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 3: Truce?

I wish I could turn back time. A voice told him. Kirinian frowned and turned over on the hard ground. His eyes snapped open seconds later. He was in control! The parasite had kept its word, it had given him control. This was unbelievable! Why was Cordesh being so nice? What was the demon up to? I am not up to anything, Kirinian. Kirinian gave a tired little sigh and stood, dusting himself off. We will need to get more clothes. Cordesh told Kirinian who nodded as he put out the already dwindling fire. The animal they had ridden yesterday stood patiently, nibbling on a small patch of grasses.

Kirinian quickly mounted the beast and set off following a well-used road, many people rode passed and greeted Kirinian, several coaches also passed them by. But Kirinian waited for a friendly face to appear. As he looked out for a friend, a small beast drawn cart appeared with a woman at the reins. She was obviously a hard-working woman as she wore thick, protective clothing and Kirinian could tell her skin was thick with calluses and cuts. "Howdy there. You look a little lost." She greeted. Her voice was thick with a strange accent. Kirinian mentally noted the accent before smiling at her.

"I am lost. I was wondering if you could help me." Kirinian replied. "I've ridden for most of the day yesterday looking for a friendly face but finding none."

"Well friendly faces are hard to come by in this country." She replied. "There is a lot of crime going on in this country, gangs and the like. But as long as your honest and not a bad man, I see no harm in aiding you. I'm Bonnie McFarlene." She greeted.

"I'm Kirinian."

"Strange name, I guess you're not from around here, are you?" She asked.

"No, Ma'am. I'm not."

"Do you have a last name, Kirinian?" She asked.

"Er… well I stopped using it some time ago but…well I used to go by Cordesh. Kirinian Cordesh Ma'am." Kirinian replied. "But I prefer Kirinian."

"Very well Kirinian, if I can call you by your first name, you must call me Bonnie." She replied. "Now what can I help you with."

"Well I was hoping for food, clothes, shelter for a start and then perhaps a map and some hints and tips. I don't know much about this place and if I'm going to travel it, I would like to know all I can."

"Why of course. Can I ask how you came to be in New Austin?"

"I guess you could say it was an accident. I kind of crossed over, without any idea where I'd be going." Kirinian replied. "I'd like to try and get back home, but I've no idea where I am, I have no sense of direction."

Bonnie frowned before nodding. "Sounds like you're either from Mexico or West Elizabeth. You don't look like a Mexican though, not that I'm an expert. I would guess you're from West Elizabeth." She muttered. "How about you tie that fine horse of yours onto the trap and climb up here. I'll take you back to our ranch and give you what you need so you can be on your way."

Kirinian nodded and dismounted, securing the reins to the trap before walking round and climbing onto the horse drawn cart. "Thank you ma'am. I really appreciate this; I know I'm a stranger but…"

"I know the look of a man down on his luck." She replied a soft tone to her voice. Kirinian did not ask why she had gone so sombre. It was not his place to know. "I will help you if I can but if you're in trouble with the law or up to trouble I cannot help you that much."

"I know ma'am, I would not ask you to endanger yourself. I would just appreciate some food, water, clothes and a map, if that is not too much trouble."

"Of course, it is no trouble at all." Bonnie replied with a smile. "And whilst we're at it, I'll give you a rifle. That pistol won't help you out here that much."

"Thank you." Kirinian replied gratefully. She is a lovely woman. Cordesh murmured.

You will not hurt her! Kirinian warned.

I had no intentions of harming her. Cordesh replied offended. If you had listened to me last night, you would understand this.

I do not wish to listen. Kirinian replied stubbornly. There was no reason, no excuse for what you did. Keep your lies to yourself.

They are not lies! Cordesh snapped. I had to do what I did! I had no choice. I was forced to behave how I did!

Forced to torment and torture me!

Yes! Listen to me Kirinian. There are traitors in the Tok'ra we have to save my brethren!

You were the traitor!

No Kirinian! I was a scape goat. Listen to me!

Scapegoat? Kirinian asked hesitantly, unaware how to take the parasite's shouted words. He didn't want to believe but Cordesh seemed adamant that he was innocent. What…what…Kirinian couldn't get his words out. What happened?

Cordesh sighed. Are you prepared to hear the truth? The parasite asked.

N…no. but I…I will listen. Kirinian replied quietly, smiling half-heartedly at Bonnie as she glanced at him.

I am not innocent, Kirinian. I am not claiming to be innocent of my crimes, but there was reason for my actions. I offer no excuses, nor lies, just reasons for why I've done what I've done. Cordesh told him, Kirinian frowned as he realised that the parasite was hesitating, unsure how to continue. Do you remember when we were sent on the mission to Apophis?

No.

It worked then. Cordesh murmured. We were sent into an ambush, my beloved host. We were sent to Apophis, so he could turn us into his spies. He gave us a drug with mind controlling properties. He ordered me to be Goa'uld, to suppress my host and make you suffer. We were both ordered not to remember what had happened. But I… I began to remember, you cries for help hurt me, made me remember the days I was kind to you, made me remember the days we were bonded. I did not initially remember what had caused my hatred of you. But then one day we were sent on another mission. Another mission to Apophis. We were drugged again but this time I remembered and I realised someone in the Tok'ra, someone powerful was helping Apophis. Every time it looked like I was about to be nice to you or beginning to remember, they would send us on another mission to Apophis to be brain wash. Somehow…some way. These traitors knew what we were thinking, could see or hear our talking. I was forced to be cruel to protect us both.

So all that humiliation…

They have a telepath or some way of hearing us, Kirinian. I hated myself for what I had done but I had to behave like a Goa'uld.

What about that councillor?

She was the traitor. Cordesh replied coldly. When I found out I was going to tell the others but then the Tau'ri came and started putting the pieces together. It wasn't hard to work out I was the so called 'traitor'. So I took the chance. I took the traitor out. I died protecting the Tok'ra and they don't even know it.

And what about me?

I'm so sorry Kirinian. I've wanted to tell you this for all those years. I wanted you to know the truth, to know I've never hated you. God! Kirinian. All those times I was cruel…all those times I… I hated it, I made you suffer, like no Tok'ra should have. I'm so ashamed.

You mean… Kirinian frowned. He could not believe it! Cordesh was claiming to be the innocent one, claiming he was not intentionally the traitor. But was there such a thing as a telepath or a mind reading machine. He supposed there could be, he had seen stranger things. They could hear us privately talking?

Yes… but I don't think she was the only traitor. That means all hosts and symbiotes are being eavesdropped on by some traitor, who is still unknown to us.

But… that means…

No if we do return, I will never behave like that again. Never! We will hunt the traitor together this time.

And how can I trust what you say is true? You already betrayed me once.

Which I deeply regret doing. I do not offer apologies, because I do not deserve your forgiveness. But please allow me to prove that what we once had was not trickery and deception.

Kirinian froze. Could he really give Cordesh that second chance after all that had happened? Could he accept Cordesh after the cruelty the parasite had inflicted upon him. But if Cordesh was right there was Tok'ra, a traitor hearing everyone thoughts and reporting to the Goa'uld. The traitor could be remembering relationships, home worlds, vacation worlds and so much more. The traitor had to be taken out if there was one. But what if it was a trick, what if it was lies to convince Kirinian to help the parasite? But he could not afford to make the wrong decision, if there was indeed a traitor, only he and Cordesh knew of it. But that meant…trusting Cordesh.

I…I can't forgive you. Kirinian finally said after a few minutes. But if you are right and there is a traitor…then our feud is not important. The most important thing is protecting the Tok'ra. I don't want to trust you, but I have to, to protect those I love. He told Cordesh.

I understand, my host. Cordesh replied. Now… let's find a way home and protect our people. If we can, we need to find a way to block our minds and everyone else's minds from the telepath or machinery the traitor is using.

Yes… perhaps… this land seems primitive, but perhaps the answer lies on this world somewhere. Perhaps we were sent here for a reason. Kirinian replied.

Let's hope so. Cordesh replied gently.

Kirinian relaxed in his seat. Their feud wasn't over, but for now he could rest easy for they were working together for a common cause. Returning to the Tok'ra. He smiled at Bonnie who returned the smile as she controlled the cart taking them back past the town they had travelled through and back up the mountain path. "Where are you going?"

"Back to the ranch. It's not that much farther."

"I began up here." Kirinian told her. "If I had known there was a ranch nearby I would have headed there for help."

"Well you know now and your safe. That's all that matters." Bonnie replied warmly. Kirinian could not help but grin, for she spoke truth, he was safe. At least for now.