Xena had just fried up several fish when she heard someone say, "That smells delicious. I could go for a little something to eat."

"Gabrielle! Well, it’s about time. Are you sure you’re up to eating?"

"Xena I am famished. I can’t remember the last time I was so hungry."

Overjoyed at Gabrielle’s recovery, Xena assured her she could eat all she wanted; the lake was full of fish.

As Gabrielle ate, Xena told her about Ares’ explanation of how Dahak had gotten her into the cave, and how Gabrielle must have found her, and how Ares found both of them. How he saved them from the cave-in. And how Xena had taken care of her as she recovered.

"I didn’t realize you could cook so good," Gabrielle joked as she looked at the pile of fish bones she had left. But as she continued to look at the bones, and then to stare at them, Xena saw a cloud of concern come over her features. Then the concern changed to alarm.

"Xena, why did I eat this? Why was I so hungry? I’m not supposed to get hungry, or thirsty. What’s going on here?"

"Gabrielle, you almost died. You told me yourself you had to sleep to renew your energy. Maybe this is the same thing. You need food and water to –  to come back from the dead."

"No. No, Xena. Something’s wrong. Something’s terribly wrong."

Gabrielle closed her eyes in concentration. Harder and harder she concentrated, the strain showing on her face. When she opened her eyes they were filling with tears.

"My powers are gone. There’s nothing there. XENA! My powers are GONE!"

"Maybe not. Maybe you just need more rest. Maybe…are you sure?"

Gabrielle put her hand out, palm up. "See, no fire. It’s not even warm. The first thing I learned to do. Nothing. NOTHING!"

By now tears were pouring down Gabrielle’s cheeks.

"I’ve lost them. I’m not a god anymore. Oh Xena…."

Xena was there, cradling her as she had done for so many days.

"I can’t believe they’re really gone," Gabrielle said between the sobs. "There was so much I wanted to do. So many people needing my help. Now, I’m so useless."

Hearing that, Xena got angry and pushed Gabrielle out of her arms. "Useless? How can you say that? Look at everything you’ve done. You saved the world from Dahak! Doesn’t that count for anything?"

"You don’t understand…."

"You’re right, I don’t understand. You’ve done more good in this world this past year than I could have ever hoped to do in my entire life. You’ve cured diseases, you’ve saved soldiers’ lives from wounds they should have died from, you gave hope to those who had none. How can you say you’re useless."

"So what do I do now? What do I tell all those people who still need me?"

Before Xena could answer, Gabrielle started crying again, and again wrapped herself in Xena’s arms.

Laying her cheek on the top of Gabrielle’s head, Xena softly said, "You’ll think of something."