Author: JustSkipIt
Rating: PG
Feedback: Please leave feedback on the Survivor - Ash Island thread on the Kitten Board.
Disclaimer: I own none of these characters nor do I own Survivor. And believe it or not, I also don't own any small islands. On the other hand, this island is fictional so let's say I own it. I'm making no money from this fiction and intend no copyright infringement.

MFashnek Camp - Day 21
The camera pans over the sights of the island on a gray looking morning. We see trees, downed coconuts, waves reaching the beach, and a shot of the outside of the shelter. Next we see the shelter as the camera pans over the sleeping members of MFashnek. Faith, Kendra, and Robin are starting to stir as are Willow and Tara. It is easy to see that the later two women are snuggled together in their sleep-Tara’s arms wrapped around the redhead.

Confessional Caption - Tara - Medical Receptionist
“This morning when I woke up, my arms were wrapped around Willow’s body. Ok, a-actually we went to sleep like that. I think she’s pretty s-special but that doesn’t change this game. My a-alliance is still with Faith and Kendra. If we can take Willow to the final four, then we will but the three of us are the key. “

Next we see the group sitting around the fire drinking their dwindling coffee and eating plantains. “I wonder when merge will happen,” Kendra starts.

“Probably soon,” Robin guesses. “Either that or they have a big surprise planned for us.”

“Right now,” Faith reminds everyone, “we’re five to their three. Even if merge isn’t in the next few days and we have to go to tribal council, we’ll be four to three.” Everyone nods their heads although they all look uneasy with the possibility that they will have to go to tribal council again. Faith looks around the group before vowing, “I’ll never vote against someone in this circle if there’s anyone else to vote against.”

They look at her apparently processing her strongly worded vow before Tara agrees. “M-m-m…,” she trails off and sticks her right hand into the center of the circle. Faith smiles and puts hers on top of the blonde’s. She’s followed by Kendra, Robin, and Willow. “MFashnek to the end,” Kendra adds on.

Confessional Caption - Faith - Personal Trainer
“Hey, whatever these girls-I mean Tara and Willow-- want to do is fine with me. We’ve been on this island 21 days and it will be 18 more for whoever makes it to the end. If you want to find someone to cuddle up with, share some affection, get you some, whatever, I say why not.” She thinks for a second before explaining in a low voice, “On the other hand, one hint that Tara’s switching alliances, breaking her damn word, and I’ll cut her loose even before the kid.”

Akathla Camp - Day 21
“Three weeks,” Xander says to no one in particular as he eats a few plantains and drinks some water. When no one responds he repeats: “Three weeks.”

“Yes, Xander,” Buffy finally says, “we’ve been here three weeks.”

“How much weight do you think you’ve lost?” he asks the girl.

Buffy holds out her arms and considers it. “I don’t know,” she finally says, “maybe 12 pounds?”

“I’d say 16,” Joyce puts in.

“Wow,” Xander says, “you must be really observant to have noticed how much Buffy weighed at the first challenge.”

“I try,” Joyce agrees.

MFashnek Camp
“We’ve got mail,” Robin calls as he returns from the mail box. The girls are all sunbathing on the beach, looking relaxed. They all look surprised that they have tree mail.

Confessional Caption - Kendra- Interpreter
“We were enjoying our day. Three weeks we’ve been on the island and in the game. I thought we had the day off and then here comes Robin with tree mail.”

“You’ll need to choose carefully and quickly,
To secure a good life on the Island,” we hear Faith read.

Akathla Camp
“Does anyone else think that they hired a new tree mail writer this season?” Xander suggests.

“Like one who’s no good at poetry?” Buffy agrees.

“Do you think it’s merge?” Joyce attempts to focus the other two.

“Could be,” Buffy speculates.

Reward Challenge
Both teams file in to stand on their mats.

Jeff walks in smiling at the teams. “Well,” he starts, “look around. You have made it half-way through this game. It’s day 21 and there are eight Survivors left of an original 16.” The Survivors give a cautious cheer.

Jeff smiles before instructing: “You’ve heard it before. Drop your buffs.”

Everyone does so smiling and cheering as Jeff hands out new buffs-green ones. “You will choose your new tribe name later. But first,” he smiles, “we will have a little reward challenge.”

Everyone looks surprised and Jeff turns to show that opposite him are eight tree stumps about waist high. He directs each player to the stumps which they see hold a marker and piece of paper, much like they use at tribal council. The stumps form a gentle arc and are placed 3 or so feet from each other.

“Ok,” Jeff says, “this challenge is simple… or maybe not so simple. Your new tribe will have a new camp.” He holds up a scroll of paper and explains that this is a map to the new location. “You will automatically get the belongings you brought with you to the game and these will be at your camp when you get there.”

“However,” Jeff continues, “the rest of your team belongings are still at your old camps. That’s where that piece of paper comes in.” He points at the paper. “Each person can write down one thing that they want to move from either old camp to the new camp. Once we reveal the responses and give you the map, you will have fifteen minutes to move the items from your old camps to the new one.” Everyone gasps at the rules of the game. “If two people write down the same item, you do not get another try.” Jeff smiles slyly: “This means that you want to select the most necessary item but not one that someone else will select.”

Everyone nods their heads although Xander and Buffy seem to have confused looks on their faces. “Survivors Ready,” Jeff yells, “Go!”

Confessional Caption - Joyce - Art Gallery Owner
“Today’s challenge was harder than you would think. On one hand you want to select the really necessary things but on the other if 5 people select the rice, we’re out a lot of other selections.”

Everyone finishes writing quickly or slowly and waits for the last person, Willow, to finish writing. “Ok,” Jeff says, “let’s go around the circle.” He points at Robin who has chosen the cooking pot from MFashnek. “Good choice,” Jeff announces before pointing to Tara. Apparently not wanting to take any chances, Tara chose MFashnek’s rice. Kendra chooses the fish hooks and line but Faith duplicates that choice. Everyone groans as they realize that they have lost a choice. Willow chooses the machete from the Akathla camp. Buffy reveals that she chose the rice from Akathla. Joyce duplicated the fishing hooks and line choice (again), wasting her choice. Xander surprises the group by selecting MFashnek’s beans.

“Ok,” Jeff announces, “that means that you can take the cooking pot, fishing hooks and line, beans, and rice from the MFashnek camp and the rice and machete from Akathla.” He holds the map out and waits to see who will take it. When no one else steps up, Faith takes the map. “You have fifteen minutes to take these items from the camps and bring them to that location,” Jeff yells, “starting… Now!”

Faith continues looking at the map for a moment before handing it to Willow. “Who goes where?” she asks the redhead. Willow looks at the map for a minute before directing the others: “Faith, Kendra, and Robin go to MFashnek. You are getting the cooking pot, fishing hooks and line, beans, and rice.” That group takes another look at the map and runs through the jungle toward their camp. Willow turns to Buffy and Xander and tells them: “You are getting the machete and rice.”

Confessional Caption - Buffy - College Student
“The most interesting thing about today’s challenge? Willow’s directions. I would have thought that she’d go back with Xander and I. Maybe she wants to show them that she’s with them. But I know she still has an alliance with me. Maybe she can come back and bring Tara with her. Then we outnumber them 5-3.”

We see various shots of Kendra, Faith, and Robin running through the jungle as well as Buffy and Xander running along their path.

Confessional Caption - Tara - Medical Receptionist
Tara’s eyes look slightly wet as she says, “I know it’s really stupid but I was kind of s-sad not to get to go back to camp. I know that Willow did the planning well for everyone but I lived there three weeks and suddenly we have a new c-camp.”

We see Willow, Tara, and Joyce arrive at the new camp. They look around to see that the new camp is on an unsullied stretch of beach. Sitting at the base of a cluster of trees is a crate. “Presents?” Joyce suggests.

The three women agree to not open the crate until the others get to the new location. After a quick discussion they decide that they can be most useful by heading down the paths toward the old camps and directing their campmates as they see them. Tara and Willow head down the path toward MFashnek while Joyce heads toward the Akathla campsite.

Confessional Caption - Willow - Software Startup Owner
“Well I’ll tell you. I had to think quickly about greeting the people who went back. Going with Tara I think really shows that I’m in that group now. It’s not something I want Joyce or Buffy thinking about but I do want Tara to be clear about it. I mean the numbers are in that group.” She looks distraught as she explains, “Of course it’s totally possible that everyone will see me as a threat and caught in the gears: the next one gone.”

Tara spots Faith, Kendra, and Robin running down the path and runs to meet them. As she does, Faith hands her the bag of rice and she turns with them to return to the new campsite. Willow guides the group. By the time they reach the campsite, they find Buffy, Xander, and Joyce there. Buffy and Xander are bent over with their hands on their knees gulping for air. Once the five people who ran have recovered, Joyce tells them, “They left us a surprise.”

The group quickly opens the crate and cheers when they find three blankets, a bottle of Champaign, and a bag of oranges inside. Popping the cork on the Champaign they pass the bottle around, taking sips and enjoying fruit.

After the commercial, we see shots of the group working to erect a new shelter. Xander gives directions and does the lion’s share of the work with help from Robin, Faith, and Kendra. The others continue their normal tasks of gathering firewood and berries, and attempting to catch fish. By the time dark falls we can see that they have made fire and cooked some rice which Tara dispenses to everyone. The shelter is very makeshift but palm leaves at least offer some protection from the weather. Using the limited number of blankets, we see Tara and Willow; Robin, Faith, and Kendra; and Buffy, Joyce, and Xander sharing them as they sleep.

Next shots show a storm over the island. Rain pours down and lightening is frequent. Although they huddle together under the new blankets, it is obvious that everyone is soaked and cold.

Day 22
Confessional Caption - Robin - High School Principal
“Well we got these nice new blankets,” he says, “and had the worst storm since we arrived here. I don’t know if anyone got any sleep at all.”

The shell-shocked looking group huddles around the fire pit as Faith and Tara work to restart the fire using the damp wood. Finally Willow stands up and declares that she’s going to see if she can find a good place to dry the blankets. Buffy goes with.

Once they are away from the other Survivors, the two girls have an obviously joyous reunion. “So what’s up, Will?” Buffy teases, “I notice you were sharing your sopping blanket with Tara last night?”

Willow blushes but doesn’t answer the question. “I’m trying to find a good place for this,” she instead says.

“But we’re good right?” Buffy confirms.

Willow smiles, “What do you think?”

By midday we see that they have gotten their fire started and are working in earnest to shore up their shelter.

Confessional Caption - Faith - Personal Trainer
“Man. I do not want to spend another damn night like that. I just about froze my parts right off.”

We see a shot of Buffy fishing and she seems to be doing well. She pulls a large fish from the water.

Confessional Caption - Buffy - College Student
“I’ll tell you one thing about this beach.” She holds out the fish she was shown catching earlier. “I never had a shot at a fish this size on the Akathla beach. We’re going to feast tonight.” She holds up her shirt to show her ribs. “And I can really use it.”

A shot of a few good sized fish in the cooking pot is followed by Joyce distributing the cooked meat to the Survivors. As they eat, they begin discussing a new tribe name.

Day 23
“We’ve got mail,” Kendra and Buffy announce as they arrive back at the much more secure looking shelter.

The mail consists of a small wooden model of a triangular ladder with five rungs and a colored flag at the top. The words, “Out wit, Outlast, Outplay” are written on the middle three rungs.

We see the survivors file in to take their places on the single mat on challenge beach. Jeff approaches smiling and welcomes them. “How have you found your new camp?” he asks first.

“It’s a nice camp,” Robin offers but the storm last night really hit us hard.

“Did you get wet?” Jeff asks.

“Soaked would be a better word,” Faith offers, “I thought Buffy here was going to shiver a hole in the beach.” Everyone laughs, particularly to note that Faith was easily as cold as Buffy.

“In all that freezing,” Jeff asks, “did you have a chance to come up with a new tribe name?”

“Yes,” Joyce answers, “we’re the White Hats.” Jeff looks puzzled so Faith explains: “Like we’re the good guys because each of us thinks we are a good guy.”

Jeff smiles a little cautiously before saying, “Great!” He holds up the immunity idol and says, “This is useless from this point forward. Now you’re playing for this.” He holds up the immunity necklace that only Tara and Willow have worn to this point.

Everyone cheers at the appearance of the immunity necklace. “You’re playing today for this immunity necklace,” Jeff explains unnecessarily, “everyone wants immunity.”

Confessional Caption - Faith - Personal Trainer
“Today I’m laying back and checking out the competition. I don’t think I’m going home today no matter what so I can afford to lose the challenge. Going full out is stupid unless you think you’re going to be voted off because winning a challenge is just hanging a target on your back.” She holds up her hands and mock yells: “Hey everyone! I’m a threat, how about voting my ass off?”

Jeff points past the survivors to explain the challenge: “Today’s challenge will be mostly physical. Each of you has a ladder structure in front of you.” He points to the ladder outlines. Each ladder leans against a platform about five feet off the ground and has a colored flag on a string which extends upward along a flag pole. The ladders have no rungs but have five slots where the rungs apparently will go. He points to the water on which are floating ten platforms. “Each rung for your ladders is on one of those platforms. We divided them into two colors to make it easer. You will swim out and retrieve your rungs, bring them back, and construct your ladder. The rungs are different sizes and can only be positioned in only one way to build the entire ladder.” Everyone looks over at Willow as if making the point about her ability to solve puzzles like this one. Jeff continues: “Once you have built your ladder, you can climb it and raise your flag. The first flag up wins immunity.”

Everyone cheers when he asks if immunity is worth playing. Next we see the players lined up in front of their towers which Jeff tells us were randomly assigned. Apparently Faith, Robin, Willow, and Xander will be racing to one set of rafts while the others-Joyce, Buffy, Kendra, and Tara-- will be racing to the other set. At his call of “Survivors, Ready. Go!” everyone begins running to the water.

As they swim we can see some individuals beginning to pull away, namely Kendra, Robin, and Buffy. However, as they utilize different strategies, it is hard to tell who is leading. Kendra and Robin retrieve their first rungs and return to the beach while Buffy apparently decides to swim to the farthest rung first. She reaches the divider which adds an additional obstacle for the last raft and climbs over it to retrieve her first rung and begin the return swim. By the time she reaches the beach, most other competitors have decided to take her approach and are swimming for the farthest rung next.

Jeff shouts out commentary noting that Faith has returned with two rungs but has not gotten the farthest ones yet while Buffy is returning with her second rung having gone for the farthest ones first. Robin and Kendra both have two rungs on the beach and are swimming for their third while the others are returning with their second rungs. He next comments that Buffy is taking an interesting strategy as she runs to her ladder with the first two rungs and places them while taking gulping breaths: “Buffy places her first two rungs, taking a bit of a rest.”

“Buffy returning to the water as Xander and Kendra follow her example,” Jeff calls out. “Buffy, Xander, and Kendra have placed two rungs on their ladders. Robin has three on the beach and Faith and Willow are returning with their second rungs. Joyce and Tara falling behind in the swimming!”

Jeff continues his commentary as Buffy returns to toss her third rung on the beach. By the time she does, Robin has placed all but the last of his rungs on the beach. “Buffy returning with her third run and going back out for her fourth as Robin swims for the farthest rung. He has four on the beach ahead of the other Survivors.” The Survivors are obviously tiring: “Buffy places her fourth rung on the ladder and turns to get the last rung from the water. Xander has two on his ladder and two on the beach and is in the water heading for his last rung. Kendra also has two on the ladder and two on the beach. Tara gets into the contest putting her third rung on her ladder and running back for the water as Faith places her fourth rung on the beach.”

Willow places her third rung on the ladder and returns to the water but stands in the waist-deep water attempting to catch her breath. Joyce, Xander, and Tara are likewise catching their breath as the commentary continues: “Faith still swimming strong toward her fifth piece, the farthest piece. Buffy swims back with her last piece as is Kendra. Buffy is closer than Kendra who has farther to go.” Buffy reaches the beach first and runs for her ladder. “Buffy working to place her final rung as Robin reaches his ladder with all five of his rungs! Kendra and Faith are both on the beach with their final rungs but Faith has none in her ladder.” Kendra reaches her ladder as Robin has three rungs in place and Buffy is putting the final rung in place. “Buffy climbs her ladder and raises her flag to take the first individual immunity challenge!”

The other competitors collapse on the beach or swim close enough to collapse in the shallow water as Buffy moves forward to take the immunity necklace.

Confessional Caption - Buffy - College Student
“I really needed this immunity. I figure with our numbers down my best chance is to have the time to make some alliances. I have mom and Willow with me so I just need to get one other person to flip and we have the numbers.”

We see the Survivors returning to camp and eating a small meal of rice and berries. Tara, Kendra, and Faith go to bathe in the ocean. They each rub the wet sand on their skin. “We know who goes tonight?” Kendra asks.

The others nod their heads.

Next we see Joyce, Buffy, and Willow breaking up fire wood. They are talking quietly. “So it’s Xander tonight?” Buffy asks Willow.

Willow and Joyce agree and then the older woman walks away from the younger girls. Next we see Xander approaching the two women. He gives them both warm hugs before asking straight out if he is going home tonight. Both hem and haw around a little bit before telling him that they can’t control his fate. He argues that the three of them with Joyce can tie the vote but they say that they aren’t willing to take the chance that they will get unlucky with the stone. Finally they walk away from the conversation.

As they walk off, Buffy tells Willow, “You and I and Joyce. If we get Robin to switch, we can be the final four.” Willow nods her head but doesn’t verbally commit to anything.

Tribal Council
The eight remaining tribe members enter the tribal council area and sit after putting their torches in place. Jeff welcomes them and then says, “And for the first time tonight: our first jury member.” Mac walks in and takes a seat across from the Survivors. He looks very good in a pair of cargo shorts, belt, safari shirt, and hiking boots. It is obvious that he has had a haircut, shave, and a few days of good sleep and food.

“Well,” Jeff starts, “how is the new camp?”

“Pretty sharp,” Robin answers, “we got our shelter built and the fishing is much better.”

“So you’ve been eating?” Jeff follows it up.

“Better,” Buffy answers. “That doesn’t mean a feast. We shared three good sized fish today.”

“Tara,” Jeff asks, “who feeds everyone?”

“Some p-people fish,” she explains nervously, “others gather berries or plantains or c-c-c…” She gives up and Faith finishes seamlessly: “cook rice.”

“How do you know if the berries are safe to eat?” Jeff asks.

Tara looks relieved as Joyce explains for her, “Tara seems to know everything about these plants. She found them, tests them, and tells us what’s safe.”

“So you can’t really do it without her?” Jeff pinpoints.

“No one is indispensable,” Buffy answers, “we can all provide food.”

“What about you Xander,” Jeff asks, “what do you provide?”

“I did a lot of work on the shelter today,” the young man explains. “And I do a lot to gather firewood and keep the camp running smoothly.”

“Kendra,” Jeff says, “what about friendships on the island? Are they real? Are some people closer than others?”

“You spend 24 days with people,” Kendra answers, “you find some who you have a real connection with. There are people you can feel comfortable around and trust.”

“What about you, Willow?” Jeff puts her on the spot.

“Sure,” Willow attempts to be nonchalant. “Three weeks is a long time. You get a chance to see who you really bond with.” She looks sideways at Tara who blushes. “Relationships develop. Real feelings.”

“It’s time to vote,” Jeff says.

Faith votes first followed by Kendra and Tara. Joyce follows her and we see her vote for Xander. Xander votes for Tara. Next Robin, Willow, and Buffy vote. Jeff carries back the pot of votes and begins to count them. “First vote: Xander.” No one looks surprised. “Second vote: Xander. Third vote: Tara.” Faith and Kendra both look at the carpenter with shock and what seems like a hint of anger. “That’s two votes Xander, one vote Tara,” Jeff recaps. “Fourth vote: Xander. Xander. And the 9th person voted off Survivor - Ash Island and the 2nd member of the jury: Xander.” Xander takes his torch to Jeff who gives his trademark: “The tribe has spoken.” Jeff then addresses the tribe: “Well it seems that you were unified on this one. Head back to camp.”

Parting Words - Xander
“Well, I played this game the best I could and really I was outmanned. Buffy, I’m rooting for you now even though you voted against me. I’m going to enjoy my meal in a few minutes. See you soon.”

Next Week on Survivor
Voice-over”Word from home buoys the spirits of the Survivors.”
Shots of the Survivors screaming and crying in excitement.

Voice-over”And a secret is revealed.”
We see Tara walking in the dark as she walks up to Kendra and Faith telling the other two girls, “We’ve got a problem.”

Next Week on Survivor - Ash Island