Spoilers: Chapter 47

Pairings: EdWin (though it's still possible that you could see it as just friendship)

Author's Note: This one's based on the manga Chapter 47, a very dramatic part of the story and one I liked immensely. The speech isn't completely accurate, because I wrote it without reference.

There was a day I realized I don't want you to die.

I was already agitated that day. I was putting into motion my plan for catching a Homunculus. Behind my casual exterior, I was all pent up. I was on the alert for Scar. And then Scar appeared. It's never been exactly easy fighting him, and I'll admit that it's only because of my luck and my being a 'human sacrifice' that I've managed to stay alive so far.

That day was no exception. I found myself bleeding and panting and weaker by the minute, and the Homunculi still hadn't come to save their precious 'sacrifice'. In a lull in the fighting, Al started talking to Scar. I could tell he was trying to buy me some time, and at first I was grateful for the chance to catch my breath.

I forget how we got onto the topic of the people Scar had murdered. I suppose it makes sense; that man's got death written all over him. But suddenly things clicked in my mind, and I asked him if he'd killed two married doctors in Ishbal. I asked it at the top of my lungs, and suddenly I realized my mistake - too late. You were listening at the corner. You heard every word we said, and suddenly you found yourself looking straight into the eyes of your parents' murderer.

And I just stood there, and I couldn't do anything. I couldn't take back what I'd just asked him, and I couldn't stop the truth in his crimson eyes. I couldn't keep you from dropping to your knees in shock and then picking up a gun to point at Scar. "You have the right to shoot me," Scar said. "But the moment you shoot, I will see you as an enemy."

I knew what Scar did to his enemies. I looked over at you, and I saw that you weren't putting down the gun. All of a sudden I got so scared I could hardly breathe. "Put down the gun, Winry!" I screamed. "Don't shoot! Whatever you do, don't shoot!"

Everyone stood frozen, but my heart was racing. I've rarely been so scared in my life, and never because of you. But right then, I stared at you and I knew that you were going to pull that trigger. Then Scar would kill you for sure, and there wasn't anything I would be able to do to stop him. It's strange, but I'd never really thought of you dying before. You were always that girl who was waiting for us in Risenpool, and it seemed like you would always be there, waiting for us to come back. And suddenly I found myself faced with the possibility that you wouldn't be waiting for us at the end. What would I do if we regained our bodies, but there wasn't anyone to go back to? What if there was no one to smile when we came back?

No; I couldn't let that happen! You're the person I most look forward to seeing smile, other than Al. So I launched myself forward and threw myself in between you and Scar. I pressed you against the wall of the nearest house and made myself as big as possible so I could protect you. And I held down your hand that still held the gun, and I didn't let you shoot. I've never been more scared for you in my life, but I've never been more determined that I'm not going to let you die.