The Exact Moment: Which Episode Do Casey And Dawson Get Back Together In Chicago Fire Season 3?

The relationship between Matthew Casey and Gabriela Dawson, affectionately known as "Dawsey," was the emotional core of Chicago Fire for many seasons, but their journey was far from smooth. Fans who witnessed their painful breakup in Season 3 often search for the precise moment the beloved couple finally reconciled. As of December 13, 2025, the definitive answer remains a major highlight of the show's third season: Casey and Dawson officially get back together in Season 3, Episode 20, "You Know Where to Find Me."

This pivotal episode marks the end of a long, tumultuous separation that saw both characters struggle with grief, career changes, and dating other people. The reunion was a massive payoff for viewers, confirming that despite all the professional and personal conflict, their bond was unbreakable. Understanding the dramatic events that led to this moment is crucial to appreciating the depth of their reconciliation.

The Tumultuous Journey to Reunion: Why Dawsey Broke Up in Season 3

The third season of Chicago Fire was arguably the most challenging for the Dawsey relationship, which had already faced a near-constant barrage of obstacles. The season began on a devastating note, with the death of their close friend and Paramedic in Charge, Leslie Shay, in the Season 3 premiere. This tragedy immediately put a strain on all members of Firehouse 51, but it hit Casey and Dawson particularly hard, as Shay had been living with them.

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Grief, Career Shifts, and Professional Conflict

The initial separation began not with a single fight, but with a slow, agonizing drift fueled by massive life changes:

• The Loss of Shay: The grief over Leslie Shay's death created an emotional distance between Casey and Dawson. While Casey internalized his pain, Dawson struggled to cope, leading to communication breakdowns.
• Dawson's Career Change: A major catalyst for their breakup was Dawson’s decision to leave Ambo 61 and become a Candidate on Truck 81. This was a professional conflict of interest, as Casey was her Lieutenant, and their personal relationship began to clash severely with their professional roles.
• The "Arrest in Transit" Incident: The conflict peaked in Season 3, Episode 9, "Arrest in Transit." A major argument erupted after Casey showed professional discipline on a call involving a leaking tanker, which Dawson felt was an unfair reprimand. This incident underscored their inability to separate their work and home lives, leading to their painful split just before the fall finale.

Following the breakup, both characters attempted to move on. Casey found a brief connection with a new character, and Dawson struggled to find her footing while still working alongside her ex-fiancé. The tension in Firehouse 51 was palpable, leaving fans desperate for the inevitable reunion of the show's central couple.

The Exact Episode: Season 3, Episode 20, "You Know Where to Find Me"

The long-awaited reunion of Matthew Casey and Gabriela Dawson occurs in Season 3, Episode 20, titled "You Know Where to Find Me." This episode is a significant turning point in the series, not just for Dawsey, but for other characters like Severide and Mills as well.

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The Emotional Context of the Reconciliation

The episode’s title, "You Know Where to Find Me," perfectly encapsulates the theme of returning to a place of comfort and certainty. The reconciliation scene itself is often cited by fans as one of the most emotional moments of the season. Unlike their previous attempts at connection, this moment was free of professional conflict and outside pressure.

The reunion is sparked by a natural, almost magnetic pull between the two. Casey, who had struggled to express his feelings throughout the season, finally opens up, and Dawson, exhausted by the emotional distance, reciprocates. The scene is a quiet, powerful acknowledgment that no matter what challenges they face, they are meant to be together. It was a decidedly romantic and heartfelt direction that many viewers had been anticipating since the fall finale.

By the end of this episode, the professional boundaries and personal baggage that had separated them are put aside, paving the way for a fresh start. The reunion was a clear indication that the writers were moving the couple forward, setting the stage for even bigger milestones in the future.

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The Aftermath: What Came Next for the Dawsey Relationship?

While the reconciliation in "You Know Where to Find Me" was a cause for celebration, the relationship immediately faced another massive, life-altering challenge. The final two episodes of Season 3 quickly cemented their renewed commitment:

The Season 3 Cliffhanger and Future Milestones

The season finale, Episode 23, "Spartacus," delivers a shocking cliffhanger that directly involves the newly reunited couple. Dawson makes a personal discovery that leads to a major shock, which is later revealed to be a pregnancy. This discovery, made just as Casey becomes entangled in a dangerous criminal investigation involving a strip club owner, completely changes the stakes for the couple.

The reconciliation in Episode 20 was not just a return to dating; it was the start of a renewed commitment that would lead to some of the most memorable moments in the Dawsey saga:

• Marriage: The couple eventually gets married in Season 5, Episode 10, "One Hundred," in a courthouse ceremony.
• Adoption: Their desire to start a family leads them to foster and attempt to adopt Louie.
• The Final Farewell: Despite their deep love, the couple ultimately separates when Gabriela Dawson decides to leave Chicago for a long-term relief mission in Puerto Rico, marking the end of the original "Dawsey" era.

The reunion in Season 3, Episode 20, therefore, is a crucial moment. It is the episode where they finally put aside their professional differences and personal grief to re-establish the romantic foundation that would carry them through marriage, family attempts, and ultimately, a heartbreaking farewell. For fans tracking the complete Dawsey relationship timeline, "You Know Where to Find Me" is the definitive answer to when they truly got back together.