Former 'SVU' partners Christopher Meloni, Mariska Hargitay reunite

Det. Elliot Stabler may not drop by the Law & Order: SVU squad room but Christopher Meloni still pops up in his old partner's Instagram feed now and then.

Meloni, who left the crime procedural series amid a contract dispute at the end of Season 12, posted a selfie with his old co-star, Mariska Hargitay, on Instagram Tuesday night, captioned "Friends at Xmas.”

The former co-stars have reunited for photos every few years — and sometimes every few months, including earlier this year.

Maybe Meloni is leaving the door open for a possible guest appearance before SVU signs off?

Contributing: Associated Press