Okay now I’m imagining this sequence as something Lena experiences as part of a NDE shortly after she finds out about Kara.
Her ghost of near death experience rolls clip and Lena’s treated to a front row seat of all the ways Lena’s become her brother in every thing but hate and rap sheet.
And then we’re treated to the sight of Lena’s slow devastation when she realizes how hollow her life became when she took over L-Corp.
Even the one thing she thought she had was a lie.
Lena doesn't see it coming. All she registers is a flash of bright light and a blaring car horn from beyond her drivers side window before her vision cuts to black.
When the world comes back into view, she's in her office. The lights are low and the night sky blankets the view outside the windows behind her desk. It's a familiar sight, and it immediately sets her at ease. Unlike in the daylight hours, the building is quiet, and she feels herself relax in the comfortable solitude.
Lena crosses the room to sit at her desk, curious to see what work awaits her. But when she settles in, she finds her outlook empty, and the papers sheafed in front of her completely blank.
"What on earth...?" she murmurs to herself.
Before she has a chance to investigate further, a knock at the door pulls her attention away from the bizarre state of her desk. She looks up and reactively breaks into a beaming smile.
"Jacky!"
Her friend's head pokes through the open doorway, eyebrows cocked mischievously. "A Luthor still at her desk in the wee hours," he comments, easing the rest of his body in the room. "Shocker."
"Oh, come off it," Lena retorts, still grinning. "You know better than anyone that running a business doesn't wait for sleep."
Jack smirks. "But it does for friends coming to visit."
With a laugh, Lena stands and comes around the desk to step into Jack's waiting outspread arms. They wrap around her in a fierce hug, squeezing her firmly until she sighs and rest her head against his shoulder.
"I've missed you," she says truthfully.
"You too," he returns, just as soft. "You have no idea."
When their embrace loosens, Lena cranes her neck to look at him. "I'm sorry I haven't reached out sooner."
"Oh, well," Jack scoffs comically, "you could make it up to me."
"I'm almost afraid to ask..."
"Come out with me tonight," he invites with a slight nudge, jostling her playfully. "You know-- hit up some clubs, find a rave, get a little crazy. Just like the good old days."
Lena lifts ane eyebrow. She'd be hard pressed to say they'd ever made it to a true rave, but she will admit that they'd visited more than a few clubs in their heyday. Dressed impeccably, Jack had always drawn eyes, and Lena had reveled in the fact that despite the attention, he'd only ever had eyes for her.
"Tempting," Lena allows. "But I can't."
Jack pouts. "Why not?"
"I have too much still to do."
Lena isn't quite exactly sure why she says that. Condsidering her desk is stacked with blank reports and haunted by an empty inbox. But it's no less true. Something ties her here, a pull in her belly that tells her she can't cut loose just yet.
Jack sighs. "You know you can't stay cooped up in this office forever, sweetheart. You've got to get out and live a little."
"I know," Lena acknowledges softly. "I do, I just..."
"You're scared." Jack gazes at her knowingly. "I understand that. And I know I played a part in that. But please, Lena-- don't let it keep you from truly living."
Lena nods. "I won't--"
She looks up to find Jack gone, vanished without a sound. Strange.
Moving back to her desk, Lena's interrupted by another knock. Pivoting, she sees a familiar looking but unknown woman standing just inside the door. Lena tilts her head, brow furrowing.
"Can I help you?"
Despite Lena never having seen her before, the woman seems at ease in the room around her, as though she's exactly where she needs to be.
"Actually," the woman returns, "I think I'm the one who can help you."
Ah. Not the first time she's heard this particular brand of sales pitch.
"I'm sorry, but you're going to have to scheduled an appointment to discuss--"
"I'm afraid we don't have time for that, love."
Alarm flashes through Lena, charging every nerve in her body. "Is that a threat?"
The woman's features widen. "Oh no! At least, not from me. I'm here for you, Lena."
Uncertainty pulses through Lena. "I don't understand what you mean."
The woman smiles kindly "I know."
Her eyes are so familiar, yet Lena can't recall having met her before. Her smile too puts Lena at ease despite the lingering confusion. She watches the woman gaze appraisingly around the room.
"This has become a home for you, hasn't it."
It doesn't sound quite like a question, but Lena finds herself nodding anyway. "I suppose it has."
Her visitor nods. Her eyes settle on Lena once more. Her eyes seem to glow, exuding a gentle warmth. "I'm glad for you, Lena. Truly I am."
"Thank you...?"
"It's rare to be able to find a home wherever you are. That you find it here, doing something you love, that you're passionate about... that's a special thing."
Lena watches her, sensing a but.
"But you can have more than one home."
A shrug lifts Lena's shoulder. "I guess I just haven't found the right one."
"Oh, honey," the woman croons, again sparking a jolt of beguiling familiarity. "You've always had one. Don't you remember?"
Lena blinks, and suddenly recognition hits home like a bolt of lightning.
"Mom?"
Elizabeth Walsh's smile deepens. Her hands extend towards Lena, and Lena takes them robotically, all higher brain function short circuiting.
She's died.
She's died and gone to... her office?
That's... sad.
"I've always been with you, Lena. You've carried me with you, whether you've known it or not. And I am so, so proud of you."
"But--"
"You've faced such hardships, yet kindness remains in your heart. The struggles you've conquered, the struggles yet to come..." Her mother tilts her head. "You've earned rest."
Lena can't deny the exhaustion in her bones, in her spirit. There are times she can hardly get out of bed for the weight of it, let alone force herself from the comfort of her office to face the world of unknown. If her mother has been with her all this time... her mother has seen, and understood.
"Are you ready to come home?"
The question takes Lena by surprise. She blinks, and though the ache of her fatigue tugs her towards her mother's waiting embrace, something resists the pull.
"I... I don't--" Lena frowns. "I don't think I am."
She's left something undone, she knows. But what? Her desk is empty, her office suddenly forlorn. But instead of looking disappointed, her mother smiles.
"Mom, I--"
"Hey!"
A bright voice swings Lena's head back towards the door once more. A tall woman, younger than her mother, strides in readily, showing none of the hesitation the past to visitors have.
"Kara? I--" Lena turns back to her mother, only to find empty space, her hands empty.
"Hey, you okay? Whats wrong?"
Kara's concern is evident in her gaze, and the way she steps towards Lena. Lena blinks, tears burning at her eyes.
"Are you dead too?"
"Dead? Of course not! I'm completely fine. And so are you. I promise."
Lena takes a ragged breath. She believes Kara. The fading memory of her mother feel less like an omen and more a comfort. A reassurance. And Kara wouldn't lie to her.
"Right," Lena affirms. "Of course. Sorry, I'm being silly."
Kara grins. "The great Lena Luthor being silly? Perish the thought."
Rolling her eyes affectionately, Lena smiles. "What brings you here so late anyway?"
"Uh, you, doofus. It's game night!"
When Lena stares at her blankly, Kara sighs. "You forgot again, didn't you?"
"Ummm..."
"Come on, Lena," Kara pleads. "Please. You deserve a break. And a good time. Amd trust me, I provide both."
Lena chuckles. "I don't doubt it."
Waggling her eyebrows, Kara slinks closer. "Soooooo... you'll come?"
It takes less time than Lena thinks it should, for her reticence to fall away. She feels her smile broaden.
"All right. Let's go."
Kara crows in triumph, quickly clasping Lena by the hand just in case she might change her mind. Lena allows herself to be drawn from her office, that warm locus of comfort and familiarity, and steps out into the light of the unknown.
