the season finale. While the actor did not reveal who might be killed off, he did say that the show "births characters leaving" and added that it is what keeps them on their toes.

But Harmon also ominously said, "It's not my choice, number one, but I think anybody is replaceable."

Luckily, fans would not have to wait long to know the answers as season 13 will pick up right where season 12 left off.

"NCIS" executive producer Gary Glasberg explained to the "Hollywood Reporter" that they have "a lot of questions that need to be answered and then some impending danger that we need to deal with when we get back."

With Gibbs down, DiNozzo will be taking the lead on the case.

As a marine, Gibbs has been trained to protect women and children and as a father, he wants to understand and help Luke. So if Gibbs does survive, how will he handle the idea that Luke might be beyond saving?

NCIS season 13 is expected to be back on air in September.