Less than an hour later Amanda and Kat would be on their way to Liberty. Liv wanted SVU to have a presence up there. It looked like they had a small police station with only a few deputies. Not used to dealing with this kind of crime. They needed to make sure nothing was missed at a potential crime scene. It could be nothing, or it could be him. They've just had so few clues up to this point.

Olivia had also gotten a text from Warner that the autopsy was about to be finished on the latest vic. She'd sent her preliminary report last night but was working on the autopsy now. She wanted to head down there, but needed to meet with the chief first. She would send Fin and thought Carisi needed to be there too. Carisi said he would meet them there after he made a stop at 1 Hogan Place to catch Hadid up on where they were. Plus he wanted to follow up at Animal Control with the dog.

When Liv got the text and call, she called Kat and Fin into her office with Rollins and Carisi. Personal issues were forgotten, for the moment at least, while they came up with a plan. Right up until the moment they all walked out of Captain Benson's office.

"Uh, let me walk you out counselor". Amanda realized this would probably be the last time she'd see him until late tonight. Kat took her phone out to text her change of plans to her girlfriend Celine. Fin sat down at his desk and watched the ADA and Rollins walk side by side to the elevators.

"So...what do you think". Kat asked him, clocking Rollins and Carisi getting on the elevator together.

"I think I miss when no one else noticed it so I didn't have to talk about it".

Kat laughed. Fin turned away from watching them to face Kat.

"You need to forget about them and focus on this case anyway. This is your first time dealing with one of these guys. This ain't some subway groper you can catch in the act and be done when you throw him in the back of a squad car". Fin's face was serious. "There's a reason people like this get away with it for years before they're caught". He nods his approval when she grabs her Kevlar vest to take with her.

"Copy that sarge". She always listens intently to anything and everything Fin will teach her.

"I give Rollins a lot of shit, but follow her lead. She's got a knack for gettin in these guys heads".

"Yea, I read about how she coaxed a lot out of Greg Yates. At least before he broke out, right"?

"She definitely knew how to get him to talk, but remember, this was after he'd kidnapped, raped and murdered a Chicago PD employee. Not to mention all the other bodies he's got on him. So keep that in mind".

Kat nodded her head.

--

Carisi and Rollins stepped into the elevator. When the doors closed, and they were alone, their bodies were naturally drawn together. Like magnets. Holding each other as the elevator descended, Carisi kissed the top of her head as she lay her cheek against his chest.

"Be careful, Rollins. I hate it that I'm not the one there to watch your back".

"Come on, it'll be a nice drive to the Catskills ". Rollins missed him watching her back too. "If I'm being honest though...I'd rather have you in my life like this". She slipped her hands around him, under his jacket.

He responded by holding her tighter. Then they realized the elevator was about at ground level and both of them let go. They had disclosed to her boss, but that wasn't the same as letting all your coworkers watch PDA in an elevator.

They walked out of the lobby into the cool New York air. It was still cloudy, but not raining. The sun threatened to peek out from behind a cloud and everything seemed vivid in that light. Green trees in the sidewalk contrasted with the grey and brown buildings. Street lights appeared bright against the grey skies. It smelled like rain still. Rain, wet concrete and humidity.

"I know how much you're gonna miss seeing Officer Rapone". Carisi smirked at her. He was looking forward to watching Rollins be a little jealous.

"You think you're pretty funny, huh". Rollins stopped after rounding the street corner with him.

Carisi shrugged his shoulders, nodded his head, and the smirk turned into a full blown smile.

"I think she'd respect a wedding ring'. He grinned like a fool. "That offer still stands to run by the marriage license desk. I'm positive I could get a judge to sign off on it this morning. We'd be husband and wife before you got to Liberty".

Rollins looks behind them and doesn't see any cops right around them. She reaches up to hold both sides of his face and lifts herself up on her tiptoes. One hand holding his briefcase, he put his free hand around her waist as her lips meet his. Knowing this may be the last time she gets to kiss him today she dares to part her lips, her tongue seeking permission which is immediately granted. Her hands reached behind his head pulling him closer and deepening the kiss as passionately as she dared in public. Oh those butterflies, every time she kisses him they come back. How she got so lucky to have this kind of chemistry with her best friend she will never know.

When she suddenly breaks the kiss, he tries to hold her in place with one hand at the small of her back. This time she smirked at him, leaned in with her whole body, but instead of kissing him, she moved to whisper in his ear.

"Remember that when you get to Animal Control. I don't need a wedding ring to keep you honest".

With that, she twisted away from him, turning back around to shoot him a toothy grin as she walked backwards.

"That's playin dirty Rollins", he called, but he grinned back at her.

"Hey, just a reminder... of what waits for you later. I'll see you at home".

"Be careful Rollins...I mean it". He calls back, watching her walk away. "Text me when you're on your way back".

Amanda reaches the corner, and takes one more look at her...boyfriend? Partner? She never did quite get the right title for him. Nothing really adequately described all he was to her without sounding incredibly corny. Soulmate wasn't something she could call him. She laughed to herself when she got back on the elevator. By the time she figured it out, maybe it would be husband.

--

Amanda drove them to Liberty, Kat was used to being the passenger. Fin always drove when they partnered up. She didn't ride as often with Rollins. They made small talk for the first 30 minutes as they were trying to get through the traffic of Manhattan. Asking how the girls were, how was Amanda's dad. Amanda asked her how Celine was doing, if it was getting serious with her.

Just as they made it out of the bumper to bumper traffic Kat finally asked what she'd been dying to since this morning.

"So what was that with you and Carisi this morning in Benson's office". She was looking straight at Rollins to gauge her reaction.

"Oh that...I had some paperwork... you know, they're Billie's Godparents. I just thought it would be easier to get them both to sign off on it at the same time". Amanda could be a good liar when she needed to be. Not that this was really a reason to bother with a lie. She just didn't know if she wanted to explain her relationship for the next two hours.

"Oh". The disappointment on Kat's face was priceless. Amanda wished she could take a picture of it to show Carisi.

Kat quickly recovered and proceeded to grill her on Greg Yates for the next hour, trying to gain some insight on serial killers. Just as Amanda was telling her about how Yates and Dr. Rudnick escaped prison, Amanda's phone alert went off and it lit up on the dash. Not thinking, she'd put it up in the charging stand...which had put it on display. Both women looked at the phone. Before Amanda had a chance to think, several messages from 'Carisi' popped up.

'Judge Lewis says she owes me'
'Marriage cert could be done today'
'Husband = easy label'
'Thanks 4 the reminder'
'Lookin forward to finishing that later'

The last message was just the heart emoji.

Rollins tried to grab at her phone, but it was too late.

Kat nearly choked on air and gleefully exclaimed, "I knew it"!!!

Amanda rolled her eyes, cursing Carisi under her breath.

"I just thought you were in a relationship, you're getting married"??? Kat had turned herself completely in the seat.

"We are NOT getting married". Amanda scoffed as she dropped the phone in her lap, too late.

"But he said"...

Amanda cut her off. "That's Carisi's idea of a joke". She sighed. They were bound to find out at some point. This was all Amanda's idea to disclose today, why was she so reluctant to let Kat know. Maybe if she could get Kat over it by the time they got back to the city...

"Uh, okaaaay". Kat waited, confused, for Amanda to explain.

Cat was out of the bag now, Amanda thought as she put her phone back up in the charger and leaned back hard against the seat. She took a deep breath before she started to tell Kat a short version.

"Okay, so Carisi and I... we...uhh started...seeing each other a few months ago. It's going... really well...so we, I decided it was time to let Liv and Hadid know. You know, to make sure it didn't interfere with work. They have all these disclosure papers and agreements you have to sign".

Kat put her hands up and covered the smile forming. "Awww", her voice a slightly higher pitch, "that's so sweet".

Amanda rolled her eyes again, like she always did when people made assumptions about them in the past.

"Are we talking like friends with benefits? Or full on champagne, love notes and roses "? Kat asked her, genuinely wanting to know. Then she took a beat and thought better of it.
"I mean, you don't have to tell me"...

Amanda thought for a minute about the butterflies he gave her every time she kisses him, or when he looks at her that way. She didn't even realize she was starting to smile.

"Awwww! Rollins"!

She waived Kat off, "I'm not really a champagne and roses kinda girl". Realizing she hasn't really talked to anyone but Olivia about this, not even her therapist knows yet. She'd put off seeing Dr. Hanover for a while, for a couple of reasons, but it's not like she's ashamed of it, so why not open up a little.

"With Carisi it's more like a cold beer or a glass of wine when I get home"...but then she thinks that's definitely not all and added "plus he makes dinner pretty much every night...which I felt bad about at first, but he seems to enjoy it. I think that's like therapy for Carisi".

Amanda relaxed a bit and leaned into it smiling. "Last week, he got his sister to watch the girls, and he did bring me flowers, this beautiful bouquet of purple camellias. He must've had them special ordered, I had mentioned that when I was down in Georgia with my dad I missed seeing so many flowers, especially camellias. I mean...the thought he put into that... Then took me to dinner at my favorite restaurant, just because"...

Kat smiles at her, nodding her head.

Amanda stared straight ahead at the road feeling incredibly lucky. When Al gave her flowers she remembered just being embarrassed and wanted to throw the roses away. He had probably spent 5 minutes ordering them, if that. The flowers Carisi brought her were still in the vase. She was trying to keep them alive as long as possible. She knew he'd listened to her talk about them, and planned, who knows how long in advance, to get them for her.

"He just always has my back, I never have to worry who's tucking my girls into bed if I have to work late. Or like who is taking them to school if I'm due in court... and that means...so much more than flowers or champagne ever would".

"Well it kinda sounds perfect". Kat states.

"Oh it's far from perfect, but I wouldn't know what to do with perfect". Amanda chuckles.

"Well then it's perfect for you". Kat tells her.

Amanda thinks a minute, and can't help but nod in agreement.

"He does seem to know what I need without me ever telling him. Maybe that comes from being friends for so long first". Starting to feel less awkward about sharing, Amanda smiles and continues.

"I remember this time back when I was still dating Al, Carisi told me there was a difference between someone taking care of you, and just having money or being taken out to fancy dinners. He was definitely right about that, this is completely different from what it was like with Al".

Kat tries to hide her glee at Amanda talking to her about this much personal stuff. "Well I didn't know Al, or you back then, but it seems like you and Carisi really love each other, and that might be the difference. Frankly, I thought you two were already together when I first joined the squad because you seemed so close". Kat sat back in her seat trying to play it cool and not push.

Love. Rollins was lost on that word for a few moments. She realized she hadn't actually come out and said those three words to him. Unless you count the euphoric exclamations each time he'd made her come undone when they had sex. The way he seemed to know just what she needed in life was exactly how he was in the bedroom.

She thought their first time might be awkward or over super quick, because they'd both been thinking about it for so long. Instead he turned out to be the only man she'd ever been with to have her come first...First and multiple times she thought. She smiled, clearing her throat to stifle a laugh at her own joke. She hoped her cheeks weren't as red as they felt.

He hadn't actually said it to her either. Probably worried he'd scare her off. But, he'd told her he wanted to marry her, joking or not, he did put that out there.

"I don't know why you wouldn't wanna tell the world but if you want to keep this on the down low, I got your back. I won't even say anything to Fin if you don't want me to. You can count on me". Kat promised Amanda.

Rollins waived her off

"Fin's gonna find out soon enough. I bet Carisi is talking his ear off right now about it. I'll be getting a text soon, telling me I need to get Carisi to calm down. It's just that I don't need the whole precinct knowing my business".

Amanda checked the GPS and thinks they've talked about her more than she'd wanted. "God, that's enough about me for one day... or month, lets talk about how it's gonna go today".

They spent the rest of the car ride going over procedures and Amanda sharing more details about her experience with Greg Yates.

--

Carisi left 1 Hogan Place after he'd filled Hadid in on the investigation so far, and confirmed the disclosure Liv had sent to her about he and Rollins. Hadid didn't have much to say about it, she was never one for a lot of personal conversation. She seemed fine with it, and that was good enough for him. He headed down to Animal Control so he could get an update on the dog before going to the morgue to meet Fin.

Officer Rapone met him at the door to let him in the back entrance. After exchanging pleasantries she let him know they had pulled the dog's DNA to see if anything would come from that and put a rush on it. She'd been checking with all her contacts to see if any German Shepherd breeders specialized in black shepherds or knew who might. She had a few leads and calls had been made.

"You know I could've told you all this on the phone counselor" Jenn flashed a smile at Carisi as she watched him playing with the dog. They'd limited contact to just Jenn, Warner and now Carisi. They collected everything off the dog on a sheet of specialized paper in the kennel to analyze, in case any other fibers might provide a clue of some kind.

"Well, this is on my way to the morgue so I just figured I'd come by". Carisi started to feel a little bad, was she trying to flirt with him? He was never very good at reading women with this stuff and now that he was finally with the one woman he wanted to be, he knew it wasn't a skill he'd ever need again.

She leaned back against the wall, crossing her arms as she watched his discomfort.

"It's detective Rollins isn't it"? She asked, grinning wider.

"Huh"? He asked, trying to pretend he didn't know what she meant.

"You're together"? She rolled her eyes, he knew what she was saying. "You just seem different. More...relaxed".

Carisi blushed, and started to stammer. "Well, I mean we...we have been"...

"Wow, you've really got it bad". Jenn laughed. "I'm happy for you, I'm sad for me, it explains a few things though. You were completely oblivious to my blatant flirting the last time we worked together".

Carisi felt his cheeks burn and could barely muster "Was I"?

She nodded her head. "Uh, yes you were. But I get it. You talked about her even back then. Quite a bit actually. Being with her...it suits you. Seems like it was worth the wait". She sighed. "Someday I'll find that".

He couldn't help but smile now, Rollins was definitely worth waiting for.

Jenn promised to text him as soon as she heard back from the people she was in contact with and if there was anything new they got off the dog.

--

By the time Carisi arrived to the Medical Examiners office Fin was sitting in the chairs outside the morgue on his phone.

"Fin, Warner still in there"? He pointed to the window as he was walking towards him.

"No, I'm just sittin out here for the atmosphere".

Carisi rolled his eyes and smiled. He saw Fin was texting.

"Kat says they are almost in Liberty, she also said with Amanda driving it might be a record time".

Fin stood up as Carisi reached him.

"Yea, she's got a lead foot that one". Carisi set his briefcase on the chairs, the window blinds were shut. Generally they'd be let in close to the end of the autopsy.

"So you and Rollins huh". Fin was looking at the window with him as he spoke. Before Carisi had a chance to say anything he went on "Don't even waste a lie on me".

Carisi looked down, then over at Fin. He thought Amanda should be the one to tell him, but there really was no point in lying about it.

"Yea Fin. Amanda would want to be the one to say something I think".

"No she wouldn't". Fin knew how much Amanda hated talking about stuff like this.

Carisi laughed. "Yea, you're probably right".

"Look, I'm only gonna say this once". Fin started "Rollins is my girl. She's had it rough for a long time, I ain't ever seen her with a guy more than a few weeks, and they weren't always...good dudes. They certainly weren't good for her. If she's talkin to Liv about you and her, then this is different. And I'm sure it's a good thing. And it goes without saying, but I'm gonna say it anyway. Don't hurt her. I'd hate to have to break your legs or something".

"Fin! How long have you known me, you can't think I'd hurt Amanda"! Carisi exclaimed, surprised at Fin's sentiment.

"Mmmh, naw, the one thing I know, is you never really know anyone. I don't know what happens behind closed doors and I've seen enough that nothing shocks me".

Carisi shook his head, but understood where he was coming from. He remembered how surprised they all were when Hank Abraham was found with child porn on his computer. Half the cops didn't even know he was married to Pippa Cox. He wondered if he and Rollins would keep their relationship on the DL indefinitely like those two had.

"Okay, I hear you Fin. You have my word".

"I get it, there's a reason she's gone this far with you. And she seems much happier lately. It's just somethin I gotta say. Now I hope we can never talk about this again".

Just then Warner opened the blinds and motioned for them to enter.