After the shopping trip, Hank had dropped Erin off at Jay's place. She had told him that she had some clothes there, so she would been able to get ready and travel with Jay to the restaurant for that night's family dinner. That was how she had described it, and the choice of words had meant a lot to him.

Hank and Kalinda had gone to her apartment. On the shopping trip, not wanting to go all day without buying anything, he had purchased some new black shoes, a smart pair of navy blue pants and a light blue shirt – a new outfit to wear to dinner.

"You look so smart and handsome," was Kalinda's first reaction to seeing him in it. He was well aware that she liked a smartly-dressed man. Luckily for him, he was used to dressing that way for social occasions.

"And you look stunning," he said, looking her up and down. She had a stylish sleeveless black dress on, which finished well above the knee. Leather boots completed the look, much to his pleasure. Her hair was inevitably up, but he looked past that.

"Thank you, passion fruit."

"Do not start calling me passion fruit," he said with sternness that he wasn't entirely faking. "Once was enough."

Kalinda laughed. "Aww. I like that name for you."

Hurriedly, Hank changed the subject. "I'm going to cover Erin and Jay's share of the check tonight. Don't say anything to them, but I don't think they're in great shape financially, with Erin only just starting at the agency and Jay having just returned to Chicago."

"Bless them," Kalinda said with sympathy. "You know, I've been doing some thinking about them. They're struggling to find somewhere to live. You and I have thought about living together, at your house. What if we did that and I spoke to the guy who owns this place to see if Erin and Jay can have it, maybe even at the same reduced rate I got it for? Might be stretching the 'friend of a friend' thing a bit too far, but you don't get if you don't ask."

Wait, wait, wait," Hank said, holding up a hand. "Did you just casually drop into conversation that you're ready to move in with me?"

"Yeah, I think I did," she said thoughtfully. "I mean, only if you want me to, obviously."

"Of course I want you to. That's absolutely what I want. And like you said, maybe Erin and Jay can take this place, if they want to. At the very least, it's an idea worth putting out there to see what they think of it. We could do that over dinner later?"

Kalinda nodded. "Let's do that."

It was noticeable to Hank that there was a relaxed atmosphere at the dinner table. It had been that way throughout the evening. The four of them had become comfortable in each other's company. He liked that because it showed that Kalinda was being seen less as the woman he had recently started dating and more as a member of the family.

For the past ten minutes or so, Jay and Kalinda had been talking about soccer, or football as she called it. In truth, the conversation was quite boring for Hank, and he could tell that Erin felt the same, sitting there eating in silence and trying not to let her expression become vacant. Much as he liked to see Kalinda and Jay getting along, Hank decided to step in at the next opportunity, and he knew the right subject to bring up when he did so. When Kalinda stopped to pour herself more wine, he went for it.

"So, Kalinda and I have been thinking about living arrangements. We'd like to move in together as soon as it's practical."

"That's great!" Erin cried, immediately delighted for them. "Honestly, the two of you are made for each other. Like, to the fullest extent. It's been obvious for some time now."

"She's right," Jay said. "You make a really good couple. You've not been in your apartment long though, Kalinda, right?"

"That's right," she said. "Actually, Hank and I were talking about that earlier There's something you might consider. Keep in mind I don't know if this is feasible at the moment, but my idea was this: I'd move into Hank's house, and I'd speak to the owner of the apartment I'm currently renting to see if he would have a problem with you taking over the rental agreement. As he's a friend of a friend, I'd like to think I'd stand at least a moderate chance of being successful."

Hank sat there eating and enjoying listened to her voice, as ever. Most people might have said 'I think he'll agree to that.' Kalinda's version was so much more eloquent.

Erin and Jay looked at each other, considering for the first time whether they might be able to make a home of the apartment that Kalinda currently lived in.

"Thank you for being so considerate," Erin said to Kalinda after a moment. "We both appreciate it. Let us take some time to talk it over and we'll get back to you."

"Of course. I didn't expect you to decide now."

After a thoroughly pleasant evening and some excellent food, Hank had insisted on covering Erin and Jay's half of the check, as planned. Kalinda had then in turn insisted on paying for herself and Hank. Jay had clearly been uncomfortable not paying his own way, but at the same time appreciative because money was so tight for him and Erin.

Out in the parking lot, it was time to part ways – Jay and Erin were heading back to Hank's house, whereas Hank and Kalinda were going to her apartment.

"Thank you for a really nice night," Erin said, giving Kalinda a hug first, followed by one for Hank. Every time they hugged, it seemed to feel a little more natural to him.

"Yes, and thank you for getting the check. Next time will be on us," Jay said. He exchanged pecks on the cheek with Kalinda before Hank shook his hand.

"You're welcome. It was a good night," Hank said warmly.

"Let's do it again soon," Kalinda added.

"For sure. Get home safe, guys," Jay said.

There were a few more goodbyes exchanged, then Hank got into his car. He and Jay had elected not to drink any alcohol, allowing the women to do so. He could tell Kalinda was a little tipsy, but definitely not drunk. He figured that boded well for when they got back to the apartment. There was a new sexy outfit waiting to be worn for the first time. He hadn't been able to fully stop thinking about that since they had bought it that afternoon.

"That was a really nice time," Kalinda said once she was in the car. "They're both such nice people. You can be proud of how you raised Erin."

"I wouldn't say I raised her," Hank said as he drove slowly across the parking lot towards the exit. "At they age we fostered her, I'd say we helped to turn her around rather than raise her. She's made a lot of mistakes in her life, but she has a heart of gold. I love her. A lot."

Being able to feel that, let alone verbalise it to his partner, meant a lot to him.

"We've all made a lot of mistakes though. I know I have," Kalinda said.

"Of course. I didn't say that as any kind of judgement of Erin, it was a statement of fact. Hopefully she can settle down now, working at the agency and soon living with Jay."

"And we can settle down living with each," she said, looking at him.

Hank glanced at her, feeling the love for her that he saw in her eyes for him. "And we can settle down living with each other," he repeated, wanting that very much indeed.

Back at the apartment, it was time to bring the night to the perfect conclusion. Hank hadn't even needed to say anything about wanting to see Kalinda in the new outfit. She had picked up the bag from the lingerie store and told him to go make himself comfortable in the bedroom while she went to the bathroom to change.

Hank undressed to his boxers and lay on the bed, waiting. He was turned on by what was about to happen of course, but he couldn't help his mind drifting to the bigger picture. He and Kalinda had agreed that she was going to move in with him. He wanted it and was happy about it of course, but he still needed some time to process it all. It was something to talk to Erin about.

The more he thought about it, the more he felt like this wasn't a time for provocative leather lingerie and sex. It was more of a time to lie in bed with the woman he loved and talk about their future together. With that in mind, he got off the bed and went to the bathroom.

"Kalinda?" he said outside the door.

"Easy, tiger. I'm about to put it on now."

"That's why I'm here. Can I open the door?"

Instead, Kalinda opened it, wearing the bra and panties that she had been about to take off. He saw that she had put some gloss on her lips to make them look more appealing.

"Are you okay?" she asked him.

"Yeah. Only... can we save this? Until we live together, I mean. It's a big step we've agreed to and..."

"Did I push too soon about moving in?" she asked, sounding guilty.

Hank moved closer to her and put his arms around her. "No, beautiful. That's not it at all. I'm overjoyed that you're going to come live with me. It's a big thing to process is all. That's why..."

"It's a night to kiss, cuddle and talk rather than having hot sex. I totally understand. Honestly, I think you're right now that you've said it. The fact you felt able to come and say this rather than going along with the sex when it didn't feel right means a lot to me. Shows you trust me enough to show me your true feelings and emotions."

"I'm not a showing emotions kind of guy."

"No, but you still do it in your own way. I love you, Hank. Come on, let's go to bed."

Hank gave her a long, passionate kiss on her glossy lips. "Let's do that."

A/N: Hank and Kalinda have agreed that they're ready to live together. Do you think they'll be happy?