Author: JustSkipIt
Rating: NC-17
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 1 - There was a reader who correctly guessed the final four a long, long time ago. I've scanned back through the posts twice and I can't find it. However, to that reader I say: Congratulations. Well done!
Note 2 - I personally know very little about volcanoes. But the internet is a wonderful thing. You can find out a lot about volcanoes like the answers to all of today's questions.

Day 34
Everyone is very slow to rise and emerge from the small shelter. Finally we see them all sitting around the fire drinking water and eating some berries and plantains.

"Remember when we had coffee?" Kendra says.

"Very fondly," Robin agrees.

Confessional Caption - Tara - Medical Receptionist
"L-last night we voted off Willow." She takes a deep breath. "I really thought that it would be Robin who went and we'd have an all girl f-final four. But he won immunity and she's gone. I feel sad that she's gone and at the same time, I have a game to play.

"How much food do we have left?" Faith asks.

Just then a small-plane flies low over the camp. As the survivors all stand and move slowly toward the water the plane circles and drops a small crate with a parachute from the plane into the shallow water. Everyone is excited by the obvious gift. "Presents!" Kendra shouts as she and Robin rush into the water to retrieve the box.

Printed on the box are the words "FINAL FOUR" in capital letters. Using the machete, Faith pries off the cover and all four scream as they see what is inside. Inside the crate are a bottle of Champaign, a carton of orange juice, a bottle of milk, a dozen eggs, four steaks, and fresh strawberries and pineapple. As Tara pulls each item from the crate, they all scream their excitement. They quickly open the Champaign and each take a drink.

Confessional Caption - Kendra - Interpreter
"Oh mon. There we were bemoaning our lack of food and the day in general and what shows up? Food. I feast mon."

We see Tara cooking the eggs and steak and all the finalists enjoying their reward. After some discussion the group decides that they will take the day entirely off. They won't even gather firewood but will count on what has already been collected. Throughout the day we see shots of them sunbathing, sleeping, or swimming. Toward nightfall we see them quietly watching the stars.

Day 35
The Survivors are all just emerging from their shelter as Jeff walks into camp. "Morning, Jeff," Faith yawns.

"Good morning, everyone," Jeff says. He takes a seat and asks how they are all doing.

"We're all great," Kendra says.

"Good. Then you will be ready for an immunity challenge." Shaking their heads and rubbing their eyes sleepily, the Survivors stand up and follow him as he walks from their camp to challenge beach.

They reach the beach and see a log sitting sideways on the beach. Jeff directs everyone to take a seat on the log. In front of the players are four chalk slates.

"Today we will have a quiz," Jeff explains. "The person who gets the most questions right will win immunity." Everyone nods. "Ok," Jeff says, "you have all spent 35 days on an island with one of the most active volcanoes in the world. In fact, you witnessed an eruption recently and had your campsite showered with volcanic ash."

"First Question: Volcanoes such the one you have lived near for the past 5 weeks, Mount Griffin, and those found in Hawaii typically have basalt lava. How hot is basalt lava: A 350 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, B. 1000 to 1200 degrees Fahrenheit, C. 1800 to 2300 degrees Fahrenheit, or D. 10,000 to 12,000 degrees Fahrenheit."

The players write their answers and wait for Jeff to tell them to reveal their answers. Kendra and Tara have both answered C, Robin answered B, and Faith answered D. "And the correct answer is C: 1800 to 2300 degrees. That's one point for Tara and Kendra."

"True or False: one sign that a volcano is about to erupt is a bulge near the volcano?"

Everyone writes the answer and holds up their board. "Faith, Kendra, and Tara all say true. Robin says false," Jeff reports. "The answer is True. That's two points Kendra and Tara, one point Faith, and Robin not on the board yet."

"At any given time, how many volcanoes are erupting in the world? A: 1 to 2, B: 2-5, C: 5-10, or D: more than 10."

After the Survivors reveal their guesses, Jeff looks at the answers before reporting. "The correct answer is D which means Robin and Kendra get the points. Tara answered A and Faith answered C. That's three points Kendra, Two Tara, and one each for Faith and Robin." He explains, "By the way the estimates are that at any given time about 20 volcanoes are erupting with about 12-15 of those being volcanoes that are constantly erupting."

"What country has the largest volcano in the world?" Jeff asks.

"Tara and Faith said the US, Kendra says Argentina, Robin says Chile. The correct answer is the US with the largest volcano being Mauna Loa in Hawaii." He reports that "Tara and Faith right back in the competition with Kendra and Tara at three, Faith at two, and Robin at one point."

"Next question: who is Pele?"

The survivors all write before showing their slates. "Tara writes Goddess of Fire. Kendra says Goddess of Fire/Volcanoes. Faith says Saint of Ash Island. Robin writes ‘Soccer player?'" Everyone laughs good naturedly at Robin's answer. "Tara and Faith both earn another point so they lead at four each. Faith still at two and Robin has one."

"Ok. This is the last question. Only Tara and Kendra need to answer it since only they can win. Closest to the answer we are looking for will win. How many active volcanoes are there in the world?"

We see the disappointed look on Robin's face and then the somewhat smug smile on Faith's. Tara and Kendra seem to be concentrating on the question and finally write their guesses.

"Tara done with her answer and now Kendra's finished." Both women turn around their slates. "Kendra's answer: 950. Tara says 1300."

He draws out the answer for greatest suspense. "And the immunity challenge winner guaranteed a one in three chance at a million dollars and the title of Ultimate Survivor is Kendra." He follows up this announcement with the trivia that there are 800 active volcanoes in the world. Kendra quickly gets up and takes the necklace and puts it on.

Confessional Caption - Kendra - Interpreter
"Mon, I'm glad to have this. I still trust my girls but it's so much easier to trust people when you are immune from the vote." She laughs nervously. "I need to send a note thanking my senior English teacher for assigning me a research paper on volcanoes."

Jeff addresses the Survivors. "Tribal council will be tomorrow night. See you then." He turns and walks away leaving the castaways looking shocked.

Confessional Caption - Faith - Personal Trainer
"We're sitting there on the beach thinking tribal council will be tonight and he says tomorrow night. What are we supposed to do between now and then? I'll tell you what: scheming, lying, and backstabbing."

The four castaways are still sitting on the log as if they have agreed that it is as good a place to wait as any. Tara walks over to a stand of bushes and starts wordlessly picking them.

White Hat Camp
The four remaining survivors are working to keep their camp going. All are working very quietly as if they have agreed to take the day off from talking and get their work done.

Confessional Caption - Tara - Medical Receptionist
"No one said anything but I think we all decided on a day to just w-work. We're all so tired that it's hard to gather enough wood and catch fish and everything. We're living on the rice and berries and even though no one wants to go home, we all know that being voted off means a good meal and b-bath."

Robin fishes by himself. He shows the camera the bag which holds three large fish. "See these. I'm hoping the girls might be swayed by the promise of something to eat." Then looks at the beach where the three girls are gathering berries and breaking up firewood. "Something tells me that's not really likely though."

Next the camera shows Tara cooking the large fish in the pan with some herbs she has apparently harvested. She serves everyone their share with rice and berries. They all eat silently.

Confessional Caption - Faith - Personal Trainer
"Eerie man," Faith says as she looks around at the dark surrounding her. Apparently everyone else is already in the shelter while she tends the fire. She is poking it with a stick and gets up to put another log on. "This has been a weird day. T didn't speak after the challenge and we all followed her lead. I've never heard of such a thing. I mean no one talked to anyone that I know of. I'm not used to it and it kind of hurt my head."

White Hat Camp - Day 36
The sun rises over the camp and we see Kendra come out of the shelter first. She kicks at Faith with her toe and the dark-haired girl sits up suddenly, embarrassed to be caught snoozing. "****!" She curses as she sees that the fire has gone out. Robin and Tara come out of the shelter next both seeing that the fire has gone out.

Faith reaches behind her for the fire starting materials and looks at them before handing them to Tara. Tara takes them and then looks at Faith and Kendra the three girls share a look before bending down to the fire. Once they are bent down, Tara hands the flint to Kendra and cups her hands around the sparks. As before she closes her eyes and mumbles a prayer under her breath. As soon as the flames start licking up, Faith begins feeding the fire and Kendra joins her.

"Remember day two?" Faith asks as she looks at her alliance members.

"The f-firestarters."

"The heart, mon."

After commercial we see Robin again fishing. This time Kendra is helping him fish. They are doing well and the bag shows quite a few fish in it. He looks to the beach and then initiates a conversation. "The question is really who you want at the end with you."

"I want the same people I wanted at the beginning."

Next we see Robin approach Faith as she breaks up firewood. "Feels good to work today," she says happily as she breaks up the wood.

"I had a good day fishing."

"Good," she says.

"What's going to happen tonight?"

Faith crosses her arms over her chest. "You're going to be voted off unless we can get someone else to turn. I'm not pulling a stone."

"Tara?"

"She voted off Willow. You really think she'll vote off Kendra to keep you?"

"Good point." He nods but looks dejected.

"But…"

"Kendra? I already spoke to her."

"Let me." Faith hands him the remaining firewood and walks off.

"You don't want Tara in the final two," Robin calls after her.

"I know that better than you."

Confessional Caption - Robin - High School Principal
"I think Faith's probably pulling my chain. She claims he is trying to get Kendra to join us and vote off Tara but I just don't know." He smiles and looks at Tara.

Faith walks up to Kendra and the two start talking.

Moments later we see Robin approach Tara. "Tara," he says to get her attention. Nonetheless, she startles as he walks up.

"R-robin." She sees the man standing by her holding the water bucket.

"We should talk about Faith," he says firmly.

Tara nods her head.

"I'm not worried about Kendra, but you or Faith are both dangerous in the final two."

"H-h-how so?"

"You're dangerous because of being such a good Survivalist and she's dangerous because she's run this game all along. Neither of them will pick you to go to the final two with them because they don't want to lose to you at that point." He points down the beach to where the two women are talking.

"You'd t-take me to the final two?"

"Over Faith," Robin says, "definitely."

"Over Kendra?"

"Probably." As Tara notices Robin cuts his eyes to the side.

"You and I and Kendra in the final three? We'd need Kendra."

"She's in."

Confessional Caption - Robin - High School Principal
"Ok, I'm desperate at this point. Of course, my bad luck would be if Tara and I vote against Faith and Faith and Kendra vote against Tara." He chuckles. "If that was the worst thing that happened, I'd be ok with that."

Tara approaches Kendra to talk and we don't see what they are saying. Next we see Tara talking with Faith.

Confessional Caption - Tara - Medical Receptionist
"Everyone is playing a game out here. The most important thing is to make sure you're not the one who g-gets caught in it."

Tribal Council
Night is falling as the four Survivors walk to tribal council. Tara, Faith, and Robin all carry their bags in one hand and their torches in the other. They enter the area and take their seats. "And now, we'll call in the jury."

Mac, Xander, Joyce, Buffy, and Willow take their places. "Willow. Voted off at the last tribal council and now the balance of power shifts." He unnecessarily does the math for those present. "Five jurors over there and four Survivors over here." Like those jurors before her, Willow looks quite good. She wears a pair of jean shorts and tank top. Her hair is extra curly framing her face and she smiles at the remaining players, particularly Tara who blushes and looks away.

"Ok, the last few days have probably been pretty stressful. Faith, how has it been at camp?"

Faith answers immediately. "Well, J, everyone is very tired and hungry. We've been here 36 days and it really takes its toll. Yesterday we had a challenge in the morning rather than afternoon which caught us all off guard. Then today, game on all day."

"So there was more time between the challenge and the tribal council," Jeff says. "How did that affect the game?"

"Everyone has a plan, and there was extra time to play it."

"So the deal making was fast and furious." Jeff smiles at the prospect of hearing of deal making and breaking.

Robin says, "Actually, we had a day of quiet yesterday. It was actually a relief."

"In the middle of a fight for a million dollars and you had a day of quiet? Who suggested that, Tara?"

"No-one really s-suggested it, but no one ever spoke first and then the day was over."

"So yesterday was peaceful and quiet and then today the scheming begins?" Jeff asks.

"The scheming never ends," Faith says, "it's just quieter sometimes." A shot of the jury shows Buffy, Joyce, and Mac nodding their heads. Willow doesn't move as she is intently watching Tara across the fire.

"Kendra, when do you start thinking about who you would want in the final two?"

"Day three," Kendra jokes. Everyone laughs.

"Tara, how do you decide how to vote tonight?"

"I'm voting for my game." As she speaks she looks directly at the jury.

"Let's go vote then."

Kendra votes first followed by Robin, Faith, and Tara. We don't see any of their votes. Jeff retrieves the votes and says, "I'll tally the votes. The person voted off will be asked to leave the tribal council area immediately." He pulls the first vote. "First vote: Tara." Kendra looks displeased at the vote but neither Robin, Faith, nor Tara look surprised at it. A shot of the jury shows assorted looks of surprise and dismay from the jurors.

"Second vote, Robin." Tara and Kendra both look cautiously relieved while Faith's reaction is impassive. "Third vote, Robin." He recaps. "That's two votes Robin, one vote Tara." He opens the last vote slowly. "And the 13th person voted off Survivor - Ash Island and sixth juror is Robin."

Robin gives all three women hugs and then has his torch snuffed with the traditional "the tribe has spoken."

"Well, it looks like this alliance is a strong one. Head back to camp." Tara, Faith, and Kendra leave the council area. As she is walking through the bordering trees, we see Tara glance back at the jury receiving a quick wink from Willow.

Parting Words - Robin
As Robin speaks we see the replay of votes. Quite obviously all three girls voted against him while he voted against Tara. "Well, I played a good game but not as good as the three of you. You all deserve to be in the final three."

We cut to a long set of commercials.