Disclaimer: I do not own The Flash or anything to do with DC. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
*****
Iris considered giving Linda her space, but the poor girl had been kidnapped by a psychotic speedster and thrown off a building with the only reason she survived being another speedster, so she decided the best thing would be to pay her a visit. Iris would have done that for a virtual stranger, and she had known Linda for almost a year.
Since they met Linda had quickly become her closest friend at the paper, and now she might be possibly become something more, as ever since Linda had confessed her true feelings for her Iris had been looking at, and thinking of, her in another light.
As Eddie's loss still felt fresh Iris was surprised how much Linda's confession had hit her. Then again, although it didn't feel like it, it had actually been months since his death, and even though they hadn't had their first official date yet there had been plenty of flirty banter between them and thorough make out sessions as Linda helped Iris and her friends set a trap for Zoom.
That, and their sudden first time together, made Iris truly happy for the first time since her fiancΓ© sacrificed himself to save her and the world from the Reverse Flash. So Iris felt compelled to fight for this new relationship, and she had a feeling in her bones she would have to fight for it tonight.
Sure enough when Linda opened her apartment door it looked like she'd been crying, the poor girl barely managing to utter a single word, "Hey."
"Hey." Iris murmured softly, "Are you okay? I mean, of course you're not okay, but-"
"No, I'm fine." Linda obviously lied, before admitting, "No I'm not, I... I didn't want you to see me like this."
"Hey, hey, hey... it's okay." Iris cooed softly, quickly pulling Linda into her arms and hugging her tightly. When she did this initially she closed her eyes so she couldn't see what was behind Linda, but then Iris opened her eyes and saw the suitcases littering the floor as ironically she uttered the words she no longer believed, "Everything's okay."
Sensing that Iris had seen what was behind her Linda inwardly cursed herself, and then pulled away so she could tell Iris to her face, "We should talk."
"Well, if that isn't the worst sentence in the English-language." Iris said, going for humour, although she didn't really feel it, "So, are you leaving?"
Linda opened her mouth, paused briefly, then scurried around Iris who step further in so the other girl could close the door. Once it was closed Linda lent back against the door, closed her eyes and admitted with a sigh, "I wasn't crying because of what happened with Zoom. Well, maybe a little. But... mostly, because I don't want to lose you."
"But you want to leave?" Iris offered.
"No!" Linda quickly said, opening her eyes and stepping forwards. Then she admitted, "But... but I don't want to stay either."
There was another pause and then Iris nodded, "I get it."
"Do you?" Linda asked softly, "Cause I don't."
"You're scared." Iris said softly, "Zoom made you feel powerless, and you no longer feel safe in your own home, or anywhere in the city. So you want to run, even though you're not sure there's any where to go that will be truly safe from him. I... I can relate to that."
Linda frowned, "If you feel the same way, why are you-"
"Still here?" Iris finished for her, "Because I believe in The Flash. I believe that, despite what happened earlier, he will win in the end. That he will save us in the end. That he will save me in the end. But I don't think he can do it if people don't believe in him. Especially me. So... if you feel you have to go, I understand. I want everyone to stand and fight Zoom, but... I can't stand the thought of anything happening to you either."
There was a long pause and then Linda half whined, half whimpered, "I wish I was the other me. Dr Light. Or at least still had the gloves, so I could defend myself. But then I think, if I did, it would be no use. They can't protect me. My gun can't protect me. My fate is entirely in a man's hands, and while that man is a superhero it just makes me feel like a useless damsel in distress, and I hate it."
There was another long pause and then with tears falling from her eyes Iris softly murmured, "Do... do you want me to help you pack?"
Another even longer pause followed and then Linda admitted, "I want you to convince me to stay."