A/N: Just a little bitty bit about CS and the election, mostly because I saw this pic and it started the whole train of thought. Anyway, enjoy and uh, if you couldn't tell from the title, Clinton-supporters will probably like this a whole lot more than Trump-supporters. Sorry not sorry. #imwithher
"Swan, where are you going?" Killian mumbled, as he rolled over in bed, good hand running over the empty space Emma's body usually occupied. He opened one eye just enough to see the clock on her nightstand read 3:32am in disturbingly bright red lights.
"Go back to sleep, Killian, I'll be back tonight," she answered in hushed tones, gently smoothing down his sleep rustled hair.
"Tonight?" he said, his confusion rendering him more awake, and he pushed himself up to a more seated position, leaning heavily against the headboard.
"I have to go to New York today," Emma said quietly.
"Why, has something happened? Did your parents use the – the telephone?" he asked, concern lacing his voice.
"No, nothing like that," Emma replied, her voice placating and calm. "I just have to go vote. And I never filed a change of address after we moved from New York since Storybrooke doesn't technically exist, so I have to drive down there today."
"Vote?" Killian asked, confused by yet another modern tradition.
"In the US, we elect our president – our leader. Two candidates run and then we all get to choose one, and the person who gets the most votes wins," Emma explained patiently.
"Sounds like a very noble endeavor."
"It has its flaws, but on the whole it is, yeah," she smiled.
"Well then I should come with you, and cast my vote too," Killian said, sitting up further and pushing the duvet back.
"Slow down, pirate," Emma chuckled, laying a hand gently on his bare chest. "Only US citizens can vote."
"Swan, can I ask you something?" Killian said after a moment, while Emma stood and shrugged on an oversized sweater that may or may not have been bought with the intention of Killian wearing it.
"Sure."
"Why do you care? I just mean that we live in Storybrooke, which doesn't really fall under the governance of the country, since as you said, it doesn't technically exist. So why does it matter to you who becomes the leader?" His brows were furrowed, and Emma couldn't help but smile a little as she thought about how best to answer his question.
"If this election were like any other, I might agree with you, but this one is different," she answered. "One of the candidates is a pretty bad guy, and a lot of people could be in danger if he gets elected. I just can't stand by and not let that happen."
"A savior through and through," Killian quipped, but Emma could hear a touch of bitterness in his voice, because she knew he didn't entirely understand.
"I'll pull up some information about the candidates on the laptop for you, and then I think you'll understand," Emma said, leaning forward across the bed to kiss him. "I have to go now though, otherwise I'll never get home at a reasonable time."
* * * * * Three hours later * * * * *
The phone rang, and Emma reached down to where she kept it in a cupholder of her little yellow bug, and she smiled as she saw Killian's name and picture flash across the screen.
"Hey you," she said, smiling to herself.
"Swan," Killian replied, his voice containing a note of panic, and Emma's heart immediately tensed. "This man is a complete lunatic! Do you have any idea the things he says he'll do, Swan? Gods, the things he would do to this town if he ever found out about it… it'd be horrific. How can people possibly support him? Why don't they like the woman, I don't understand? Please tell me you're voting for her, love."
"Don't worry, Killian, I am," Emma chuckled, amused at his reaction.
"Did you see the video, Swan? What he said about women, it's completely disgusting…" Emma could clearly see him recoiling from the computer as he watched the words that had enraged her so much. "Even in my worst days I never said anything like that… never thought anything like that…"
"That's because you're a much better man than he is, Killian," she answered.
"I hate this man so much, Swan," Killian whispered.
"Me too," she said quietly. "That's why I have to vote."
"Go elect her president," he said, and this time she heard the pride in his voice. "Love you, Swan."
"I love you too, Killian," Emma grinned, and she hung up the phone, smiling at the "I'm with Her" pin she had stuck to the front of her sweater.
