At the last minute, he spins around and pulls Benson into a hug. "When are you going to do the same? At the hospital, Benson is surprised to hear from the doctor that Stabler is fine. During Angelas testimony, which both the Stabler children and Benson witness, Angela reveals she kissed Stabler and that she was in love with him. 'Law & Order: SVU': Elliot Stabler Finally Explains Why Stabler returns to making his breakfast and Leonetti reaches out and holds his arm while saying, "Love shouldnt be complicated. Why didnt you tell me? Benson asks Porter. One morning, Stabler shows up at Benson's apartment, saying he was "in the neighborhood" and thought he'd give her a ride to work. Law & Order: SVU Finale: Ral Esparza on Benson, Barba and. The episode ends when Cragen calls Benson into his office and tells her Stabler quit. Now Stabler has a choice to make: Does he go after Ryan, who's quickly grabbed by Gitano, to try to bring him to safety, or does he go in the opposite direction to make sure his wounded partner is still alive? The eighth episode of the inaugural season of "SVU," "Stalked," really put "Protelliot" a nickname given by fans to Stabler when hes acting especially protective on the map. Stabler walks Benson out through the back garden. Benson is surprised when Stabler invites her into the interrogation room to speak to Eli after he begs with a please.. Benson continues to calm Stabler at the hospital, including when the doctor talks to him about Eli. In this moment, Stabler appears to also be recognizing how her life contrasts with his family-filled life in the suburbs. There are many nostalgic moments in the episode for Benson and Stabler fans, including the two entering a scene before backup arrives, despite Bells order not to. The history between the two is "complicated," as Hargitay told TODAY in February. But old flames were reignited when the duo was reunited in the Season 22 premiere of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.Since the beginning, Benson and Stabler's chemistry has been undeniable, and viewers have Eventually, Benson is able to pull an iron rod from the bed and hits Lewis with it before getting her gun, which has Stablers mini shield on the bottom. A shocked Benson stares back at him as all of his kids look on, and the Benson and Stabler love theme (yes, these two have their own music) starts to play. However, in the version of the scene that aired during the actual episode, the evaluator asks if Benson would choose to save Stabler or a member of the public if put in that position. They both glance down at their watches at the same time and choose to enter a facility they believe holds the missing girl before backup arrives. He tells her he was asked to speak at her award ceremony, but instead opted to write his thoughts in a letter he planned to give to her that night. Thats all, he responds. In a parallel universe, Benson begins. Why would you ask me that? Stabler responds. Cinema is Benson and Stabler having an entire conversation with their eyes. Stabler moves closer to Benson and tells her to look at him. Like, Well, are we suddenly in a triangle here? You startled me. Stabler calls Benson to help him find Eli, who went missing with Bernies pills. he responds. Richard Wheatley becomes the unofficial Benson and Stabler relationship hero among the fans at the end of this episode, when he (basically) makes it canon that Benson is the one true love of Stablers life. Whos the guy?, Fin shoots back, You have to ask her that. (Another conversation fans are still waiting for Benson and Stabler to have: How Benson got Noah, her adopted son. Rollins and Carisi also share a moment and kiss at this ceremony, which turns into a non-wedding when Fin and Phoebe decide not to get married that day. So, who does he call to seemingly make a confession of sorts to in what could be his last few hours? In Smoked, a survivor of sexual assault is killed in front of her daughter, Jenna (Hayley McFarland), before her trial begins. At the end of the episode, Benson and Stabler each air out how their initial judgments about the case could've been wrong, effectively seeing the other's point of view. At the same time, he sees Benson as she's raising her gun at Gitano, who has his arm wrapped around the other child. Jelivia comes out strong at the end of the surveillance when she spots Flutura talking to a man, the buyer, after the young girls walk away. Benson promises Stabler shell go with Kathleen and stay with her for as long as shes able to. While talking about living in Rome, Stabler describes his apartment and tells Benson she wouldve loved it., You know what, Elliot, she responds. Some are tighter than married couples.. 'Law & Order' Recap: Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler Reunite Benson confirms they did find both the killer and her moms suspected rapist and walks Jenna over to see where the two are being held in a cell. In the Season 23 SVU premiere, Benson was run off the road while on the phone with Stabler. Stabler began talking about Rome as if he expected the relationship between himself and Benson to thaw suddenly, but Benson made it clear that she couldn't do that. Did he ever do you? When Stabler asks Benson how she knew he was in the lab and possibly in danger, she responds, Stuckey said you went to get sushi: You and raw fish?. In later seasons, Rollins ends up in a romantic relationship with her former partner and ADA Dominick Sonny Carisi (Peter Scanavino). Elliot talked about you all the time.. Bensons home sick, and when she opens the door, Stabler says, You look terrible. She responds, Stop with the sweet talk. Later in the episode, Benson attends a service for Kathy in the cemetery with Stabler and all his children, whom Benson has known since they were young. That moment when yet another person clocks you about the love of your life. Oh, my God, no!" Maybe I should call him. Back in the squad room, Benson returns to the interrogation room, as Cragen and Stabler watch, to take another crack at their suspect from the beginning of the episode. Benson, of course! Bensons and Kathys car gets slammed by what ends up being a drunk driver. It all starts when Benson, Stabler and the SVU squad surveil a bus terminal for two children who were kidnapped by a sex offender, Victor Paul Gitano (Lou Diamond Phillips). Benson assumes, based on what shes seeing below, that Flutura has a hand in trafficking girls through the family business. Stabler does not yet realize that it was Ed Tucker yes, that Ed Tucker from IAB but Benson does tell him Ed is dead. This episode was a great opportunity for fans to see what Stabler and Benson would look like as a couple. Stabler was cleared. Cragen responds Stabler was cleared only on that one, but now Internal Affairs wants to investigate his entire jacket., Benson continues to defend Stabler and says, Let em. The two agree to go get some food, and Stabler asks whos buying. Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Elliot Stabler (Chris Meloni) have been dancing around their relationship for over two decades now. You never startled before, Benson says, before adding she doesnt want to push him, and will back off if thats what he wants. Even though Stabler isnt in this episode, hes mentioned multiple times to Benson by various people throughout. Stabler prepares to enter an extremely dangerous meeting while undercover a meeting that could very easily go south and end in his death. I can hear it in your voice. "I recently lost a friend a very close friend, partner," Stabler continues. The episode centered on the bombing of a car Stabler and his wife Kathy (Isabel Gillies) rented when they returned to New York. I just need space to disagree with you so that I dont feel its going to cost me our partnership, he responds. I'm happy for you. The cop wonders if Benson is Elis mother, and Benson quickly clarifies that shes a family friend. Bernie visits Kathleen in jail, with help from Benson getting her access. You have not asked me one question about what has happened to me since you left, she says. They split up, and eventually Gitano grabs Stabler by the collar and holds a gun to his head as Benson enters the scene. They both turn around to face the water, and Stablers already holding out his glass before Benson lifts hers to toast to partners.. Liv, Im being careful, Stabler assures her. The question is: Why are you really asking?. Stablers daughter Kathleen meets up with Benson and says the family needs her help getting through to their dad. Benson says she's "not ready for this" as she rests her face against his cheek and then leans back against the fridge. At this point, they both have tears in their eyes as the standoff continues. Thankfully, she wasnt hit, and Stabler cradles Benson in his arms on the ground. Where Should Benson & Stabler Go From Here How was Olivias funeral?, Rather than correct his mom, Stabler says, It was beautiful.. Tucker suspends Benson, and after hearing the news, Stabler says to Tucker, You are a son of a b----. Then Tucker drops the news on a shocked Stabler that Benson has been sleeping with Moss. Stabler lingers at Bensons desk before saying, See ya, to which she looks up from her computer with a smile and says, OK.. Cragen later tells Benson, who'd been trying to get in touch with Stabler, that her longtime partner has resigned. Many fans have followed Benson's life and career for nearly 25 seasons, but one thing that's always remained a mystery: Whether she's ever had romantic feelings for Stabler. Stabler notes Fin and Phoebe are a good-looking couple and asks Benson how the two met. Stabler refuses to sit and listen to what everyone has to say and instead says all questions should go to his supervisor, Sgt. Webdid benson and stabler ever sleep together. There must be a reason she why she didnt tell you about me.. Fin tells Elliot that Benson has a kid now, and Stabler quickly responds, A son? This meant Stabler had some explaining to do when he finally reunited with Mariska Hargitay's Olivia Benson. Part two of the so-called holy trinity kicks off appropriately with Stabler at church in confession. When love warps into hate, theres nothing you wont do, Stabler responds, before telling her he signed the divorce papers. During the fallout of Benson and Stabler's growing closeness, Benson attempts to maintain professionalism by asking for a new partner. Stabler clearly feels some type of way about this decision and decides to confront Benson head-on about her reasoning. Benson offers to take Kathy to a doctors appointment after Stabler is pulled out of town for their current case. Probably talking to Elliot the guy from her dreams, the woman from the hospital replies. Maybe God remembered how cute you were as a carrot, Benson responds. Stabler gets all excited and announces to everyone, Theyre here, and as he opens the door he says, Hey guys. But its not Benson and her son at the door. Why did you give me that letter? While in the hospital, Kathy says it feels like the old days, seeing Stabler and Benson in the room together always so in sync. Shes surprised to find out Stabler never once contacted Benson in the time they left. Who knew a small letter could hold so much power? Benson tells Fin that she hasnt heard from Stabler in a few months and that hes been off the grid working. Some fans wondered if this scene was setting up a love triangle for Benson with Barba and Stabler. Turns out, Kathy was injured in a car bombing, as she and Stabler were in town to see Benson receive an award. Both of them confirm they couldnt sleep, and Benson tells Stabler she realizes Miles didnt rape Valerie. IE 11 is not supported. I want to know, Stabler begins, about your life what youve been through, the things Ive missed. Tucker believes Benson tipped off Moss, so she fesses up to talking to Moss because shes in fact been dating him. When it's finally safe for Noah to return home, Benson calls Stabler and asks him to pick up her son. Stabler confides a few personal things to Benson, including that Donnelly named his kid, whom Stabler helped bring into the world in a parallel moment to Benson bringing Stablers son into the world in Season Nine of SVU, after Stabler. Benson delivers an unforgettable howdy after Stabler says, Hey partner. She offers to get hydrogen peroxide to clean a cut on Stablers face, and she runs into Eli as hes exiting the bathroom. Stabler chooses to save an injured Benson instead of chasing down a suspect, which resulted in a childs death, and later, Benson chooses to prioritize