Things were undoubtedly going well for Hank. He and the team seemed to have gotten over their initial sadness at Hailey leaving within a couple of days, and things had returned to normal, whatever normal meant these days. Things were certainly changing fast in Hank's life of late. He wasn't sure if he could describe any of what had happened as normal.

Life was good though, that was what mattered. He continued to feel closer to Kalinda every single time he saw her, and things with Erin were going well too. She had started two searches, one for an office space and another for a receptionist. Hank hoped to see some progress on both fronts soon. It had been decided that once Erin had selected candidates she liked for the receptionist position, she and Hank would interview them together.

At the moment his responsibility was to try and drum up business for the company ahead of its launch. To that end, he had discreetly used police time over the past few days to make some calls. Pleasingly, but not surprisingly, he already had some interest from several of his contacts. After all, he wouldn't have chosen to launch the company if he hadn't been confident of it having enough work to make it viable.

Sitting in his office with the door closed, he was about to make another call when an incoming call prevented him. Sam Miller's name was on the screen.

"Now what?" Hank groaned under his breath. However, he adopted a more positive tone when he answered. "Sam."

"Hank. Wanted to let you know I think our timing was pretty good, getting your resignation in when we did."

We, Hank noted. He supposed she used that word because she had chosen to help him out with the warning, and he guessed that was fair enough. "What do you mean?" he asked.

"I just got out of a meeting with your replacement at Intelligence. Turns out those above me had already made an approach, which tells me they were likely days, weeks at most, away from letting you go."

Wow, Hank thought. It sure sounded like she was right, and if so she really had helped him out by talking him into taking the full pension retirement option. He was offended by the fact that the so-called higher-ups had been ready to kick his ass to the kerb, but that wasn't Miller's fault. "I see. Who are they giving the job to?"

"They've brought somebody in from out of town. Texas, actually. Ran smaller unit down in Houston."

"Can I get a name?" he asked, pulling up the national database on his computer.

"Raquel Gonzalez."

Hank wasn't offended at being replaced by a woman, as a lot of men would have been. He had worked with women every bit as good at the job as he was, Kim Burgess for one, so he saw no reason why this Gonzalez character couldn't fit the bill. Whether she actually did or not remained to be seen.

"I wanted to ask if you would meet with her before she takes charge," Miller was saying. "It would help to ensure a smooth transition, which would obviously be good for everyone on the team. I know they're all important to you."

Hank could see the logic in that. It was a fair request, and in any case he owed Miller a favour considering how she had helped him out with the heads up. "Alright. Let me know when and where."

"I'll set it up. Thank you, Hank."

"You're welcome," he said, and ended the call. The name Raquel Gonzalez was already typed into the search engine in front of him. He used filters to refine the search to show people who had recently worked in Houston, and hit the search button.

One result appeared: Sergeant Raquel Victoria Gonzalez.

Sergeant rank was the minimum requirement for heading up Intelligence. That was why he hadn't suggested to Kalinda that she might put herself forward. He clicked on the name and Gonzalez's personnel file appeared.

Forty-two years old, he calculated from the date of birth. Born in Rio Grande Valley, Texas. Mexican descent seemed obvious, but was not mentioned. An excellent record of service with the police in Houston, including an award for bravery. A significant number of proficiencies and qualifications: Assault rifles, shotguns and sniper rifles. Hostage negotiation. Hazmat incident response. Advanced driving.

It was an impressive resume, Hank had to admit. He was pretty much past the bruised ego stage – happy to be moving on to the next venture in his life. Therefore the main thing he felt was encouragement, that at least his people, his unit, were being handed over to someone competent.

He looked at the photo of the woman his people – he would always consider them his people – were going to be handed over to. Stern-faced but definitely not unattractive. But what kind of person was she? What kind of cop was she? Apparently, he would soon find out.

That night, for the third night in a row, Hank had gone over to Kalinda's place. Good company, good food and good sex were all on the menu every time he stayed over, and he fully intended to enjoy all three tonight. The relationship had reignited his sex drive, making him feel much younger than he had before she had come into his life.

So far, the good company and good food had been checked off the list. For the first time, he gotten to eat Kalinda's homemade curry, and what a treat it had been. Spicy and delicious, just like her. He had thought about saying that to her but had opted not to after some consideration. She sure knew how to feed guests too. It was hard to finish the large portions she generously provided.

Now, they were sitting together on the couch. Kalinda had put some soft guitar music on earlier. Hank didn't know who the artist was, but he quite liked it. The main lights were off, two lamps instead providing a relaxing, dim light to the living area. The apartment was warm, and she had an incense stick burning nearby. Overall, there was a very relaxing vibe, and Hank felt right at home with his woman, to use Erin's description.

"What a lovely evening again," Kalinda said, cuddled to him as she often liked to be when they were relaxing together.

"Yes. That's thanks to you, for hosting and cooking. I'm a lucky man."

Kalinda moved position and kissed him on the lips. "Sshhh. I'm the lucky one. You make me so happy. The question on my mind is how to bring this wonderful evening to an appropriate conclusion."

By you talking to me like that, he thought, as ever delighting in her wordy verbiage and sumptuous accent. There were even better ways than that though, as they both knew. He was already picturing her in some kind of sexy leather outfit. His favourite material was notably absent from her current attire. "I can think of a few ways," he said, feeling his body start to warm up already.

She kissed him again. "So can I. You stay right where you are. I'll return soon."

"I won't move a muscle," he promised as she got off the couch. He watched her walk towards her bedroom, knowing full well that she was going to put on some leather for him. She had promised it to him a few days ago but had ended up with a headache that night after spending too much time on her computer at work. Needing new reading glasses had been her guess as to the root cause. There was no headache tonight though, and Hank was revved up to see what she was about to treat him to. Kalinda knew what he liked, knew how to build his anticipation, and knew how to satisfy him with what he liked.

Five frustrating minutes dragged by before Kalinda came back from her bedroom. She was now dressed in knee high leather boots, a short leather skirt, a leather bra and elbow length leather gloves, all in black. Hank had never seen such a stunning sight in person.

"Wow, you look so hot," he said, making to get up.

"No, no, no. You stay sitting right where you are, mister," she said, strutting her stuff as she walked over to the living area.

Realising she was going to put on a show for him, Hank sat back and did his best to relax. It became almost impossible right away, for Kalinda moved the heavy wooden coffee table closer to the couch, stepped up on it and started slowly dancing for him.

"Oh, Kalinda," he groaned in delight. It was almost like being in a strip club, only even better because it was his woman dancing for him in an incredibly sexy leather outfit.

Kalinda had moves too, he soon discovered. She danced slowly to the guitar music, gyrating and stroking her body with the gloves. Hank wanted her to do that to him. In fact he wanted to pull her off the table and fuck her right there on the couch, but he figured she wasn't going to let him touch the goods. That was the whole point – to drive him crazy in anticipation for when she, not he, was ready for sex. Holding back was so hard.

"I want you right now. I want you so bad," he said.

Kalinda completely ignored him and continued dancing. He had wondered if she might strip for him, but no, the leather was the point. He focused on the boots. One of many pairs she had. Always with the boots that turned him on. Damn, they looked so good on her shapely legs. The stuff of dreams.

It surprised him when Kalinda spoke for the first time since getting on the table. "I wondered how long until you fixated on my boots. Of all the leather I wear, you like the boots the most, don't you?"

It wasn't really a question because they both knew the answer. "Yes," he said, well aware that she figuratively had him in the palm of her hand.

Kalinda said nothing, continuing to dance for him for a few more minutes. Then, to Hank's delight, she stretched her right foot out towards him. "No hands," she instructed.

Hank knew what she wanted, and he was totally fine with it. She wanted him to kiss her foot.

"Don't worry, these are brand new. Never been worn until now," she said, encouraging him. "Go on. I know you want to worship me when I'm all dressed in leather like this. Kiss my foot."

Hank didn't feel belittled, he just felt increasingly turned on. If she wanted to be worshipped, that was fine with him. She was beautiful enough to earn it. And if she wanted him to kiss her leather boots, the boots that fired him up merely at the sight of them, that was fine too. More than fine.

Leaning forward, Hank lightly kissed her boot, around where her big toe would be. He desperately wanted to put his hands on the boot too, but that was not allowed.

"Kiss is again," Kalinda instructed.

This is going to kill me, Hank thought, becoming more and more excited by the second. He kissed the boot again, looking up at her while he did it. Her eyes showed as much desire for him as he had for her. She was also enjoying her temporary position of power over him.

"Good," Kalinda said in a seductive tone. She lifted her foot slowly, and Hank followed it with his head, ready to kiss again if instructed. Then, suddenly, she angled her foot to one side a bit and pushed the part he had been kissing into his mouth.

To say the least, Hank was surprised, in an exceptionally good way. His mouth was full of the sexy leather boot. She almost literally had him on a hook like a fish.

"I figure you'd do anything for me right now, Hank," she breathed.

"Mmm hmm," he moaned in agreement.

"Including fuck me?"

"Mmm hmm," he said with more enthusiasm.

Kalinda took her foot out of his mouth, climbed onto his lap, and they proceeded to have the best sex he had ever had in his life. It was during the sex that he first acknowledged the fact that he was in love with Kalinda Rai. But was it too soon to tell her?

A/N: I'm interested to know what my long-term readers think of Hank's replacement at Intelligence?

And should Hank tell Kalinda that he loves her?