Regrets. We all have them. Worse is our guilt. It's what can lead us down paths we aren't prepared for. It had nearly done that when I had attempted my revenge upon Callisto.

For my soulmate, there was one moment of extreme guilt that was magnified by Ares that led to a few weeks of unsettling time for me.

I still have trouble thinking of my soulmate being held hostage in Callisto's body. I forever will love the soul, but seeing those dark eyes looking at me still cause me to shiver.

Xena is sitting at her place by the fire. It's where she spends her evenings now that her project has been completed. She falls back on old habits. She takes her time sharpening her weapons and mending her leathers.

Azure eyes look up as if she knows what I'm thinking. We use that connection we have and communicate without saying a word. She is my soulmate. She knows this is killing me as much as it is her.

For Xena, it's her own weakness of allowing her guilt to eat away at her. To allow for Ares to, momentarily, gain the upper hand. If Callisto had not turned on The God of War, they may have succeeded in keeping the warrior princess in Tartarus.

We both have had our share of guilt that have led to situations we should not have been in. I'll regress on that and continue to write these chronicles for one reason.

What is that? So that future generations can continue to learn from our fight for the greater good. Although writing theme does help both Xena and I to reflect on our lives, both the good and the bad.

In this case, I had to learn to look into the face that had caused me so much pain and anguish only to know my soulmate lurked just beneath the surface.

For my soulmate, she had to come to terms with her guilt and to realize that Callisto chose her own path. And sadly, her path had to come to an end to save others. If only it had ended her rein permanently…

INTIMATE STRANGER

Gabrielle was taken aback by the question. Xena wasn't usually so philosophical. Did the bard dream? Sadly, the vivid dreams that had led to her stories had not been there since Perdicus had died.

The bard wasn't certain if it was his death or if there was a part of her that would always blame herself for his death. Hopefully one day those dreams would come to her once again.

Xena didn't answer if she was all right, only that they were on the right trail. Unfortunately, there was someone else on the trail. Gabrielle didn't have to be told it was someone who could get himself killed.

Working as a well trained army, Gabrielle and Xena made it to where Joxer had tracked down Theodorus. The bumbling warrior's embellishment that the Athenian army was with them helped scatter Theodorus and his men.

Gabrielle knew Xena wanted to go after them, but in the dark it would be dangerous. It meant they would camp in the old mill they had been on their way to.

Unfortunately, it would mean they would be camping with Joxer. Even with the wannabe warrior in camp, things were routine. Gabrielle grabbed the blankets and firewood while Xena made Argo happy before scrounging up something to eat.

Sleep would not come for either bard or warrior princess. For Xena, it was guilt. She was second guessing her decision to deal out justice. It was understandable.

Just as it was understandable that Joxer wished he had killed Callisto, but would it have been for the right reason? Gabrielle wished Callisto had never been born. It wouldn't have set certain events into motion and none of them would be suffering.

Somehow, Gabrielle had managed to fall asleep. She was startled awake by Xena with the news Callisto had escaped with the help of Ares. That made her one dangerous woman.

Instead of waiting for Joxer, the pair packed up camp and headed for Amphipolis. Gabrielle was on edge. The last person she wanted in danger was Cyrene.

As they made their way, Argo began acting abnormal. If Gabrielle were honest, something wasn't right with Xena. The bard couldn't place it, but nothing felt right about the entire situation.

Things went from strange to not right. How could Xena say Gabrielle was the one to have killed Callisto? That it was now up to her to kill Callisto? It wasn't that long ago the warrior princess was praying to not see the light go out in Gabrielle's eyes.

The only thing even remotely having Gabrielle consider killing Callisto was when her soulmate informed her Callisto wanted to harm Cyrene. The innkeeper was one of the few people the bard would do anything to protect by killing someone.

Helpless? It's not how Gabrielle thought Xena felt. Not the way she was pushing the bard to attack over and over again. It just didn't feel right.

It wasn't because Gabrielle was attacking her soulmate. It was because killing was wrong. It was foreign to the bard. It would never come naturally.

The pushing. The thought of Callisto. The feel of Perdicus' blood on her hands. It nearly became too great for Gabrielle to handle. She was nearly physically ill.

Hatred a part of everyone? Gabrielle felt as if a stranger was standing before her. Something was off. The bard wished she had her soulmate's instincts. Perhaps she would know what was happening.

When Xena returned, something was even more off. Gabrielle knew Argo meant everything to her warrior princess, but that usually didn't mean she would leave her horse behind out of fear for her safety.

For a little while, Gabrielle was on her own. Her mind was racing. Things weren't right. Was Ares behind her confusion? Was he attempting to place a wedge between her and Xena? It made sense, but not completely.

When the bard came across the sight of Callisto and Xena fighting, her first instincts were to kill Callisto. The voice was that of the evil madwoman. But the words and softness belonged to her soulmate.

Callisto was Xena and Xena was Callisto? Did Callisto think she was a fool? Yet, it was the tone of voice. It was the deliberate words chosen. Then there were the dreams. She hadn't had any dreams. The woman who appeared to be Xena was actually Callisto.

It was really Xena the bard was staring at. Callisto was in Xena's body and had disappeared. How? Explain later wasn't necessarily what Gabrielle wanted but sensed time was of the essence.

The fact Gabrielle had nearly killed Xena nearly took the bard to the edge again. Being physically ill was not far off. The bard shuddered but shoved the thoughts from her mind the best she could to concentrate on the problem at hand.

The problem at hand was the village of Amphipolis. All the villagers were in a cave. It meant Callisto wanted her revenge by killing those Xena cared about the most. Worse, she wanted them to die by fire like Callisto's family had.

The bard and Joxer began by helping to soak everything with oil. They made certain the army was hit by some of the oil. It had it's desired affect by sending the men running.

It was odd watching Xena and Callisto fade away. Gabrielle pulled herself together enough to free the villagers. She made certain to seek out Cyrene. A quick explanation was given and then the difficult part. Waiting to see if Xena could work her usual magic and return to the bard.

Only love would end the cycle of violence and hate. Xena was right when she said Callisto would never know the truth of those words. Hugging Xena while in Callisto's body was unusual. But it also felt right.

Cyrene had offered a night at the inn. The irony was they had been on their way to Amphipolis for some time to heal. The fact Xena was not in her own body was something to adjust to. Gabrielle understood her soulmate needed time away from those who had known her as a youth, especially her mother, while they all adjusted.

Gabrielle had wished Joxer had gone off on his own again. As much trouble as she was having adjusting to Callisto's body, the bumbling warrior was having even more issues. He needed to calm down and just go with it.

Morning came. Gabrielle had been allowed to sleep in. It was the first time in a long time that she had slept the entire night. Even better was the fact she had been able to dream.

While Gabrielle would have difficulty looking into the eyes of the woman who had killed Perdicus, she would not leave Xena. There would be a time of adjustment. But it was more than worth it.

To honor the fact she was moving on, Gabrielle related a tale of Perdicus. It was he she had dreamed of. It was a step in the right direction of learning to forgive herself. Hopefully relating the tale to the woman who appeared to be Callisto would help even more.

Thank the gods Xena was so loving and understanding. Gabrielle couldn't help smiling as they began their latest journey. As usual, she didn't know what was ahead. She only knew she would travel together with her soulmate.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Nightmares. Xena was accustomed to them. After all her guilty conscience wouldn't allow her to forgive herself all the lives she had taken over the seasons.

Why was it Callisto was haunting her nightmares so vividly? To have her mother appear only heightened the guilt the warrior princess was feeling.

Had Xena done all she could to save Callisto? After all, she had acted as judge, jury and executioner. Callisto had sank into the quicksand and the warrior princess had not even flinched.

This onslaught seemed unending. It was as if Xena had been trapped in a nightmare that she could not awaken from. If Ares was involved, even merely in her dreams, it caused her senses to be on full alert.

Who better to ask about dreams than her bard. Xena knew Gabrielle often would dream and then write them down. It would lead to a story.

Sadly, Gabrielle had not dreamed since Perdicus' death. It seemed a part of the bard's light had dimmed after all. Xena hated that her friend was struggling with her grief.

Luckily, or unluckily, there was someone to distract them. It wasn't Theodorus or his men. It was someone who could easily be killed attempting to seek revenge.

It was perfect timing, as usual. There were times when her timing hadn't been perfect. Look at Perdicus. Look at Marcus. Xena had to stop or she would drive herself insane.

There was a part of Xena that did want to go after Theodorus and his men. The dark was to their advantage. If only they weren't so close to Amphipolis. It had the warrior princess doubly on edge.

It was like routine. Camping where they could find shelter. There was one exception. Joxer remained hanging around. She could have been gentle, but Xena was not in the mood. He had to learn not to go looking for trouble.

Sleep evaded Xena. It wasn't merely not wanting to face the nightmares that had been plaguing her. It was the fact she sensed something was more to her nightmares than she could decipher. The fact it was Callisto and Ares together in her nightmares had her flesh tingling. And not in the good way when Gabrielle kissed her.

After making certain Gabrielle was settled, Xena sought out the voice that was haunting her. Callisto. Was she really there? A dream or reality? Did it matter? The warrior princess sensed danger. But it might be too late.

It wasn't convincing Xena's words attempting to defend herself. They were weak. And finally, somehow the guilt was admitted. The warrior princess admitted she had murdered Callisto.

It was enough. Xena found herself instantly sent to Tartarus. Worse, she discovered herself in her enemy's body. Now she had to attempt a way to rectify what her guilt had done to her.

It took forever for Xena to gain Hades' attention. Of course, he didn't believe her. She had to prove it by relating the gut wrenching memory of stabbing Marcus herself.

Even after proving she was in the wrong body and place, Hades was reluctant to help her. Twenty-four hours wasn't much time. Hopefully the warrior princess was up for the challenge.

Callisto and Ares had a decent head start on her. Xena had been in this situation many times over. It was clear Callisto would do whatever to stall her, if not stop her, when the warrior princess came across Argo.

After all she and Argo had been through, Xena would be damned if she allowed Callisto to cause Argo's death. Luckily, the warrior princess knew a trick or two.

Joxer defending Argo was sweet, but it was not helping the situation. It was something Xena would never forget. Yet, she didn't have time for this.

Pressure points. It was one way of making a point. Xena continued to heal Argo as she showed Joxer just who she was. She allowed the pinch to linger a little longer than necessary before releasing it.

Being in Callisto's body had Xena's senses slightly off. It was nearly too late for her to catch the chakram. As it was, it knocked Joxer on his backside.

It wasn't like Xena to be so easily distracted. She needed to concentrate doubly as the pair fought. Somehow, the warrior princess was the winner. But if she killed Callisto, she would never get her real body back.

Gabrielle was pointing her staff at her. Worse, Xena saw out of the corner of her eye that her breast dagger was attached to the end of the staff causing it to be a deadly weapon aimed right at her head.

Xena hastily explained it was her guilt that caused the situation. That she was the one in Callisto's body. There was one way she could convince Gabrielle. Their recent conversation about dreams would do the trick.

Unfortunately, Callisto managed to escape. At least Xena had found Gabrielle. It would help in defeating Callisto. Hopefully for once and for all.

Once Joxer came to, Xena had to remind him she was who she was. Yes, he had allowed Callisto to escape, but it was the warrior princess who had allowed her to escape Tartarus.

Callisto had gathered her entire village. Xena knew they had to act fast. There was only one way to defeat Callisto. She had to save her village from the same fate as Callisto's family.

With the help of Gabrielle and Joxer, the men who were helping Callisto ran like the cowards they were. It left Xena and Callisto to fight only the warrior princess had one surprise left for the madwoman.

It was to send them both to Tartarus. It was time to turn the tables on Callisto. What would her mother think of the things she had done? It's something Callisto attempted not to think of. Each of her victims had a face. They had a family. Just like Callisto had.

In that moment, Xena chose to release her guilt. At least the guilt from the things Callisto had done. The people she had murdered. They were on her shoulders. They were her own doing.

Xena found herself standing in front of the woman she loved. Unfortunately, Gabrielle was having to ask who she was. Apparently the warrior princess had returned, but she remained in Callisto's body.

Relating Gabrielle's desire that love would end the cycle of hatred and violence was an easy way to prove who she was. And maybe switch bodies back. For now, she enjoyed the welcoming hug of her soulmate and mother.

Confusing. Xena knew that's how it would be until she was able to switch bodies back. She thanked Joxer again for saving Argo. It meant everything to the warrior princess.

Was this it? Xena wasn't certain. So many impossible situations they had faced. Would this be the one the warrior princess wouldn't be able to rectify?

And what about Gabrielle? Could she handle it if Xena was unable to switch into her own body? After all, the one person the bard hated for good reasons was Callisto.

Once again, Xena listened as her bard wove the story. It was about Perdicus. She hated it had to be about the man Gabrielle had married. Yet, if Gabrielle was telling stories, it was the most wonderful thing in the world.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Gabrielle jumped once again. They were alone. Joxer had wandered off somewhere. The bard wasn't certain where. Not that it would matter. She'd jump nearly every time she caught sight of her soulmate.

The bard maintained her distance as they walked. It wasn't because she was afraid of Xena. It was because she was still attempting to reconcile the fact this was her soulmate inside the body of the person she hated the most.

"Gabrielle." The voice caused the bard to jump once again. She sighed heavily as she looked into hazel eyes. "This is going to take us time."

Emerald eyes could not maintain the contact. "I know. I want to throttle Ares. He's the reason you are in her body. If he'd just stop meddling."

Xena sighed heavily. "I don't know what it is about me. I know I was his chosen for the longest of times, but why won't he let me go?"

If the warrior princess were honest with herself, she knew. Xena was more than a warrior. She had these natural abilities. Even before Ares had come into her life, she had known how to be a warrior and a leader.

"You are the most amazing fighter ever to grace the known world." Gabrielle smirked at the glare she knew she was being given. "Seriously, it's more than that. No one can organize people like you can. No one can use resources most would scoff at. There's just something about you."

"You aren't biased or anything." Xena couldn't help chuckling. The lightness of the moment was greatly needed. However, she knew they needed to discuss a few things.

After several moments of silence, Xena found her voice. "You are a target because you travel with me. As long as I appear as Callisto, it adds to the target on your back."

Gabrielle sensed her soulmate was hinting she should reconsider traveling with the warrior princess. "In all honesty, I don't know who is more dangerous as far as enemies. Callisto killed so many in the name of revenge. In your case, some want revenge and others want to be known as the warrior who killed the warrior princess."

Xena nodded in agreement. She couldn't even say who would be the greater threat. Those wanting revenge only or proving they were better than the warrior princess.

More silence rained upon them. At one time, it would have been a tentative silence. After traveling so long together, it had become amiable silence. Now, it was the most awkward of silences either had ever known.

Gabrielle glanced around her. Everything looked the same. Even with all the changes she had gone through since beginning her travels with Xena, everything appeared the same.

The friends she'd met; the battles she'd witnessed; and the lives she'd seen lost for various reasons and yet the trees remained green as did the grass. The sky was as blue as ever, though with a threat of rain upon the horizon.

When Gabrielle glanced to her right, things were different. But was it any different than when the leaves changed from a brilliant green to burning orange? Was it any different than when the sky turned to coal with little lights flickering?

It was how Gabrielle would have to think about Xena. Inside was the same soul that was connected to her own. The package was different. More different than either would ever want to fathom.

Xena was having her own internal struggles. Her senses were off. In the past, she could smell water before seeing it. Now, it was nearly simultaneously.

Even Argo felt different when Xena was in the saddle. In time, the warrior princess had no doubt that her body would catch up to what her soul was attempting to inform it. For now, she was out of sync.

The one thing that wasn't out of sync was Xena's connection to Gabrielle. "Things are changing. Not just the fact I'm stuck in Callisto's body. I sense something, but I can't quite place it. Partly it's this body. Partly it's something we've never experienced before."

Absently, Gabrielle edged closer to her soulmate. "I've been sensing something for some time now. I don't know what it is either."

The sounds were changing. Even Gabrielle could sense that it was closing in on time to find a place to bed for the night. There was a part of her that wished it had been in Amphipolis. It would have been too difficult having Cyrene and the others attempting to come to terms with the current situation.

There were no more words spoken. It was unusual, but Gabrielle easily slid her hand into her soulmate's. The feel of the skin was a shock to the system. It was so different than how Xena's skin normally felt.

As they continued to walk and scan for a place to camp, things seemed to fall into place. Gabrielle knew if she could hold the strange, yet familiar hand, it would only be a matter of time before she could fully accept looking into those hazel eyes.

Xena could feel her senses becoming more attuned. It was as if there was this magic about holding Gabrielle's hand. It was as if her bard had a healing touch.

Though there were a couple acceptable places to camp, Xena silently rejected them. She needed the contact her bard was offering her.

It was righting everything that had been wronged. Xena inwardly smiled at the thought. There was a connection so profound between herself and the bard that merely holding her hand was enough to heal her soul.

They both had many guilts to process over what had happened the past season or so of traveling together. They would most likely always contain some guilt in their hearts. Would they add to it during their travels?

Both hated to think that they would continue to have actions they would regret. That they might hurt one another. In the grand scheme of things, they would have to remember one thing.

They were two warriors battling for the greater good. While they could do it on their own, they were so much stronger together. Hopefully they would remember this. And they would hold onto it when things were at their gravest.