Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler relationship timeline

LAW & ORDER: Special Victims Unit fans have been shipping Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler since the show first premiered in 1999.

Here we take a look at their relationship over the years.

Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler relationship timeline

For 12 seasons, SVU fans were able to see the sexual tension build between Mariska Hargitay's Benson and Christopher Meloni's Stabler.

However, after Meloni's character left at the end of season 12, fans thought they had seen the end of their relationship. But in true Law & Order fashion, the franchise brought the duo back with Law & Order: Organized Crime.

While Olivia might be the star of SVU, she is often seen on OC as a guest star, which has led fans to believe that they will finally be together.

Here's a look at their relationship timeline, via TODAY.com:

• September 1999: Fans first meet Benson and Stabler and get a look at how well they work together as partners
• Season 1, Episode 8: After Benson is stalked by a suspected killer, Stabler goes out of his way to make sure she's safe getting to and from work
• Season 1, Episode 10: Stabler tells Benson "I'm your partner — for better or worse," after he finds out she was sleeping with their co-worker, Brian Cassidy (Dean Winters)
• Season 6, Episode 8: Benson and Stabler have different views on a he said/she said case and he later confides in her, revealing that his wife, Kathy Stabler (Isabel Gillies), left him
• Season 7, Episode 19: Benson and Stabler were searching for two missing kids in a crowded NYC train station when she gets stabbed by the perp. Instead of chasing after the offender, he rushed to the aid of his partner, which resulted in the death of a young boy. "It was my choice. Nobody else was responsible for it but me," he told forensic psychiatrist George Huang (BD Wong)
• Season 7, Episode 20: Stabler begins working with Detective Lucius Blaine (Anthony Anderson) as Captain Donald Cragen (Dann Florek) tells him that he and Benson “needed a break from each other.” Later on in the episode, Benson tells Stabler, “We needed a change. I’m sorry, I should’ve talked to you. It’s just — it’s just too complicated"
• Season 8, Episode 6: The feelings between Benson and Stabler begin to grow as she mumbles his name while sleeping at an Oregon hospital. The woman next to her then asks who Elliot is, to which she responds "Nobody"
• Season 8, Episode 9: Stabler's newest partner, Dani Beck (Connie Nielsen), leaves him after a tough case and he joked with Cragen that he might "have better luck with a guy" partner because "women keep leaving me." He then reunites with Benson and tells her at the end of the episode, “I’d give you a kidney,” to which she responds, “Not if I gave you mine first”
• Season 8, Episode 11: Stabler and Benson get into it after a tough case comes across their desk. At the end of the episode, he reveals that he signed the divorce papers and she asks if their relationship is okay, to which he responds, “I just need space to disagree with you so that I don’t feel it’s going to cost me our partnership." After pointing out that he's "never been gun-shy before," he said "things change"
• Season 8, Episode 16: Benson and Stabler undergo a psychological evaluation and the doctor determines that they “have a degree of mutual reliance and emotional dependence that compromises their effectiveness as police officers.” Cragen asked if he should split them up, and the doctor responds, “If you want to lose your two best detectives”
• Season 9, Episode 9: At the end of season 8, Stabler revealed that he knocked Kathy up during a one-night stand. Benson then helps deliver his third child during this episode after they got into a car accident on the way to a doctor's appointment. At the hospital, Stabler gives Benson a "spontaneous" hug
• Season 9, Episode 17: In this episode, engineer Merritt Rook (Robin Williams) kidnaps Benson and takes her to a recording studio. Once Stabler arrives, Rook tells him that there are explosives in the room and he wants to “conduct a little experiment” to see how far he will go to save her. Rook then demands that Stabler push a button to cause Benson pain, but he refuses. He then concludes that Stabler is "a human being" and passed the test, revealing that she was never hurt and that the screams he heard were prerecorded
• Season 10, Episode 3: Benson goes behind Stabler's back to meet his mother, Bernadette “Bernie” Stabler (Ellen Burstyn),too help his daughter Kathleen (Allison Siko), after she gets arrested
• Season 10, Episode 7: While working undercover as an animal smuggler, Stabler gets a visit from Benson, who was passing along a message from his wife. While she's at this undercover residence, the animal smugglers show up unannounced and get angry after they see Benson's jacket. She then walks out of the bathroom in her bra and underwear, pretending to be a sex worker, and says “Are you ready for me Daddy?” as she wraps her arms around a half-naked Stabler
• Season 10, Episode 22: NYPD tech Dale Stuckey (Noel Fisher) ties up Stabler after it's determined that he's the killer they're looking for. During the torture, Benson calls Stabler and Stuckey says he went out for sushi and left his phone behind. She then shows up and was able to save her partner. Stabler asks how she knew he was at the lab, to which she responds “Stuckey said you went to get sushi: You and raw fish?” revealing just how much she knows her partner
• Season 11, Episode 9: After Benson was framed for murder, Stabler took out a second mortgage on his home to pay her $250,000 bail. “What was I gonna do — let you get shivved in Rikers?” he says to her after she's released
• Season 12, Episode 17: While Stabler is away at Quantico, she works a tough case with Detective Odafin "Fin" Tutuola (Ice-T) that ends in the death of ADA Sonya Paxton (Christine Lahti). Stabler then returns from his trip early to find her in the precinct’s hallway and they embrace in their second hug. “I’m really glad you’re back," she says, to which he responds, "I should’ve come back sooner"
• Season 12, Episode 19: Benson and Stabler go undercover as a married couple during a case and are often seen holding hands
• Season 13, Episode 1: During the season 12 finale, Stabler shot the daughter of a sexual assault survivor after she brought a gun into the station. In the first episode of season 13, Benson learns from Cragen that Stabler “put his papers in," she then goes into an empty interrogation room and breaks down in tears
• Season 22, Episode 9: On her way to receive an award, Benson gets a call to go to a nearby crime scene. When she arrives, she is shocked to see Kathy on a stretcher and her old partner on the NYC streets. Kathy had been injured in a car bombing while visiting the city to see Benson get her award. At the hospital, the pair get into a heated argument on the roof, which ends with Stabler apologizing to her. Benson asks if he's “sorry for leaving” or for not giving the “courtesy” of telling her. He responds and says "both." With tears in her eyes, she then says “You were the most, single most, important person in my life, and you just disappeared.” “I was afraid,” Stabler said. “If I heard your voice, I wouldn’t have been able to leave." Later on in the episode, he learns that Benson is now a mother. Kathy dies. Benson rushes to the hospital and embraces him in their third on-screen hug
• Organized Crime Season 1, Episode 1: Stabler and Benson meet in a park and he reveals that he was asked to speak at her award ceremony. He then takes out a letter he wrote and hands it to her. "Just take it — read it, don’t read it, throw it away. Whatever you decide, I understand," he said. Later on, she attends a service for Kathy with Stabler and his kids
• OC Season 1, Episode 2: Stabler and Benson meet again and he calls her "a good mom." She then tells him that she's “worried” about him because of the erratic behavior he's been showing since Kathy's death. “It felt good to hear that,” Stabler said. “Liv, you mean the world to me,” he added
• OC Season 1, Episode 4: Benson teams up with Stabler's kids for an intervention on his erratic behavior, and after she says "Elliot, tell us what you need," he blurts out "I love you." Then after a brief moment of pause, he says "I love all of you"
• OC Season 1, Episode 5: In this episode, Stabler kisses Richard Wheatley's (Dylan McDermott) wife, Angela Wheatley (Tamara Taylor). In the end, he and Benson share a moment in the OC office hallway and hold hands after he learns her brother, Simon Marsden (Michael Weston), died a few years prior
• OC Season 1, Episode 7: Wheatley and his wife get into a heated argument about Kathy's death and he lets her know that she's not the love of Stabler's life, despite her efforts to seduce him. He then alludes to the fact that Benson is "the one true love of his life"
• SVU Season 23, Episode 3: Stabler makes his return to the SVU franchise during a crossover episode. SVU and OC team up for a case and as he continues his questionable behavior, Benson defends him to Detective Amanda Rollins (Kelli Giddish), who questions his actions. "He told me to trust him, and I know him better than anyone," Benson tells her, to which she responds, "You used to"
• OC Season 2, Episode 3: In this episode, the contents of the letter are finally revealed, however, fans are shocked after Stabler admits that Kathy wrote the letter in the first place. He explains that it was Kathy's idea and that she thought it would be a good way for them to reconnect since it has been years. He said he "tried and tried" to write it but in the end, Kathy helped dictate. But at the end, he reveals that he did write one line himself, "In a parallel universe," Benson begins. “It will always be you and I,” Stabler finishes, adding that he "slipped it in there before sealing the envelope"
• OC Season 2, Episode 4: Before Stabler goes into a potentially deadly meeting, he calls Benson and seemingly confesses his love again. "I wish you were there," he began after getting her voicemail. "I’m just calling to say — I want to thank you for everything that you’ve done for me, for the kids. You’ve been my rock. And when I said that ‘I love you,’ I think you –” he adds before getting cut off
• SVU Season 23, Episode 9: This episode focused on Kathy's murder trial, but towards the end, Benson and Stabler get into a heated argument about his return home. “I know that you are carving your way through a mountain of grief, and I have tried to be here for you. But this is a one-way street, Elliot. You have not asked me one question about what has happened to me since you left," she tells him. “And this letter,” Benson continues. “Why did you give me that letter? A letter that you didn’t even write. What was that about?” Stabler responds, "I’m not sure I know. I guess I didn’t know how to begin." Benson adds "Well that makes two of us." The episode ends with the judge declaring a mistrial
• OC Season 2, Episode 9: Despite an awkward conversation during the SVU winter finale, Stabler still asks Benson for help when it comes to finding his son Eli (Nicky Torchia), who went missing with his mother's pills. "Whatever happened, we’re going to go, and we’re going to bring him home," Benson says to Stabler. “We’re going to find out what’s going on here and take it one step at a time." Police then find him and he's accused of murder, but the OC teamcano clear him. In the end, Stabler brings up their previous argument, and tells Benson, "I want to know...about your life — what you’ve been through, the things I’ve missed. Seeing anyone?” Benson replies “Seriously?” She then confirms that she is not seeing anyone at that time, but told him that she has seen people over the past 10 years. “About how many?” Stabler says with a smile. “Do you want to know my dating history, detective?” Benson responds with a smirk. She then tells him about her previous relationship with IAB boss Ed Tucker (Robert John Burke), but does not reveal his full name, adding that he has since passed away. Stabler then tells Benson that he wants "to find balance here in this — whatever this is,” to which she responds, "How about we call it a friendship?"
• SVU Season 23, Episode 20: Stabler goes to the market to pick out flowers for his mom on Mother's Day and runs into Benson and Noah. This marks the first time that he has met her son in person
• OC Season 2, Episode 20: Stabler confides in Benson during a case and reveals that his father staged a shooting while he was working in the NYPD several years ago
• SVU Season 23, Episode 22: During a therapy session, Benson and Peter Lindstrom (Bill Irwin) discuss her relationship with Stabler and he tells her that she should either explore her feelings or move on. “I think that you and Elliot either need to see whether there’s more there, or move on,” he says, explaining that “this idealized relationship is hanging over” her and holds her back from “true intimacy”
• OC Season 3, Episode 8: Fans are introduced to Stabler's co-worker from Italy, Tia Leonetti (Ayelet Zurer). they end up spending the night together at Stabler's house, without having sex, and it's revealed the next morning that he had confessed his love for a woman while they were drunk. Tia tells him that she remembers discussing "the important parts" and remembers everything "except her name." "Love shouldn’t be complicated. Love affairs? Yes, they can get messy, but love — that’s different. I'm happy for you," she adds. "Whoever it is you’re in love with, she’s a lucky woman"
• SVU Season 24, Episode 9: Benson confides in Rollins about her relationship with Stabler, revealing that she's still not over him leaving her. "I did feel like Stabler was my home. But he left me, Amanda, and I'm not over it." "And the thing is is that I didn't have a right or a claim," she continues. "He's somebody else's husband." Rollings then chimes in and says "He was your partner." She then tells her that she feels like things would be easier if Kathy didn't die. Rollins acknowledges that adding that she "was the boundary" and now that she's gone, they have "so much to lose" if "things didn't go well." "That is why I'm so grateful for you," Benson says
• OC Season 3, Episode 10: Stabler is forced to visit a therapist and he opens up about his strained relationship with Benson. "I recently lost a friend — a very close friend, partner," he tells the therapist, adding that this happened "through neglect on my part — fear, selfishness." His therapist responds, "Sounds like you're a man in need of a new beginning"
• SVU Season 24, Episode 12: Benson was forced to send her son out of the city to protect him during a gang attack. Once it's safe, she asks Stabler to help bring him home. "There's nobody that I trust more to bring my son home in one piece than Stabler," she tells ADA Sonny Carisi (Peter Scanavino). After arriving home, the pair share a moment and almost kiss. "Elliot I want to," Benson says, "I want to, but I can't." After asking why, she explains "Because what if it doesn't work out?" Stabler responds "And what if things work out?" Benson adds that she's "not ready for this" but establishes that she does "want" more with him

How can I watch Law & Order SVU and Organized Crime?

Keeping up with Benson and Stabler's relationships can be hard due to all the crossovers.

However, NBC has made it easy for fans by airing the episodes back to back during Law & Order Thursdays.

Fans can first watch the original Law & Order at 8pm EST, then SVU at 9pm EST, and OC at 10pm EST.

All three shows are also available to stream on Peacock with an active subscription. SVU can also be streamed on Hulu.