"You okay?" Erin asked. She had just joined Hank near their front door, as he prepared to head out to work for his last day in charge of Intelligence.

"Been better. I'll get through it," he replied. The truth was he felt heavy-hearted. Leaving Intelligence was going to be one of the hardest things he had ever done. Even with his full pension, a new venture to look forward to, and the team passing into somewhat safe hands, there was still no doubt in his mind that continuing with Intelligence himself would have been the preferred option. But that option hadn't been available.

Erin gave him a hug. "It'll be a tough day for sure. Try to enjoy it if you can."

"I'll do my best."

With that, Hank left the house and drove straight to the 21st. There was no breakfast date with Kalinda today because he had said he wouldn't be good company. That was a decision he was glad he had made now. Much as he loved Kalinda, and he definitely did, getting through the shift was all he had energy for right now. Thankfully, but unsurprisingly, she had said she totally understood, and there had been no problem with him not coming over.

It wasn't long before Hank walked into the 21st. Preoccupied with his thoughts, he trudged up the stairs to Intelligence. When he reached the top, he saw that the team, along with Trudy Platt and Sam Miller, were lined up along either side of the bullpen to give him a guard of honour. They began applauding him. He found it somewhat embarrassing, but he recognised that it was a show of immense respect, and he appreciated that.

"Thank you," he said simply as he walked past them, down to the far end where his office was.

With the little impromptu ceremony over, Kevin Atwater stepped forward. He now had a box in his hand.

"Sarge, we know that because you chose to resign, CPD will do nothing to recognise your service. That's why we thought we should do something instead. Everyone here has contributed to getting you this." He offered Hank the box.

It was Hank's first instinct to tell them off for spending money on him and making a big deal about him leaving. But that would offend them, he was aware. It was better to be gracious. He took the box and opened it, finding a black watch with a dark green face. A Breitling. An expensive watch, even if it was a refurbished model. He looked up at the people in front of him and did feel gratitude for the gift, and more so for their display of respect.

"Thanks, everyone. It means a lot. You know if it had been up to me I wouldn't be going. I will miss you all."

It wasn't over. The team now came forward one by one to shake his hand or give him a hug. Kalinda went with a handshake, giving no hint that they were actually in a relationship. Next came Trudy, and finally Sam Miller.

"Good luck to you, Hank," she said after they shook hands.

"And to you," he replied. Then he addressed the group. "I think it's time to get on with some work."

"Before we do that, I've got an announcement to make," Kim said.

It didn't require much in the way of detective work to figure out what she was about to say. Miller had a grimace on her face right away.

"I'm going to be turning in my papers today. After my notice period is up, I'll be joining Voight Detective Services."

Hank stood in silence while the team passed on congratulations and regrets about her leaving.

"Anyone else you're going to take?" Miller asked Hank a little tensely.

"I'd take them all if I could afford them and provide work for them. But no, it's just Kim."

Hank noticed that Kevin looked particularly disheartened. Maybe he had been thinking about asking for a job. Sadly, he was out of luck.


That evening, after what had proven to be an uneventful work day for Hank, mainly tidying up paperwork ahead of his departure, his final shift came to an end. No one had left the bullpen yet, he saw when he emerged from his office.

"Sarge," Adam Ruzek said. "We've organised some farewell drinks at Molly's tonight. We're meeting up at around eight."

This 'surprise' was one that Hank had almost expected. "That sounds good. I could use a drink."

"Maybe we should..." Kim said to the team, leaving her voice to trail off. Her meaning was that they should give Hank a moment alone if he wanted it. Agreeing with her, they all started filing out.

"Kev. Hang back," Hank said.

Atwater waited near his desk, and Hank walked over to him.

"This fucking sucks, Sarge."

"Yeah, it does. And it sucks that I don't have a place for you. Wish I did. But it's time for you to step up here now. Set the tone. You hear me?"

"I will," Kevin said seriously. "Thanks for everything you've done for me."

"I'll still be around. Keep in touch."

The two men shook hands, and walked out of the bullpen together. Hank didn't look back. A chapter of his life had just closed. It was time to open a new one.


Hank showed up at Molly's at a few minutes after eight. Weirdly, Erin hadn't been home when he had returned after work, or replied to a text. He might have been worried if he hadn't been quite confident that he would find her at Molly's.

Sure enough, Erin was one of the first people he saw when he walked in. She was sitting at the bar, talking to Adam. He spotted Kim, Kevin, Dante and Trudy at a table. Kalinda was nowhere to be seen, which was weird, but then as he headed for the bar he saw her returning from the bathroom. She headed straight over to greet him.

He watched her walk towards him. Beautiful smile on her face. Hair down. Leather jacket and leather boots on. His woman. Erin had managed to get him to like that term. He took pride in thinking of Kalinda that way.

"Hey, Sarge," Kalinda said, her eyes gleaming in amusement at their ongoing secret. They hugged, which seemed acceptable in a bar, even for former colleagues. Hank breathed in her perfume and the slight smell of incense that came with it.

"Hey. I'm glad you're here," he said quietly, for her ears only.

"You held up so well today. Such a strong person. I'm proud of you."

Hank wanted to kiss her, but this wasn't the time or place. "Thank you," was all he said in reply.

He was soon swamped by the team again, with Trudy not far behind. Even she was in good spirits, carried along by the positive atmosphere. This evening wasn't about being sad because Hank had left Intelligence, it was about having a good time on what was likely to be the last occasion they were all together as a group. When her turn came, Trudy even gave him a hug.

"I've been asked to pass on best wishes from everybody at Firehouse 51," she said. "Also, nobody from Intelligence will be putting their hands in their pockets tonight. All your drinks are on the house."

Again, Hank knew better than to try rejecting the offer. "That's very kind. Pass on my thanks to Mouch, Herrmann and Stella, please."

"Will do," Trudy said. "Go get yourself a drink."

Hank walked over to the bar, and Erin joined him.

"This is really nice," she said, looking around at everyone who had shown up for him.

"Yeah. Figured I'd find you down here. Did you organise this?"

"No comment." There was a small smile on her face that gave the game away.

"Well, thank you."

"It would have been wrong for your last memory of Intelligence to be walking out of that bullpen. Your career deserves to be celebrated."

"I'm not much of a celebrator."

"I know. But you can enjoy a few drinks with everyone."

That was true, he had to admit. And that was what he proceeded to do. He wanted to make sure he spent some time talking to each of them, letting them know that they could reach out to him if they ever needed anything. Everyone responded positively, saying they wanted to keep in contact with him.

Hank was standing in conversation with Dante Torres when he happened to look towards the bar's entrance as a man walked in. It was Jay Halstead.


A/N: Yes, I really did leave it there. Cruel, aren't I?

What did you make of Hank's final day with Intelligence?