Loser buys dinner!

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In the days following her breakdown, Jane found herself at a crossroads. The incident with the neighbor kid had shaken her to her core, forcing her to confront the person she was becoming. She realized that if she, a sworn protector of the law, could lose control so completely, the consequences could be catastrophic.

It was a sobering realization, one that forced Jane to take a long, hard look at herself. She knew she couldn't continue down this path, couldn't let her obsession with Rodel Marquez consume her entirely. She had to find a way back to herself, to the dedicated, level-headed detective she had always been.

So, she started making changes. Small at first, but significant. She began to eat regular meals again, rather than subsisting on coffee and whatever snacks she could grab between case files. She forced herself to leave the office at a reasonable hour, to go home and get a full night's sleep instead of poring over evidence until the early hours of the morning.

She also started to engage with her colleagues again. Where before she had withdrawn, shutting out even those closest to her, now she made an effort to connect. She joined in on conversations in the break room, even cracked a smile at a few jokes. It wasn't easy, and there were times when the weight of the Rodel case threatened to pull her back into that dark place, but she resisted.

Gradually, the changes began to show. The dark circles under her eyes faded, replaced by a healthier glow. Her work, which had begun to suffer under the strain of her obsession, regained its former sharpness and precision. Even her interactions with others became easier, more natural.

Kobe, who had watched his partner's descent with growing concern, was the first to notice the shift. Where before there had been a brittleness to Jane, a sense that she might shatter at any moment, now there was a returning resilience. She smiled more, laughed even. It was like watching a flower bloom again after a long, hard winter.

The other officers noticed too. The tension that had hung over the bullpen like a cloud began to dissipate. People no longer fell silent when Jane walked into a room, no longer watched her with wary, worried eyes. Slowly but surely, the old Jane was re-emerging, the Jane they all knew and respected.

One evening, after a particularly long shift, Jane and Kobe found themselves at the precinct's gun range. It had been a tough day, a case involving a child that had hit them both hard. They needed to blow off some steam, to focus on something other than the horrors they faced on a daily basis.

As they set up their targets, Kobe glanced over at Jane. There was something on his mind, she could tell. Something more than the case they'd just wrapped.

"Alright, out with it," she said, loading her gun with practiced ease. "I know that look. What's going on in that head of yours, Winston?"

Kobe chuckled, shaking his head. "Can't hide anything from you, can I, Harlow?"

"Nope," Jane grinned. "Detective, remember? It's my job to know things. Especially when it comes to my partner."

Kobe's smile softened, a look of quiet pride settling over his features. "It's Derek," he said. "He got the scholarship. The one he's been working towards for months. He's going to be on the state track team."

Jane nearly dropped her gun, a wide smile splitting her face. "Kobe, that's incredible! Congratulations! You must be bursting with pride."

Kobe nodded, his eyes suspiciously bright. "I am. God, Jane, when I think about everything he's overcome... He's an amazing kid."

Jane laid a hand on her partner's arm, squeezing gently. "He's got an amazing dad," she said softly. "Don't ever forget that."

For a moment, they stood in comfortable silence, the weight of their shared history, their deep bond, hanging in the air between them.

Then Jane cocked her head, a mischievous glint in her eye. "You know," she said casually, "speaking of amazing..."

Kobe groaned, recognizing the look. "Oh no. I know that tone. What are you up to, Harlow?"

Jane grinned, waving her gun towards the targets. "I'm thinking... shootout. Loser buys dinner and drinks."

Kobe raised an eyebrow. "And the winner?"

"Gets bragging rights, of course. And the satisfaction of watching the loser cry into their wallet."

Kobe laughed, shaking his head. "You're on, partner. But don't come crying to me when you're eating instant noodles for the next week."

They took their positions, the familiar banter flowing easily between them as they lined up their shots.

"You know, Kobe," Jane said casually as she sighted down her gun. "I've been practicing. A lot."

"Oh yeah?" Kobe smirked. "Well, I've been eating my Wheaties."

Jane paused, turning to look at her partner with a mix of amusement and disbelief. "What does that even mean? Is that some old-man saying?"

"Old man?" Kobe feigned outrage. "I'll show you old man, Harlow!"

He fired, his shot hitting just slightly off-center. Jane whistled appreciatively.

"Not bad, grandpa. But watch and learn."

She proceeded to fire off a rapid series of shots, each one clustering tightly around the center of the target. Kobe shook his head in admiration.

"Damn, Harlow. You have been practicing."

Jane blew imaginary smoke from the barrel of her gun, grinning. "Told you. Now, about that dinner..."

But Kobe wasn't ready to concede just yet. He squared his shoulders, a look of determination settling over his features. "Hold on now. Best two out of three."

Jane laughed. "Kobe, you're just delaying the inevitable. But sure, if you want to prolong your suffering, be my guest."

They reset, the competitive spirit rising between them. Kobe took his shots first this time, managing a respectable grouping. He turned to Jane with a triumphant grin.

"Beat that, Harlow."

Jane just smiled sweetly. "With pleasure."

She stepped up, taking her time, breathing deeply. Then, in a blur of motion, she fired. One, two, three shots, each one a perfect bullseye.

Kobe's jaw dropped. "How... how did you...?"

Jane shrugged, a picture of nonchalance. "What can I say? I'm just that good."

Kobe shook his head, a rueful smile tugging at his lips. "Alright, alright. I know when I'm beat. Dinner and drinks are on me."

As they packed up their gear, their laughter echoing off the walls of the range, Jane felt a sense of normalcy, of rightness, that had been missing for so long. Here, with her partner, her friend, she could almost forget about the darkness that lurked outside, the threat that still hung over her head.

Almost.

But she knew she couldn't let her guard down completely. Rodel was still out there, still a danger. She had to stay vigilant, had to be ready for whatever he might throw at her next but she could not let that completely swallow her life.

As they walked out of the precinct, Jane bumped Kobe's shoulder with her own. "Hey," she said. "I know I don't say it enough, but... thank you. For always being there, for never giving up on me. Even when I was at my worst."

Kobe smiled, that warm, understanding smile that had gotten her through so many tough times. "That's what partners are for, Jane. That's what family is for. We've got each other's backs, no matter what."

Jane nodded, swallowing past the sudden lump in her throat. "Yeah. Yeah, we do."

They walked in comfortable silence for a bit, the cool night air a welcome respite after the stuffiness of the range. Then Kobe spoke again, his tone light.

"You know, if you wanted to pay me back for all my support, you could always let me win next time."

Jane snorted. "In your dreams, Winston. In your dreams."

Their laughter mingled as they walked, rising into the night sky.