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The Complete History of Kim Burgess and Adam Ruzek's Relationship on Chicago P.D.
The officers' love story began in Season 1, but finally took a big step in Season 11.
A question has plagued Chicago P.D. since the series' 2014 debut: Are Kim Burgess (Marina Squerciati) and Adam Ruzek (Patrick John Flueger) endgame?
Since the couple's complicated relationship began in Season 1, their chemistry has been undeniable, but their compatibility left room for improvement. Lovingly dubbed "Burzek" by Chi-Hards, the couple has been engaged three time, navigated several crises and cases together, and even started a family before officially dating again.
RELATED: Every Time Kim Burgess and Adam Ruzek Have Been Engaged on Chicago P.D.
To say Burgess and Ruzek have been through it is an understatement, but time and time again, they fall back into each other's arms. Burzek's hot-and-cold romance finally reached a boiling point in Season 10 of Chicago P.D., and fans have loved seeing their relationship thrive in Season 11. That's when Ruzek proposed — for the third and (hopefully) final time — and viewers would agree that this time feels different.
In honor of the tides finally turning for the beloved P.D. couple, look back at everything Burgess and Ruzek's romance has been through to get to this point, from the very beginning.
Kim Burgess and Adam Ruzek shared their first kiss in Chicago P.D. Season 1
The obsession over Burzek's undeniable connection began when Burgess and Ruzek became close friends after first meeting in Season 1, Episode 6 ("Conventions"). After several episodes of flirtation and undeniable chemistry, they finally kissed following some drinks at Molly's in Season 1, Episode 10 ("At Least It's Justice"). The only problem? Ruzek was engaged to another woman at the time.
RELATED: How Officer Kim Burgess Became a Chicago P.D. Favorite
However, by Season 1, Episode 15 ("A Beautiful Friendship"), Ruzek no longer had a fiancée, and the couple finally entered into a full-blown relationship, officially introducing fans to Burzek.
Kim Burgess and Adam Ruzek got engaged in Season 2 of Chicago P.D.
After opening up to the rest of the Intelligence Unit about their relationship, the two cops were very much in love throughout the second season of Chicago P.D.
RELATED: Patrick John Flueger's Fluffy Cat Loki Will Melt Your Heart
Hoping to take their relationship to the next level, Ruzek surprised Burgess and popped the question in the station's locker room during the Season 2 finale ("Born Into Bad News"). Of course, Burgess said yes — but the couple wouldn't be hearing wedding bells any time soon.
Kim Burgess and Adam Ruzek broke up in Season 3 of Chicago P.D.
Many fans believed that the couple would be on a high following Burgess and Ruzek's Season 2 engagement, but that's not quite how it panned out. Burgess noticed Ruzek's commitment issues surrounding meeting each other's families and couldn't help but take note of his two previous failed engagements. Those insecurities proved to be valid concerns as their road to the altar became rocky.
RELATED: Patrick John Flueger Wants Burzek to Get Back Together
When Burgess finally realized Ruzek wasn't quite ready to settle down, she called off their nuptials in Season 3, Episode 12 ("Looking Out for Stateville").
“You don’t want to be on the hook," Burgess said. "I am letting you off.”
Kim Burgess and Adam Ruzek dated other people for three seasons
In Seasons 4 through 6 of Chicago P.D., Burgess and Ruzek remained close friends and co-workers while dating other people.
Ruzek briefly dated Hailey Upton (Tracy Spiridakos) in Season 6 of the NBC drama. Meanwhile, Burgess dated Sean Roman (Brian Geraghty) after breaking up with Ruzek in Season 3 and later had a fling with Blair Wiliams (Charles Michael Davis) in Season 6.
RELATED: Tracy Spiridakos is Leaving Chicago P.D. After 7 Years
However, despite their attempts at finding love with other people, Ruzek and Burgess tended to slip back to each other, even occasionally hooking up as "friends." While this offered brief glimmers of hope for Burzek fans, their status as more than friends remained downright dubious.
Kim Burgess got pregnant with Adam Ruzek's baby in Chicago P.D. Season 7
Following an off-screen hookup, Burgess discovered she was pregnant with Ruzek's child in Season 7, Episode 8 ("No Regrets"). Of course, this made things even more complicated for the estranged couple. With the goal of "trying to be a good guy," Ruzek proposed to Burgess for the second time in Season 7, Episode 11 ("43rd and Normal").
But Burgess — aware they were still on different pages emotionally — turned him down. "We are different, and we're not meant to be together..." Burgess told him. "Not now, not as husband and wife anyway."
In a heartbreaking turn of events, Burgess suffered a miscarriage after a violent confrontation with a suspect in a child sex trafficking case.
Adam Ruzek and Kim Burgess became co-parents in Season 8 of Chicago P.D.
In the wake of overcoming an emotional breakdown triggered by losing their baby, Ruzek did his best to support and communicate with Burgess.
However, just as the two were beginning to overcome their very complicated history, Burgess became attached to a young girl, Makayla (Ramona Edith Williams), who the two found wandering the streets alone after both of her parents were tragically killed.
Related: Burgess and Ruzek Just Kissed on Chicago P.D. — But What Does It Mean?
Makayla proved to be a miracle for Burgess, who viewed the young girl as a beacon of joy amid the fallout of her tragic miscarriage. Eventually, despite Ruzek's initial reservations, Burgess adopted Makayla. She made Ruzek the child's official custodian even though the pair weren't in a relationship at the time.
"We are a lot of things, including pretty screwed up," Burgess told Ruzek in Season 8, Episode 13 ("Trouble Dolls"). "Who knows if we'll ever really get our act together, but [Makayla's] last name is Burgess now, Adam. And one thing that we can be, you and I, is we can be this whole big round thing that can surround and protect her. Even if Makayla doesn't know it exists, and I need that. It's the only way that I can do this. Be a good mom and be the kind of cop that I need to be."
Ruzek agreed, thus starting a brand new chapter for Burzek as co-parents.
Kim Burgess and Adam Ruzek grew into exemplary co-parents in Chicago P.D. Season 9
Season 9 largely focused on Burzek's co-parenting relationship — and their newfound responsibility was put to the test when their daughter was kidnapped, leading to a blowout fight between the two friends in Season 9, Episode 15 ("Gone").
Thankfully, the young girl was found, and her parents put aside their differences to ensure she could work through her trauma. By the end of the season, Burzek still were not together, but that didn't stop their relationship from deepening. Ruzek even went as far as purchasing his father's house for Burgess and Makayla to live in without him.
"It's a place for him, that house, whether he recognizes it or not," Flueger told NBC Insider. "He talks about it's this house flooded with light and a big backyard, and I don't know that those things are actually true. In reality, that's how he remembers it. That's his nostalgic view of the place, and I think he's got such good memories there that he wants to make sure that he shares it with this kid that he's just mad about."
I think he just likes the idea of, without trying to sound misogynistic, that classic caretaker. 'If I can't be there every day, if you're not 'gonna have my last name, if I can't make decisions here or there, that maybe, I could at least share this part of myself with you,'" he added
Kim Burgess and Adam Ruzek got back together in Season 10 of Chicago P.D.
Ruzek eventually moved in with Burgess and Makayla in Season 10, strengthening his bond with the young girl who had initially been apprehensive about calling him her father. After opening up in a joint therapy session in Season 10, Episode 17 ("Out of the Depths"), something clicked for the pair, and they finally confessed their seasons' worth of repressed feelings to each other.
Ruzek made a touching confession, telling the counselor, "Maybe there were some times where I felt more, wanted more, and [Burgess] didn't feel the same way or want the same things. But you adjust, I adjust, we adjusted, and work through it."
Burgess finally revealed that she had always felt the same way but was too "scared and numb" to do anything about it. What followed was a passionate kiss and hook-up that had been a long time coming for Burzek fans.
"I think it has to do with balance," Flueger told NBC Insider of why Burzek are so good together. "I think it’s just they balance each other out. They just collectively calm each other down and, you know, validate each other’s strengths and make up for each other’s weaknesses."
In Season 10, Episode 18 ("You Only Die Twice"), Makayla called Ruzek "Dad" for the first time, an emotional scene that marked a significant jump in progress in Burgess and Ruzek's new lease on their relationship.
Kim Burgess and Adam Ruzek got engaged in Chicago P.D. Season 11
Burgess and Ruzek truly gained their footing as a couple in Season 11 of Chicago P.D and, in Episode 3 ("Safe Harbor"), Ruzek took a big step. After Burgess encouraged him to continue fighting for their family, he assured her was prepared to fight for their relationship for the rest of his life.
He then pulled out a dazzling diamond ring (showing massive strides in the romance department compared to his first two half-cooked proposals).
"I was gonna do a whole thing here, but um… this seems better," Ruzek told her. "Let's get married. Let’s make it forever."
"Third time's a charm, huh?" Burgess lovingly joked before Ruzek slipped the ring on her finger, gauging her reaction.
"Does that feel good?" Ruzek asked.
"It’s perfect," Burgess told him.
"Before, it was such a rocky, tumultuous relationship," Squerciati told NBC Insider. "They never should have gotten engaged. But because they've been through everything and managed to stay together, it does seem like they've proved their mettle. They've been through the fire, they're ready. The bait and switch for Ruzek and Burgess are over. They'll go through stuff, but they're together now."
Find out what happens with Burzek next by watching Chicago P.D. on Wednesdays at 10/9c on NBC and the next day on Peacock.
Originally published Mar 31, 2023.
