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.
Note: No, I don't work for Chevy and honestly, I drive a Toyota which follows 2 Nissans and a Mazda. But they always give away Chevys so that's what I used.

Camp - Day 28
Again we see shots of the volcano--dormant once again--trees, waves, iguana, more trees… Typical morning shots of the camp. A few players emerge from the hut while others are having a harder time getting moving.

Confessional Caption - Kendra - Interpreter
Kendra sits in ankle-deep water, her arms wrapped around her knees. "This is the day, Mon. The day when no one can get going. Everyone thinks to that to get this far, you have to be really strong. Well you have to be really strong to get this far, but it really weakens you. I would love a good night's sleep and a good meal."

Buffy and Faith are breaking up firewood somewhat lackadaisically. Robin and Willow fish much the same way.

Confessional Caption - Willow - Software Startup Owner
Willow holds up three small fish for the camera. "Everyone is exhausted. It's like we've all silently agreed to leave each other alone for the day. Of course on this island, alone time may not be good. While one person is taking alone time, the others may be planning your exit." She takes a deep breath and leans over putting her hands on her knees. "Today I just can't care about it."

Tara walks along picking berries but moves slowly. She returns to the camp with her container half-full and sets them by the fire before joining Faith, Kendra, and Buffy who are sunbathing. Robin comes up and sees the four girls lying on the beach and apparently decides to join them. In the next shot we see that Willow is also taking a do-nothing day as she lies by the others. Various shots throughout the day show a very tired and hungry team. We see them doing the bare minimum to keep the camp running before having their dinner: fish and rice and plantains.

The next of shots show the group sitting around the fire as dusk and then darkness fall. It is apparent that the lethargy that has plagued the group continues. Finally we see them rising one by one to enter the hut and sleep while daylight is just leaving the sky.

Confessional Caption - Robin - High-School Principal
Robin sits against a tree away from the hut. "This was a throwaway day. I'm sure that everyone will be more upbeat and energetic tomorrow. Especially if we have a challenge." He stands up, brushes off his hands, and walks toward the shelter.

Day 29
"We've got mail," Kendra and Faith announce. They show everyone the tree mail which is written on a small slide puzzle.

"Everything you've done
And everything you know
Will serve you well
If you have places to go."

"Still not great poetry." Tara shakes her head.

"I'm thinking Ted Kooser isn't worried about his position," Willow agrees.

"Who?" Buffy asks.

"H-he's a poet," Tara offers helpfully.

Faith holds up the small puzzle. "Unless he's competing in this challenge, I don't care if he's the inventor of rice and plantains."

Reward Challenge
The six remaining Survivors all file in, walking past a sliver SUV that is parked to the side of the mat. Jeff has a big grin on his face. "Welcome."

Everyone greets him with loud hellos and cheers as they have obviously figured out that this is the car challenge.

"Well," Jeff says, "you might have noticed the Chevy Equinox parked there."

Everyone cheers and answers loudly that they've certainly noticed it.

"Today's challenge is the car challenge." Jeff waits a few beats. "The winner of today's challenge will get these." He holds up a set of keys. "That person will get in the car and drive down that path. The GPS in the truck will direct you to a cabin where you will spend the night. The cabin has dinner and breakfast for you as well as a shower." Everyone cheers and looks suitably overwhelmed at the thought.

Next Jeff explains the game: "Today's challenge is a combination of some of the challenges you have already completed." He points to the water. "In the water are six identical navigation courses. Each survivor will start on his or her raft. Tethered to the bottom of the ocean is a beam. You must swim down and release three catches which hold your beam in place: one carabineer clip, one lock, and one knot. Once you have released your beam you will push or pull it to the beginning of your course." The competitors are all shading their eyes as they look at the sun glinting brightly on the waves and the zigzag pattern of four beams already in place for each of them. "You will fit the beam into the starting position in your course," he continues. "Then you can lift yourself up and run across the beams. If you fall off, you have to return to the beginning."

The Survivors all give a gasp at the prospect of falling off and having to return to the beginning. "Once you reach the end of your balance beams, you will jump off and race to the beach." On the beach the competitors can see six pedestals set up with a flag attached to each. "The pedestal contains a puzzle. You will have to solve the puzzle. When you are done, use the machete to cut the rope and raise your flag." All the other competitors glance at Willow as he explains that the final step in the challenge is the puzzle.

Next we see the six Survivors each standing on his or her raft standing in position ready for the shout. Jeff yells, "Survivors, ready, Go!" and they all dive in. As the distance to the first dive is not far, all the competitors reach their dive location at similar times and dive under. An underwater camera shows quick cuts of Robin untying a knot, Faith unhooking her carabineer clip, Buffy working the lock, and all the competitors resurfacing to catch their breath. As this task continues, we see that all the Survivors are becoming tired and disoriented from their repeated dives. Jeff yells, "Robin dives again and his beam is the first to float. Kendra's beam is up after Robin's and the two leaders begin pushing their beams toward their courses." An underwater camera shows Buffy still struggling with the lock and key although it is apparent that she has already released the other two clips. Tara unclips the carabineer clip and her log floats to the surface just as Faith begins pushing hers toward the course. Willow unlocks the lock and sees her beam float to the surface. By the time Willow is locking her beam into place, Faith is struggling fitting hers into the slot and Robin and Kendra are pulling themselves onto their beams. Tara locks hers into place just as Buffy's wood finally floats to the surface.

Robin and Kendra start along their beams, both moving quickly as Willow and Tara struggle to pull themselves onto their structures. Faith finally locks hers into place and easily gets to her feet. Buffy struggles to lock her beam into place. "Robin and Kendra in the lead, racing along their second beams," Jeff shouts, "while Willow appears to take a more cautious approach." We can see that Robin and Kendra are moving quickly while Willow walks steadily and carefully. "Tara following Willow's lead, slower but steady," Jeff yells. "Faith and Buffy also taking the fast track," he comments, "as both faster girls pass Tara." As if to prove Willow and Tara's point about going too fast, we see a blur and then hear Jeff yelling: "And Buffy is in the water!" "Kendra nearing the end of her fourth beam alongside Robin;Tara and Willow on their second beams; and Faith passing them and nearing the leaders. OH! Kendra takes a fall! Now Robin is well in the lead!" We see Kendra swimming back to the beginning of her course just behind Buffy who is pulling herself back onto the wood. "Robin slips but saves himself!" Apparently taking their cues from the others, both Robin and Faith slow to walking pace. "And Robin has reached the water first followed by Faith," Jeff shouts, "Willow nears the end of the course and Tara a beam behind her!" "Kendra and Buffy making steady progress and no one is out of it."

Robin and Faith swim tiredly toward shore, standing to run as soon as they can do so. By the time they are running, Willow is in the water swimming after them and Tara is a few strokes behind. Robin reaches his pedestal first and looks at the puzzle as he leans on the structure to catch his breath. Faith reaches hers next and likewise stands attempting to get her breath. Having passed Willow in the water, Tara reaches hers puzzle next. "Robin, Faith, and Tara working their puzzles as Willow reaches hers and Buffy and Kendra on the beams!"

Robin, Faith, and Tara move their puzzle pieces around quickly. Robin and Faith are shaking their heads while Tara bites her lip as she works. The puzzle has 15 multi-colored squares in a 16-square space so they have to move a piece to the blank spot to move the pieces around. Willow continues staring at her pieces. "Robin, Faith, and Tara continuing to attempt to solve the puzzle. Willow planning her moves and Kendra is into the water with Buffy right behind her!" Jeff shouts.

Jeff now walks behind the competitors commenting on their progress. "Tara's puzzle moving toward something as is Faith's! Willow starting to move her pieces. Buffy and Kendra swim toward shore! And it's going to come down to who can complete his or her puzzle first!" Shots cut between the competitors showing their progress. Tara has completed her top row as has Faith. Robin struggles to put pieces in place as does Kendra. Willow moves her pieces very quickly, sliding the pieces on the top row into place and then the second.

"Willow in the lead with more than two rows in place! Tara and Faith close behind but struggling with their last few pieces." Looking at their puzzles in frustration, Kendra and Robin both appear to give up and take their hands from their puzzles all together. "And Willow slides her last piece into place! She grabs the machete off her pedestal and cuts her rope. Willow's flag is up and she's won the challenge!"

Realizing that she has won, Willow uncharacteristically screams and thrusts her fists in the air, pumping them in excitement as the camera shows the completed Survivor logo puzzle. The other competitors stand looking at the puzzles or resting their hands on their hips.

Jeff walks over to Willow and shakes her hand. He appears shocked as she is too excited to stop at a handshake and wraps him in a hug, getting his trademark safari shirt wet. He is laughing when she lets go. "I think these are yours," he tells her extending the keys which she takes with a huge smile on her face. "And since you've seen this show before, you probably know you can pick someone to go with you on your reward."

We see shots of the other competitors's faces as they all look at Tara. "Tara," Willow says with no hesitation at all. When the blonde steps forward smiling, Willow walks over to open the passenger door of the truck and let her in.

"The rest of you can head back to camp," Jeff announces as the truck drives away.

Confessional Caption - Faith - Personal Trainer
"Ok, no one's surprised that Willow is the best at puzzles. Really all we could hope for was that one of us would be far enough ahead of her to not give her the chance. That didn't happen and she wins a freaking truck!" She winks. "I'm pretty sure she and Tara will enjoy their reward tonight."

Willow and Tara drive down the road looking very happy. Willow is driving fast and veering around yelling "Yippee" and "Whoa!" as if testing the truck's handling. Tara laughs along with her and begins yelling too.

"I won a truck and we're getting food and we get a shower," Willow sings in an incredibly off-key voice. Tara picks it up and sings along with her.

Confessional Caption - Tara - Medical Receptionist
"Well Willow won the truck and the overnight reward and she picked me. I'm not sure it was her smartest move, game-wise but it definitely impressed me. I mean what a date. First date or was that the fish dinner? Maybe second date? Quite a d-date."

We see the truck skid to a stop outside a bamboo structure with billowing sheer curtains hanging down on all sides. Parked to the side of the house is another truck. "Oh God!" Tara screams as she realizes that she has also won a truck.

Continuation of above Confessional
"Then we pulled up and not only is there this beautiful cabin and a table set with silverware and mounds of food," Tara says with tears gleaming in her eyes, "but there is another truck parked there."

We see the two girls climb down from the truck and run over to the identical one parked by the structure. Both are screaming and Tara grabs Willow and hugs and then kisses her. We cut to commercial.

When we return from commercial the two girls are blushing furiously as they make their way over to the table. It is piled high with fruits, cheese, crackers, drinks, wine, and many other snacks. They sit and begin eating with gusto. "Do you think we have hot water?" Willow asks as she brushes her hand along Tara's arm.

"You should g-g-go find out. I'll go s-s-second."

White Hat Camp
The four remaining team members eat rice, fish, and plantains quietly. "I wonder what they're eating," Buffy muses.

"Don't we all," Faith mumbles into her bowl. Kendra laughs but doesn't expand on the dark-haired girl's comment.

Confessional Caption - Buffy - College Student
"I'm definitely not stupid but I'll tell you what. If a player who you had an alliance with picks someone else to go on an overnight reward, you might want to take notice. It didn't even seem like Willow thought about it. Just, ‘Tara's going.'"

"What's wrong, B?" Faith says as the four remaining players finish their meal and hand the plates to Robin who carries them to the pot .

"Nothing," Buffy pouts.

"Thought Red was going to take you?"

"Whatever," Buffy huffs and walks away from the fire.

Confessional Caption - Willow - Software Startup Owner
"Without a doubt," Willow is saying with a huge smile on her face, "the best best best day ever. I mean I won a truck. Tara won a truck-which I gave her! And we got this awesome reward. Probably the best date of all time." She puts her hands up likes she's dancing and sings, "Go me. Go me. Go me."

"Hey," Tara calls from the cabin, "there's music." She presses a series of buttons and music comes wafting out to where the redhead is sitting on the porch drinking her wine. She slowly comes out and watches the girl for a few seconds before Willow turns around.

"What?" Willow asks.

"Dance with me," Tara whispers holding out her hand.

Day 30
Next we see a shot of the sun rising over the cabin. Tara's arms are wrapped around Willow as if they have been that way all night long. Both women start to stir. "I smell coffee," Willow murmurs. The two girls eat their breakfast on the porch, stealing shy glances at each other.

Confessional Caption - Tara - Medical Receptionist
"Oh God. That was so a-amazing. I mean we both got to take showers last night and this morning. With soap! And shampoo! And I shaved. I feel almost human again. I swear I could do another nine days of this."

White Hat Camp - Day 30
Robin, Faith, Kendra, and Buffy are eating plantains and coconuts as Tara and Willow walk up the path. Everyone shouts and they begin hugging the two girls as if they haven't seen them in months. "Look at you!" Faith screams, "you're clean. Oh God. Tell me you didn't shave."

"Ok," Willow agrees, "we didn't shave."

"You really didn't shave?"

"Hell yeah we shaved," the redhead gloats. Then she and Tara look around and reach into their pockets and the stomachs of their clothing to pull out the bagels, fruit, and cheese that they managed to swipe that morning after breakfast. All four remaining members dig in with gusto as Tara tells them that she won a truck as well.

Tara is humming to herself and picking berries as Kendra approaches. "Did you have a good night?"

"Wonderful. Glorious. Lovely."

Kendra narrows her eyebrows slightly. She seems to be about to say something but instead starts gathering berries.

Immunity Challenge
Jeff welcomes the six remaining survivors back to challenge beach and says that Willow and Tara are looking quite refreshed. Then he asks Buffy for the immunity necklace back and comments that she must be quite used to it after two straight wins. "But once again, the necklace and immunity is up for grabs and the person who wins immunity is guaranteed a one in five chance of winning a million dollars."

"Today's challenge is very simple," Jeff explains. He points to six water towers behind them. Each one has a chain hanging down from it. "You will each stand under the barrel of water with your wrist fastened to the chain. If you move it will pull the barrel and you will get wet. If your barrel dumps on you, you are out. The last person not soaked is the winner."

Next we see all six competitors standing under their barrels with their arms in the air. Jeff shouts, "Survivors Ready! Go!" and nothing happens. They all continue standing under the barrels of water.

It is difficult to tell how long the Survivors have been standing there when Willow sneezes. The movement is enough to pull the water down on top of her. Before she can get detached and move to the side, Robin appears to move very barely and he is soaked. Next to go is Tara who gets her third shower in less than 24 hours.

"Ten minutes have gone by," Jeff announces, "and Faith, Kendra, and Buffy are all still standing strong. For immunity!" Moments later Kendra drops her arm: "Kendra is out! Will it be Buffy for the third straight time or Faith winning her first immunity?"

Caption - 20 minutes elapsed

"You could let go you know," Faith tells Buffy.

"Right," the blonde says through clenched teeth, "and become the fourth member of the jury?"

"You could join your mother," Faith says with a sneer. She apparently hopes to shock Buffy into moving and is in luck.

"What?" Buffy asks with a start and feels the cold water pouring down on her head.

"And Buffy is out!" Jeff shouts, "Giving Faith immunity for tonight's tribal council." Faith screams a war-cry and pulls the water down over her head intentionally.

Confessional Caption - Faith - Personal Trainer
Faith is rinsing in the ocean as she talks, the immunity necklace around her neck. "Well I wanted this one or at least I didn't want little Miss College to get it."

Willow is fishing when Buffy approaches her. "Hey Willster. How are things with you and Tara?"

"Fine," Willow says cooly.

"You two seem really close."

"Uh huh," Willow says as she hooks a fish and pulls it from the water, putting it in the mesh bag on her hip.

"Are we still tight?"

"Are you serious?" Willow says as she casts another line, "you'd sell me in a second to stay in this game or to align with Joyce."

"Look, I've never lied to you. I've never betrayed you. I made promises to you and I've kept every one."

Willow finally turns and faces the blonde. "You've been lying to me all along. Why would I believe you now?" She quickly pulls the line from the water and stomps off.

Faith, Kendra, and Tara are breaking up firewood together. "It's taken three challenges but we finally have our chance tonight," Kendra says.

"Can you tell Red who to vote for?" Faith asks.

"And R-robin?"

"I'll handle it," Faith agrees.

Confessional Caption - Faith - Personal Trainer
"I love my girls. Both of them are going to take me to the million dollars. But they're too trusting. You have to cut off attacks before they can happen and Buffy is really smart at this. I'm here to play a game."

Faith and Robin approach Buffy as the blonde attempts to catch fish. "Yo, B."

"Coming to give me a message for my mother?"

"Not quite," Faith answers. "You want to go home tonight?"

"Of course not," Buffy again retorts.

"Look," Robin says, "none of us can come close to the kid when it comes to the puzzles and there are always more and more puzzles near the end."

"Tara won't vote against Willow," Buffy says.

"But Kendra will," Faith smiles, "and that's another reason we need to take care of it. We don't want another Rob and Amber around here." The three shake hands to seal the bargain.

Tribal Council
The six Survivors file in and take their seats. Jeff smiles at them and calls in the jury members: Mac, Xander, and Joyce. "Let's talk about this week," he says. "Willow, how was it winning a reward?"

"Jeff," Willow smiles broadly, "the truck is fantastic and the reward was great."

"When you won the reward, you picked Tara. Buffy, that seemed to really upset you?"

Buffy breathes out a long breath before telling the host. "I probably shouldn't have been that surprised that Will picked Tara. The thing is that everyone out here is playing a game. I guess I just didn't expect a game to include an overnight payment." Willow turns and looks angrily at her former tribe member.

Even Jeff looks shocked by Buffy's harsh words. "Tara," he says, "you look pretty upset about what Buffy just said."

"I d-d-didn't d-d-do anything… on the r-reward challenge that I'm ashamed of," she says as her cheeks quickly turn dark red.

"Willow. Are you starting to worry that your skill at puzzles makes you a target?"

"At this point, there are six people left playing for a million dollars. Sure I'm heck on puzzles but Kendra, Faith, and Robin can kick my butt running any physical challenge. Everyone is a target."

"Is that true, Tara? Is everyone a target?"

"I th-think that everyone is in danger but if you have strong alliances and t-t-trust people, you don't have to b-b-be one," she answers.

"Buffy," Jeff says, "you've won the first two individual immunity challenges and now you lost one. Are you the obvious target?"

"Sure. I've been a real Slayer of the challenges. Now I'm in danger. But I'm not ready to give up on this game yet."

"Robin. You're the only man left. Does that put you in danger?"

"These women are strong," Robin says, "every one of them. There's no reason for me to be more of a threat than them."

Jeff nods. "Let's go vote."

Tara votes first followed by Willow and Kendra. Buffy votes holding up a ballot with Willow's name. "Sorry, Willow. I wanted to go to the end with you but it just isn't going to happen."

Robin votes and then Faith. Faith holds up her vote with Buffy's name. "Hey B," she says, "when you get back to the resort, why don't you look up naïve in the dictionary." She pauses for a second. "Seriously, I just couldn't have you coming around me from the side."

"I'll tally the votes," Jeff announces before retrieving the votes. "First vote: Buffy. Second vote: Willow." Tara, Willow, and Kendra all look shocked at the vote. "Third vote: Buffy," he says. "That's two votes Buffy, one vote Willow." He pulls another vote: "Fourth vote: Buffy." Buffy has a look on her face like she's trying to do the math while Faith has a smug smile on hers. "And the eleventh person voted off Survivor - Ash Island and fourth jury member is Buffy."

"Nicely done," Buffy says to Faith as she gets up and takes her torch to Jeff.

Parting Words
"I got taken right at the end but I wouldn't change a damn thing about this game. This was the best four weeks of my life!"

Next Week on Survivor Ash Island
"A storm wreaks havoc on the camp." Shots of the shelter in shambles and belongings strewn along the beach.

"Alliances may be threatened in a reward challenge." Willow shoots a slingshot while Tara looks at her in disbelief.

"And by the time the episode is over, the final four are decided." Tara crying. "I can't believe I have to do this."

All next week on Survivor Ash Island