With the two working so closely together, Lani and JJ begin dating in 2017. Fearing JJ will let the budding romance interfere in their work, Lani cuts JJ out of her attempt to infiltrate a local drug ring. Lani is dosed with a designer drug called "halo" and left for dead. Fellow cop Eli Grant supports Lani through her withdrawals and covers for her with Abe and JJ. In May 2017, Lani and several officers including JJ and Eli go to Greece to arrest Deimos Kiriakis (Vincent Irizarry). On their way back, the group are stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash. As Lani worries that JJ isn't as invested in the relationship as she is, Eli offers his support and they bond. JJ organizes a surprise birthday party for Lani in November 2017 and they profess their love for each other soon after. Their evening is interrupted when they get called to the scene of a break-in. JJ shoots the perp believing the person has a gun. Lani is devastated when she and JJ realize that Theo is the "perp" and he is unarmed. With Theo in emergency surgery, Lani is torn between JJ and Abe who vows never to forgive JJ. Lani is further upset when JJ suddenly breaks up with her as he can't forgive himself. Lani is distraught when she finds JJ in bed with Eli's girlfriend Gabi on Christmas Eve and she sleeps with Eli. Lani is horrified to learn that Gabi was comforting JJ after his attempted suicide. She and Eli then agree to keep quiet about their tryst.
