Author: Kelral Orlyana

Title: Reunion

Category: Stargate SG1 x Red Dead Redemption

Rating: Currently a T… may change as story progresses.

Pairing: None

Spoilers: The Tok'ra (Part 1 and 2) but very little of Red Dead Redemption will be revealed (perhaps a few characters but nothing more...)

Warning: Contains angst, mild battle scenes and mentions abuse and cruelty…though it is very mild.

Disclaimer: I do not own Stargate SG1 or Red Dead Redemption and make no profit posting this story.

Italics represent symbiote and host communication.

Chapter 2: Trapped

Cordesh was being very…polite. He had not spoken to Kirinian for several hours, which is what Kirinian preferred. His mind was blissfully silent and he felt at peace. The only problem was that he could feel Cordesh inside of him. The beast was deeply thinking about something, that much was clear but it kept itself as far away from Kirinian as he could.

Kirinian tried to ignore the beast, he tried to focus on a much larger, more gentle beast. The four legged creature he rode was relatively calm, but reacted to every possible danger around them, including small harmless dog like creatures. Kirinian was already tense so when the creature whinnied or neighed in fear, he tensed or jumped and became super aware. It was like he was waiting for something to happen, perhaps he was still praying for a death that would never come?

You should stop praying for death. I will not allow any harm to come to you. And there the parasite was! The beast could hide his thoughts from his host but Kirinian could hide nothing and the beast would not stop prying because he 'owned' Kirinian. Is that a town there in the distance? Kirinian frowned and glanced around. They had just come down a long curving path carved into a mountain side, so far there was no signs of life but the beast was right, there was something in the distance.

The environment was humid and hot, because of this there seemed to be steam rising from the ground and distorting anything in the distance. He could feel Cordesh trying to compensate but even the beast could not overcome nature. Kirinian merely kicked the animal into a trot and approached the town that was gradually appearing. It was obviously rather primitive, it was not like some worlds he had seen. It was small, had its own law enforcers who were clearly allowed to shoot to kill and 'interrogate'. There were bars, weapon shops and every person carried a weapon.

As he rode in people stopped and stared, talking amongst each other. Kirinian was embarrassed but he simply rode on. He knew he had to ask people about where he was but to stop in a town and ask those questions would just make him stranger and more dangerous in their eyes. They were clearly a suspicious paranoid people, he would have to be careful.

Find someone who is more welcoming…Cordesh instructed, Kirinian resisted the urge to role his eyes at the stupid instruction, he already knew he had to find someone 'friendlier'. But finding someone more welcoming would be difficult. Secluded towns were very, very wary of strangers. On top of that, he was afraid. He was alone, with a demon inside of him, a great beast beneath him and what were clearly violent people around him, he wanted a way out, but he was stuck obeying the beast in his head.

The people watched warily as he rode through, he quickly trotted out of the town, eager to get away. He needed to find somewhere safe, somewhere to hide until he knew where he was and what to do. He needed rest. He needed to sleep, to think on his situation and he needed the parasite out of his head!

I am not leaving Kirinian, so stop hoping for that. Cordesh replied angrily, finally showing his true colours. You are my host. I will remain within you. The beast ranted. Kirinian sighed quietly, however much he wanted Cordesh's words to be lies, he knew they were truth. The beast would remain inside him, only the Tok'ra could free him and Cordesh would simply take over and pretend to be the happy host once more. The beast sighed. Look, I know you don't like me, but we are in this together. For what it is worth, I am sorry for my past behaviour.

Kirinian shook his head stubbornly, Cordesh was not sorry, he could not be sorry, not after all the suffering he inflicted on his host. Kirinian would not forgive, not forget. Cordesh remained quiet, Kirinian sighed softly and focused on the animal beneath him. The brown fur was beginning to look black in the fading light and Kirinian knew that he would have to find a place to rest the horse and himself, but he was afraid of dismounting. Cordesh was only allowing him control to ride the beast, once off its back the parasite would retake control.

Finally he pulled the beast to a halt as he found a relatively flat spot with a good three hundred and sixty degree view. The beast snorted as it was stopped and shifted on its hooves as Kirinian dismounted. Surprisingly the parasite inside of him did not take control and so he was able to scavenge some fire wood and start a small camp fire.

We will need to eat soon. Cordesh said after a while. Do you wish to hunt or shall I? There seem to be some small animals not far from us, so it should be relatively easy. Kirinian wanted to say no out of spite, but his stomach answered for him, rumbling in hunger. With a resigned sigh he stood and looked around trying to spot the animals his parasite had spoken off. Movement caught his eyes and with Cordesh's help he saw small, long eared creatures, much like the rabbits of his home world. Rabbits were common on many worlds but seeing the small animals warmed Kirinian's heart with fond familiarity. Remembering how Cordesh had operated the gun before, he took aim and with expert precision he took out the small animal. The rest of the small group scattered but Kirinian paid them no heed.

Cordesh seemed to squirm as Kirinian skinned the animal without remorse, he could probably sense his host imagining that it was Cordesh he was skinning. Without no cutlery or plates, Kirinian was forced to cook the meat using some bush-craft methods. About an hour later the meat smelt cooked and he carefully cut through the small meat to find it was indeed cooked. A small bite of meat made him frown, it wasn't the greatest, it was bland but it would do.

Go to sleep, Kirinian. I will take control and keep guard. Do not worry I will keep you warm and make sure no harm comes to you. Cordesh said attempting to soothe his host, but the parasite did not understand. Kirinian would take on the most savage beast if it meant that Cordesh was gone. Cordesh was his worst nightmare, the one bringing harm to him. But of course, Cordesh did not know or did not care. How could it ask him to hand over control like that? After all that happened? I won't hurt you. Did the beast not understand that he had already hurt his host? Just by being there he had caused the greatest pain.

I do not want to. He simply told the parasite.

Cordesh seemed to sigh. You are tired, I can feel it. If you do not sleep now, you soon will. You need to rest and I will guard us.

And when I wake I will once again be in the shadows forced to watch as you do what you wish with my body. Kirinian snapped angrily, his eyes shutting as he expecting pain but yet again he felt none. I never want to give you control again. I never want you inside of me again!

I know, but I am here whether you like it or not. I will hand over control once you wake. I promise.

You promises used to mean something, now I know their just lies. Kirinian snapped.

No I never lied to you, when I promise you something I always meant it. Cordesh replied. Do you not remember that when I was angry and withdrawn, I never promised you anything, because I did not want to promise you pain or suffering.

And yet that was what I got. I trusted you and you turned on me.

Forgive me. I… I do not know why I did what I did. I loved you, even when I pretended to hate you. I… I needed to behave as I did.

To humiliate me? To torture me! There was no need for that! You betrayed me! I trusted you and the Tok'ra. Even when I saw what you looked like, I wanted to be your host! It was stupid of me and now, now I'm stuck with you. I thought… I thought I'd be free but even the Gods do not want me to be free. They obviously feel I have not suffered enough. What did I do to anger them?

You did nothing. They are merely giving me a second chance.

A second chance? Kirinian cried out with a disbelieving snort. To do what? Damage me beyond repair, or to destroy the Tok'ra from the inside out like you intended?

No. To explain to you why I had to do what I did, to redeem myself. Even if you hate us for the remainder of our second chance, I want you to know the truth.

What truth? That you're a monster? I already know that.

I deserve your hatred, beloved but please just listen to me.

No!

Please, Kirinian.

No!

Cordesh sighed. Just allow me to watch over you this night and I will give you control.

You lie, you always lie! Kirinian cried out angrily but he knew it was no use. He was tired and eventually his body would force him to sleep, would force him to submit to Cordesh. Even his own body was against him. Sighing he calmed. Fine, just take control. You'll do it anyway with or without my permission. Kirinian closed his eyes and swallowed down the bile rising up to his throat. Laying down on the cold ground he tried to relax. A few moments later his body was warm and he felt as if he was floating. He listened to his parasite telling him to rest well before blissful darkness took him.

***Dream***

He saw me! Cordesh cried out angrily. Kirinian said nothing but inside he was hoping that the Tau'ri would finally end the torture. I can't… I have so much to do…but! Cordesh was panicking and Kirinian revelled in it. Feeling the normally powerful, in control parasite finally feeling weak and vulnerable was like heaven. Finally the beast felt what he had felt since Cordesh had shown his true colours. I going to have to… Cordesh probably didn't even realise he was talking to his host, but it did not matter since Kirinian could not understand what his parasite was thinking.

Cordesh travelled down the hallway and Kirinian mentally frowned as they entered a councillers private chambers. "Cordesh? What is the meaning of this?" She demanded turning to face them. Kirinian grew very worried as Cordesh did not answer, he walked forward until he was right in front of her and…

Kirinian suddenly had control, he felt Cordesh releasing him. The parasite couldn't! No! He cried out trying to pull away but Cordesh had already left, Kirinian could only watch in despair as the parasite burrowed into the woman's throat and slaughtered his sibling. The other host's eyes flashed and her eyes became frightened and then soulless. Cordesh turned to face him and Kirinian could see the death threat in its new host's eyes. Kirinian swallowed, but Cordesh did nothing, he/ she merely left the room leaving Kirinian to wallow in self-pity. He had wished for Cordesh to leave but not like this! Never like this!

He didn't know how long he stayed in the room but suddenly he felt tired. Cordesh was gone but he could never face the others again. He knew he should. Knew he should tell them everything but… how could he? He couldn't face them, couldn't tell them the brother they trusted was a traitor. It was time to end it… time to end it all. He could hear a disappearing tunnel and with determined thoughts he stood and walked towards it. Just as he reached the white wall, the others caught up with him.

"Cordesh! Come here immediately and explain yourself!" Garshaw demanded.

Kirinian turned to face her, two Tok'ra guards and the Tau'ri. "I am not what I appear to be." Kirinian told them. He could see panic in their eyes as he felt and heard the wall coming closer. It's over now… He thought unaware that he had spoken similar words out loud. He heard his parasites name being called out before he felt agonising pain but his one final thought was… Finally, it's over.

***End Dream***