How does one become a one-of-a-kind Goth technogeek like Abby Sciuto? CBS’ NCIS will explore that question with a February sweeps episode that flashes back to the character at the age of 10.

To that end, TVLine has learned that Brighton Sharbino — a recent guest star on The New Normal — will channel a younger Pauley Perrette.

NCIS showrunner Gary Glasberg says he had asked himself, “What kind of origin story could we do with Abby that would be a little different? And rather than look back at her first days of working at NCIS, I was more interested in, ‘When did Abby first start develop an interest in forensics? And in people? In bodies, and in clues, things like that?’ So we decided to go way back.”

Glasberg hails Sharbino as a “terrific young actress” who has spent time hanging with Perrette, in part to pick up on the NCIS vet’s mannerisms and such.

And yes, you might also get the origin of Abby’s unique fashion sense.

“From clothing choices to her hair, how she carries herself, things that she says… there are lots of great little prizes in this episode,” Glasberg promises longtime fans.

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