Kensi Blye hated pet names. Ok, so maybe hate is a strong word, but she definitely cringed every time she heard one.

There was just something too juvenile about them. Whenever a former boyfriend would bestow upon her a cutesy moniker, a forced smile would be her reply. To her, it felt as though she was being talked down to. Ridiculous, she knew, as pet names stemmed from affection, but her feeling, nonetheless.

And yet, when Martin Deeks waltzed into her life, all six-foot and two inches of pure charm, dropping names like "princess" and "Kensalina", she found she didn't mind as much as before.

Some, she still wasn't too keen on. "Sugarbear" was a bit much, but she only cringed slightly at that one. "My Sweet" kinda sounded like something a serial killer would call his victim, but again, when he said it with that cocky grin, Kensi could only be amused.

Then ones like "Fern" and "my girl", dripping with historic affection came into play, Kensi only reacted with warmth. "Fern" made her laugh, remembering one of their early cases. She had told him not to, dared him to use it and see what the consequences would be, and despite her warning, he'd slinked up beside her with that charming smile in place. He had braced himself against the wall, leaning in close and joyously shouted over the loud music; "Fern, baby girl!"

"My girl" was a whole other ball game. Especially as it seemed to slip out of him without even his knowledge. He had stopped, a flush creeping up his neck, and tried to explain himself under his teams' inquiring looks. It made Kensi warm, made that fluttering in her belly that much stronger.

So when, after they'd been together for a couple of weeks - a real couple now - the word "babe" fell from his lips, Kensi had stilled.

He'd used the name before, jokingly. Out of all the pet names, that one was at the top of her list. Who wanted to be called a baby? No one.

And yet.

It wasn't secondhand embarrassment t that filled her like so many times before. It was love. She had tightened her hold on him, his half asleep eyes staring down at her as they shared his bed like many times before.

He used it again the next morning as he gently woke her up, kissing her forehead.

And the next day, she had used it on him, and his answering grin had caused her heart to jump.

Because now, Kensi realised, it was more than just a name. It was a symbol. It was something that set them aside from everyone else in conversation. Something that told people, "this is my person". It was something that showed off their new, growing relationship in a way that wasn't flashy. And after waiting five long years for this to come, Kensi didn't mind showing it off. She finally had Marty Deeks right where she wanted him, and she was only happy to let the world know.

Pet names were cringy, and overused, yes. But they were also tokens of affection, signs of something more.

Movement out of the corner of her eye caught her attention. Turning away from the laptop she had been staring at intently, she watched as Deeks looped his bag over his shoulder.

"You ready to go?" He asked her, nodding towards the laptop.

The blank screen stared back at her, waiting on her to begin the report she had set out to do a half hour before. Instead, Kensi gave in. She switched off the laptop, and sent him a nod.

"Let's go home," she nodded. "Babe."