Rollins and Carisi's Relationship in "Law & Order: SVU" — From Friends to Lovers to Parents

For 24 seasons, "Law & Order: SVU" has been known for its heart-wrenching, ripped-from-headlines episodes and cliffhanger endings — and not so much for its romance. Though the will-they-won't-they tension between Captain Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni) has been a thing for years, a season 21 episode of the long-running NBC series, titled "At Midnight in Manhattan," features a scene that left some viewers rooting for another office relationship: Detective Amanda Rollins and ADA Dominick "Sonny" Carisi.

The moment in question involves Rollins making it very clear that she's upset over Carisi's departure from the Special Victims Unit for a position at the district attorney's office. In the scene, the simmering tensions between the two are clear, with Rollins's remarks insinuating that she has more than work-friend-adjacent feelings for her longtime pal. And "SVU" fans were correct to assume there was more to their relationship than just a work bond, because fast-forward three seasons, the fan-favorite couple are now married with a baby on the way! Boy does time fly.

The idea of Rollins and Carisi ending up together wasn't a complete shock for some. After Carisi joined "SVU" back in season 16, his relationship with Rollins soon grew into something special. Carisi was named godfather to Rollins's second child, and he's been a father figure to both her young kids. Their chemistry was tested a number of times, but they supported each other as platonic friends for what seemed like forever before finally getting together.

For those who may be behind on "SVU" (or somehow missed out on seeing Rollins and Carisi's relationship develop between all the show's action), read ahead for a timeline of their biggest relationship moments.

Rollins and Carisi first cross paths after the latter joins the Special Victims Unit in season 16, taking over as a lead for Danny Pino's Nick Amaro. The two quickly become friends on the force and eventually grow into something more as they spend time together outside of the police precinct. Between helping Rollins out with her two daughters and their one-and-one time, it's no wonder these two eventually take things to the next level.

The moment every TV fan anticipates for their favorite couple: Carisi and Rollins's first kiss. The lip-lock takes place in season 22's finale during the almost-wedding of Ice-T's Fin Tutuola and his fiancée. Though those nuptials don't happen in that episode, that doesn't stop Carisi and Rollins from finally confessing their feelings for one another. Moved by what would've been Carisi's wedding speech, a teary-eyed Rollins makes the first move and kisses Carisi before the two go in for another.

Following their explosive kiss, Rollins and Carisi secretly date each other for nine months before the latter grows tired of lying about their relationship to their families and coworkers. The pair argue about the matter in episode 13 of season 23, but by the end of it, they make their romance official by disclosing their secret to Benson. The two then tell Rollins's kids about each other and share their first "I love you" by the end of the season.

Carisi and Rollins's relationship ramps up quickly by the halfway mark of season 24, when they surprise their SVU team with an impromptu courthouse wedding. It also marks Rollins's exit from the show, as she announces to everyone that she accepted a full-time job at Fordham University to teach future crime fighters, ending her 12-year tenure as a detective.

The latest exciting milestone in Rollins and Carisi's relationship is first teased in season three of "Law & Order: Organized Crime," Stabler's spinoff series, when Carisi discovers Rollins is pregnant in episode 21. Carisi then reveals the news in "SVU" during episode 21 of season 24, when Benson congratulates him on officially stepping into fatherhood. Rollins's baby bump is revealed when she makes a special appearance in episode 22.