The Mole: Episode IV

[Host Kyle]

Survivor Holidays: All Stars
Episode IV
“The Mole”

Saint Patrick’s Day: Christopher, JoJo

Independence Day: Missie

Halloween: Ashley, Drew, Isaac, Jake, Jon

Valentine’s Day: Beth, Elisabeth, Jenne, Kyle, Rami, Ryan, Taylor

No one spoke a word. When Karen dismissed the council, the remaining fifteen gathered their things and headed out quietly. The three previous boots were big votes to the game and to some, synonymous with the departure of family. No one imagined that in the first week and a half of the game that Jamie Drayson, Angie Cristobal, and Tenzil Goodman would be departing.

Hardcore. Nothing else could more adequately describe those remaining.

“This game is fun! This game is hard! This game is maddening! The people who have left this game so far, blow my mind. The night Jamie and Angie left I was in shock. Granted, it’s nice when the people you vote for aren’t around to yell at you later, but my stomach was in knots that night. I had a chance to tell Jamie I was voting for her, but Angie's vote for me was so back and forth, that it happened last minute and I never said anything to her. I feel bad about that, only because I do like Angie and we have been through so much game animosity in the past. I hope she won't hold this against me. I'm well aware that she is a much better player than I, and that luck was on my side this time.

Then the Tenzil vote. I felt bad actually. I wanted him gone early but then found him so charming and likable when we actually played the game together. But WOW it was so interesting to see how that vote played out. Beth and Jenne deciding they couldnt vote for him of course earned my respect on one hand, but the deja vu of season 4 made me nervous, which is why I ultimately voted the way I did. I was glad I could talk to him before he left and not blindside him. He is a really nice guy.

I felt like Beth and Jenne not voting for Tenzil somehow put the four of us (them, me and Chris) on opposite ends of the line. I didn't want the girls upset with me, but I felt nervous that if Tenzil stayed, I would ultimately be the one they had to rid the game of. Being on the outside of deep, deep friendships, is on one hand difficult. Who wants to be left out of a friendship? On the other hand I sometimes think it’s a blessing for me in this game. I'm friendly with many, loyal to a few, and hopefully my voting won't feel like a stab in the back to anyone.

I thought Kyle and I were tight, but it was so clear during the Tenzil voting that he has other fish to fry, other people to please, other work to do. At the last minute we talked about that vote. On the positive side, I don't have to worry about loyalty to Kyle; on the negative, I wish he felt I was important enough to strategize with. But I'm mama JoJo after all......this is what I "do" in these games. Hopefully, it will keep me around as the power players push each other around to be the top dog and as the arguments among friends work themselves out.....perhaps I can continue to just lay low and be friendly enough to keep going. And if I don't? If I'm suddenly gone next week? Mama will be just fine with that too.” - JoJo

Others were simply gliding through, whether purposely as a part of their strategy or simply because they hadn’t taken the initiative to play as hard. For the most part, Ashley Miller had avoided all the drama going into the third tribal council. She heard passing words from Kyle and from Jenne that the votes were going toward Tenzil and Jon respectively. But in the end, it was Isaac that had convinced her that Tenzil was the predominant preference. So Tenzil received her vote, and she returned to her hut that evening unchanged and unphased.

Jake Erickson was perhaps the most pleased of all remaining. His rapport with Tenzil had been virtually non-existent. Tenzil’s leaving meant nothing to him but further advancement. If others were going to fight over him, then he would let them. He had lain low thus far and it seemed to be doing him well. After all, no one was worried about previous winner Jake Erickson.

He took one parting glance into the tribal council arena before leaving. Jenne appeared distraught.

Jake shrugged.

“Tenzil left as planned. Like I've said, I got him before he could get me. It's only fair; he would have voted me out in a heartbeat.” – Jake

Taylor Napier was simply ecstatic.

“Tenzil is gone, Tenzil is GONE! My life should easier now, of course it won't be. There is already trouble a brew. Apearently Jenne is mad at Kyle for targettinging Tenzil (which of course, I'm not) I don't want to have two friends and allies in a fight. It's like my worst nightmare out here and it seems to be happenening. I don't really know how to deal with it, honestly. But I'm still happy Tenzil is GONE! On another note, I realized tonight at tribal council that if the game continues the way it is, Chris will win this game so easily. I've kinda talked with Kyle about it, and I think we both agree something has to be done, but we decided it's a better idea to wait for later than right now, far to many chances for things to go worng. Today should be interesting to see what happens.” – Taylor

Then of course there were others who worked hard at assuring Tenzil’s dismissal, but felt the pains of his leaving. Tenzil Goodman was, after all, a nice and tender-hearted man. If it hadn’t been for his strong ties with many, no one would have thought to get rid of him. Kyle felt a pang of remorse after his dicussion with Beth Sowles prior to the council. Christopher Collins felt it after talking with Tenzil himself.

Still what was done needed to be done.

“Tenzil is gone. And although Kyle & Taylor both think they're the ones who pushed it through...I had a solid hand in it. I grabbed Jake & Jon...Jojo...

Anyway, I feel sort of bad about it. Our last conversation was really nice - he IS a good guy.

But strategically...I needed him gone. He wielded too much influence over Jenne & Beth, even if they didn't want to admit it. Neither one of them could separate game & friendship, when it came to him.

So...he had to go.

Also - Kyle was getting really antsy...feeling like he had no control over the game. So booting Tenzil allows Kyle to think he's running things. And that is good for my game right now.

Don't get me wrong - I dig Kyle. But I don't dig a whiny, paranoid Kyle.

So...again - Tenzil had to go.

And them's the breaks, folks.” – Christopher

Christopher waited just outside the tribal council while others ambled slowly out.
He watched Beth Sowles comfort Jenne Lotz. Narrowing his eyes, he wondered about Beth. Just where exactly was she in this game?

“Beth lied to me last night.

She told me that she was going to throw a "random" vote to someone other than Tenzil/Jon, in order to ensure that Tenzil left the game.

She didn't do that. There weren't any other votes.

And it bothers me. Because the reason I like working with Jenne, Jojo & Beth is that we're all adults, and we all allow each other to make our own, separate voting decisions. Nobody is trying to force anybody else to vote somebody out.

So, there really isn't a need to lie about it. Just be up front. It simply isn't necessary, and it undermines our foundation of trust.

And this is the second time - she also stretched the truth after the first Tribal Council.

Anyway...I adore Beth, but really - this is exactly the kind of thing that will make my decisions easier at endgame.

Jenne & Jojo aren't lying to me. Beth is. So, if it comes down to it - well, you can guess which of the three I would have to vote for...” – Christopher

He stepped back and smiled at the both of them as they left the council area. Then Kyle Adams stepped out.

Christopher stepped in front of him.

Christopher: Good job, Kyle.

Kyle looked down and shook his head.

Kyle: I feel horrible.

Christopher: It’s a game. Strategically…good job.

Kyle: It is a game, but certain few have a way with guilt. But thank you.

Christopher: I hear you about the guilt. Tenzil was talking to me for some time before TC and trying to convince me not to vote for him. It was hard, but I told him I needed to.

Kyle: I don’t really think it was strategy to it on my part. Others just wanted it.

Christopher: Well, I heard it from you first last night, so I don’t know. You were kind of my impetus—not in a bad way. I trust your judgement.

Kyle: I just needed Tenzil gone because I know how he is when something pisses him off. And Jamie being gone…I didn’t want to see Valentine’s Day all over again.

Christopher: I’m fine with it. We signed up for a game. If we all wanted to play house, we shoulda just got a room and been done with it.

Kyle smiled and chuckled at the image.

Kyle: That’s what I’m screamin’.

So Christopher left Kyle to tend to his other allies, trying to stay abreast of where everyone was headed. Beth was not high on his list at the moment, but more importantly, he needed to connect with Jenne.

Kyle watched him head off before Taylor Napier fell into stride with him along the beach, all smiles.

Taylor: Well ten to six isn’t bad. And since Tenzil exited the way he did, clicking his heels and stuff…ding dong the prick is dead, ding dong the wicked prick is dead!

Kyle looked at him for a moment and could only smile weakly. There wasn’t any humor in it at all. Kyle didn’t feel good, he knew people were mad, so where was the humor?

Christopher finally caught up with Jenne about to lock herself up in her hut for the night. She was clearly upset, and he hoped it wouldn’t drive a wedge between them. He needed Jenne to think clearly and strategically if they were going to make it far in the game together.

Christopher: How are you doing?

Jenne paused with a start before opening her door and looked around quickly. Christopher was standing a few feet away with his arms crossed.

Jenne: Poopy.

Christopher: I’m sorry to hear that. Tenzil?

Jenne: Tired, cold. The Mikey thing I’m just sad about, because I just don’t like it. Mostly it’s the cold and exhaustion.

Christopher nodded and stepped closer.

Christopher: Thank you for not giving me crap about voting the way I needed to vote.

Jenne: Never.

Christopher: I appreciate that and really like that about our grouping. We can vote our own ways and no one is crappy to anyone about it. But anyways, between you and me…Beth lied to me tonight. Second time this game. Nothing worth losing our group over or anything, but it disappoints me. When it gets down to just the people we care about, I don’t know where she will fall in my votes. I just wanted you to know that.

Jenne looked at him curiously and took a step down from her hut.

Jenne: What happened?

Christopher: Well, she and I talked. I did not twist her arm or anything. Told her I was voting Mikey. She told me it would be best for her if Mikey left, and she didn’t have a hand in it. She told me several times that she was going to throw a random vote so that Mikey couldn’t stay—no tie. Again, I didn’t force anything. But she didn’t throw a random. She could’ve easily done what you or I or JoJo did and say…I want to vote this way. I just really…don’t need to be trusting someone who isn’t one hundred percent honest. I dig her, but now my heart is with you and JoJo first.

Jenne: Always was. But people are allowed to be wishy washy…

Christopher: Yes, people are allowed to be wishy washy—

Jenne: It’s not like she out and out lied behind your back! This was something you could see. It wasn’t sneaky!

Christopher: People are not allowed to repeatedly tell me they are doing one thing up until TC, then do another. It is sneaky. Just like last time whether or not she would vote Tenzil. She wants to appease everybody…all the way back to Okinawa!

Jenne: It’s what she does, I know.

Christopher: I’m telling you it disappoints me. I am not telling you to do or feel anything about it. I have the right to feel slightly betrayed that she feels she can fib to me. I am not fibbing to her!

Jenne crossed her arms and set her jaw firmly. She was obviously not seeing Christopher’s stance, and he could sense it.

Christopher: I am feeling frustrated with you, too, now. I should’ve talked to someone else about this.

He turned to go.

Jenne: You have the right to all your feelings. I will always be here to listen to them and respect them.

Christopher jerked around once again.

Christopher: I don’t feel you do immediately. Actually, both with Mikey and now this. Instead of saying, ‘that sucks,’ or ‘d**n,’ your first response is to defend them when they affront me!

Jenne gaped, but she scarcely had a chance to interject.

Christopher: I don’t mind a follow up defense, but man…the ear just hasn’t been there the past few days. It’s like you dismiss my feelings, but whatever!

Jenne: Oh my gosh…I’m not dealing with this now.
Christopher: I’m not mad…just doubly frustrated.

Jenne: I can’t believe you are talking to me like this.

She glared up at him and Christopher glared in return.

Jenne: I just can’t handle this! I’m just gonna…

She started to say more but couldn’t as tears welled up in her eyes. Christopher merely looked at her. Without further word, she turned and darted away toward the main resort.

Taylor: This game is so stacked for Chris it’s not even funny.

Kyle kicked up sand as they walked along the beach, then looked up at Taylor with a question. He knew Christopher had quite a hand in calling shots thus far, but he couldn’t really see how things were so stacked toward him so early.

Taylor: Jake, Chris, and JoJo are close.

Kyle: I knew Jake was close with Chris.

Taylor: Final nine…Jenne, JoJo, Beth, Chris, Taylor, Kyle, Missie, Elisabeth, Jake. Missie goes first, then you, then Lizzie, then Jake or me. Jenne, Beth, Chris, and JoJo will be final four which is great for Chris. If we can get Jake out of the final nine and Isaac in, we can flip it at that vote and take out Chris, Lizzie being the swing.

The strategy just went through Kyle’s mind as a jumble of words. He was much too preoccupied to predict final whatever’s in the game. He wasn’t secure to last that long if people were already mad at him.

Kyle: That’s overwhelming for me to think about.

Taylor brightened and looked at him.

Taylor: Or, a more interesting option, we take out Chris this week…Ashley, you, me, Isaac, Drew, Jon, Ryan, and Rami. It’s risky though.

Kyle: Isaac let me in on a little secret, but keep it between me and you.

Taylor: Sure.

Kyle: I don’t want Isaac in trouble.

Taylor: I won’t say a word.

Kyle: Ryan is trying to concoct some kind of group with Drew and had asked Isaac to join. Ryan also wants to work with me, especially after tonight. So, should we need them, I’m sure we can have that crew vote with us.

Kyle then thought about the mess he was currently in. It was time to fade back into the shadows.

Kyle: I don’t know, though. I’d rather take easy outs until we dwindle the numbers. I do have a question for you…where is Jenne in all this, and where do you stand?

This was Taylor’s moment to come clean about his and Jenne’s secret alliance. If he did, Kyle knew he would regain a whole new trust for his old buddy.

Taylor: I want Jenne to do well, and she wants me to do well…but we aren’t alliance partners, per se.

Kyle nodded, disappointed.

Kyle: I’m just very upset about this whole rally for Tenzil thing. She told me she wouldn’t oppose me, but by rallying people not to vote Tenzil and telling you I was being pushy…she did oppose me.

Taylor nodded and both grew silent as they walked along, watching their bare feet kick up sand.

Slowly Taylor looked up.

Taylor: You have to shut up, and I will spill something. Not a word! And I mean not a word!

Kyle: I promise.

Taylor looked around quickly.

Taylor: Jenne and I have a secret alliance.

It was like the world around them went silent. There was the truth Kyle had hoped for.

Kyle: I knew you did.

Taylor: Not to the final two, but an alliance nonetheless. As long as you keep quiet, and we have the final nine…I can get us to the final five.

Kyle could only imagine who that final five would entail.

Kyle: And then what?

Taylor: Lizzie, you, Jenne, me, Beth. Lizzie goes, Beth will go…but that’s just me.

Kyle wanted to laugh out loud. It was the exact final three promised to him in Valentine’s Day—the final three he had agreed to without question, without further investigation. In that situation, he hadn’t even made it to the final five. What would be the difference now?

Kyle: The infamous final three that led me to my doom before.

Taylor: I know, I know, I know! I’m trying to work it for us, Kyle. The key to this is taking Chris out at the right time.

Kyle: You tried to work it for us last time.

Taylor: Kyle, do you really think I want JoJo, Chris, Jake, or Beth to win?

Kyle: Do you think I want Jenne to?

Taylor: No, and that’s fine. I want you or Jenne to win, and Jenne can go.

Kyle: You never answered me as to why she opposed me.

Taylor: She said something about how it hurts her that Tenzil trusted you, and you lead the charge to get rid of him.

Kyle spat in disgust. It was almost laughable.

Kyle: I don’t want to talk about hurt. No…not with her. It didn’t even have anything to do with her!

Taylor: That’s what I told her.

Kyle: It’s a flippin’ game! So what will you do when Jenne tries to lead a charge against me?

Taylor: Try to turn it against her. Anyways, we can talk about this tomorrow.

Kyle agreed. Too much had already gone on that day, and it was time to rest. When they reached the aisle of huts, it was like a ghost town. Taylor went immediately to his hut for the night, but Kyle looked around for the moment. He had to let Jenne know that he wasn’t against her—even though she had already kept things from him. That, to Kyle, meant she had already been against him from the beginning.

[Host Kyle]

He approached her hut and seeing the blindes pulled and the lights out he figured her to be asleep.

Jon: Ding!

Kyle whirled around with a start and found Jon Kennedy approaching him.

Kyle: You’re alive!

Jon: Yes!

They high-fived each other quickly.

Kyle: I was fairly certain you were safe, but I got worried there for a second. We’re gonna have to start watching my back now. I’m glad you survived, really I am.

Jon: Let’s win this immunity alright?

Kyle nodded and gave him a pat on the shoulder. Hopefully the soap opera that was tribal council number three had afforded him newer allies as he was losing older ones. He thought quickly over those that had proposed an amount of trust in him. He hoped he’d be ok even if Jenne Lotz was mad at him.

But he still wanted to talk to her. He glanced off toward the resort, wondering if she was still up and about.

Just as he had thought, Kyle found Jenne sitting by herself in the bar with a drink in front of her, and though she tried to wipe the streams from her face nonchalantly, he could tell she had been crying.

She smiled weakly as he approached but said nothing to him. Kyle helped himself to a seat next to her and followed her gaze to a telivision mounted in the corner.

Kyle: So getting it all out on the table, you know my vote for Tenzil wasn’t a vote against you, right?

She took another sip of her drink and contemplated before saying anything.

Jenne: Yes, I know voting for Tenz wasn’t against me. I get that. I just don’t get why you would target someone who trusted you and wouldn’t have voted for you…that’s all. I thought it was sorta mean.

She looked over at him.

Jenne: That’s not something I expected from you, Kyle.

Kyle: Tenzil pledged his trust in me time and time again, and where did that lead me?

Jenne: I’m not sure I understand what you are talking about.

Kyle: I foresaw liabilities with him and his reactions over Jamie.

Jenne: He was ok with the Jamie thing. I guess I just don’t see friends as liabilities. I know you were scared this would repeat like last time, that we would back him and not you, but it wasn’t like that. I had no intention of dragging that man. I guess I just didn’t like how it all happened.

Kyle: I respect the man, and like him, but Tenzil and I have never been truly running buddies, Jenne. I didn’t talk to him everyday or look for him like I did you and Beth and Taylor.
Jenne: Before this game even started you told me you two were buddies. I guess I worry that if you’d attack someone that was your buddy that you’ll do the same to me now…that this game and getting further, proving yourself means more to you than your friends. That worries me, Kyle. I guess I thought you were different than you are.

Kyle cocked his, offended. How could playing the game mean that his character was changing? He quickly shook his head, and the thoughts away.

Kyle: The guilt is not going to work on me. I did what I felt I had to do. I’m not against you—it was a strategic move on my part. Heck, I thought we were all close friends back in Valentine’s Day…and what happened? You did what you had to do, taking down everyone I cared about and alienating me in the process, then telling me I was supposed to deal and move on.

Jenne stiffened her back and looked at him squarely.

Jenne: Woah…what the heck just happened with you? What is all this?

Kyle chuckled aloud.

Kyle: I’m just saying, I lost two people I cared about in this game already. I’m not going to play by someone else’s standards…again.

Jenne: I don’t expect you to! Go ahead…play how you want!

Kyle: It was expected of me before.

Jenne: You are a big boy…play away! Win! I just don’t even care anymore. No one has any expecations of you, Kyle! You are the one who feels like they do, and you are putting all this on others when it is coming from yourself. All I did in Valentine’s Day was not vote for my friends. I care about my friends more than anything and never want to vote ‘em out.

Kyle crossed his arms and sat back as he listened. Jenne jabbed her finger at him.

Jenne: You were new, but I cared about you. So, I did what I did in that game to protect my friends, and I’m no different here. I can’t go against my friends…it’s who I am! I love and protect those who do the same for me! We all live by our own rules, and I’m not gonna judge you for how you live yours. But you are obviously carrying some serious baggage into this game, and it’s clouding the way you see things. All I did was care about my friends and work to further them in this game! Hell, I don’t want to be here without you guys.

Kyle still penetrated with his cynical eyes, unmoving.

Jenne: Apparently that’s just not seen as something good here, and I just look like a stupid twit. Screw it…I don’t care! Friends are friends! They don’t belong in this game, but here we are, friends aplenty!

She swiveled on her stool and directed her attention back to the televisions, having made her point. She picked up her glass and threw back a lengthy slug before slamming her glass back down again.

Kyle just looked at her.

Kyle: You do realize that death is not on the other side of tribal council, right?

Jenne jerked her head back around.

Jenne: Of course I do! I think I’m the only one who sees this as just a stupid game! Everyone else is like life or death!

Kyle shrugged.

Kyle: I’m not. That’s why I did what I had to do. I know Tenzil will be alive and well and ready to be my friend when this is over.

Jenne: He will, and I’m not upset he’s gone. I knew it would happen. You do what you have to do, Kyle! I’m gonna do what I have to do. The roads won’t always be the same, I know that. But part of being friends is understanding differences and appreciating them. So, yeah…vote out everyone I love! That’s great! Just don’t expect me to be ok with it, ‘cause I won’t be!

Kyle: Barring game baggage, how come I was supposed to be ok with it when you voted out all the people I loved and isolated me in the process?

Jenne: What do you think I expect you to be? No one said you were supposed to be ok with it, you’re entitled to your feelings. I’d never expect you to accept it. I’m sorry you feel isolated…that was never my intention. But I think you’ve made a point at keeping me at arms length in this game, so if you feel isolated, I don’t think it’s my doing. You can’t deny you’ve kept me as far away from you in this game as you could!

Kyle: How when I told you a vote against Tenzil was not a vote against you! You kept something very valuable from me that I would like to have known…something that hurt me deep inside when it happened in the first place.

Jenne flinched and cocked her head.

Jenne: What are you talking about?
Kyle: You and Taylor. I wanted so much for you to be friends when you decided to call it quits and now it’s a-ok, and you keep it from me?

Jenne: Taylor ruined our friendship! Things are not a-ok! At all! We talked, I told you that. We worked stuff out, but I can’t ever forgive him.

Kyle huffed and looked away momentarily.

Kyle: Well, there’s a miscommunication somewhere, because Taylor seems to think you’re on cloud nine again.

Jenne: We are making things work so we don’t destroy one another in this game…like him and Tenz were bound to do. Taylor and I will never be how we were.

Kyle: I want to know why you think I’ve held you at arm’s length in this game.

Jenne: You don’t think you have?

Kyle: I was wary from the beginning because of this new connection with Taylor that I thought was a secret.

Jenne hopped down from the stool. As soon as she was on her feet, her head begin to spin from the alcohol she had been drinking.

Jenne: What a freakin’ mess! This is why I didn’t want to play this game! I hate this game! I just hate it!

Slinging her purse over her shoulder, she brushed past Kyle and left the bar promptly. Kyle watched her stomp out. His blood was boiling. It was amazing how they couldn’t understand each other. It was amazing that she couldn’t remember the dynamics of Valentine’s Day and how everyone Kyle had ever been close to were taken. Bringing over game baggage it may have seemed, but wasn’t an All Star game a continuation of sorts of the initial games? Besides the fact that two of Kyle’s closest allies had already been axed one right after the other in All Stars. It was all too familiar.

And now that the shoe was on the other foot and Jenne had lost a loved one, Kyle was supposed to be the enemy?

Kyle never drank, but at that moment he ordered a Long Island and downed it quickly. The more he thought about it, the more worked up he got.

There were too many doublestandards in his eyes.

Storming away from the main resort, Jenne found herself pounding on Taylor’s door. It took a moment but he answered groggily, already dressed for bed.

Jenne: You lied to me again, Taylor.

Taylor blinked.

Taylor: Excuse me?

Jenne: I asked you if you told Kyle…and you did. Now he’s all up at arms at me.

Taylor: Told Kyle what?

Jenne crossed her arms and glared at him.

Taylor: Oh…that.

Jenne: We are in a middle of a knock down brawl.

Taylor: I only told him after he came to me saying the he thought you were upset with him. I didn’t say we were friends.

Jenne: Kyle said you think we are on cloud nine now.

Taylor: I never told him that!

Jenne: What a mess! I don’t want to be here anymore. I’m checking out. I just don’t care about losing friends again. I guess Kyle never cared about us.

Taylor: Are you upset that Tenzil is gone?

Jenne: No!

Taylor: You don’t understand Kyle. He doesn’t want to be the loyal puppet this time, and he feels that you are trying to make him.

Jenne: I don’t care what he does anymore! I haven’t talked game with him once until last night. I never told him what to do, who to vote for, what to think, feel! If he feels like that, he’s projecting his issues onto me, and it ain’t cool! I’m doing no such thing! He just expects me to!

The tears were flowing freely now.

Taylor: I will say this, and don’t get upset, but Tenzil said he trusted Chris as well, yet Chris got rid of him—as well as JoJo.

Jenne: I know this! I wasn’t mad y’all voted for him! I’m upset at how Kyle is playing this game. He’s got all this baggage like he has something to prove. I’m seeing a very ugly side to him, and it disappoints me!

Jenne could stand no more before she whirled around and fled to her hut where she locked herself tightly inside. She was lightheaded from the alcohol and the tears were flowing down her face.
This was the exact reason she had hesitated in coming back to play this game. Beth, Chris, Karen…all of them had cornered her and convinced her to play.
She flounced on her bed harshly and sobbed into her pillow for a moment.

“What an upsetting week. Fight with Chris. Fight with Kyle. Don’t these people know I’m a lover not a fighter? A girl tries to chill, throw a few parties and mud wrestling events and what do these f**kers do? Sheesh! So Kyle is a naughty, naughty li’l boy. He packed his luggage FULL of Valentine’s Day baggage. Shit dude! Get the f**k over it! When they were trying to boot Tenz, Tay and Chris brought up the fact that Tenz cost me the game in VD. Well guys, I left VD behind long ago. I don’t hold onto my insecurities, issues, and baggage as tightly as some do, I suppose. So Kyle wants power. Kyle doesn’t want some long-standing friendship holding his hand. He doesn’t want anyone telling him what to do. He wants to be the big man and show the world his stuff. Well, ain’t that cute! During our fight the boy was flying through like 5 different things all at once so that I couldn’t even follow what he was saying. He doesn’t want to be my puppet is what I got out of it. And I don’t know if you people are watching, but have I tried to dictate to Kyle what he should do ONCE in this game? We never even talked ‘bout the game till he went core after Tenz this week. So I don't know why he thinks I want him to be my puppet. I wanted him to do well in this game, in fact. I never thought I had to hold his hand for that to happen. But when he talked, he kept telling me what I expected of him, what I wanted him to do and it was like…HELLO dude, can you stop telling me what I think and feel? ‘Cause I believe he was projecting his issues onto me. He told me what I expected of him. And it was like, I don’t expect that, where is all this coming from? Can we say someone has issues? I’m a psychologist, I see through his bullshit. The boy is a classic case, for real! He is so scared of repeating what happened last time that his screws are coming lose all over the place. He’s got dem crazy eyes and shit.

So I believe he lost it with Jamie and Angie going. His two allies. He took that personally. When no one knew till after the fact he was aligned with them. Sorta added bonus if you ask me ‘cause Kyle was getting too d**n powerful. So two of his allies went bye bye, and he panicked. He saw the same thing happening here as in VD, and all he was left with was the “friendship” group to keep him goin’. He doesn’t want that here. He’s his own man. So he needed to make a move to establish his game wouldn’t repeat itself. Tenzil fell victim to that. Thing is Tenzil wasn’t playing this game. Mikey was. Mikey was no threat to Kyle, in fact he trusted Kyle and was his friend. And Kyle screwed him over big time. That’s when I saw who Kyle has become with this game. A power hungry mob boss who will put the knife in whoever stands in his way. Well, good for you, Kyle. I hope you are quite proud of your behavior in this game. You took Tenz out. Bravo! Aint you the king now! So yes I was upset Tenz went, and yes I stood by my friend. And yes I tried to protect my friend. Ain’t I a saint? F**k no. But at least I am who I say I am. Jenne sticks up for her friends and stands by them.” – Jenne

Kyle returned from the main resort, stumbling with a swimming head as well. The lightweight he was, alcohol was not a tolerated substance in his body. Sixteen ounces of a Long Island iced tea could do a number on him—much less a scooner.

When he returned to the aisle, he had one thing in mind, at that was to crash in bed, but Taylor was waiting for him. It seemed that the fighting and arguments and confrontations were going to last all night long.

Taylor: Thanks. Really…thank you!

Taylor was frothing with disdain. Kyle couldn’t even think clearly, much less know what he was talking about.

Kyle: For?

Taylor: Now Jenne is pissed at me.

Kyle: What?

Taylor: You told Jenne what I told you!

Kyle put a hand to his forhead and squinted. It pained him to think, but he remembered.

Taylor: Kyle, I gave you that info under the belief you wouldn’t tell anyone…you betrayed that.

Kyle: Taylor, Jenne was on top of me, laying the guilt on like molasses, wanting to know why I didn’t trust her.

Taylor: Tell her because she was campaigning to keep Tenzil! Don’t tell her it was because I told you about the whole incident.

Kyle wanted to tell him he had already known of their little secret from Beth. But that would make him break two promises in a row. He would have to take his lumps.

Kyle: Well, what’s done is done…Jenne thinks this game is life or death and everything is a huge ordeal. How I choose to vote, voting out her loved ones, or choosing to want to win this game and overcome the obstacles that took me down in Valentine’s Day means I’m bringing in game baggage! I can’t win for losing! I either put my thumb up my ass and submit to the powers that be…

Taylor: Or do something…

Kyle: Exactly! Play my own way and get labeled a villain and get my character thrashed!

Taylor nodded quietly. He looked down, partly in thought and partly avoiding the stench coming from Kyle’s breath. He knew Kyle didn’t drink. Maybe the game was turning into something completely against his character. Still he could see Kyle’s point. Yet, at the same time he couldn’t very well go up against Jenne Lotz.

Taylor: I don’t know what to tell you.

Kyle: What does it matter anyway? You already think I’m a betrayer!

Taylor: I don’t think that. But I wish you wouldn’t hurt my chances when you are arguing with people.

Kyle may have been buzzing, but his hearing was not impaired. He looked at Taylor as steadily as he possibly could.

Kyle: How am I hurting your chances?

Taylor: I don’t know…maybe Jenne doesn’t trust me now!

Kyle laughed and clapped Taylor on the shoulder.

Kyle: Well, if TC is such a life or death matter to her, than she won’t go against you!
He continued to howl at his own joke, but Taylor didn’t see the humor.

Taylor: Fine, don’t work with each other. I don’t expect you to, but don’t drag me down with you.

Kyle: Who’s dragging you down?! No one is dragging you down…Taylor!

Taylor took a step back away from him.

Taylor: I don’t want you targeting me because of your new-found urge to be the villain, Kyle.

Kyle: What the hell are you talking about…me wanting to be the villain! Explain that to me.

Taylor: You said earlier that you wanted to play your own way and get labeled the villain. You said it yourself, and I know you don’t wanna play the way you did in Valentine’s Day. I don’t want you to.

Kyle: I didn’t say I wanted to get labeled that…it’s just what happens when I play my own way! I either submit and be good Kyle…oh but if I go my own route, woe be to me!

Taylor: Then don’t be good Kyle. I just don’t want you to try and kill me.

Kyle: So where are you getting that I’m targeting you?

Taylor: I don’t want your feud with Jenne to reflect negatively on me, that’s all.

Kyle really had nothing to say to that. There was nothing he could say. Through all they had just discussed and all Taylor could come up with was that it might hurt his own game?

Kyle: Wow.

Taylor: Not that I think it would, but you were talking like you were going to go on a targeting rampage.

Kyle: And when was that?

Taylor: When you were talking about playing your own way and voting out Jenne’s loved ones. I thought you were going to go and vote us all out. Maybe I misunderstood.

Kyle: Yeah, you did. Venturing away from my play in Valentine’s Day does not mean, oh, let’s pick off Jenne, then Taylor, then Beth…geez!

Taylor: Ok, I’m sorry.

Kyle shook his head and rubbed his eyes. Enough was enough. The day had been quite long enough, and they were only nine days into the game. Kyle looked down at his old friend through hazy eyes. Taylor looked as forlorn and anxious as he felt. Further argument was not going to heal them completely that night. It was best to call it a night.

Kyle: If it isn’t moot by now, I’ve done a little brainstorming that I’d like to run by you sometime—strategy-wise.

Taylor: It’s not. We can talk.

Kyle: There’s plenty of time. I doubt I’ll leave my hut for a while.

He turned to go and left Taylor standing at his front steps. He also left Taylor in a bind. His position in the game was a tough one. There were just too many friends.

One of those, a new friend, was one Kyle knew would protect him any way she could, especially if she knew he was in danger. He went immediately to her to vent because he knew she'd listen.

The door opened quickly at the urgent knock. JoJo Treadwell was surprised to see Kyle standing there at so late an hour.

JoJo: Kyle?

Kyle: JoJo…I need you!

JoJo: Hi, honey! What’s going on?

Kyle: Jenne is pissed at me. Basically because she didn’t get her way, and we just had a huge blow out. She tried to turn everything on me, how I’ve changed and I’m trying to take the villain role, and I’m bringing serious game baggage over.

JoJo sighed and hugged him briefly.

JoJo: She knows Kyle. Kyle don’t do that.

Kyle: I’m beside myself that people take this game so seriously.

JoJo: Let other people get emotional, but you don’t have to feel the same way Jenne feels. Just because you care about each other doesn’t mean you both had to feel the same loyalty toward Tenzil.

She paused, held Kyle’s face with her hands, directing his full attention on her.

JoJo: Kyle, be true to yourself, ok? You and Jenne are friends and I would guess you will continue to be. Just have fun, don’t be stressed.

Kyle nodded as JoJo smiled at him. She was so good at the motherly thing, it was no wonder that everyone flocked to her, trusted in her with everything they had.

Still it was a very real possibility that Jenne would come unglued and lead the masses against Kyle. Kyle and JoJo had discussed before the dynamics of Valentine’s Day. He knew she understood. Surely she would defend him when the time called.

Kyle: Will you help me against Jenne?

JoJo: I will talk to her. What do you need?

Kyle: No, no…don’t talk to her. She’s out of control. But I need sleep. We can talk about this later.

JoJo nodded as she saw him off. If something was so important, he’d be able to talk now, wouldn’t he? She stood there for a moment feeling like she had been left hanging. What exactly had Kyle meant? Did he want JoJo to vote her off? Simply talk to her? Shun her?

She bit her lip thoughtfully, as she watched Kyle disappear into his hut. He was acting so strangely.

Kyle fell down on his bed wishing that Taylor knew that people weren’t rallying to support him as he thought. He wished he could tell Taylor and have him believe but a fraction of the things going behind his back from his "friends." Those friends that Jenne esteemed so highly. But Taylor wouldn’t. He was snowed. Just like before.

Everything was…just like before. Maybe he was concentrating too hard on what happened nearly a year ago in season four. But how could one not? This was a tightly knit group of friends whose moderus operand was never to vote each other out. So much for the Ryan’s and Missie’s and Isaac’s and Jon’s and any other not in the group that Kyle had grown to love.

The whole game was just one big huge battle, with all of self and ethics and friendships and loyalty. No…it wasn’t a battle. It was a nightmare.

Kyle rolled over and stared at the ceiling, thinking back on something Taylor had said. “Don’t be good Kyle,” he had sad. “So I shan’t,” Kyle thought as he stare up in the darkness.

“The last I checked.....there is no death after TC. So why all this? Why?

I did what I thought I needed to do and Jenne's gonna have the nerve to lay all that guilt on me? Then because I actually will strive for this game it means that I have become a different person? Or want to be the villain? Or have brought over baggage from another game?

Ok...I'm getting a little worked up here.

*deep breath*

So...Valentine's Day Kyle is good Kyle. Good, submissive, cuddly, walk blindly into a trap, loveable Kyle.

But in All-Stars, where Kyle has decided to be calculating and watch everything that goes on around him and sniff out every corner and acutally wants to win...that means I'm bad Kyle? That means I've changed as a person? Where do you come off Jenne?

I was a moron and looked like a moron in Valentine's Day. so I want that to happen again? I'm supposed to accept my treament from that game? But if I decide to do things a little differently now, it's okay for the guilt to come pouring on me, right?

You know what really caught me tonight? Jenne said I didn't make it past the final 6 in Valentine's Day because I was "new." I wasn't a member of the clique yet. Had I been a part of the "clique" they would've allowed me more time? Wow, let me bow down to the elite society of Survivor-Central.

I'm sorry you guys need each other to pull off this game. I don't.

Tenzil was voted out. I wanted him out, so he is out. Deal, and move the heck on!” – Kyle

[Host Kyle]

Day 10

The next morning dawned another day, but not without drama. The dust hadn’t come close to settling before the sun peaked its premier rays over the horizon. Jenne and Kyle had both crashed hard in their separate huts. Taylor Napier had turned in a bit apprehensive, and JoJo dreamed of the interesting plea Kyle had made.

To others it was a new day of strategy and alliance building; Drew Herlitz and Ryan Appel were fast on the job at the first morning light.

The restaurant was sparse at such an early hour, providing time for a delcious breakfast over uninterrupted discussion.

Drew: Was there something you wanted to talk to me about?

Ryan: I was actually wondering who you have voted for thus far…it’s the easiest way to try and see who is working with who.

Drew: I voted for Jon last tribal council.

Ryan balked. This was news to him. He thought Drew had been with him the entire time.

Ryan: Any reason?

Drew: Not really. I thought he was the majority. I guess I was wrong.

Ryan eyed him for a moment. Everybody who was anybody knew that Jon wasn’t going to receive the majority of votes. Still it could happen.

Ryan: Do you remember who approached you?

Of course Drew remembered. But she was quickly climbing the rungs of trust in his eyes, so he was not about to endanger her.

Drew: I think it was Kyle, if I’m not mistaken.

Ryan balked again. That was even more interesting. That really didn’t add up, and Ryan knew for a fact Kyle had his guns blazing toward Tenzil the night before.

Ryan: I am getting so confused. Who else have you voted for? Don’t worry, this stays in our alliance.

Drew: Shaun and Tenzil. Ashley and Taylor. Jon.

Ryan: Have you noticed anyone working together?

Drew: Not really. I just can’t seem to get a feel for anyone yet. You?

Ryan: Just the same groups. All we need to do is convince six other people to vote against someone else.

Drew: True enough, but can we do it?

Ryan: We need to decide first who is our biggest threat.

Drew leaned in with interest.

Drew: Who do you think?

Ryan glanced around quickly before leaning in and lowering his voice.

Ryan: Personally, I would like to break up the group from season one. That’s just my opinion. To me, I think that Chris has the most power in that group.

Drew: I know he does.

Ryan leaned back and waved his hands.

Ryan: That’s just my opinion. I think if we hold off a bit to start spreading that, he won’t be trying for immunity, and we will be able to take him out.

Drew: I hope you’re right.

Ryan: Have you talked to Jon lately?

Drew: No, why?

Ryan: Just thinking he might be a good one to pull in. Might feel vulnerable.

Drew: Why don’t you try him then? That sounds good to me.

Ryan: Should I tell him about you?

Drew looked down thoughtfully.

Drew: I don’t know. Maybe try to get a feel about how he feels about me. Just ask him what he thinks of me and such. I think we should try Jenne as well. She would be good.

Ryan: Have you talked to her a lot?

Drew: I haven’t talked to her about an alliance with us yet. Do you want me to?

Ryan: Just feel her out for a while. She seems to feel really vulnerable.

Drew: I think she would go for it. Do you want me to ask? I’ll talk to her and you can break the news to Jon about me being in the alliance.

Ryan: Just try and make the alliance with Jenne about you because Jenne and I have a history.

Drew: Do you want to set it up?

Ryan nodded and motioned toward Drew.

Ryan: You go for it so that Jenne gets it from you.

They shook hands briefly, and breakfast ended shortly. They had plans to make. It was time for Ryan to come out on top in a game. This time around, Jenne was going to prove very useful, and he loved it.

Though he had gone to bed with much on his mind, Kyle slept soundly. His restless spirit awakened him fairly early that morning. There was much to do that day. Peddle for protection, possibly mend some fences, maybe cover his tracks of being the aggressive dictator he had become to oust Tenzil Goodman.

Kyle scoffed at the thought as he got himself ready that morning and stepped outside.

The sun was shining brightly as it always seemed on All Star Island. At first glance, it seemed a beautiful day in paradise. No clouds in the sky, birds soaring, pristine blue ocean crashing against the beach.
He sucked in a deep breath of the tropical air.

So far the game was no vacation.

He scanned the length of the beach until he saw Christopher in the distance, walking barefoot. Kyle paused as he watched him for a moment. He hadn’t trusted Christopher Collins much for that first portion of the game, but he seemed to be proving himself. After all, he had spoken out against the Valentine’s Day foursome and even helped lead the charge toward Tenzil.

Wouldn’t that put him and Kyle in the same boat with Jenne? It was very logical. How could it not?

Kyle alighted from the porch of his hut and headed over the sand toward him.

Kyle: So, tell me, Mr. Christopher.

Christopher looked up from his aimless pace.

Christopher: Yup, Mr. Kyle.

Kyle: Since I know or at least I think I know that neither you nor Jenne would play this game unless the other was, what does that add up to?

Christopher shook his head.

Christopher: Jenne said she wouldn’t have played if I didn’t. I certainly never said that. I committed with Karen the night that season one ended. I told her no matter what, Rafe and I together or not, that I’d do it. Obviously, we thought that Rafe would be here.

Kyle: Yeah. CBS contracts…bleh. Here’s my thing with Jenne, and this is by no means revenge. There was this unwritten law for lack of a better word in Valentine’s Day that you play this way or you’re out. It was get in with the clique or get yourself voted out. I lost everyone I ever cared about in that game and was basically told to bend over and grease it up. If Jenne is depressed that Tenzil is gone just because she wanted him to stay longer…all I have to say is tough titties.

Christopher put a hand to his mouth to stifle a laugh, but regained his composure immediately.

Christopher: I completely agree. We had a fight about it last night, and she stormed away from me.

Kyle: So, yeah. There it is, open and honest on the table.

Christopher: I feel the same way. Hell, you know I was right behind you helping you close the door behind Tenzil’s ass.

Kyle: I appreciate you for that.

Christopher: If you are asking me if I have a final two with Jenne…no. I have a final two with nobody, and I will continue to have a final two with nobody. I don’t want to deal with people feeling betrayed. I told those that I knew when we started—this is a game, and I am playing. I will not actively set out to hurt anyone, but I want no final two’s and no long-term promises. So, I have no “A” words and no final two’s.

Kyle: Honestly, I have no final two’s that I’ve promised, either. I have a couple of people who assume it from me, and I let them. Anyway, I just don’t get people. If I want to win this game, and certain obstacles I choose to overcome means I’m bringing over game baggage?

Christopher: You are perfectly in your rights to vote someone out. Never let anyone tell you different.

Kyle nodded, feeling a bit better about the situation, feeling walls coming down between himself and Christopher.

But as Kyle walked away, Christopher smiled after him. He had just dropped him a boat load of good information and attitude to boot. It could effectively be used. It would be used.

He waited a moment for Kyle to move out of sight before he went to find his old buddy. Letting himself into her hut, he flounced on the bed where she was sleeping soundly. She didn’t even budge at first until he gave her swift slap on the butt. Then she flew awake with a shriek.

When she saw Christopher she grabbed a pillow and sank into her corner, not exactly knowing what to say. He merely smiled at her.

Christopher: Just so we’re clear, I don’t really want to reopen last night. It can be swept under the rug. The game isn’t worth it to me.

Jenne: Me either. I cried.

Christopher: Yeah, I was sad. It doesn’t matter enough. I was feeling frustrated and unheard, but I know we are friends. You are just being a d**n hippie.

Jenne couldn’t help but smile at that.

Jenne: I was distracted when we were talking. So I don’t think you were feeling like you had my whole attention. You didn’t. I told you I didn’t care if he went. It was just how.

Christopher: It was a combo of things, but ultimately not worth strife for us, and I mean that. Strategically, I voted against him because of Kyle…and you. I want Jenne the player here.

Jenne frowned at that.

Jenne: Jenne the player doesn’t want people voted out who she knows won’t vote for her. At least when there are a million little twits hanging around that will.

Christopher: I just realized that it would never be easy for you to vote him out no matter how much you wanted to tell yourself you could. You care about him too much. The other part of it was Kyle.

Groaning Jenne pulled the pillow up into her face.

Jenne: Kyle is a thorn in my side at this point. I’m not happy with him.

Christopher: I know. He is calmer, though, now that his vote went through.

Jenne: I just had a knock down brawl with Kyle.

Christopher: Oh dear.

Jenne: I’m not good right now.

Christopher: What’s going on with you and Kyle?

Jenne shook her head and looked away sadly.

Jenne: I don’t think we are friends anymore, and I hate this game. I knew this would happen. I want to quit. I can’t go through it again; I’m sorry, Chris.

Sighing, Christopher rolled his eyes.

Christopher: It is a game.

Jenne: But I want out.

Christopher: If you really want to leave, I support you.

Jenne: I’m so upset.

Christopher looked at her as tears welled up in her eyes. He couldn’t have sappy Jenne in front of him. He needed the player, the one he knew would arise without Tenzil. He knew just how to bring that personality out, but he would bide his time.

He patted her gently on the leg.

Christopher: You have to take care of you. If you don’t want to do this, then you don’t. I am not going to force you to stay. I wouldn’t want to be forced to stay

Jenne: I’m not a quitter. That’s the problem. D**n pride.

Christopher: Ah, just expressing frustration. That is fine, too.

Jenne nodded and then paused. A long silence fell over them before she looked up to Christopher.

Jenne: I want to vote him out now.

Christopher flinched and widened his eyes.

Christopher: Wow! That is a big turnaround.

Jenne: He wants to play big boy, then let him eat shit. He doesn’t want to be a puppet, he don’t want to be dragged along like last time…

Christopher: Which is fine—

Jenne: Fine! Vote him out now!

Christopher: Uh oh, she gonna throw him outta the apple cart!

Jenne shrugged and wrinkled her face in disgust.

Jenne: Well, the way he talked to me, screw him.

Christopher looked at her for a moment. The Jenne he wanted to see was already surfacing. Now was the perfect time to fan the flames.

Christopher: He talked to me about you today.

Jenne looked up quickly.

Jenne: Yeah?

Christopher: He basically said tough titties if you’re upset that Tenzil was voted out when you didn’t want him to be.

Jenne gaped but could find no words.

Christopher: Don’t sell me out.

Jenne: Have you ever seen steam come out my ears?

Christopher: Nope.

Jenne: Well it is now.

Christopher: I thought he was going to say you were next or something, which obviously would not have flown with me. I like Kyle. But my friendship is with you; I have never even lied to him about that.

Jenne: I’m just so freakin’ upset!

Christopher: I hear ya.

Suddenly he gasped and put a hand to his mouth.

Christopher: I hope this does not turn into a showdown for you guys this round. Too crazy!

Jenne: This is killing me.

Christopher: Keep your chin up.

She snuggled back into her bed.

Jenne: I need to just chill out for a while, I think. Have fun.

With that, she turned over.

Smiling, Christopher patted her leg and left her to her solitude.

Noon came quickly, though. Jenne was forced to get out of bed, shower, pull up her hair and meet the rest of the cast on the beach for the ritual tree-mail reading. The fourth challenge was already under way with five individuals already having left the game.

Fifteen castaways gathered around Karen, and once all were accounted for she pulled out her folded piece of parchment.

Karen: Holiday idols, you only need one. Unless you get it, you may be done.

She looked around at eager faces.

Karen: Challenge tonight, right here, seven o’clock.

Before she even turned to go, the castaways turned and spewed to one anothers guesses of what the challenge would be. It was a unanimous thought the the next challenge would be a Holidays favorite. That was the challenge of the individual, mini immunity idols. They wondered among themselves how the challenge would play out as individuals. In the past this particular game had always been a tribal challenge.

Many discussed, but others had much more important things on the brain. For Ryan and Drew, they had an alliance to build.

Jon Kennedy was first in their grasp, and he agreed instantly.

Ryan: So are you looking for people to make sure your name doesn’t come up again? I’m always willing to help out a fellow Canadian.

Jon had not expected anyone to approach him as such, especially with the entire cast standing around. But he looked around quickly to notice most were obsorbed in their own conversations and discussing the new challenge.

He turned to look at Ryan quickly, interested in what he had to propose.

Jon: Having my name not come up would be great…and actually being in the loop of things would be nice.

Ryan: Have you made any pacts or alliances yet?

Jon: You might not believe me, but sadly no. And yes I’m looking.

Ryan: Good stuff. I was a little nervous. Formal proposal…would you like to make an alliance with me?

Jon grinned and extended his hand. Ryan looked around quickly before taking it in his own.

Ryan: Well, this is exciting. Are you a big time strategist?

Jon: I’ll put in my two cents worth. Whether it’s a good or a bad idea, who knows?

Ryan: I’d rather discuss all ideas no matter how stupid rather than have one person making all the decisions. Anyone you feel comfortable in asking into the group?

Jon shrugged and looked around briefly.

Jon: I enjoy talking to Beth and JoJo.

Ryan: Me, too. Do you think they already have alliances?

Jon: Unfortunately yes.

Ryan: Hmmm, the ones I see as swing votes would be the people like Ashley, Isaac, Drew and maybe Jake.

Jon: Drew and Ashley have a couple of votes so they might join.

Exactly the direction Ryan wanted to head without it being his own decision. Jon was as good as in the group already.

As for Drew—Jenne was his project. And when she looked over and saw his face, it compelled her. Drew Herlitz was adorable and what scored him the most points with her was that he adored her. Of course Jenne would join his little group…and take in every piece of information they would feed, just like Godiva chocolates.

Drew took Jenne by the hand and led her to the clandestine gathering that he and Ryan had agreed on earlier.

Ryan Appel was already waiting by the pier when Drew and Jenne scurried over together. Jenne was beaming.

Jenne: I get boys all to myself! Yeehaw!

Ryan: I knew you’d like that. Jon will be here in a minute. So, what’s the deal?

Drew grinned from ear to ear and nudged Jenne with his shoulder.

Drew: All I know is we are going to make one hell of a foursome to mess with! I guess we should talk about tribal council and decide if we want anyone else in our alliance.

Jenne: Let’s vote all the ugly bitches out!

Ryan: Wouldn’t you be lonely being the only female left?

Jenne slithered up next to him and ran a hand over his shoulder.

Jenne: I’d manage.

Drew: Does anyone have a real strong feeling of who they’d like to see voted off ?

Jenne: All dem ugly bitches! I already said that!

Drew: Does Taylor count as an ugly bitch?

Jenne: Hell yeah! Ugliest of them all!

They all laughed for a moment.

Ryan: Jenne, you are one crazy lady.

Jenne curtsied.

Jenne: Thank you for the compliment.

Drew: Well, I guess you can all tell who I want gone.

Ryan: I’m willing to get rid of serious threats. Some of the people with a little bit of power in this game.

Jon approached them, hurrying as if he was about to miss a bus. He caught up to them, out of breath.

Drew: Hey, Jon!

Jon: Hey, guys.

Jenne put a hand on his arm and smiled brightly.

Jenne: Yeah! Now the party really starts!

Jon eyed her questioningly for a moment. He didn’t know that she was going to be in on this alliance, and she was one of the main proponents of tossing his name on the block the day before.

She caught his hesitance and gave him an assuring wink.

Ryan: Jenne with three guys…I’m concerned!

Drew: So, we really haven’t decided anything yet.

Jenne: This is a meet and greet ice cream social. No need to push things!

Ryan: Yeah, until the challenge is over, we don’t know who we can vote for.

For a good while the strategy was some idle talking and hemming and hawing over who should be the next target. No one would pin anything down as they all skirted the issue. Finally Jenne dismissed herself.

Ryan watched her go for a moment before he turned to the others.

Ryan: Ok, so any serious thoughts on tribal council? For targets, I personally would like to take out someone from season one. It’s the only season not to be touched yet. Thoughts?

Jon: How many are there?

Ryan: Chris, JoJo, and Jake, and they seem to be working together.

Jon: Should we join up with them or get them out?

Ryan: I think we should get rid of them personally.

Drew: I think they are potentially huge threats.

Ryan: I think by joining them we would almost be even in numbers, and who knows who else they are working with. Jenne will be good in that respect.

[Host Kyle]

So the meeting disbanded with one of the St. Patrick’s Day folks on the mind for possible target. Ryan planned to accomplish this, and he felt one of his major keys was in Kyle. They had been beating around the bush with one another since the beginning of the game. It was time to hammer something down.

Jon walked away wondering exactly what he was getting himself into. Thus far in the game he had agreed to evey voting minority and he was feeling very foolish. This new alliance seemed stable, especially with Jenne who seemed to always be in the loop, but there was just something that Jon didn’t like.

“So Ryan proposes an alliance to me and suggests Ashley, Drew, Isaac and Jake as other members. After some talk, we decide to include Drew who then includes Jenne. Soon, we have an alliance!

To be honest, I don't trust Ryan. He seems like a sneaky guy. He was trying to ask all the questions. Plus all he wanted was an alliance with me. No final 2 deal or anything. He then he proposed we get rid of one of the season 1 players (Christopher, Jake or JoJo). Well, is it possible? We're only 4 people! If we do decide to toss one of the season 1 players, I'd want to go along with what Jenne wants. Better not be Chris because I owe him big time (but I doubt she want Chris out this early). Why Jenne? Well, she seems like a really likeable person and is probably in the loop of things. Actually, I'm sure she already has her own agenda and will fill whoever fits in her play with what's going on.

Although I'm a bit unsure of this alliance, it's better than nothing. I'll go along with it. I just hope I'll be able to find Kyle and see what he thinks of this.” – Jon

Jenne waited close by to the pier, and when the group dispersed she grabbed Jon quickly, pulling him off to the side. She had noticed his skeptical look and wanted to make peace.

Jenne: I don’t expect you to feel kindly towards me. I am sorry that you got votes, but Tenz was a friend of mine, and I couldn’t vote for him. I’m sorry you got dragged into it, but I had to stand up for my friend. I wanted to at least let you know that I don’t want you out of here by any means. Friendship means something to me so I did what I thought was right.

Jon: Ah.

Jon nodded and looked her over briefly.

Jon: Thanks. I understand.

Jenne: I know, it’s not easy, this game.

Jon: Gonna be a crazy run.

Jenne: I needed to at least let you know why.

Jon: Jenne, it’s understandable, believe me.

Jenne smiled and relaxed.

Jenne: I’m glad to hear you say that. The last thing I want to do is hurt anyone. They made me choose between two friendly neighbors to the North, and it was so cruel!

Jon: Not sure why it was for the two of us.

Jenne smirked.

Jenne: Well, I know who it was that wanted Tenzil gone, but I’m not sure why you got dragged into it.

Jon: I just hope I won’t have to go through it again anytime soon.

Jenne: I doubt it. You never really were in danger. Someone wanted Tenz out bad!

Jon: So, I was a random name?

Jenne: Only so many of us were vulnerable.

Jon: Right.

Jenne: It’s seems all the people who are going are the big dogs, you getting that feeling too?

Jon: They seem like it.

Patting his shoulder, Jenne offered him a coy smile.

Jenne: I think, young fry, you and I will be ok.

Jon: Anything can happen.

Jenne: Get one of those idols!

That’s what was on everyone’s mind at the present—to nab one of those idols for themselves. The day wore on with some resting and some strategizing and some worrying. The game had already beat down on emotions like a hurricane.

Though, the evening came quickly and promptly at seven o’clock, those that remained gathered at the beach where seven huts now stood in a line. The castaways looked on curiously.

Karen: Immunity Huts. As you will see before you, there are seven huts, each containing a very valuable mini immunity idol. The doors on each of these huts are locked tightly. Your goal is to chance upon a hut when the door is unlocked and be the first inside to claim an idol. Once inside, you must put both hands on the idol and call out, ‘This idol is mine!’

She looked around briefly, but no one questioned. Most all of them had played this challenge before.

Karen: Throughout the next three days, the doors will be unlocked one by one at a predetermined time. There are only seven idols up for grabs. Survivors, ready? Go!

Little more than have the cast rushed to the huts, but none found an open door. Karen snickered as only she knew when the first hut would be open. Some of the Survivors stalked away, but some remained firmly planted.

Chrstopher tried some of the doors for a while but shrugged. It wasn’t of great importance to him.

Jenne, in particular, lingered around the huts for a while with determination and nabbed the first hut that opened—consequently the first hut in the line. Scurrying in she hugged the idol close to her.

Jenne: This idol is mine!

JoJo was there immediately to hug her and offer her congratulations. Jenne was more than ecstatic as the Tenzil vote had left her in a state.

It wasn’t long after that JoJo was able to break into the second immunity hut. Like Jenne she clutched her safety for the next tribal council in two days.

Jenne returned the love.

Taylor came down to the beach for another try while Jenne and JoJo were talking. They stopped and grinned while they watched him try all the doors. Nothing. Taylor didn’t feel confident about finding one open. He could possibly find himself without immunity once again.

JoJo excused herself, but Jenne hung around. Taylor noticed right off that she was not acting herself.

Taylor: You ok?

Jenne: No.

Taylor: What’s wrong?

Jenne: This Kyle thing is destroying me. I can’t stand for this stupid game to tear apart any more of my friendships. It’s awful.

Taylor: I don’t know what to tell you. It’s only going to get rougher.

Jenne frowned and looked up at him.

Jenne: If you are trying to make me feel better, you are failing. Miserably.

Taylor: I know. I want you to feel better. Kyle has no right to react the way he is. If this is tearing your friendship apart, not even voting him out, then it’s not true friendship.

Jenne: He’s bringing Valentine’s Day into this and projecting all kinds of stuff on to me.

Taylor shrugged.

Taylor: So are you. So are we all. With Tenzil in this game I could only trust you and Beth ninety-eight percent of the time. One percent because you can’t trust anyone in this game and one percent because history has proven that when it comes down to choosing between the two of us, you choose Mike.

Jenne: History…it happened once.

Taylor: It happenend once. What else do I have to go on?

Jenne: Well, he’s gone now, so that matter is resolved. All that is left are my festering wounds—bleeding and pussing.

Taylor: Well, at least you’re immune.

Jenne looked up quickly.

Jenne: Why? Am I in danger?

Taylor: Paranoid are we?

Jenne consciously relaxed a bit to gather her wits about her.

Jenne: I’m not paranoid, I was teasing you.
Taylor: Now you say that, huh?

She glared at him.

Jenne: Taylor. I’m really in no mood for teasing. Like at all! I was crying last night and nearly to that point today! I’m a freakin’ mess!

Taylor: Jenne, why?

Jenne: I’m going to get knock down drunk tonight and hope I don’t sleep on the curb. Maybe some nice person will take pity on me and roll a newspaper under my head at least.

Taylor rolled his eyes then grabbed her by the shoulders.

Taylor: Jenne, honestly, I love you and you know this. I know you’re sensative, but this isn’t healthy. This is a game.

Jenne: So I just forget about the awful things people I care about and thought cared about me said today and last night?

Taylor: No, you can’t forget them but you have to move on and know that you are playing a game that breeds this.

Jenne: Which is exactly why I didn’t want to play! I know all this, Tay, but I can’t just tell my feelings to buck up!

Taylor: Then you’re gonna just keep having problems.

Jenne: I live by heart!

Taylor: You have to look at things this way: these people are your psuedo friends. You get along before and after, but right now it’s only when things are going well for both of you.

Jenne: So you are my psuedo friend?

Taylor: You’re different. I care about your feelings more than my own, and that’s why I’m trying to help you. I don’t view you and Beth as psuedo friends in this game. Kyle, Chris, Missie? Hell yes.

Jenne smiled and put a hand on his shoulder.

Jenne: Awww, Tay. You can be, like, so seriously sweet sometimes. It just melts me. Saying you care about my feelings….

Taylor nodded and felt himself blushing. With that, he needed to excuse himself. Jenne watched him go. She knew Taylor cared for her a great deal, he had just exercised it. But Jenne couldn’t let go. He had hurt her before with lies, and that couldn’t be forgiven.

“I hate playing this game with friends.

What sets this time apart from last time is Christopher. Now, Mikey and Taylor had been good friends for 2 years prior to VD but Christopher goes beyond that. He is my friend in the flesh and blood. How much *others* know about that is to be seen. Right now we aren’t trying to push the connection. We partied together, we dry humped on dance floors at clubs together, we’ve played truth or dare Jenga, and we’ve shared intimate parts of ourselves with one another. He is a true friend. So if you thought it was rough for me with Mikey and Taylor last time, this is a whole new ballgame. Especially because Christopher is ruthless in these games. He goes at it like he goes at everything in his life: he tackles it to the ground and rides that puppy till morning. So at least I know I have him on my side ‘cause with Chris, if you ain’t on his side, then, well HIDE bitches! For real! He’s a sly, charming li’l fox and he will eat this game alive! He he. I’m hoping for a front row seat! So, yeah, Chris is my boy and there ain’t nothing I would ever do in this life to hurt him. All I can do with him is value our friendship and love ad support him thru this game and beyond.

Then of course there is my Beth. Nothing has changed between us since VD. We play this game together or not at all. She’s my girl and I adore her. I also trust her the most in this game over any one else. We played as one before and I don’t know if I could be out here without her. She begged me to play, told me she neeeeeeeeded me, and its hard for me to say no to that. Beth is a lovely lady and I hope to remain firmly planted by her side or in her head for the duration of my time in this game. LOVE HER!!!!

So I guess its time to comment on the status of my relationships with dear Mikey/Tenzil and Taylor. Mikey I didn’t speak to for about 2 months after VD. I felt that he said in the final TC that he deserved to win because he manipulated Beth and my feelings for him to remain longer in the game. The fact that he would say/imply that broke my heart. Whether it was true or not, it just killed me. After two months we finally spoke again and I explained why it was I was mad at him. I think I misinterpreted him and we were able to work things out. It took a long while for us to feel normal again, and I still feel like things aren’t quite the same between us but I still adore my mikeybears. However, having said that, I don’t like Tenzil. Never have! I don’t like playing the game with him because he goes all El Commando and it’s just unpleasant. Playing this game with him is simply not good for our friendship and doing this all over again worries me in that regard. I would be devastated if this game negatively affected our relationship. I just don’t want to go through all that again with him.

So Taylor. *sighs* So at the end of VD Taylor and I were actually the closest we’d ever been. The game brought us back together and I loved that. Not sure if anyone remembers but I had ended my friendship with Tay prior to VD because he had lied to me since the beginning of our friendship. Well he sent me a very sweet email prior to the game and we managed to talk a lot out and the game was a new beginning for us. We were able to become better friends out of it than going in. What a wonderful thing it was! And then it happened. I caught him in another lie. And this lie was far worse than any previous lie. I had made Taylor swear on our friendship that he was not lying. And THE d**n f**kING BASTARD WAS LYING!!! You just can’t do that with me, I am sorry. I am so trusting. I gave Tay the benefit of the doubt for 2 yrs and finally got sick of it. But I gave him a second chance during VD and he made the same mistake again. To me it’s unforgivable. That he would sit there and swear on our friendship and be lying. I’ll tell yeah it broke my heart. We were so close and he did that. It crushed me and destroyed any faith I could ever have in him. I just don’t know if I can ever trust Taylor again. We did not speak for 4 months prior to this game. Of course, Taylor being Taylor, he waits till right before a Survivor game starts to try to make amends with me. Can we say too little too late? ‘Specially timing it always with the start of a game? Anyways, Taylor made a bold gesture ‘bout a week before game time. And I will tell you, it did mean a heck of a lot to me. I’ll tell you right now what he did made me cry and was really special that he would do it for me. And I know Taylor cares about me a great deal. But I can’t get over the fact that he has lied for so long and so easily and don’t know if he will ever stop. Time will tell on that one. I can’t stop caring ‘bout him no matter what, but I just don’t know if I can forgive him for all his lies.” – Jenne

Kyle had been waiting around his hut, hoping to catch Jenne, but she had not yet returned from the beach. For all he knew she would spend the evening up at the main resort again. There was no need for the two of them to be fighting, and he wanted that to be squared away quickly.

It was the most inopportune time for Kyle at the moment, but Ryan was approaching from the distance. He and Ryan had been dancing around strategy for quite some time. Kyle wasn’t exactly sure where he was or where he was headed, but there had always been something going on preventing them from getting into a good discussion.

Much to Kyle’s surprise Ryan simply waved and disappeared into his hut.

Jon: Ryan proposed to me an alliance.

Kyle jumped and whirled around to find Jon approaching from the opposite direction. Just how many people was Ryan working?

Jon: It included Drew and Jenne, and they—Ryan in particular—want to target someone from season one.

Jon stepped up onto Kyle’s porch. Kyle eyed him skeptically.

Kyle: It included Jenne, huh? When did this go down?

Jon: This afternoon.

Kyle: Interesting. He proposed an alliance to me, too, that had nothing to do with Jenne or Drew.

Jon: Just the two of you?

Kyle: Yep.

Jon: Did he ask if you prefer it to be just the two of your or a bigger group?

Kyle: He implied he had no agreements with anyone and that it would be Ryan and Kyle takes the game by storm.

Jon: I wonder who else he has made deals with.

Kyle glanced over to Ryan’s hut.

Kyle: So, the plot thickens.

He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Both Ryan and Jenne had said as much that they were working each other, trying to build somewhat of a working relationship. But in all Ryan’s prodding for an alliance with Kyle, he had never confessed to already having a spoken alliance. Not one that included Drew anyway. He wondered if Ryan would tell him himself.

Jon: He tried asking all the questions and not really saying what he wants.

Kyle: Silly boy.

Jon: What are we gonna do with him?

Kyle: Take it slow and easy. Nothing right now.

That was enough for Jon. But even as Kyle had suggested the plan, it wasn’t enough for him. Surely Ryan would be honest with him, or was he really the sneak he had been so painted to be, now two games over? Kyle never saw that side of him, but at the moment, things weren’t adding up.

When Ryan opened his door in response to the knock. He was glad to see Kyle. They had been needing a strategy pow-wow for a while.

Ryan: Let’s get down to business.

Kyle couldn’t have said it better himself.

Kyle: Shall we?

Ryan: What are your terms on working together?

Kyle: I’d like to take it as far to the end as possible.

Ryan: That’s fine with me.

Kyle: I haven’t messed with final whatevers…not with fifteen people staring me in the face. But…I do think this needs to be a Ryan and Kyle reckoning.

Ryan: Good stuff. I’m all for it.

Kyle: I hope I proved how serious I am with last night’s vote.

Ryan: I honestly have never been given a reason to doubt your motives.

Kyle nodded, glad to hear it. He paused for a moment, hoping Ryan would shed some light on his alternate alliance situation, but nothing came. Then Kyle thought of something. If Jenne was in this alliance with him, then he’d find out just how true Ryan was going to be with him. If the plan backfired, then Kyle knew his game would be over…but what the heck?

Kyle: Wanna know who is next on my list?

Ryan nodded, and Kyle leaned in to lower his voice.

Kyle: Jenne.

Ryan could only sit back and gape in surprise. Kyle studied his reaction carefully, trying to get the best read of wheter it was genuine shock or fear for an ally.

Kyle: Now, you are the only person I’ve told this to, so keep it between us.

Ryan: Woah. I never saw that coming.

Kyle: So will no one else if we put our strategic minds together and pull it off.

Ryan held up a hand. Jenne was all well and good with him—with some reservations of course—but he really wanted a season one person to take a hit.

Ryan: Question first…what do you make of this whole Chris and JoJo thing.

Kyle: Is there a “thing”?

Ryan: Well, you know how Taylor is about revealing things, so I don’t need to explain, but the whole Tenzil thing got me thinking. Why did seven people out of the blue vote for Tenzil at the first tribal council?

Kyle: Honestly, Taylor and Jake both said Tenzil, so I was all over it.

Ryan: Taylor said to me that people were upset because Tenzil revealed some alliances, but he only mentioned Chris and JoJo, thus meaning they are working with Taylor, who I’m expecting is working with Lis. To complete the group of seven is you, Jake, and Ashley. There is a big thing going on there that I think we need to address.

Kyle: I think the first Tenzil vote was a scramble, I really do.

Ryan paused thoughtfully. Either Kyle was protecting people or he couldn’t see what appeared to Ryan like the writing on the wall.

Ryan: I know I think too much, but based on what I’ve deduced from other players, these are the alliances. Chris, JoJo, Taylor, Lis, Ashley as an extra wheel, and Jake may be along for the ride. Then Jenne, Beth, and Missie, with Isaac along for the ride. If Jake was pushing the whole Tenzil thing, then he’s with Chris.

Kyle’s head was spinning at how quickly Ryan was rattling off his supposed alliances. It all made sense, but Kyle was only concerned with whether or not Ryan was going to own up to his alleged spoken alliance with Jenne

But the admission never came.

Kyle left Ryan’s hut now wondering if Jon had possibly lied to him. The only way to find out was to see where the information he spilled about wanting Jenne out would go. They still had plenty of time.

In that time, Ryan went down to the beach, and though several others were there vying for a mini idol, he waltzed his way right to an open hut and claimed one for himself. Only four remained.

Jake Erickson was among those there, hoping for an idol. Drew Herlitz was by his side growing more frustrated with each time an idol was claimed and snatched right out from under his nose.

Drew: I’m pissed I can’t get an idol!

They watched Ryan scamper away.

Jake: It would be wonderful if I could snag one of those darn idols.

Drew: Even though you have nothing to worry about. I, on the other hand, do.

Jake: Eh, not if I have anything to say about it.

Drew: That’s what almost everyone I talk to has said.

Jake: Well, in that case, you’re good. Would you have any problem with Rami going?

Drew: Not at all, but he’s not one of the names I’ve heard.

Jake looked at him.

Jake: Ahh…really? Who are the names?

Drew: Taylor…and the surprise…Chris.

Jake: Taylor and Chris…hmmm.

Drew: I was absolutely shocked when I heard Chris’ name brought up.

Jake: That is a bit weird. Who is bringing it up?

Drew: Hearsay again. It was mentioned about weaking season one and immediately I thought…no, Jake!

Jake nodded and turned to stare off at the line of huts. So somebody was targeting the fercocious season one folks? Chris would have to hear of this. If anyone could put a stop to it, he could. And he would.

Jake: I was wondering when that would happen. But we are only three strong. And it’s not like I talk to JoJo at all.

Drew: I know, but I don’t try to dispute people when they say stuff. I just say thank you and that is that.

[Host Kyle]

Later into the evening, castaways began leaving the beach. There was still a full twenty-four hour span before all huts would be unlocked. There was time to spare.

Jake walked away from the beach and found himself with the people he trusted most in the game—Christopher and JoJo, and they gathered in Christopher’s hut briefly.

Christopher: I thought we could all check in. How is the game going for you guys?

JoJo: I feel good right now.

Christopher: Immunity!

Jake: I’m pretty decent so far. I’m here, after all.

JoJo: I guess Missie is the only one I wanted gone who is still here.

Christopher: How do you feel about her still being here?

JoJo: Fankly, I’m worried that if she stays much longer I might start liking her.

Jake: I agree with JoJo. I can actually see why she made final two in Independence Day.

Christopher: Missie and Isaac are tight.

JoJo: Why do the young kids like her so much? Jakey, tell Mama.

Jake shrugged.

Jake: I warned Isaac, though. Told him she’d stab him in the back just like last time. But listen to this…Ryan is attempting to make an alliance. Ryan, me, Isaac, Drew, Ashley. I was like, no way! He’s trying to take advantage of us little kids. Drew doesn’t like it either.

Christopher wrapped Jake under his arm and ruffled his hair. Jake pushed him away.

Christopher: Interestingly, Ryan has approached myself and Jenne separately about having a secret alliance. He says nobody will “suspect” us being together.

Jake rolled his eyes and sighed.

Jake: I do not like him.

JoJo: He is very friendly to me. Refers to he and I as Jory, but never used the “A” word. Sounds like he is working.

Christopher: He is quite the player. But Isaac apparently wants Rami out.

JoJo: He told me that, too. What are you guys thinking about Kyle?

Christopher bit his lip.

Christopher: Kyle…he is intense.

Jake: I like Kyle though. Rami hasn’t talked to me once.

Christopher: Kyle is pushing stuff hard and throwing some tantrums.

Jake: Yeah, he was pusing me around a bit with the Tenzil vote.

Christopher: We could vote Rami out to keep Isaac thinking he is running things? Then vote Isaac out from under Missie’s nose.

JoJo: I would like to see Rami or Ashley go.

Jake: Me, too. We’ve been voting out a lot of active people.

Christopher: Ashley is active, more so than Rami. She talks to me and Jenne.

Jake: She talks to me, too. I try to keep her under control.

JoJo grunted.

JoJo: She hates Mama, that’s all.

Christopher: She does hate Mama. Says you’re an old bat!

JoJo gaped at first but when Christopher started laughing, she laughed as well.

Jake: That’s horrible!

Christopher: I’m joking! I made that up.

JoJo: Why, I oughta…

Christopher: Seriously, though, I’d probably say Rami to go next, allowing everyone to think that Isaac is running things. Then we can lay low for another vote.

Jake: That sounds like a good idea.

Christopher: How are you about Isaac? I know you guys were close.

Jake: I have no idea. We’ve talked a few times. I know he’s probably with Missie, which I don’t agree with. I would be disappointed if he went this early. But just so you know, Drew is under the impression that you or Taylor are going next.

Christopher’s eyes widened. JoJo perked up as well.

Christopher: Oh, interesting! How was he under that impression?

Jake: Someone is trying to split up the season one folks. He wouldn’t say who.

Christopher: Probably Kyle or Missie. Intriguing. Maybe Isaac, or Sir Ryan.

Jake: In any case, you and I may be in some amount of jeopardy.

Christopher took in the information with stride as it seemed, but when JoJo and Jake left, his mind was definitely working. The consensus had fallen on Rami as the next boot, and all left satisfied with that, but something was going to have to be done with this new movement.

As they left Christopher’s hut, JoJo walked with Jake a little ways.

JoJo: Are people scrambling yet?

Jake: To a degree. Drew is certain he’s going.

JoJo: He has proposed Rami and Taylor to me. Feels good to be immune.

Jake: I bet Missie gets immunity.

JoJo pretended to sulk and kicked the sand as they walked.

JoJo: You guys are gonna make me work with her aren’t you?

Jake: Chris is the one that likes her. I am not suggesting working with her by any means.

JoJo reached over to ruffle his hair. As always, he pulled back quickly.

JoJo: That’s my Jakey, who I love. Here is dirt…Kyle and Jenne are fighting about the Tenzil vote.

Jake: Yep, I’ve heard. Kyle and I talk a lot.

JoJo looked at him quickly.

JoJo: You wanna work with him against her?

Jake: I like Jenne.

JoJo: Me too.

Jake: I don’t want either one of them gone.

JoJo: I think they just need to talk more. They care about each other, and I can’t accept that this is gonna really come between them.

Jake: I say we refuse to vote for either and let them be disgruntled at each other, and eventually they’ll end up being friends again.

JoJo: We can be Switzerland, as Beth often says.

The middle land is exactly where Beth Sowles liked to be. Keeping her hands clean was the name of her game. Part of that game was being the shoulder for all of her friends to cry on.

Jenne let herself into Beth’s hut with a mixture of emotions—excited that she was immune for the next tribal council, but still beside herself over the recent events.

Beth sighed as Jenne came in and sank down into a chair.

Jenne: Did you hear? Apparently Kyle and I are no longer friends.

Beth reached out to hug her.

Beth: Screw him then. What happened?

Jenne: I’m really upset.

Beth: Wanna tell Beffy?

Jenne: We just had it out…way out. Knock down brawl.

Beth: Beffy loves her Jenne-girl.

Jenne sighed in Beth’s embrace and savored the tenderness for a moment. It was a nice change of pace. When they released each other, she looked up at Beth seriously.

Jenne: I want him gone, Beth.

Beth’s lips parted, but she could say nothing.

Jenne: I never thought I’d say that.

Beth: That’s got to be a tough thing for you to say. What did he say to you?

Jenne: Oh my gosh, it went on forever—I don’t even know. I was in such a state.

Beth: I no likey that he did that to you.

Jenne: He doesn’t want to be a puppet, he doesn’t want this to be like last time…so, I’m like fine! I’ll vote you out now, bitch!

Beth: Did you say that to him?

Jenne: Of course not.

Beth: Taylor told me earlier that Jon fills indebted to Kyle.

Jenne rolled her eyes in disgust.

Jenne: I’m so mad right now. Kyle didn’t do it to save Jon. He couldn’t give a crap about Jon. Poor kid.

Beth: If Kyle tries to save Jon now, knowing how I feel about him, I’ll be mad.

Jenne: I seriously think he’s lost his mind.

Beth: We knew he was getting an…ego.

Jenne: He needs to go. I was so close to quitting today, but I’m not a quitter. I have too much pride.

Beth: I talked to Chris earlier, and I have a feeling he’s gonna want to cut me out soon. I told him I voted Jon last minute to hide my vote and not stand out. They totally had the Tenzil votes.

Jenne: This game is a mess. I don’t like what it does to people.

Beth: I thought I just wanted to make jury, but loser lodge is sounding good too.

Jenne: This Kyle thing shut my heart off in this game. No more nice Jenne, I’m ice queen now.

She looked a Beth intensely.

Jenne: And you my bitch, d**nit! You stay by my side!

Beth: Me is right by your side, my girl.

Jenne: Kyle’s gonna try to take us all down. He’s got to go. He’s the only threat left to us. I wanted to keep him before, like we did last time because he’s a friend, but he doesn’t want that. So screw him. He’s toast!

Beth: He may try to get rid of me, take me away from you.

Jenne: He would go after me before you…I’m sure.

Beth: Bad Kyle. Very bad Kyle.

Jenne: He’s a naughty li’l wench.

Beth: Is you ok?

Jenne: No. I hate this game. It ruins friendships.

Beth: Not ours.

Jenne: Well, you wouldn’t never do this to me, or I to you, ‘cause we value one another more than a game.

Beth agreed, but at the moment she was wondering just how she was going to defend both of them, keeping them from tearing each other apart and keeping her hands clean in the process. And now she had Christopher Collins to tend to whom she knew was upset about her vote for Jon.

She sighed deeply as she hugged Jenne.

But as Jenne left Beth’s hut for the night, she was determined. She was going to get Kyle before he had a chance to get her. Now was the perfect time while she enjoyed immunity.

Shaking her head, Jenne looked down at the mini idol in her hands. It was hers for the next two days. It was invaluable.

It was almost midnight as she made her way back to her own hut where she saw Kyle waiting for her. His expression was unreadable, and she hesitated.

If she wanted to go get drunk again, now was the time before the porcupine in Kyle starting spraying his needlees in every direction.

He approached her slowly. She stood still, guarded.

Kyle: Can we talk about things before we have another Kyle/Jamie situation here? Calmly?

Jenne: You aren’t gonna make me cry again are you?

Kyle: No, and I didn’t intend to make you cry ever.

Jenne: That was awful yesterday. Wretched.

Kyle: You totally backed me in a corner about this whole Tenzil thing. It was never against you.

Jenne: You know how I am about voting out friends, and I never took it as an attack on me.

Kyle: I know, but, Jenne, it’s a game. It was a move for me.

Jenne: I know this. You were threatened by him.

Kyle: No, I wasn’t at all.

Jenne looked at him oddly and crossed her arms over her chest.

Jenne: Then why do it?

Kyle: I just didn’t want to deal with his overreactions. I saw it coming with Jamie’s vote.

Jenne: That’s the thing. Tenzil never played. It was Mikey. Tenzil is evil, but he wasn’t here, and no one gave him a chance to show that it was Mikey. That’s why I was sad. Him and I were in the chill, fun corner…just hangin’.

Kyle: You told me yourself at Family Fued that we were seeing classic Tenzil.

Jenne: He was still upset, and yes that was a Tenz moment. When I talked to you I was all pissed off, but I talked to him later, and he was really ok with the Jamie thing. You know his effect on me. He cracks my heart.

Yes, Kyle knew that well.

Kyle: I realize that. At the same time, it was something I had to do.

Jenne: I know.

Kyle: No malice, no ill will, nothing.

Jenne: I know. But I’m still allowed to be sad just like you can with the other people. The way you talked to me, though, you were jumping over so many issues at once. I guess I felt Valentine’s Day was resolved, but it doesn’t seem like it with you. So it upset me.

Kyle: I felt cornered. Valentine’s Day is resolved, but it doesn’t mean I want to play the same way. Playing differently doesn’t mean I’m on a shooting rampage of all my friends.

Jenne: I don’t know why you’d think I’m trying to tell you what to do. I haven’t done that once here. We didn’t talk about this game once until the other night, and then you came at me telling how I expect you to think, feel, behave. I just had no clue where that came from.

Kyle shook his head, and put a hand on her arm.

Kyle: We both were riled up.

Jenne: You can say that again.

Kyle: I felt my character being judged because of this game that I chose to take in a different direction.

Jenne: Kyle, this is your game. I told you from the start. And if you’re angry over the Jamie/Angie thing, I didn’t know you were aligned with them till after the fact. Like the Tenz thing, it wasn’t against you.

Kyle: No, I hold nothing against anyone for that.

Jenne: Jamie had aligned with like everyone but me, mind you.

Kyle: It had to be, and better others vote them out than me having to betray them down the line to save myself.

Jenne nodded emphatically.

Jenne: That’s how I feel about Tenz. Glad I didn’t have to do it.

They looked at each other for a moment, both feeling pounds lighter. With that simple discussion a burden had been lifted from their shoulders. The even found it in themselves to smile at each oher.

Kyle: I just hope you don’t think I’m this rogue Kyle with a huge grudge. It’s nothing like that.

Jenne: After our fight yesterday, I wasn’t sure.

Kyle: No no no…my goal coming into this game was to inspect every corner, plain and simple. Sniff out the threats as they surfaced.

Jenne: Kyle, I knew you were gonna play the heck out of this game. That’s why I wanted you here so bad. I wanted to see this side of Kyle to come out. I just don’t want to be kicked to the curb.

Kyle: I don’t want us to be pitted against each other, we are too good of friends.

Jenne: I agree. I was so upset last night; I drowned my sorrows in liquor. It’s what I do. I don’t like fighting, and Chris and I fought that night, too. I cried.

Kyle: I’m sorry.

Jenne nodded as tears welled up in her eyes. Kyle paused and squeezed her arm gently.

Jenne: I couldn’t stand that this stupid game was causing problems with me and my friends. I don’t like to cry. I don’t like to feel hurt by people I love. It sucks.

Kyle nodded. He understood completely. He cared more about Jenne than to let a game come between their friendship, but he still felt he was going to do what he needed to do in the future as well. Which led Kyle to think…she had said nothing about the alliance with Ryan. If it was true, she had not mentioned it.

Kyle: Just so you’ll be aware, I’ve been trying to figure out where Ryan is in this game, and I told him I wanted you out to see where the information would go. I have not said that to anyone else…I promise you.

Jenne blinked and looked up at him.

Jenne: Uh oh. You said it to someone?

Kyle: Just wanted to see where the info would go, why?

Jenne: I just don’t like even seeing my name out there!

Kyle: Jenne, you’re not going anywhere.

She studied him. Was he being truthful. The plan might work at that, if Ryan passed her the information then she would know how much she could trust him as well.

Jenne: Good experiment nonetheless. What happened with it? Did he jump on board or spread it around?

Kyle: He acted really shocked actually. His reaction was basically, ‘we’ll see what we can do.’

Jenne: I wonder if he’ll tell me.

She chuckled nervously.

Jenne: Our relationship has been interesting in this game.

Kyle: Well, I was told by someone they were approached by Ryan-o for an alliance that included you and Drew.

Jenne: Well, there was a pow wow last night. I thought it was cute, so I went along with it. Drew’s li’l attempt at playing this game. Seriously, I just want to pet him for trying.

Kyle: We’ll see where Ryany Hiney stands.

Jenne couldn’t help but to laugh at that.

Jenne: Adorable! Ryany Hiney. So I was asked into that alliance but didn’t really talk to them at all, so I bolted.

Kyle smiled at her. He wondered if there was more to it than she had let on, but things seem to add up. He didn’t know. Jenne was still a mystery in this game. But he still felt at ease about their tiff and that it could be dropped as soon as possible.

Kyle: I feel so much better. I didn’t sleep well last night.

Jenne: Why?

Kyle: Because of us. I was trying to be the big dawg and say ‘I didn’t care’, but it didn’t work.

Jenne signed and hugged him.

Jenne: I’m glad the part of Kyle I love is still here.

Kyle: Has never gone anywhere.

Jenne: Good. Relieved to hear it.

Kyle: Honestly, Jenne, I only doubted you because o fthe whole you and Taylor thing. Which Taylor was pissed at me, but he gets over stuff.

Jenne: I know you got hurt because of our relationship before. I gave him a second chance in Valentine’s Day, and he blew that. We did work stuff out right before the start of this game, but I lost my feelings for him. I wish I could forgive him and love him again.

Kyle: I know that can happen again.

Jenne: I’m trying.

Kyle: I’m glad. Just a step at a time.

They looked at each other for a long moment. This was real and it was right. Jenne was almost disappointed that she didn’t feel the need to get liquored up before bed. But Jenne had to know one more thing. Who was really on Kyle’s mind for the next boot?

Jenne: What’s up for this next vote? No one is throwing names out for it.

Kyle: I’m hearing Drew and Rami.

Jenne: I was just going to say I wanted an R Twin to go. Rami don’t talk to me here.

Kyle: He doesn’t talk to anyone.

Jenne: I don’t want Drew to go. He’s my Steve 2.0

Kyle: I don’t really either. I like Drew, and he does try.

Jenne: I think his new alliance is cute. Jon told you about it, huh?

Kyle cringed. He didn’t want to lie, but he was going to have to account for someone in that group and Jon was the only one that had told him.

Jenne: You don’t have to answer that.

Kyle: I don’t want to get Jon in trouble.

Jenne: He’s a cute kid. He seems sorta lost out here. But anyway I sorta knew

They hugged tightly, and called it a night. Hopefully the end of stressful times for this game. Much had been laid out on the table and a new trust had been built. Both of them would rest more easily that night.

[Host Kyle]

But before Kyle could finally turn in for one peaceful night of sleep, Ryan was waiting for him. It was odd to see him out so late. He had already guaranteed himself an immunity idol. He must’ve been burning the midnight oil of strategy.

Ryan: I’ve got some good news depending on how you take it.

Kyle: Ok, what’s up?

Ryan: I ended up in a voting alliance today.

So Kyle knew this. Now the truth was going to come. Hopefully all the notes would coincide.

Kyle: And?

Ryan: The way I look at it is…it’s more numbers to do some dirty work with. That’s all, just wanted you to know what’s up.

Kyle: Who?

Ryan: Drew, Jon, and Jenne.

There was the money shot. Right on the money.

Kyle: So who are we looking for the boot?

Ryan: I personally would like to take out someone from the big voting block…the whole Chris, JoJo, Taylor, Lis group. In my opinion.

Kyle: Who of those are vulnerable?

Ryan: All but JoJo right now.

Kyle: Could we get the numbers?

Ryan: There are you, me, Jenne, Jon, Drew…that’s five. Only need three others. Plus we could pull in whoever they plan to vote off.

Kyle: Jenne will be a hard sell for Chris.

Ryan: So we go after Taylor or Lis.

Kyle: Jenne will be a hard sell for Taylor, too. Not sure about Lis We can check around for that, but I’m wanting to lay low since I caused such a commotion with the Tenzil vote.
Ryan: We could easily play it off as Elisabeth doesn’t talk to anyone.

Elisabeth was a good enough counter target for Kyle. He had no real connection with her and it would be a safe fight between her and Rami. In all actuality, he’d rather Elisabeth go.

But at last the time had come. The time to put an end to a most interesting day had finally arrived. Kyle was practically numb when he dropped into his bed that evening, and he was asleep before he even hit the pillow.

Jenne fell asleep just as quickly and slept the entire night without stirring.

Ryan lay in bed thinking and thinking, wondering, adding, strategizing. Now was the time to strike for a big threat. He had immunity. What would it hurt him?

Chrsitopher lay in bed thinking of his opponents. He liked them. He loved them. He didn’t care for some of them. He talked to everyone. How could he not? It kept him on top of all camp dynamics. He had favorites, he had givens, he had real live buddies. It was most definitely going to be an interesting game, and he would do what he needed to do regardless.

“I've really enjoyed getting to know Kyle. In fact, of all the new people I've met in this game, he's one of my favorites.

He's smart, funny, well-read, easy to talk to...and I enjoy the strategy sessions - even if we both hold our cards close sometimes.

Kyle is definitely someone I would like to see in the Final 9. I like talking to him, and I enjoy having him around.” – Christopher

He meant it, but Kyle was a threat. Then there was Missie. As big a threat and possible nuisance she was, he rather enjoyed her company.

“So...the biggest shocker to me in this game has to be...

...Missie!

I had heard so many terrible things about the woman that I was convinced I would hate her. I thought she was a horrendous, heinous bitch...and I loved the idea of cutting her throat in this game.

Hell - she was originally supposed to be the first one out...but she got Immunity, saving her butt.

The incredible thing is - I totally dig Missie! She's a hoot and a half. Missie & I have quite a bit more in common than I expected - we're both the wild-children of our seasons...we both like to party...and she's got a bawdy sense of humor (something that took a bit of getting used to - but now I love it).

Anyway - Missie is definitely somebody I would like to see get far in this game. Unless she does something really shady to me, I will have her back as long as I can.” – Christopher

Missie would most definitely be useful for the next few votes of the game. She was good to keep around.

Christopher smiled at his own cunning. He knew how to work everyone around them and took great pride in it. Even when it came to his close…personal…friends…

Jenne was an interesting sort to play a game with. He had known her for so long now and had actually met her through this alternate Survivor universe, but they had never played a game together. It was an experience to say the least.

“Jenne & I had a bit of a tiff last night.

I adore her - she's a close friend in real life. We hang out, we drink together, we go to parties together, we've known each others boyfriends (well, now ex-boyfriends)...she's just been an amazing support to me.

But...and here's the "but"...we've never played a game together before. And suddenly, it's become a little tough. Because I totally have Jenne's back - I listen to her, I support her, I tell her everything.

But today...when I was trying to talk about Beth lying to me, and why I voted for Tenzil...well, she has no ear for me. I'm not saying she needs to support my decisions - but when a friend is sharing their frustrations - you listen.

And she didn't do that for me. And I called her out on it. And she freaked out.

So we had a bit of a falling out.

But…we worked it out.

One of the benefits of being "true" friends in a game like this is that resolution isn't far from the issue. We love each other too much not to make things better.

Jenne's my girl.” – Christopher

Yes, Christopher’s hand was firmly on the pulse of the game. Besides those he had contemplated, he had Jake and JoJo and Elisabeth who he knew would never turn on him.

If he could get past this next vote where he knew the young guns of the game were going to try so foolishly to plaster a target on his back.

Ryan Appel had adequately fallen into the category of people Christopher had enjoyed, but now he was trying to pull this? And upon himself and JoJo of all people remaining in the game?

“Jake just told me something big.

Ryan is trying to get me out. Yup...that little f**ker is after me. Apparently he wants to break up the perceived Season 1 Alliance.

THERE ARE TWO OF US! How on earth are Jojo & I the biggest threats in this game?

Well, hehe...we probably are, but regardless - that little f**ker is going down. If he thinks I am going to let him punt my ass out of this game, he's got a few more thinks coming.

f**ker.

Hooo boy. And here I thought these next few days would be simple - vote Rami out and be done with it. Boring for the audience, but easy for us.

Right?

Wrong.

First Beth lied to me. Then Jenne & I had our tiff. And now...Kyle & Jenne are having a full-blown fight.

And I do mean full-blown. This is NOT going to resolve itself until one of them votes the other out. They are seriously hating on each other...and both are out for blood.

I dunno how this is gonna end. I like them both. It sucks.” – Christopher

Christopher sighed as he stared up at the dark ceiling. Things were getting fun. A part of him was nervous, but he had always trumped through. He never let anyone get him before he could defend himself. This would not be different.

He slowly faded off to sleep with this assurance…

Similarly, Jake lay in bed, thinking. If the season one people were being targeted, surely it would be JoJo and Christopher before himself. They were of a higher profile, and Jake Erickson was more commonly known for his role in Halloween.

The danger wasn’t real…yet.

Now he was just proud of not having to really lift a finger thus far.

Who was worried about Jake?

“Well, it certainly has been an interesting couple of days.

Now only 15 of us remain, and I'm going strong. Seven idols have already been taken, so I probably won't end up with immunity at the next vote, but I can handle that. I won't deny that I'm probably a big target, but I'm confident that I can pull through. Only a 1/8 chance, right?

I have suggested Rami as a boot, something I'm actually fairly sure will happen. I don't think he has enough friends to save himself, so if I get the momentum going for him to go soon, we can vote him out.

I'm edging closer and closer to the end again.

I still haven't broken a sweat.” – Jake

Sleep came quickly…

[Host Kyle]

Day 11

By mid morning of the next day, Ashley Miller had chanced upon an open hut, thus securing herself three more days on the island. This left only three huts for a space of ten hours. Missie, Kyle, and Jake hung around the huts religiously that morning hoping to secure themselves as well. Others were in and out but more concerned with strategy and other matters than immuning themselves.

Since JoJo Treadwell and Jenne Lotz were both safe, they had the entire day to relax, they enjoyed an early lunch together. Jenne was feeling much better after the rough day she had before, and there was no other person besides JoJo she wanted to share the good news, vent from her chest, and plot for the remainder of the game.

Jenne: Chris and I are cool now.

JoJo put a hand to her chest and exhaled a breath of relief.

JoJo: Oh, good! I knew you would.

Jenne: But Kyle and I had a huge fight the other night. Like massive.

JoJo had already known but she didn’t let on.

JoJo: Oh no! You will be ok too? Kyle told me earlier that he feels smeared.

Jenne: I was so upset after it. I didn’t think we were friends anymore it was so bad.

JoJo: I can’t believe it would come to that. You two care for each other.

Jenne: Well, he came to me yesterday, and we were able to straighten it out.

JoJo: Good! I don’t want you upset in this silly game. You are way too sweet.

Jenne: Which is why I get hurt and upset.

JoJo: Makes me want to hug you.

Jenne smiled, then pressed on to other important matters, like the brewing alliance among the camp teenagers.

Jenne: So, I was approached by the Lollipop Guild and am in this new alliance, by the way. Drew is getting cute. I think it’s adorable, his attempt at playing this game. He pulled in me and Jon and Ryan—the weirdest assortment on earth. Then Jon goes crying to his daddy Kyle about it. So Kyle asked me about it.

JoJo chuckled.

JoJo: That’s a cute alliance.

Jenne: The alliance just makes me chortle. I am just playing along, keeping tabs on the kids.

JoJo: So Kyle is Jon’s daddy?

Jenne rolled her eyes and leaned back.

Jenne: Jon feels indebted to Kyle for “saving” him. I’m personally hoping for a Rami boot this time around.

JoJo: Drew mentioned Rami. Honestly, I forgot Rami was still here.

Jenne: I want an R Twin gone. Ryan is more interesting of the two and he is immune. Chris said something about himself coming under attack?

JoJo shrugged, a troubled look washing across her face.

JoJo: Jake once said he thought Ryan proposed Chris early on.

Jenne: He’s the biggest dog left. I’m surprised we are first hearing about it, but it’s like what army could pull it off? The only person left in this game who could pull it off would be Kyle, and his time for that is dwindling.

JoJo: He’s so nervous and paranoid.

Jenne: At this point the winner is gonna be Chris or Kyle.

JoJo: Big ol’ worker bees that they are.

Jenne: The charming blonde versus the paranoid Texan.

JoJo raised a finger in the air.

JoJo: But cuties!

Shortly after lunch a scream emitted down by the beach and echoed around the resort as Missie Bird happened into the fifth immunity hut. Her hands clutching the idol tightly she shrieked as she ran out across the sand.

Missie: This idol is mine!

Beth Sowles was there to congratulate her. There were only two idols left, but Beth couldn’t be bothered. Instead she tended to Missie for a good portion of the day, feeling her out.

Missie: d**n kids need to go!

Beth: Heck, yes! I’ve only talked to Rami twice the entire game.

Missie: The teens may or may not have a little clique that I will refer to as 90210.

Beth: How many teens are left in the game?

Missie: Ryan, Jake, Drew, Rami, Isaac, Ashley, and Lis. And Jon.

Beth: Too many. Are there any of them that we like and/or trust? I like Isaac from what I’ve talked with him.

Missie smiled. She had hoped Beth would say that.

Missie: Me, too. I like him.

Beth: I like who he thinks should go.

Beth and Missie had both found an understanding in one another, but Beth also liked that the “other side” was ready to get rid of Rami Ghoener. It was just like handing her the map to the end of the game.

Missie could not help but run straight to Isaac and tell him the good news of their present placement in the game. After the first tribal council, neither one of them were feeling too secure without immunity, but they were gaining allies left and right. Not only had Chris and Kyle raved about Isaac, now Beth was too, and Missie was excited to pass on the information.

Missie: You are gold in this game! Both Chris and Kyle adore you. So do Beth and I. You are good.

Isaac: I’m ok for now. Being gold can’t hurt. Just to let you know, I’m loyal to you foremost. Then Kyle. I have no other real alliance with anyone.

Missie: I’m the same actually. You then Kyle and Chris I think.

Isaac: I like Chris ok. We still need to be careful, though, if everyone gets to talking about liking us.

Missie agreed, but for now they were feeling really well.

Later that afternoon, JoJo walked down to the beach where two immunity huts awaited two remaining, lucky castaways. Kyle and Jake were there waiting patiently, watching, trying the huts, pacing, sitting.

JoJo had wanted to check in with Jake but ambled aimlessly as if she was bored, greeting both him and Kyle.

It was no secret on the whole island that Missie had nabbed the immunity, and Jake was a bit irritated.

Jake: Has Missie had immunity every time? Darn that woman! Wasn’t she supposed to be the first boot for like…a year? Everyone was like, ‘Missie first, Missie first!’ Blah, blah, blah! She’s still here!

JoJo shrugged.

JoJo: For me. I think most people like her.

Kyle agreed silently as he listened in. He was gaining more and more trust in her. But he trusted those sitting near him at the moment as much or more. He smiled at JoJo before Jake turned to him.

Jake: Anyone in particular you want to vote for tomorrow?

Kyle: I personally want to see someone who’s hard to pin down.

Jake: I’m thinking Rami.

Kyle: He is most definitely one that is hard to pin down. I’m cool with that.

Jake: He’s never talked to me, and I’m worried about the Rami/Ryan thing.

Kyle: I’ll go with Rami.

Jake: I think most people will.

Jake looked up and winked at JoJo, pleased that more would cut off Rami before Christopher. It would seem to Jake that the pending threat against Chris was just an empty threat. They simply didn’t have the power.

Right before Kyle won the sixth mini immunity idol, JoJo headed away to mingle with other allies, nosing around, keeping on top of the current happenings. She and Christopher took a walk on the beach, a concern clouding JoJo’s thoughts and certainty.

All the talk about Kyle being able to pull something off, she was worried something would happen under their noses. Then there was the question he had asked the other night. “Will you help me against Jenne?”

She had thought and thought about what he could possibly mean between merely asking for protection or trying to collect numbers to actually vote her off.

She hesitated saying anything as they walked but could contain it no longer.

JoJo: Not sure if you can possibly keep this to yourself, but Kyle asked me if I’d work with him against Jenne. Then he dismissed himself to bed, and I ran like hell! I was planning on keeping this to myself since they fought, then kissed and made up.

Christopher jerked his head over to her as they walked.

Christopher: Wow! When was that? I will keep it quiet.

JoJo: The other night, in between them fighting and them making nice.

Christopher: Interesting. He is a black widow, isn’t he?

JoJo looked at him, making no mistake.

JoJo: It was in between them fighting and making up.

Christopher: What do you make of it?

JoJo scoffed.

JoJo: As if I would vote against Jenne!

Christopher: He probably has no clue you even know her.

JoJo: He trusts Beth more out of the two of them.

Christopher: It is so weird that people trust her more when she is the shadiest of of all of us. I dig her, but she needs to cut that crap out. I think she just has a people pleasing problem.

JoJo: Well, I can relate. But she’s ultimately gotta choose.

Christopher: If she wants to vote differently, it’s cool by me. Just don’t lie. None of us are gonna give her crap about it—our group is very adult.

JoJo nodded. So many ways to go, so long left in the game. When Christopher excused himself back to the resort, JoJo continued on, walking, thinking, reflecting.

“In terms of the cast:

Beth and Jenne: Love them both, and hope to continue working with them. At the same time I wouldnt be overly shocked if one or both of them turn on me. I'd see it as part of the game and wouldn't be too upset. Well, maybe a bit.

Chris: He is now targeted for the first time and that in a sense targets me. If I'm 100% loyal to anyone though, its Mr. Christopher. I love him and this game is so much more fun to play with him after having gotten to know him for a year. I remember season one. I loved him but didn't know him well. I would be extremely surprised if Chris turned on me. I trust him completely. If he did, THAT would hurt.

Jake: He's such a good boy. So nice to work with and chat with and yet so honest with me. He told me once he felt like I was unbeatable and today he said he feels worried about being loyal to so many. We shook hands and said no hard feelings if you have to vote me out. LOVE HIM.....thats what a game like this is all about.

Missie: Dang girl, you are winning me over. Stop that! hee hee I'd still like her gone sooner than later, but I have to admit its nice having her around.

Ryan: Calling us Jory, working 6 million different alliances and then targeting my Chris? Oh hell no, buddy. You think I'm all quiet and sweet? Don't even go there with my Chris or you shall surely see mama's wrath. And dangit, I liked you a few days ago too!!

Ashley/Rami: I'm obviously not part of your strategy, so its almost time I stop initiating conversations with you. If I have personally offended either of you I hope I will understand when the episodes air. I'm going with the "she's a mom" theory, that we have little in common.

Isaac/Drew: Sorry, but we haven't had much use for each other either in this game. The challenge was fun when we played family feud though. Its weird how I expected Isaac and I to get along after he posted on season one's board that I was his favorite...then we have this discussion about me being Jewish, and no more Isaac. Nah, thats my old chip on the shoulder....I'm just gonna go with the theory that we are working with different people. I do appreciate when Isaac and I talk that he always asks how I'm doing, outside of game discussion.

Jon: You have endeared yourself to me a bit more over the past few days, but if Lindsay/Michelle sent you after me like they did with Thomas in my Quest game, I will have to get pissy. At this point I'm neutral about you. I'll let Jenne tell me more about what you say in the Jon/Drew/Ryan/ *Jenne* alliance before I decide.

Kyle: Instant connection, but as I said in my last post I don't feel important enough for him in this stage of the game. We shall see.

Taylor: I like him. He seems worried about the game a lot and we haven't really had a chance to talk serious. But we started a bit this weekend, and I wouldn't mind working with Taylor if it comes to that.

Liz: Totally adorable but I rarely see her. I think our love for Chris will likely keep us bonded for the time being.” – JoJo

Christopher hurried as fast as his feet could take him to the main resort. Jenne wasn’t in her hut, so she had apparently overcome the depression the previous couple of nights the game had sent her to, what with Tenzil’s dismal, her fight with Christopher, and her fight with Kyle.
She had definitely seemed in better spirits…

Jenne was currently warning Drew about other dangers, ever attempting to reel him more closely to her side.

Jenne: Apparantly Jon ratted out our alliance and named us all.

Drew flinched and looked at her with wide eyes.

Drew: That just pisses me off! Should I be writing my final words now?

Jenne: Stop that! I won’t even let you talk like that!

Drew: My only chance now is the last idol.

Jenne: Better we know we can’t rely on Jon than go on blindly, right?

Drew: True, but if my name got out there as to being in an alliance, then I’m screwed.

Jenne: It’s not out there. It only went to one person. As far as I know, it stayed there. I’m hoping for a Rami boot.

Drew: Who’d it go to?

Jenne: Kyle.

Drew: Kyle talked to me today at the beach and didn’t mention a thing.

Jenne: He asked me about the alliance and I was able to pinpoint Jon as the linke fast!

Drew: It could have been Ryan.

Jenne: When Kyle told me he heard about the alliance, he listed everyone’s name but Jon’s, so I sorta called him on it, and he admitted it.

Drew: What did you tell him??

Jenne: That we pow wowed. If Jon already told him, it wasn’t going to make things better about lying. Kyle doesn’t want you gone, though—or any of us. I doubt he will do anything about it, he has bigger fish to fry. I’m pushing Rami anywhere I can, and Kyle seemed to be on that page.

And before she could finish, Christopher approached and stood off in the distance. Jenne noticed him before Drew did and quickly diverted his attention. As nicely as she could, she sent Drew away then took her moment with Christopher. It looked very urgent, and Jenne didn’t like urgent.

Christopher: Babe!

Jenne: What’s up?

Christopher: I promised I wouldn’t say anything, so don’t mention this…

He looked around quickly, then leaned in closely.

Christopher: Kyle wants you out—after you guys made up.

Jenne: No, he wants you out.

Christopher: He wants both of us out, but he is going to try and get you out! He started mentioning something—not to me—right after you guys made up.

Jenne blinked and shook her head. It couldn’t be true. They had just sincerely and honestly made up.

Jenne: He told me he told Ryan he wanted me out way earlier to see where the information would go.

Christopher stood, shaking his head firmly.

Christopher: It is Kyle. I think he and Ryan are closer than we think, and if Kyle manages Missie, I will leave tomorrow. You will have to get immunity all the time if I leave.

Jenne felt her face burning.

Jenne: You ain’t goin’. I won’t let you.

Christopher: I really might.

Jenne: How’d you find out Kyle wants me gone?

Christopher looked around once more.

Christopher: Keep this quiet. She doesn’t want to get in trouble with him, but she told me so I could ferrit it out. He told JoJo, and I know he wants JoJo on his side bad. I think he means it.

Jenne took a deep breath, but she could no longer feel inside. She could only fume.

Jenne: This is most upsetting.

Christopher: I know it, babe. He and Ryan—next two.

Jenne: Sounds good to me.

Christopher: I wish one of them wasn’t immune.

Jenne: Kyle must die. Ryan must die.

Christopher: I know it, babe.

Christopher left her with that. She was beside herself—even after they had made up, Kyle was still coming after her, guns blazing. Why? Kyle was not supposed to have this much power!

“Kyle was my friend. But I guess that knife of his is coming straight at me now. What a load of crap. Kyle likes to say this is a game, and not life and death. And I agree. But we are on opposite ends as to what that means to us. I see it as this game not meaning shit next to those I love. That this game is no fun at all if my friends go and that winning is meaningless. He sees it as it’s just a game so if you target and remove your friends, its just strategy not personal. Whatever side you are on, who cares? Kyle isn’t evil for what he is doing. His priorities are just wacky. I think he’s battling his oedipal complex big time out here. His proverbial daddy must die so he can f**k his mother. Sick twisted shit, eh? Heh. Well Kyle wants me gone. Kyle wants Chris gone. Ain’t that sweet of him? Ain’t he a grand friend? Ain’t he a lying sack of shit? Ain’t he such a big bad Survivor player? Ain’t his penis so big now?
I cared ‘bout him and I was his friend, but if he plays like this I’m just so disappointed in him, and really wish I hadn’t played. But I’m here now. And I’m not gonna let him get away with his shit. He’s not as good at this game as he thinks he is. And he is slipping. He’s telling too many people the wrong things, and it will cost him. He never should have f**ked with me. He should have realized he needed me to get far in this game. He should realize that by targeting me will only lead to his own demise. F**ker shoulda learned his lesson last time. GET IN, SIT DOWN, AND SHUT THE f**k UP! But that is neither here nor there. He has made his bed, and now the shithead can lie in it.” – Jenne

Before she could even get out of the main resort, Taylor was upon her. Word had been traveling quickly and he wanted to make sure his number one lady was on top of everything.

Taylor: Well, Ryan is at it again.

Jenne didn’t think she could stand to hear anymore, but at this point, what did it matter? She was past hurt. She was furious. All these powerless twits were trying to throw their lightweight around—it was laughable.

She merely groaned.

Jenne: Uh oh, what now?

Taylor: Seems he has an alliance of Drew, Isaac, Rami, and himself.

Jenne shifted irritably on her feet and rubbed her head.

Jenne: You told me this the other day.

Taylor: He now has a side one of Jon, Kyle, Rami, and himself.

Jenne: He has one with me, too. You hear that one yet?

Taylor shook his head and waved it off.

Taylor: Oh, it gets better. He’s targeting Chris and I.

Jenne: What?

Jenne looked down thoughtfully. The rumor mill had a way with words and she suddenly wondered where Taylor had been given his information. Ryan was allegedly targeting season one people—where Taylor had fallen in the lineup was something else.

Jenne couldn’t be bothered with the details. She just rolled her eyes.

Jenne: Dumbass.

Taylor: Here’s the problem. If he targets Chris, Chris may go. Kyle doesn’t like Chris.

Jenne: They’d have to get everybody. Kyle, Rami, Ryan, Isaac, Jon, Drew, Ashley, and Missie. Only person who could pull it off is Kyle, and he could do it. And startling news…Kyle wants me gone…bad. Kyle must die.

She paused to smile sweetly at Taylor. Taylor frowned.

Taylor: Wonderful.

Jenne: Apparantly the moment after we “made up”, he launched the “vote Jenne out” campaign.

Taylor: Well, he can’t do anything tomorrow but vote me off.

Jenne shook her head vigorously.

Jenne: I think the Rami votes are there. Gonna be close. Chris may go, I don’t know. If he goes, I’m sure to follow. Missie needs to know Kyle wants her gone. He’s using her and she needs to be made aware of it.

Taylor: Should I talk to her?

Jenne: I don’t know. As of now I think we have the eight Rami votes, but it’d be nice to have some cushion.

Taylor: You realize Missie wants you gone as well.

Jenne: Missie still wants me gone?

Taylor: As of the last time I talked to her.

Jenne: I knew she did before, but Kyle told me she changed her mind about me. Who knows! Crap this is such a mess!

Jenne paused briefly to collect herself, holding her hands before her. She took a deep breath.

Jenne: Rami goes now. Kyle next, then Ryan.

Taylor: Wait until after Ryan to take Kyle out. We won’t need Missie then.

Jenne: I want him gone, Taylor.

Taylor: Missie won’t vote for Kyle.

Jenne: Don’t matter!

Taylor : Yes it does !

Jenne: I have Drew!

Taylor: It would be a tie!

Jenne: I know you want to keep Kyle—he’s your buddy. But he put a target on me. He needs to go.

Taylor: Jenne, you don’t get it. We are handing this game over to the teens.

Jenne crossed her arms stubbornly and narrowed her eyes at Taylor.

Jenne: If I’m not immune, I’m not budging on this. Kyle started this, not me! If Kyle wanted you gone next would you want to keep him around an extra week?

Taylor: But Kyle doesn’t have the votes!

Jenne: I’m nervous Taylor!

Taylor: Fine! We’ll get rid of Kyle next, but don’t expect me to vote for him! I’m not ruining friendships!

Jenne: He’s the one who is targeting me, Taylor! I didn’t want this to happen!

Taylor: Tenzil targeted me—

Jenne: He’s gone!

Taylor: …and you didn’t vote for him if I remember!

Jenne: Honestly, Tenzil didn’t really target you, Taylor!

Taylor laughed and crossed his arms.

Taylor: Please!

Jenne: He never tried to plan your boot. He wasn’t campaigning your exit. Kyle is campaigning mine! “Friends” ha!

Taylor: You’re asking me to do the same thing you wouldn’t do.

Jenne: Taylor, do whatever you want, I don’t care! I already lost one friend in this game!

They paused for a moment, both heaving. Even passersby had stopped to gawk. Their discussion had not been done discreetly, but at the moment neither cared. Taylor swallowed and continued on more calmly.

Taylor: I want you here, but I want you to realize that when I vote Kyle off, I’m doing something that you wouldn’t do for me.

Jenne: Tenzil wasn’t plotting against you.

Taylor: I don’t care.

Jenne turned away dramatically, willing away the tears that were welling up once again. She thought she had made it past that stage.

Jenne: I can’t believe Kyle is doing this to me, putting me in this position! Don’t vote for Kyle! You didn’t last time!

Taylor: Because I didn’t know the vote was going his way…remember?

Jenne: Let him plot my demise! Like friends do in this game, I guess!

Taylor took her by the arms and forced her to face him. He looked at her squarely in the eyes.

Taylor: I will not let him vote you off. Ok?

Jenne: Promise? I feel like Kyle is backing me into a corner with this.

Taylor: I just want you to realize that you are asking me to do something for you that you wouldn’t do for me.

Jenne: You are right, Taylor. I can’t ask you to do this. I can’t ask you to choose between friends, it’s not fair of me. I’m just so upset since hearing this about Kyle. My opinion of him has just been shattered.

Taylor: Jenne, I have known you for a long time—longer than Kyle. But it would break his heart if I voted for him. You don’t know what Kyle has told me, outside of the game, the trust he has placed in me.

Jenne: He’s playing hard, targeting me. It’s shameful. Drag him along if you want.

Taylor: I won’t vote against Kyle, but I will make sure he leaves. I promise you that.

[Host Kyle]

It sounded good coming from Taylor, but it wasn’t enough for Jenne. Kyle needed to go as soon as possible, and she was going to rally support for herself wherever she could. She went to find Drew immediately since she had dimissed him earlier.

Jenne: Drew I have to ask you something.

He looked up at her oddly. Her demeaner had done a one-eighty in the past hour since they had last talked.

Drew: Sure, what’s up?

Jenne: I’ve heard there is a group out there trying to target me, and you are in it. I don’t want to believe it!

He gasped audibly.

Drew: I haven’t heard a thing, and oh my gosh you don’t believe that do you?

Jenne: I have heard you have an alliance with Ryan, Rami, and Isaac. I didn’t believe it so that’s why I wanted to talk to you.

Drew: I can’t stand Rami! You know that! Who was telling you that?

Jenne: Well, it’s confusing. I also heard that Ryan has an alliance with Jon, Kyle, and Rami, too. Jon is Kyle’s li’l puppy now. Seriously, crap is flying everywhere.

Drew sank down at a table nearby and buried his face.

Drew: I’m screwed.

Jenne: I don’t think so. I heard Ryan is the one targeting me.

Drew: I think Ryan needs to go quickly!

Jenne: I think that alliance you tried to put together is meaningless! Jon and Ryan have no intention of working with us. Ryan loses footing without Rami, so I think Rami is a good choice for tomorrow.

Drew: This game is horrible as far as backstabbing.

Jenne: Getting fun, huh?

Drew: I want you in the final two with me.

Jenne paused. She would need to agree if she wanted their working relationship to continue. She quickly thought of how she could commit without actually “committing.” Misleading was probably the more appropriate word.

Jenne: Do you think we can pull it off? I think I’ll feel a lot better if you and I get through the next two votes. I’m having a hard time trusting Kyle now, after our big fight. We sorta made up, but I feel like he’s working his own angles. I know Missie trusts him for some reason, and he’s telling everyone else he wants her gone. He’s doing that with a lot of people, gaining their trust then turning to others to plan their boots.

Drew: I think we need to get a solid alliance going if we plan to go far.

Jenne: I don’t trust anyone enough to be in an alliance at this point. Look what happened last time! Who do you trust, Drew, enough to align with? I don’t trust anyone. Kyle, someone I cared about, is out there plotting my demise.

Drew: Beth.

Jenne: Yes. Beth, totally.

Drew: We need to ask her. And I think JoJo may join.

Jenne: I’d trust her too. I guess there are some left.

Drew: Well, then, I think I will start a meeting. That ok with you?

Jenne: Yes, sir! Start away.

Drew: Should I just go straight up and propose an alliance. Sorry for kinda taking charge.

Jenne smiled and patted his arm.

Jenne: No, it’s fine. I think this works for us pretty good!

Drew: I think so, too.

Drew nodded toward the front of the resort quickly, and Jenne followed him out. He was going to save Jenne from all this mess if it was the last thing he did.

Beth and JoJo weren’t anywhere to be found, so Drew and Jenne parted for a bit to find them, regroup, calm their thoughts. Jenne went to lay down for a bit. Drew still needed to work.

He hunted down Ryan as quickly as he could. Drew was appalled that Ryan would so soon go against him, so he would contront him immediately.

Drew: I heard a rumor that you had an alliance with Kyle, Rami, and Taylor. Is this true?

Ryan: No!

Drew crossed his arms and looked at him skeptically.

Ryan: Honestly, I’m not working with Kyle, Rami, or Taylor. I’ve been trying to pull Kyle in for votes though.

Ryan looked at him for a moment.

Ryan: Who’s spreading it, if you don’t mind me asking?

Drew: I heard Jenne say that she heard from someone that me, you, Rami, Taylor, and Kyle were trying to get her out.

Ryan shrugged.

Ryan: I haven’t heard her name once this season.

Drew: I know, that’s why I was surprised.

Ryan: Plus, I don’t form alliances with people I plan to get rid of.

Drew: If you haven’t heard, Jon ran his mouth about the alliance.

Ryan did react at that.

Ryan: What?

Drew: He told Kyle about it.
Ryan: Are you serious? Can we get Kyle in on it? We need to make it clear that we don’t invite others in or even talk about it unless the whole group is an ok. Hopefully Kyle hasn’t told anyone yet.

Drew: I don’t think he has.

Ryan: So, who are you thinking for TC?

Drew: I’ve only heard one name. Rami. Everyone I’ve talked to is going to vote him.

Ryan: I still want to break up the power alliance sometime soon though.

Drew: I know, but I don’t think the season one people are in a power alliance. Jake and JoJo never speak to each other.

Ryan: I’m thinking more along the lines of Chris and JoJo, plus Taylor and Lis.

Drew: I want Taylor gone as soon as possible. You know that.

Ryan: Something that I find as proof that Elisabeth is with them is that she’s been vulnerable every time, she doesn’t talk to anyone, and her name has never been mentioned. So, if we tell Rami he is gone if he doesn’t vote with us—

Drew: I don’t have a problem with him getting voted out. I don’t like him, and he doesn’t like me.

Ryan: So we shouldn’t push Lis?

Drew: No, I think Rami is going to have to be the vote. Just so we don’t burn any bridges yet. Go with the flow until we hear something we don’t like.

Ryan nodded, and they parted in agreement, but he couldn’t have Rami voted out. That whole group of season people plus Taylor and Elisabeth were most definintely a strong alliance in his eyes. He needed to take a stab at getting one of Christopher, Taylor, or Elisabeth out the next night.

Rami needed to be saved.

Taylor had some business to take care of that day. He was more than upset that Kyle had put him in such a position. As a matter of fact he was irate. There was no reason in the world why Kyle needed to react the way he was, pitting friends against one another, pointing his targets at whoever crossed his paths.

Taylor banged on his door urgently Kyle. Kyle answered shortly, oddly enough, not out plotting the demise of everyone in the game. In fact, he had been taking it easy for the better part of the day, relaxing in his immunity win.

Kyle: What’s up?

Kyle noticed Taylor’s glare right off. Taylor brushed him aside and let himself in the hut.

Taylor: Apparantly a lot.

Sighing, Kyle shut the door and followed him in to the seating area.

Kyle: What’d I do now?

Taylor: I think you know.

Kyle paused thoughtfully. He ran down his most recent events: he had made up with Jenne, he had slept soundly, he had won immunity.

Kyle: No, I really don’t think I do.

Taylor: Kyle, I know you were trying to target Jenne.

It was almost hilarious. Kyle knew exactly who had told him, but he thought he’d gander a guess anyway.

Kyle: And who told you that?

Taylor: Enough people.

Enough people. The proof was in the pudding.

Kyle: Let’s see…I told Ryan, and I told Jenne. Why does this even piss you off anyway?

Taylor: Because you’re putting me in a situation that I don’t want to be in. I would rather not have to choose between the two of you.

Kyle: Have I ever told you that I want Jenne out? No. If I did want her out, I would tell you because you are my ally.

Taylor: Well, apparently I don’t feel that way.

Kyle: I told a couple people that to see where the information would go, and now I have my answer. Who are the “enough people” that told you?

Taylor: I had enough people…I don’t wanna say. Sorry, Kyle.

Kyle: We are allies…I can’t help you if I don’t know.

Taylor: I’m guessing they all heard it from one—

Kyle: I just want some names, that’s all I want.

Taylor: Jenne heard it. Chris heard you were targeting him and I.

Kyle: This is laughable!

He actually did turn and laugh.

Kyle: If everyone likes me so much as everyone keeps telling me, why am I getting smeared?

Taylor: Because Jenne feels like you are targeting her, and you know how she is.

Kyle: Well, if I can’t get my friends to trust me, then I won’t even try anymore.

Taylor: Kyle, I trust you—

Kyle: I will just sit back, shut up, and watch the game go by.

Taylor: I just don’t want you to overplay—

Kyle: I’m NOT!

Taylor backed away a bit, holding his hand out to calm him.

Taylor: I don’t think you are, but others do.

Kyle: I get Tenzil out and now I’m overplaying?

Taylor: Kyle, I believe you…

He turned and headed for the door.

Taylor: I need to go.

Kyle said nothing as Taylor headed for the door. He only crossed his arms and watched him. Taylor turned back when he reached the door.

Taylor: Ok?

Kyle shrugged.

Taylor: I trust you, and I’m still working with you. Don’t shoot the messenger.

Kyle: You don’t trust me or you wouldn’t attack me all the time.

Taylor: Kyle, this isn’t me attacking you, this is me advising you. If you want to see me attack you, look at the final four episode of Valentine’s Day. I attack Jenne and Beth. Not you.

Kyle: Yet the advice comes cramming down my throat.

Taylor: Because I hear what people are saying!

Kyle: See, that’s where the problem is! It’s always “people”! It’s never specifics.

Taylor: If you want specifics, talk to me tomorrow.

Kyle chuckled and turned away. If he couldn’t slip in specifics now then he’d rather Taylor not waste his time. Everything was getting ridiculous.

Kyle: It’s whatever…I don’t care anymore. I probably won’t even come out tomorrow until TC.

Taylor: Fine then. Don’t. I want to sort this out, really. But you’re not helping.

Kyle: I’m just floored. I haven’t targeted a single person but Tenzil, and suddenly I’m overplaying!

Taylor approached him quickly.

Taylor: That’s not what Jenne and Chris and JoJo and Jake and Lizzie think. So there! You want names? There you go!

If that wasn’t the writing on the wall, Kyle didn’t know what was. Kyle knew exactly where the information came from. If he had any guess, Jenne took what he had told her and ran with it. Ryan possibly had nothing to do with it at all. So, his little “test” had worked.

Taylor paused, but Kyle didn’t say anything. He just stared.

Taylor: Kyle, I want to work with you. But you are being very hard to deal with.

Kyle only stared quietly.

Taylor: I have to go.

Kyle: Bye.

Taylor: Please don’t be upset. We’ll talk tomorrow.

Kyle shrugged. Taylor hesitated for a moment, but then left. It occurred to him as he did that it might not be the way he had initially thought. Maybe something invisible was going on that he didn’t know about.
Standing there quietly, Kyle didn’t go after Taylor, call him back, or even find it within himself to care. Taylor was going to believe anything Jenne told him, and if Christopher was dropping him lines to bite, then Kyle was astonished. Kyle and Taylor had discussed Christopher’s sneaky game play on multiple occasions, and for Taylor to believe it…

Kyle just…couldn’t believe it. The propaganda train was rolling.

“Fool me once, shame on you....fool me twice, sucks to be you.

That is my moto for this game. I've used it before, and it served me well, so I will try it again. One of my most prominent goals in this game is to take out the threats as they surface whether they were genuinely a threat or not. It doesn't matter. It's better safe than sorry...age old adage.

Let's have a little discussion about the dynamics of this game, shall we? Have I said enough times that I'm playing this game for me? Well, I'll throw it at ya again...I'm playing this game for me! I am a free agent and I will have allies as necessary, as the scene sees fit. A few days ago, I was itching to have Missie gone because I thought she was trying to throw some weight around. Now I want to keep her around for a few days because I feel she will benefit me. And I happen to like her.

Don't get me wrong, I've liked everyone in this game. I have nothing against anyone...period. That's just me. I'm a likeable sort, and I take joy in people of all kinds, so it's not hard for me to get along with most everyone.

But this is a game, people, and it ain't Tiddly Winks. On the same token, it's not life or death either. Which leads me to explain why I led the troups to oust Tenzil. While he is in the game, it *is* life or death to him. I know how he operates. Whether he trusted me or not is moot, he is a liability when he gets unraveled. I don't have a single bit of guilt for orchestrating that boot--anymore. Shame on those (Jenne) for trying to throw guilt on me.

Hmmmm, while we are on the subject, let's delve into it a bit more. So, Miss Jenne, decided to oppose me after all, did she? She told me if I needed to get Tenzil out, then it was my call, and she would not oppose me. Well, well, well, I do seem to recall that 6 votes showed up for Jon which means some rallying was going on, and I know that JoJo was approached to sway her vote from Tenzil. Shame on you, Jenne. You are now on my cross off list, regardless of how much I like you. Rest assured Bubbles and Buttercup will have no influence on me in this game. Taylor told me that Jenne was "hurt" because I led the charge against Tenzil when he trusted me. Big deal! Each and every one of you said you trusted me and would never betray in Valentine's Day, and look where that led me! Besides, a vote for Tenzil is not a vote for Jenne the last I recalled. So get over it. I will *not* be painted the enemy here because I am playing by my own rules. Jenne took away every person that I cared about in Valentine's Day and I was supposed to man up and stick my thumb up my butt? She actually told me--when she decided my time was up, mind you--that I needed to suck it up becuase it was a game, and only two people make it to the end....blah, blah, BLAH! Well, honey, it's time you eat what you preach. Tenzil is who I wanted gone, and I'm sorry that it didn't abide by your rules of the game. Your rules are obsolete.

Now that you have stepped up and started playing the game, opposing me at that, you have become a threat, so my rule applies. It breaks for no one, and I will *not* be swayed by guilt. So you are next on my list.

I still love you, girl, and after this game is over we will continue being the friends we came to be since we met. If not, then all will know here and now that it was your decision....and my life will go on.” – Kyle

It was then Kyle decided he was going to work to make an attempt at salvaging Rami. Rami did not deserve to go, and his leaving would only fuel Jenne’s powerbase. Jenne, Christopher—the whole dern lot of them!

Something needed to be done and quickly.

The day wore on and shortly before the twenty-forth hour of the mini idol challenge, Jake barged into the last hut with little to no competition standing around, vying for the claim. It was practically his for the taking, and he couldn’t be anymore proud what with his name making the rounds as being part of the huge season one voting block.

Taylor returned to his hut, miserable for the first time in the game. He felt pressure from all sides, and now he didn’t know what was going to happen once they removed a few people and were left with only a bunch of friends. It had already started to get nasty, and he wasn’t really certain what exactly was going on.

“Survivor Holidays All-Stars: Attack of the Teens. ( +) Kyle.

I hate this game, it makes me want to bash my f**king head in. Ryan seems to want to start shit. Kyle and Jenne are fighting, and I still can't win a d**n immunity challenge. I feel like everyone here is lying to me. Like there is this big huge plot to mess with Taylor's head and make him even more parinoid than he already is.

Kyle was really upset and wanted to get rid of Jenne a few nights ago, and I, trying to reel him back in, told him about my hidden alliance with Jenne. Which goes over like a lead balloon, because Kyle has to open his big yap to Jenne about a hidden alliance, so after Kyle competly betrays my trust. I have to deal with those two fighting.

Unfortantly, it's gone past fighting. Kyle and Ryan are trying to target Chris ( they really want to get rid of Jenne) Who is Jenne's friend. Jenne has heard that if she didn't have immunity it would be her tonight, not him. Which has lead her to want to target Kyle at the next TC.

This means that I have to choose between two friends. Two friends who are targetting each other. This vote is just the calm before the storm. Next week I have to send a person that I love home. I have to betray a friendship. I honestly don't know what to do. I have Kyle, whose told me so many personal things, and I feel like if I betray him, it's like I'm betraying his confidence in me. Which sucks because he's openned up to me, which he hasn't to many people. How can I tell him he's not a good friend, how can I tell him I'm not always here for him, how can I do that? I don't know

Then you have Jenne, who, despite all of our hardships, I love dearly. Jenne, despite never meeting her face to face is one of my best friends, one of the best I've ever had. Again, how can I betray her, when I've done it so many times before. I know she voted me off last time, and sometimes, deep down inside, I think, maybe I should get rid of her, serves her right. After all, she voted me off last time. She got rid of me when she was in this spot, why shouldn't I do it to her? I just can't steep to that level of pettiness. I can't. Which leaves me at where I am right now.

Tonight Rami will go, next week, it feels like I will be the crux vote, and it sucks so badly. Of course this all comes back to one ass.

Ryan, why does this IDIOT feel like he has to take power all the time. I mean he's making alliances left and right, targeting f**king Lizzie, Chris, and I because we are part of some sort of alliance he made up to get votes. I hope by taking Rami out tonight, it will send a message to Ryan.

Don't mess with Taylor.

I mean we all know what happened to Jamie, Angie, and Tenzil.” – Taylor

Beth Sowles waited patiently with Jenne. JoJo had said she would be right up with Drew to follow shortly. This would be an interesting meeting. Beth, perhaps, was the most curious of what all Drew would have to say.

Jenne: Kyle broke my heart.

Beth: I’m so sorry.

Jenne: How many friends can this game cost me?

Beth: I love you.

Beth hugged Jenne gently and they sat there for a moment.

Jenne: Rami tomorrow, hopefully. And if Kyle ain’t immune…

Beth: Then he goes next, but Kyle says he is voting Rami. He says he will not target you.

Jenne: Liar. When you two talked, how did the targeting thing come up? Tell me everything he said.

Beth: He said he talked to you yesterday and that you two made up. He said he was going to lay low and not target you, but that he’d mentioned voting Drew to you, but you didn’t want to vote Drew.

Jenne nodded once.

Jenne: All true.

Beth: So, he said he would vote either Rami or Drew.

Jenne smirked at that.

Jenne: He got scared and is backing down. He couldn’t get the numbers. He’s making nice to cover his ass. He told too many people the wrong info, and he’s screwed! I bet you he couldn’t get Missie to vote Chris and realized he needed to lay low, so now he’s chillin’. He blew his cover with this. He’s still toast. Here’s something to note…Kyle told me when we “made up” that he told Ryan he wanted me gone as a test. But here’s what I think…

Beth sat back on the chair to get comfortable and listen.

Jenne: Kyle told Ryan that because he did want me gone, but found out Ryan had an alliance with me and panicked, scared Ryan would tell me everything. So, to protect himself he told me first and made it like a “test” for Ryan. I know Kyle was after me.

Beth: He overplayed.

Jenne: I know for a fact, and he lied to you, scared it would get back to me. But it did get back to me by several routes, verified as fact.

Beth: Of course…Jenne is loved.

Jenne: I bet you Kyle couldn’t get Missie. That girl is key, and she likes Chris. Without her, Kyle’s plan crumbles.

[Host Kyle]

There was a harsh knock on the door, and Jenne bounded up, expecting Drew to have found JoJo. She couldn’t wait for that meeting. It would mean that Drew would be firmly cemented to her side of the long haul. As long as he felt secure the powers of Jenne, JoJo, and Beth, he would never stray.

However, she was disappointed, even anxious when she saw Taylor.

Taylor: Kyle says he’s not targeting you.

Jenne: He is lying to you! He is for a fact!

Taylor: Who is telling you this?

Jenne crossed her arms indignantly and shook her head.

Jenne: I’m not hurting anyone with this, but Kyle is targeting me. I know this. No doubts, one hundred percent, he is lying to you.

Taylor: Well, who the hell do you believe, Jenne? Kyle or some random dude?

Jenne: He couldn’t get the numbers for this vote so he’s backing down. But he was after me, Taylor. I know this for a fact.

She ran down the whole scenario that she had just explained to Beth, and Taylor listened intently.

Taylor: It does make sense.

Jenne: I’m just dying to know who Kyle is actually aligned with. Who does he want to sit with him at the final two?

Taylor: Who knows?

They came to no conclusion or agreement. Taylor was till very confused. Jenne was still very convinced. She shewed Taylor away as politely as she could before Drew and JoJo arrived.

Jenne: Hey, kiddies!

JoJo: Hi, Jenne!

Beth: Whassup with our peeps ?

Drew came in with his hands in his pockets and took center stage in the den. The ladies watched him intently.

Drew: Well, I guess I’ll get straight to the point. JoJo and Beth…both me and Jenne trust you both.

JoJo smiled and put an arm over Jenne’s shoulder. They winked at each other quickly.

JoJo: Thanks, you two.

Beth: That means a bunch to me.

JoJo: To me, too.

Drew looked at Jenne and then back to the others hopefully.

Drew: We were wondering if there wasn’t a chance for a deal to be made? Well, I shouldn’t put words in Jenne’s mouth. Truth is, this was sorta my idea.

All three of the ladies exchanged knowing glances before humoring Drew for his plans.

Beth: Tell, tell! I’m all sorts of curious!

JoJo: Indeed!

Drew: I’ll use the dreaded “A” word…alliance! Is there anyone else that you guys would like to bring in? I think that six would be good number.

Jenne: I have a hard time trusting anyone. My pal Kyle put a target on my ass, so it’s hard for me to trust anyone.

JoJo: I can’t believe he did that.

Drew: If word gets out that the four of us are together, they could pick us off easily. If we have six, it would be a little harder.

Beth: We can work with others and keep us safe.

Drew: I’m assuming everyone’s voting Rami tomorrow?

The ladies all agreed loudly and passionately.

Jenne: Bitch goes down! He’s in on the “target Jenne” business.

Drew: JoJo?

JoJo: Absolutely! I’m not thrilled with Ryan lately, either.

Jenne: Rami, Ryan, Kyle. I must be fair and return the favor.

She smiled sweetly at everyone around her.

JoJo: Didn’t the Ryan/Rami team leave back to back in Valentine’s Day?

Jenne: Yes, about this time too. I feel so much better, guys! Knowing y’all have my back!

Beth: Heck yeah!

JoJo: Hell yeah we do!

Drew: I think this will be a kick ass team right here.

Beth: I’m feeling slightly better, y’all. I was telling Drew earlier that I felt sort of out of the loop.

JoJo reached over to put her arms over Drew and Jenne’s shoulders.

JoJo: Thanks so much for trusting me.

The room turned into a slushy mess of mush with hugs and “I love you’s” thrown around like rice at a wedding. Drew felt on top of the world as he left Jenne’s hut that evening. He had a solid group for a change, and he was sure of it.

“I just can't believe that I may have actually learned how to play this game, ALLY WITH GIRLS!!!!!!! That way, I can play the sympathy card all I want, and they will eat out of the palm of my hand. Believe me, I am playing the sympathy card a llot too, just to make sure if they do vote me off, they will feel bad about it for weeks! The alliance of myself, Jojo, Beth, and Jenne is strong,and I love all of them dearly. I still want to bring Jake in, but I don't think he'll go for it this early. I'll wait until it gets down to merge time, and then bombard him with the question, knowing that if we go into the merge 5 strong in our alliance, we have a chance of picking off the others one by one. This game consumes my thinking, I have strategized to wit's end, and think I have found a way to come out on top, so stay tuned!” – Drew

But as Drew left, the others sank down with laughter.

At a little past five that evening one final holler signified the conclusion of the fourth immunity challenge of the game. Jake Erickson walked away with the final idol after spending and entire afternoon out on the bench waiting, hoping, trying doors.

As scheduled the final fifteen gathered on the beach at seven o’clock where the seven winners were officially ordained as immune from the fourth tribal council.

Jenne Lotz, JoJo Treadwell, Ryan Appel, Ashley Miller, Missie Bird, Kyle Adams, and Jake Erickson all beamed with their idols in their hands.

Kyle smiled over at Jenne who glared at him in return and headed back to the aisle of huts. He watched her go as the others dispersed about their business. Ryan had seen the exchange of unpleasantries between the two and approached Kyle.

Kyle: I’m not saying anything anymore.

Ryan: What’s up?

Kyle turned his head quickly.

Kyle: What are you saying to people?

Ryan: About what? I’ve been over—

Kyle: I mean since the beginning of the game.

Ryan crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes.

Ryan: Who is saying this? I don’t enter into alliances lightly. When I made a deal that I was sticking with you, I stick with you. There is also a rumor going around that you, me, Taylor, and Rami are planning to vote out Jenne. Someone is getting desperate and has decided that this would be a good week to try and stir up some crap.

Kyle: You are the only person I mentioned Jenne’s name to.

Ryan held his hands up innocently.

Ryan: I swear to God that I don’t discuss our conversations or our plans with other people. The only thing I’ve mentioned was to Drew, and that was simply telling him that I had smoothed things out with you. He was concerned that Jon had blabbed about Jenne, Jon, him, and I were working together.

Kyle said nothing for a long moment. He merely stared at the ground, and Ryan grew anxious.

Ryan: Hello?

Kyle: I’m just processing all this.

Ryan: I don’t know what I could say that could make you trust me more, but I honestly am one hundred percent loyal in this alliance.

Kyle: Is that possible in this game?

Ryan: Depending on how you choose to play the game. Whatever…it’s a compliment, I suppose, that people feel the need to spread rumors about me.

Kyle: And me. It’s being passed around that I’m targeting Jenne, Chris, Taylor…just anybody I happen to think of, I guess.

Ryan: Ok, well logically, why would people be spreading them.

Kyle looked at him and chuckled with disdain.

Kyle: About me? I’ll tell you why…because half the cast put me as their favorite survivor!

Ryan: I hate this aspect of Survivor. I mean, really…in real life if somebody has something to say, say it to my face. Kyle, I hate that people are making you second guess me.

Kyle: Not you…I’m second guessing my own skills and why I even signed up for this stupid game.

Ryan: Don’t let others ruin it for you. The fact that you have an ability to make me, someone who is very skeptical, trust you in a game such as this should give you a good indication that you belong here. It wouldn’t have been all stars without you.

He paused for a moment.

Ryan: I do mean that.

Kyle: Then why all this? I feel like the most hated person here because I got Tenzil voted out, and TEN people out of sixteen agreed!

Ryan: It’s strategy. People don’t want to ever be in the minority, so if Tenzil going pissed a few people off, then it will multiply and people will just hop ship.

Kyle shook his head and started off.

Kyle: I’m tired. I’m going to bed.

Ryan nodded but didn’t try to stop him. He was clearly upset, even with that immunity in his hand.

Jenne Lotz had been watching the scene from the aisle of huts with much curiosity. The duo she saw before her was the duo she was most interested in currently. It was those two that mattered the most to her as far as targets and direction was concerned.

She waited a moment for Kyle to approach and Ryan to go about his business before she called out his name. Kyle stopped quickly, wondering how much she had seen or heard—how much she would take and twist to her advantage.

Then he paused. If they were going to accuse of him of playing dirty hardball, then he may as well wind up the pitch.

He put on the most distraught expression he could muster.

Kyle: Well, I’m guessing I can see how much I can trust Ryan!

Jenne: Hi to you, too! You can’t trust him?

She seemed to perk at this.

Kyle: Tay’s freakin’ out on me ‘cause he thinks I’m targeting you. I’m just ready to hang this game up.

Jenne: I felt like that the other night after our fight. This game isn't worth going all through this again.

Kyle: The first time I speak up in a game ever to make a power move and all of a sudden I’m overplaying? Taylor thinks I’m targeting everyone.

Jenne shrugged.

Jenne: I heard there was a movement to get Chris out.

Kyle: That I am supposedly a part of.

Jenne: I heard that. But I thought it came from Ryan. Ryan told me the other day he was targeting certain individuals. He wouldn’t tell me who, though.

Kyle: Well, he told me who he wanted to target tonight.

Jenne’s smile faded as she looked at Kyle, waiting for him to answer.

Kyle: He thinks there’s a huge voting block of season oner’s, Tay and Lis.

He watched her curisouly as to how she would react to such an accusation. Would she confirm? Deny? Defend?

Jenne: How is four people a huge voting block?

She would Defend. Kyle took a mental note.

Kyle: I’m ready to just call it off, really. You still don’t trust me do you?

Jenne: It’s hard for me at this point. I don’t think I trust anyone anymore.

Kyle: I don’t understand how I can go from targeting Tenzil to targeting everyone!

Jenne grinned at him.

Jenne: Ryan. That’s where I thought it was all coming from to start with. Then your name got dragged along with it.

Kyle: Well, he really does have it in for me doesn’t he?

Jenne: He’s using you as a good shield. I don’t know. I thought Ryan and I would be cool in this game.

Kyle nodded. He knew better, yet he nodded and sighed.

Kyle: I think someone is working dangerously hard to turn Valentine’s Day against each other. We need to pull together.

Jenne: Who do you want to vote for?

Kyle laughed out loud.

Kyle: I’m not mentioning another name again.

Jenne: I’ve heard Chris and Rami’s name for this vote. That’s it.

Kyle: Yeah, and I’m supposedly the one that has mentioned Chris’ name, and I have never…

Jenne: I get why. He’s a threat in the game, I know.

Kyle: I’ve never even mentioned his name to anyone. In fact, a couple of people have told me we needed to go for a season oner and I was like, ‘naaa, not a threat.’

Jenne: Well, someone is launching character attacks at everyone at this point, killing us from the inside.

Kyle looked at her for a long moment. What nerve, he thought in his mind.

Kyle: We need to figure out who.

Jenne: They are doing a number on us. Getting us all turning on one another, not trusting anyone. What a mess.

Kyle: Who in the world would be doing this? Do you think it’s Ryan?

Jenne: Is he good enough to pull this off?

Kyle: I didn’t think so. I thought he was more of the trustworthy type.

He looked up at her, feigning hopelessness.

Kyle: What should we do? How in the world could we sort this out?

Jenne: I’m clueless, Kyle. I’ve been trying to chill out.

Kyle: Oh well, if I’m not destined to get far in this game, then I’m not destined. I’m just keeping my trap shut, working on challenges, and going about my business.

Jenne: That’s what I’ve been trying to do! Then I hear I’m a target!

Kyle: But from who? I only told Ryan.

Jenne: Well, it got out.

Kyle: It sure did. And he swears on his life he didn’t say anything.

Jenne: You didn’t tell anyone else?

Kyle: Of course not.

Jenne wasn’t going to believe that to save her life. Christopher had told her Kyle was definitely targeting her, who had received it from JoJo, who had received it from…Kyle. Why was he not owning up?

Just as with Ryan, Kyle excused himself for the night. He knew Jenne didn’t trust him, and Jenne knew he was lying, yet to each other’s face they were clueless and vulnerable and hurt.

By this point Kyle was just livid. He had his answer. Jenne was doing the smearing.

By this point Jenne was confident. She had her answer. Kyle was a liar.

When she turned around, she saw Ryan heading her way. It was time to seal their doom, both of them….with charm. Ryan and Kyle weren’t going to get away with their little schemes.
She was smiling as she usually was when she and Ryan talked. Only this time, Ryan saw something more in her smile.

Jenne: What the heck is goin’ on?

Ryan: What is going on with all of these rumors?

Jenne: Oh my gosh! It’s getting crazy!

Ryan: It feels like everyone’s making them up about me.

Jenne: I’m getting that.

Ryan: I heard one on how I’m working with Taylor, Kyle, and Rami to get rid of you.

Jenne frowned and looked down.

Jenne: I’ve heard people were targeting me.

Ryan: Apparently they weren’t there last night when we joined a voting alliance. That’s a bunch of BS and I hope you saw through it.

Jenne sighed and paced away for a moment.

Jenne: Well our alliance was sold out pretty much as soon as it was started.

Ryan: I heard that too. My goodness some people should learn not to play this game.

Jenne: I feel like everyone is turning on everyone else. It’s ugly.

She looked back at him and studied him for a bit.

Jenne: I thought you and Kyle were aligned. But now he’s telling me he doesn’t trust you. I just don’t know.

Ryan froze at that. Was that truth or was that Jenne spreading more? Or was that Kyle telling Jenne what he thought she might want to hear? He scratched his head.

Ryan: This game is getting complicated considering it’s not even merge point yet.

Jenne shrugged.

Jenne: All stars, baby. It’s confusing ‘cause something was goin’ on, and now everyone is pointing fingers.

Ryan: The worst part of this game is if you look at who people are targeting. Do we see a pattern? All Valentine’s Day. It’s been the idea from the start, or at least the underlying suspicion.

Jenne nodded.

Jenne: So our alliance went kaput. Jon went crying to daddy and told all about it. So that went down the drain. There goes our big chance—the Ryan and Jenne pair floating off into the night.

Ryan: No doubt. I can’t believe he spilled the beans.

Jenne: I’m not surprised really. Jon is Kyle’s bitch.

Ryan looked at her quickly. She was clearly disgusted with Kyle.

Ryan: So do you still want to vote the same tomorrow? With or without the other two?

Jenne: That all depends on who it is you want to vote for.

Pausing thoughtfully, Ryan scanned his mind for an appropriate target, given his audience. He knew better than to suggest Christopher and most likely Taylor. JoJo and Jake were both immune, leaving Elisabeth as his only option for the moment. Jenne had voted her out before. Perhaps she’d do it again.

Ryan: Personally, I am wanting to get rid of Lis.

Jenne looked at him curiously, smiling crookedly.

Jenne: She’s Valentine’s Day. I thought you wanted to keep us together?

Ryan: I do, and I don’t. I don’t mind voting someone off if they aren’t playing the game. I don’t like that rumors are being spread based on what season you are from. Do you have any other ideas?

Jenne: Only name I’ve heard is Rami, and for the same reasons you gave for Lis.

She looked at him squarely, searching for admission.

Jenne: But I know he’s your buddy.

Ryan shrugged.

Ryan: It sucks to have to vote off a friend, but it is Survivor. I won’t lie, I would rather it be someone else.

Jenne: I’m not telling you how to vote. I would never do that. I’m just telling you where it’s lookin’.

Ryan: I appreciate the honesty. I hate that you never know who is genuine in this game.

So they left each other without a set agreement. Jenne had gleaned the information she needed. Ryan wasn’t going to own up to anything.

Ryan walked back to his hut and noticing that Kyle was still up and about, headed that way and rapped on the door lightly. Kyle opened promptly, looked at him for a moment and then stepped aside to allow him in.

Ryan: So what has been happening?

Kyle: Too much for me to care about anymore.

Kyle sank down onto the sofa and stared at the ceiling.

Ryan: What is the plan for tomorrow?

Kyle: I don’t know. I’m out, though. If I don’t keep having immunity, I will be out within the next couple of votes.

Ryan: So why don’t we take out a power house this week. We are up to five votes…why not? You and I aren’t going home tomorrow.

Kyle: Someone is trying to smear me, and if it doesn’t go through, then I am gone.

He looked at Ryan for a long time. Ryan was so hopeful that he couldn’t send him away without at least hearing the plan.

Kyle: What names do you have?

Ryan: Chris or Taylor.

Kyle: To vote out?

Ryan nodded vigorously.

Kyle: I don’t know that the numbers are there.

Sighing, Ryan slapped his leg and sat back.

Ryan: Can I be honest with you, Kyle? Do you remember last season when we had all of those problems trusting what the other was saying? For some reason there was always some reason to doubt it.

Kyle: Yep.

Ryan: I think that I’ve finally figured out what the reason is, and there are actually two of them.

Kyle sat up, his interest piqued.

Kyle: I’d love to know.

Ryan: When you and me were just talking and were confused about who was smearing whose names because rumors are flying about both of us, Jenne popped up and said that you were telling her that you didn’t trust me. It works every time because it’s easy to play on paranoia. Whether or not you were actually saying that to her or not, she knows that we have worked together in the past, and she is trying to split us up.

Kyle: And I know this. She is trying to smear me just as hard.

Ryan: So then why are we keeping her and her sidekick around so they can continue to do this?

There was a pause as Kyle had no answer. Ryan waited hopefully, but Kyle just stared. Then Ryan chuckled.

Ryan: Nevermind. I finally get it. This isn't about them smearing us…

Kyle looked up and Ryan waited to make sure he had his full attention.

Ryan: It’s about you two smearing me, isn’t it.

Kyle: No, Ryan…no!

Ryan: Then why is it that Jenne knows some info that only you told me? This is either extremely coincidental or it was fixed!

Kyle: And it’s got Jenne written all over it! Here’s the thing…

Ryan: I truly hope that this isn’t the game you’ve come here to play.

Kyle held his hands up to calm him.

Kyle: Here’s the thing, here’s the thing. I went on my own to vote out Tenzil because I wanted to break that group up. Jenne freaked out because she’s a big spoiled brat and didn’t get her way. I believe she started spinning that I am on a voting rampage. Now, I had heard that an alliance was brewing between you and her, so I dropped to you that I wanted Jenne out to see where the info would go…

Ryan: Jon told you about the alliance, I know.

Kyle nodded but held his hands up for Ryan to be quiet.

Kyle: You came clean with the alliance, and the info never got to Jenne. So I trusted you. Then, I told Jenne what I told you so I could see what she would do with it…it was within the afternoon that Taylor was jumping on me, saying that I was trying to target Jenne, and that it was all coming from you.

He stopped to see if Ryan was following. Ryan was taking everything in intently, nodding slightly.

Kyle: Does it make sense?

Ryan: Yes. I thought I was the only sneaky one around. So Jenne and Taylor are working together?

Kyle: No…Taylor is just paranoid and relies on anyone he thinks will shield him because he can’t do it on his own.

Ryan: I see. Do you see Beth as being a part of this?

Kyle: No…I see her as not wanting to vote them out, but not wanting to align with them, if that makes sense.

Ryan: Yeah, it does. That’s the same with Rami and I.

Kyle: Here’s the thing about the vote tonight. Chris is not with the others, I don’t believe. And Taylor…if he loses his allies, he’ll run to us to protect him. Lis is our best bet.

Ryan: That’s fine with me. That’s what I told Jenne.

Kyle: Who do we have for her?

Ryan: You, me, Jon, Drew, Rami are for sures. We could likely pull in three others though.

Kyle paused and looked at him oddly.

Kyle: Drew?

Ryan nodded confidently.

Kyle: Positive?

Ryan: Drew, Jon, Jenne, and me were the ones that formed the alliance. As long as I talk to him before tribal council, it’s a positive. Why?

Kyle crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes to cynical slits.

Kyle: Because Jenne seems to thnk Drew is close to her or she to him, or something like that.

Ryan: I can break that one up fast, trust me. Unless he is in on the whole smearing thing, in which case we could get rid of him.

Kyle: Drew is not capable of smearing. I’ll see if I can pull Isaac. You talk to Jake much?

Ryan: More to Isaac than Jake, but I could give it a try. Maybe Ashley, too.

Kyle: Right before tribal council, though. And tread lightly. Ashley seems to go where the wind blows.

And that was that.

Suddenly Kyle, who had just been about to throw in the towel, was now thinking. His mind was spinning like a cycle. If the group of friends were going to play hardball, then he needed to be ready swinging. This was going to work. He was going to give it a try. If there was one thing he most regretted about Valentine’s Day, it was not trying harder to save Ryan and Rami. This time he would do it.

With that Ryan went away, and Kyle laid in bed thinking and wondering. He could talk to Missie, and she would be the clencher. He thought about Beth quickly. She had said she would not be voting Elisabeth out again, and he understood. It might be best to leave her out of this one vote.

[Host Kyle]

“Lessons learned thus far.....you don't play this game with friends. Especially friends who believe that this game affects the rest of the outcome of their lives.

Lesson number two is....don't play with an already established clique of "elite" people. You don't play how they want you to, they smear you.

Plain and simple.

I refuse to play a game where immunity is my only redeeming factor. I refuse.

I would be ashamed if I had to rely on a group of friends to get me somewhere in a game. Totally ashamed. That would mean that my skills were null. Fact remains, you can't play up against a group of friends...I mean, Survivor is all about numbers right?

I chose to venture out on my own. Why? Because Valentine's Day is disgusting how proud they were they made it to the final four with an already established trust. It's ridiculous.

Here's another thing I have to point out. This is my 6th game. Out of those 6 games, only 2 of them have put me through such drama as I have never seen before in my entire life. Even in my life! Can you imagine that? Anyways, those 2 games are Valentine's Day and....oh my gosh....Holidays All Stars! Coincidence? I think not.

Rest assured any game you play with a group from Survivor-Central....you're going to battle a clique...and drama. Or is it just Taylor, Jenne, Beth, and Tenzil? I fail to include Christopher in this because he is actually one with just a bit of integrity in the game, and it's just that to him...a game. I respect that so much.

One thing i know....Jenne can play a victim and she's doing it again. Big Bad Kyle voted out her boy toy Tenzil, and that means that Kyle is on a scheming frenzy, bloodthirsty, vote-mongering rampage!

Well...no, actually...i'm just on a scheming frenzy, bloodthirsty, vote-mongering rampage for threats as they surface. Guess what? Jenne is surfacing as a threat. As soon as I get the chance, I will strike against her and not feel bad about it. Let me tell you what happened...try to explain the best I can.

I hear the rumor mill chattering about Ryan being in an alliance with Jenne. So, I drop a bit of heavy info to Ryan that I want Jenne out. If Jenne gets the information, then the rumor is true. However, after I tell Ryan that, he pretty much names the alliance I had heard about saying he wanted to see if I was cool with it. Instills a bit of trust for me.

And Jenne has not received the heads up.

Later, I mention to Jenne what I said to Ryan about wanting to vote her out. "Just to see if Ryan will tell you about it," I say. She hasn't heard....

Well, what do you know that it couldn't have been more than an hour before I come online and Taylor is attacking me, "advising" me not to overscheme, he hears i'm targeting him and Jenne and Chris and JoJo and Lizzie and...wow...I must think that I can vote 5 people out in one tribal council. It's amazing really. He tells me Jenne says I'm targeting her, and guess who it came from? RYAN!

Yes folks...Jenne took the info I gave her and is trying to frame Ryan and paint me the villain. Why? Because Jenne is just as much of a spoiled brat as she ever accused Jamie of and she's not getting her way. She will play the victim until people feel sorry for her.

If it gets me voted out...know this. I will not play to her games. I will not be guilted into going against my original plan. I will not be "afraid" because I broke up the Survivor Central clique. I will not rely on others to carry me through this game. Sorry, Jenne, it's not happening and I will smear you back as long as you smear me. And I will expose every ounce of your thicker than blood bond with Beth and Lizzie and Chris and Taylor and whoever else comes along from Survivor-Central that you won't vote out because you just can't stand losing that number that is in your advantage.

And if you choose not to speak to me after this...my life will be unaffected. It is a game.” – Kyle

Kyle went to bed with a plan on his mind.

Others talked that night. The night was not peaceful.Things were flying about in all shapes and sizes, and names were being tarnished. No one knew exactly how certain names were being thrown out in the open, but the rumor mill was churning. People were guessing. People were assuming. People were blaming. In some cases, people were hoping that certain people were guilty of certain things.

The group otherwise self-deemed the Bitch Four convened for a nightly business meeting. Only this was true business. One of their own was up on the block, and that would not be tolerated.

Jenne: I wanted to talk to you girls.

JoJo: Hey, chica.

Beth entered behind JoJo. JoJo was not smiling. As a matter of fact, when she came into Jenne’s hut she began pacing. Beth went to sit and watched the others curiously.

JoJo: I heard Ryan or someone named Taylor and Chris as targets. Made me grouchy.

Beth: Very grouchy. Jake just told me Rami?

JoJo: Yes, Rami. Ryan’s little slave boy.

Beth: The R Twins. Rami is an easy vote. I have my eyes on Isaac, since he is tight with both Ashley and Missie.

JoJo continued pacing and shook her head.

JoJo: Yes! Isaac has blown my mind.

Beth: Has anyone talked with Kyle? Do we know where he stands or anything?

Jenne grunted but said nothing.

JoJo: I talked to him earlier. He and Jenne argued and made up, right?

Jenne shrugged. She eyed JoJo for a moment and was slightly disappointed when she said nothing of Kyle’s proposal to her.

Suddenly the door came open and Christopher entered. He was very stoic as he entered.

Jenne: Pow wow time.

Christopher: Hey, folks.

Jenne: Bitches are trying to vote you out, Chris. Something needs to be done.

Beth: Bitches don’t get their way!

Jenne: The lollipop gang must suffer.

Christopher shrugged indifferently.

Christopher: It could happen. Did you hear it from Drew and crew?

Jenne: I think Ryan is behind it from what I’m gathering.

Christopher: Yup. I am certain of it.

JoJo: It’s Ryan.

Beth: Ryan must die.

Christopher paced over to JoJo who put a hand on his arm and rubbed gently.

Christopher: It could totally happen.

Beth: How many people would vote with Ryan?

Christopher: The only thing to do right now is get Rami out. Supposedly Missie is voting for Rami.

Jenne: Good. She’s key.

Christopher: So, we need to get Kyle on Rami, without mentioning my possible exit.

Jenne crossed her arms indignantly.

Jenne: Kyle wants you out, Chris.

Beth: Stupid Kyle!

JoJo gaped and wrinkled her brow all at the same time.

JoJo: Kyle wants Chris out?

She growled within herself, but Christopher squeezed her tightly, finally smiling a bit. He let out a chuckle as JoJo returned the affection.

Christopher: That’s kinda funny, Jenne. I think he might want a few of us out. We’ll let him be for a bit. Problem is, he has Missie’s ear. So if he sways Ryan’s way…

Beth: Missie is listening to Kyle? Can we drug these fools?

JoJo: If Kyle voted Chris…

JoJo had trouble formulating her words through her anger.

JoJo: …Mama might go a bit nuts.

Christopher: Anyway, I do think there is a good chance I go tomorrow. If I go…Jenne is next after me.

Beth: But why?

JoJo: Jenne? She is in an alliance with them!

Beth: Why Chris and Jenne at all?

Christopher: They want to slice numbers and she and I are who they want to slice.

JoJo: I’m getting all worked up. My claws are out too. I feel all pissy. Isaac and Drew both said Rami to me, but they could be feeding me bull, too.

She shook her head and paced again, unable to accept Christopher as a potential.

JoJo: I still think it’s Rami.

Christopher: We just have to front Rami, throw the puppy on the tracks.

Jenne: Drew wants Ryan gone now and is sold on Rami. This is fun! I love character attacks!

JoJo smiled for the first time.

JoJo: Go go go, Jenne!

Jenne sighed confidently.

Jenne: I just dropped enough information to get him to not trust anyone but me. All the truth, too. You know that’s my weapon of choice.

JoJo: I love Jenne.

Beth: I love Jenne, too.

Jenne: And I forgot to mention…I got Drew to abandon his alliance that he made the other night. Now he wants one that includes Beth and JoJo.

JoJo: Jenne, you are awesome!

Jenne: Drew may be a lollipopper, but he’s a good kid.

JoJo: Jenne’s all smart!

Jenne: I just saw how he was with Jamie, and I swept in to fill her shoes.

While Christopher was all about the Jenne love, he was more interested in business at the moment. He clapped his hands briefly.

Christopher: Kyle is key, guys.

JoJo: He is powerful and crazy.

Beth: Should Kyle die before Ryan?

Jenne perked up and arose to her feet.

Jenne: YES!

Christopher: I hate to say it, but yes.

JoJo: I hate it but, yes.

Christopher: If he is pimping our names, then yes.

Beth: I’m good with that.

Christopher smiled at the obedience in the room.

Christopher: Wow! Our jury changes daily!

JoJo sighed and rolled her eyes.

JoJo: Missie is going to be my kid’s godparent soon. She’ll be here so long she’ll go from enemy to soul sister by the time you guys are done with me.

Jenne: Missie is key, I’m tellin’ ya! We need that girl.

JoJo: Alright! Go read season one, substitute Michelle for Missie, but alright!

Jenne laughed and hugged JoJo briefly.

Jenne: We can toss her out easily down the road, but we need her now.

Christopher: So can we get Drew?

Jenne: Drew is mine! He’s so solid even a two for one ticket to the rollercoaster couldn’t get him away!

Jenne beamed proudly as the others laughed at Drew’s expense.

Beth: I love you guys!

Jenne: We have the eight, don’t worry. Chris you ain’t goin’ nowhere.

Beth: Go team!

JoJo: Go go go team!

Beth: And then Kyle Kyle Kyle!

Jenne: Those bitches Kye and Ryan are gone…

Beth: Definitely, Ms. Jenne!

JoJo: Both of them disappoint me. I liked ‘em both till I heard all this crap. Hell, when Ryan talks to me, he calls us Jory! We have a name!

Jenne: Me, too!

Beth: When we vote out those bitches, my vote will read ‘courtesy of Chris.’

Jenne: Someone who has gotten in good with Missie should mention that Kyle wants her gone.

Christopher smirked.

Christopher: Nigga, please! I am in with Missie. I will work it tomorrow evening.

Jenne: All I’m saying is Project Shmear Kyle needs to be launched.

JoJo: Shmear….cute.

Jenne: Yiddish, baby! Kyle doesn’t want this to be Valentine’s Day. He has baggage and issues of a repeat. So no dragging him along this time. We slit his throat nice and early as he would like, right?

JoJo: You are so cute, Jenne!

Beth: We are bitches, and they are our bitches!

JoJo: Team bitches!

Their meeting ended shortly thereafter. What more was there to discuss? Rami was leaving the next day, followed by Kyle, followed by Ryan. They were certain everything was bagged in their favor. Who else could rise against them?

No one pillowed their head that night without wondering who had been starting all the rumors. It would seem that for the first time in Survivor history, a mole was present, spinning rumors and half-truths and even unnecessary whole truths spoken only in the heat of a moment. Who was that mole exactly?

Camp was a mess. It was a huge social mess that would not likely clean up before tribal council.

As a matter of fact, it would not likely clean up.

Period.

[Host Kyle]

Day 12

Word had gotten around. Rami Ghoener awakend groggily the next morning after hearing his name tossed all about since yesterday.

He quickly showered and got dressed, not really ready to face the day. It was possibly his last day on the island unless he could work some magic—or someone could come to his rescue. He hadn’t connected with many on the island, exactly as he had not done in Valentien’s Day, so the latter option was looking rather bleak.

“Well, looks like today’s going to be the great fight to save Rami day. Ryan left me a message saying the only name he has heard is mine. Now that could mean everyone wants to get rid of me or they are testing Ryan. I’m pretty sure people want to get rid of me. Well, he also said if I could convince Beth and Jenne to vote Tayler or Liz I could save myself so I’m going to do that and hope for the best. If I can make it through tonight I’m going to have to rethink my game plan or else every TC will be like tonight. Apparently I need to play the game harder. I’m going to do my best and hopfully my name isnt revealed eight times tonight.” – Rami

He opened his door to head out for breakfast and was startled to find Kyle getting ready to knock. They startled each other, and Kyle took a step back.

Rami: Hey, Kyle.

Kyle: Hey, Rami, what’s up?

Rami: Dreading tonight.

Kyle: Yeah, me too. I’m so pissed off at people right now.

Rami cocked his head and looked around quickly. He tugged Kyle inside and shut the door.

Rami: Why’s that?

Kyle: Mainly because they treat this game like it’s going to ruin their future hopes and dreams, hairlip their grandmothers, and d**n them to an eternity in Hell if they get voted out.

Rami nodded curiously, not fully understanding, but Kyle obviously felt passionately about it. He had stayed out of most of the business, so he really didn’t have the knowledge to comment.

Rami: Well, I don’t treat that way. But I don’t want to be voted out.

Kyle: I wasn’t referring to you. I’m talking about one group. Have you heard the town gossip?

Rami shook his head.

Kyle: None at all?

Rami: All I know is it’s probably going to be me tonight.

Kyle: Well, let’s prevent that shall we?

Rami: If I knew a way, I’d be more than willing to.

Kyle: Who all do you talk to?

Rami looked up thoughtfully and counted on his fingers…of one hand.

Rami: Beth, Missie, you…um…about strategy, that’s it.

Kyle closed his eyes for a moment and sighed. This feat was going to be harder than he thought.

Kyle: Ok ok…we need to figure something out here. We need eight people.

Rami: I’m not too sure about Missie, though, she seems a little flakey. But I’m pretty sure Beth will go along with votes, and I’m sure she can talk to Jenne—

Kyle raised a hand to stifle him.

Kyle: Ok…you do not want to try and work with Jenne. I can promise you that.

Rami: She one of them?

Kyle: Is she one of them? She is them! She’s told me that you haven’t talked with her once.

Rami gaped.

Rami: Jenne? When I say hi or something either she doesn’t reply or only talks to me for a minute.

Kyle: Let me back up and explain something to you…

Kyle took a deep breath before delving into the whole “test Ryan” debacle, involving Jenne. Rami listened intently as Kyle related the details as he had seen it.

Kyle: So…my brain starts to sort all this out. Jenne is working very dangerously and trying to frame Ryan is my take.

Rami: Wow.

Rami couldn’t believe it. He had missed out on all this? Was it for real?

Kyle: Here’s my thing. I made a move to vote Tenzil out. Ten people got involved. Jenne, the spoiled brat that she is, finds things aren’t going her way so she decides to start smearing me. It will be over my dead body if that clique takes over this game again. It’s really a crying shame to me that they need each other to play these games.

Rami: Well, this is not going to be their game.

Kyle: Here’s what we need to do. Right now Taylor and Lis are our best bets. Ryan’s on board with one of them, so try to find him and tell him that I sent you.

Rami: Ok, I can do that. Now I’m not sure if I can trust Beth at all.

Kyle raised a hand again. That was a fact.

Kyle: I can tell you this…she won’t go against Taylor or Lis if that tells you anything. Once they are gone, I think we can trust Beth. So don’t say anything to Beth.

Rami: I won’t.

Kyle: Here are the names I think we can work with. Me, you, Isaac, Jon, Ryan, Missie…that’s six, so we need two more. We need to get Ashley or Jake.

Rami: Not sure where they would stand, but apparently I know nothing.

Kyle: And please…I’m already in hot water over the Tenzil vote. Except for to Ryan, can you keep my name out of it? Jenne’s got everyone believing I’m on an overscheming, targeting, bloodthirsty rampage.

Rami nodded vigorously.

Rami: No problem. Your name will not be mentioned. This conversation never happened.

Kyle nodded and looked at him for a moment. The discretion was vital and Kyle hoped Rami would be true to his word. If it leaked out to the wrong person then the plan would fail, and Kyle’s number would be up.

Kyle was willing to take that risk. It was, after all, just a game.

Kyle: Ok, I’ve got work to do. So don’t talk to Beth—

Rami: I don’t think I will. I don’t think I can trust her. I think she is a part of that group. She wanted me to go for Jon last time.

Kyle paused and turned to him with interest.

Kyle: Oh really?

Rami: Makes me think she is with them. I was trying to get her to vote for Tenzil, and she said she wanted to keep him around longer.

Kyle crossed his arms. Such revelations!

Kyle: Oh really? The plot thickens. She told me she didn’t rally anyone. Liar.

Rami: She was trying to rally me and get me to rally people.

Kyle: This has been a most enlightening conversation. As God is your witness, you voted for Tenzil?

Rami: Yes. Easy revenge.

Kyle: Because there is one person that lied about their vote and I was singling it out to Missie. Drew or Missie.

Rami shifted uncomfortably on his feet.

Rami: Well, then this is tough. Like I said, Missie seems a little flakey to me.

Kyle: Who knows…I’ve got work to do today.

Rami: Is there anyone sealed for not voting me tonight?

Kyle: The only seal for you I’ve heard is Jenne. Beyond that, I don’t know. I’ve been too busy defending myself than worrying about the vote.

Rami nodded and Kyle wasted no more time in getting about his business. Rami stood quietly. Would those eight names Kyle had mentioned budge in voting for Elisabeth?

Stepping outside, he took in a beautiful day and swept the beach before him. It seemed that no one had stirred yet. He was, after all, venturing out a bit early. Who was he going to rally anyway?

Like clockwork, Beth stepped out her hut, and they immediately saw each other. Rami’s mind raced. He had specifically promised not to talk to Beth. But she was one of the very few people he had actually talked game with. He needed as much support as possible and she seemed so genuine at all times.

Rami: Hey, Beth.

She smiled as she approached.

Beth: Hey, Rami! How are ya doing?

Rami: Dreading tonight.

Beth: Aw, how come?

Rami: I’m probably going to be voted out.

Beth: I heard rumblings about Elisabeth, that she doesn’t talk to anyone.

Rami: That’s why I don’t want to go yet. There are still those that talk to less people than me.

Beth: Have you talked to many people about the vote tonight?

Rami: I’ve talked to Kyle, and it doesn’t look good for me at all.

Beth: Kyle have any suggestions?

Rami hesitated, remembering the promise he made. He looked around quickly. Beth was one of his only hopes, he had to get a feel for where she was headed.

Rami: He said Lis or Taylor are the other names he’s heard, but mainly me.

Beth: Aw, I like Taylor. Which way are you leaning?

Rami: Elisabeth talks to less people. Would probably be easier to get votes. She’s who I’d go for. So you’re not going to vote me?

Beth smiled up at him.

Beth: Me likey you! Is Kyle voting Lis?

Rami: I don’t know. He really didn’t say who he was voting for. He seemed to be leaning that way, though. I just hope I can get the votes to save myself. I’m trying to at least make the jury this time.

Beth: I know, that would be cool. Jury is all I’m hoping for.

Rami: No, final two!

Beth: Maybe you’ll get there! I haven’t talked to hardly anyone about the vote.

Rami: Kyle and you are the only ones I’ve talked to about what names are being mentioned.

Beth nodded and glanced around quickly.

Beth: Well, I’ll definitely follow up with Kyle…see which way the wind is blowing.

Rami: There might be some things he isn’t telling me. He did backstab me once. I don’t know if I can fully trust him.

Beth: Some folks think they have to prove themselves, I guess.

Rami: Well I’m going to go see if I can rally some votes to save myself. I’ll see you in a bit.

Beth: I’ll be here. Take care, Rami.

He scurried off, and she watched after him. Why had Kyle told him to vote for Elisabeth or Taylor? To lead him astray?

She stood for a long moment wondering before JoJo Treadwell brought her out of her thoughts.

JoJo: What’s new, my friend?

Beth: Rami.

JoJo came to her side and followed her gaze curiously. Rami was, in the distance, heading toward the main resort.

Beth: Evidently, Kyle told him the vote was for Lizzie or Taylor.

JoJo: Uh oh.

Beth: So Rami thinks Kyle is voting for one of them, I guess. I don’t think Missie knows that Kyle told Rami.

JoJo: I’m sure Kyle is still voting Rami…don’t you think?

Beth wasn’t sure. She paused for a long moment before answering.

Beth: Oh yeah. I’m pretty sure Kyle is voting Rami.

JoJo bit her lip, and they both looked out toward the resort.

But at the same moment, Kyle was making his own rounds. He and Missie had met for breakfast as planned. Missie was curious of this new urgency.

Kyle: Not to save Rami, but…

She clasped her hands before him and looked at him expectantly.

Missie: Yes?

Kyle: Ok…I’m trusting you completely here…

Missie: You want to vote Taylor?

Kyle chuckled nervously.

Kyle: No. That has never come out of my mouth…

He hesitated some more. Missie narrowed her eyes and leaned forward to spur him on.

Missie: Then go on…

Kyle: I’m just wondering if you are tight with Jenne…and not that I’m targeting her, God forbid!

Missie: Hmmm, well we have talked but not since the last tribal council. What’s going through your head sweets?

Kyle: Maybe it’s just Taylor being paranoid, I don’t know, but things are going around about me like crazy, that I have all this power and am targeting everyone.

Missie: I’ve not heard anything like that.

Kyle: And it’s not Taylor they’re after, but Lis.

Missie: See, I was not told that.

Kyle: Taylor needs to know I’m not big bad Kyle that he thinks I’ve become.

Missie: Well, he’s not said anything about you to me.

Kyle: That why I think someone is trying to do a number on me and why I asked you if you were close to Jenne in the first place.

Missie: Well, Jenne and Taylor scare me. I think they are super tight. They are playing this whole past enemies thing far too much

Kyle: Thank you! Here’s the thing…I’m not in an alliance with Rami, and I’m not trying to save him…I’m trying to cut Jenne’s arms off. Would you vote Lis?

Missie thought for but a moment.

Missie: Sure.

Kyle blinked. That was too easy.

Kyle: Positive? I don’t want to force a vote on you.

Missie: Positive. I’m glad someone feels like I do about Taylor and Jenne.

Kyle: This whole band of friends needs to be broken up. One thing about Taylor…when he loses his allies, he’ll come to us.

Missie: Of course he will. And he will act like we were his right and left hand all the time.

Kyle smiled. Hopefully it was going to work out.

Kyle: We have six, we just need two more.

Missie: I can feel up Beth.

She paused and retracted quickly.

Missie: Well…not literally. There are some things I may do for the team, but I would have to be desperate.

They laughed together, and then finished up breakfast. Kyle would rather Missie not say anything to Beth, but perhaps she could be one to persuade her. If Beth knew the numbers would be there, she would possibly do it.

The day passed on, and the scramble continued. Drew Herlitz repeatedly checked in with JoJo, Jenne, and Beth, making sure everyone was on the right page and that the votes were still heading toward Rami. He even ventured to Christopher to assure him he had never considered voting for him with Ryan. And only because Drew was Jenne’s baby did Christopher accept the apology.

Christopher spent the day avoiding Kyle, not wanting to face him, fearing his tongue would get the best of him. Anybody speaking his name was an enemy of Christopher and he thought better of Kyle than that. Today was not the day to get things out on the table. The day possibly would not even arrive before Kyle’s flame went out.

Rami Ghoener made his way to Missie and around to some of the younger ones to rally support for himself. He honestly felt good about what he had accomplished and what he knew Kyle and Ryan were accomplishing for him.

By lunchtime, word had spreadly fairly broad that Ryan had begun his campaign to oust Elisabeth and save his Valentine’s Day buddy. The Bitch Four was most upset about this rebellion, as they called it.

Elisabeth spent most of the early part of the day in her hut, oblivious to what was going on outside.

JoJo spent the better part of the morning aggravated and disappointed in Kyle Adams. How in the world could he be involved in targeting Christopher and acting so chaotic in the game?

JoJo: Kyle! What the hell is going on?

Kyle paused to let her approach and laughed.

Kyle: I’m evil!

He erupted in the most sinister laugh he could immitate. JoJo didn’t find it very amusing.

JoJo: I’m all confused.

Kyle: People are trying to spread around that I’m on a rampage to vote everyone out. I was told you are one of the ones that believe it.

She blinked, and softened her expression.

JoJo: Well, Kyle, I don’t think I even need to say this to you, but I will. You know with complete certainty that if you were wondering that all you need to do is ask. I’ve always told you everything I feel.

Kyle: Yes, which is why I felt comfortable telling you that. There is one person in this game who is trying to do a number on me.

JoJo: And they came to me, and I believed it?

Kyle: No, they came to Taylor and rattled him, and he told me all these people believed it.

JoJo: I told Taylor I believed it?

Kyle: The latest is that I’m actively targeting Taylor, Lizzie, and Jenne.

JoJo: I like Taylor a lot, so I hope he didn’t name me. It’s not true. Say yes or no…Taylor specifically named me?

Kyle: Yes. Please don’t go to him. I’ve had enough of him jumping down my throat.

JoJo rubbed her chin thoughtfully and studied Kyle through narrow eyes. There seemed to be something amiss that she just might not be fully privy to. There was something slightly incriminating about that group she was with.

JoJo: There is clearly a lot going on here because Taylor and I have never spoken about you once. But there is my answer plain and simple.

Even as she admitted to Kyle she was replaying her conversations with Taylor. As far as she could remember, neither had talked about him together. Not once.

Kyle: I think Jenne is saying it to him. Plain and simple.

She bit her lip and thought back to all the group pow-wows. It made sense, but could she trust Kyle? Could she trust Christopher? Was Jenne actually acting the way Kyle was accusing her? One thing was for sure, she would be talking to Beth. If anyone knew the most about Jenne, it would be Beth.

JoJo: Got it.

Christopher Collins awakened that morning with a slight anxiety for the tribal council ahead of him. Though he had concluded the previous evening with a pep ralley from his support group, he still realized the danger of him possibly leaving the game. His core solid group of JoJo, Jake, Jenne, Beth, and Elisabeth was only six strong. The rest were all liable variables, and that’s what made the whole situation uncertain. Jenne swore Drew was her man, and Christopher could only hope for that. Kyle, Taylor, and Missie were unknowns in his book.
The possibility was very real.

“Much as I hate to admit it, I think there is a real danger of me leaving at Tribal Council.

I'd like to believe that I have more sway, influence & clout than Ryan...and I think I do. Granted, Ryan does seem to have the teenyboppers hanging on his every word, but I also have my peeps.

Problem is - Ryan is no longer the only point in this equation.

Kyle is apparently toying with the idea of voting me off, as well. I got this straight from Jenne, so I have to take it at face value. Regardless of the fact that they aren't getting along, Jenne has never lied to me before. So I trust her implicitly.

And Kyle has an entirely different group of people under his spell. Meaning that if Ryan & Kyle and all of their minions team up...

...yeah. No good for li’l ol' me.

On top of that, Taylor apparently told Beth that if things keep going as they are - that he thinks I will win this game. Which means, if Taylor has some ambitions in this game...it would be smart of him to off me with the boys & their minions.

So...anything could happen. I am preparing the girls for it. If I go...big trouble lies ahead. And I want them to fight for Immunity every step of the way.” – Christopher

He only rolled himself out of bed when he heard a knock on the door. More than anyone else, he was happy to see JoJo on the other side of the door. She practically leapt up into his arms.

JoJo: Get out of bed you cute thing! What’s the matter with you?

Christopher: I might go.

JoJo frowned up at him.

JoJo: Bull! What army could pull that off?

Christopher: Actually I think it is possible. Drew has an alliance with Ryan, Jon, and Jenne. She, of course isn’t for real.

JoJo: Well, you have Drew and Jon feeling desparate. Jenne will steer them away from you.

Christopher: Well, Ryan has Isaac, Ashley, and some others. Taylor apparently told Beth that at the rate things are going, I will win. So he is clearly thinking about offing me, too. All it takes is eight, maybe less. We can only count on six votes for me to stay. I’m not gonna cry about it though.

JoJo: What do you need Mama to do? I’m on it. Missie likes you. Kyle is with you, yes?

Christopher: He is hard to read. Kyle just wants to win, and Missie would eat her young, so who knows what they’ll do? Girlfriend is a player, but it is weird—I enjoy her! I totally expected to voraciously dislike her, but I don’t at all.

JoJo: The more I talk to her, the more I like her. But I don’t wanna work with her!

Christopher laughed aloud.

Christopher: Oh, Mama! You are so cute!

[Host Kyle]

And cute she was. But the present was not the moment to relish in the sap. They had a job to do and that was to make ready the train out of camp and secure complimentary tickets to Rami Ghoener. With him gone of all that were vulnerable, they were as good as headed to the finals.

However, JoJo was still unsure of many things. Perhaps she was just walking into a trap like she had seen in Valentine’s Day. She trusted Christopher with everything in her, but through that, she was blindly putting her fate into the hands of Jenne and Beth and Elisabeth.

She smiled at Christopher even as all this plagued her mind. But Mama was a trooper. She would fight her way to the top if she had to, and she knew that Christopher would protect her.

Beth Sowles had ambled about the beach that morning, just watching and observing. Studying, nosing around to see who was talking and who was mingling. Who was conspiring?

She was most concerned with Kyle and his uncharacteristically erratic behavior. He had become so hell-bent on coming out on top and breaking up certain groups of people. She had never seen him as riled up, even back during Valentine’s Day when Lucas was constantly nipping at his heels. On the same token, she was a bit surprised at Jenne as well. It seemed that Jenne had taken pride in becoming the new game bitch, and that was upsetting.

For whatever reason, both Kyle and Jenne had continued to get more riled at each other when both of them had spoken openly of fighting and making up. Was there perhaps an outside force insighting such a rivalry?

Then there was the whole issue with Ryan. Beth had seen the play against him before in Valentine's Day, that much she could admit.

When she made her way into the resort she stumbled upon Missie and Kyle in the restaurant having breakfast, and her heart nearly failed her. Kyle and Missie had grown so close that it was frightening—and confusing. At one time, Kyle had been gung ho at seeing Missie leave first.

When Missie got up to excuse herself from breakfast, Beth stepped aside and hid while she passed. But when Kyle came up, she grabbed him. He turned around, startled.

Beth: So, Mr. Kyle.

Kyle: Yes, Ms. Beffy?

Beth: Any idea who you’re gonna vote tonight?

Kyle knew who he wanted gone, but he couldn’t tell her. She already made it perfectly clear she would not be voting for Elisabeth, so there was no use creating more of a stir.

Kyle: Rami, just like I said I would.

Beth nodded and squinted at him. There was more going on in his obscure little head, and she knew it.

Beth: Rami asked me to vote out Lizzie today.

Inside, Kyle froze and simply looked at her. Instantly he gritted his teeth. That foolish boy had done just exactly what Kyle had asked him not to do for the sake of good strategy! Groaning within himself, he still tried to maintain face.

Kyle: Rami did?

Beth nodded solemnly.

Beth: Said you mentioned Taylor and Lizzie as the only options.

So, it was out. Kyle’s plan to save Rami had been officially thwarted—by none other than Rami himself.

Kyle: He’s a moron.

Kyle simply shook his head and leaned against the wall, defeated.

Beth: I find it amusing…

He merely shrugged. He had no words, no defense. The plan was done for and Beth knew, not that Kyle was keeping it a secret for the sake of dirty play. Beth was not ever going to vote for Elisabeth, so why should she have to? She would’ve been much better off not having to do it herself—just like with Tenzil.

Then Kyle had another thought: why did Beth’s hands get to be clean the entire game? That was something worth entertaining, but currently there were more important matters.

Beth: Ryan seems upset…

While she had him cornered, she figured she would grill him about everything. After all, Kyle always told her the truth.

Kyle: He is.

Beth: Should I ask? Or just be the idiot over in the corner twiddling my thumbs?

Kyle: He realizes that Jenne is trying to split the two of us up, besides the fact that she is smearing the heck out of me.

Beth: You and Ryan? You and Ryan have an alliance?

Kyle: No.

Beth: I don’t think she is getting much support if she’s trying to smear you. My own personal opinion on that.

Kyle: I hope not.

A silence passed between them as the stood there until Beth spoke up again.

Beth: So Rami asked me who I would vote out and said I was the person he was closest to in this game.

Kyle: Will this day never end? I wonder if he believes that?

Beth: Not that I believe it.

Kyle looked down for a long moment before glancing back up at her hopefully.

Kyle: Will you be pissed at me if Lis goes?

Beth: Are you voting her now?

Kyle: Just trying to cut Jenne’s powerbase. Plus Lis is just not doing anything around here, and you won’t have blood on your hands.

Beth shifted uncomfortably.

Beth: Are there votes to do that? She’s a Beth supporter, ya know?

Kyle: So you think I’d be cutting your support, too?

Beth: Not purposefully. But I’m not voting her out.

Kyle nodded.

Kyle: I respect that.

He did respect it, but at the same time he didn’t. He and Beth were supposed to be allies, but everything Kyle had tried to do in the game thus far, Beth had put a stop to it. Everything. From saving Jamie and Angie, to voting out Tenzil, to saving Rami. Beth had been on board with none of it. How were they supposed to work cohesively together in that state? He couldn’t show it at the moment, but it was getting increasingly frustrating to run any plans by her.

Beth left him to his thoughts and hurried to catch Missie in hopes that she could sway Missie from any seed Kyle may have planted.

She found her just about to head out of the main resort, and they noticed each other at the same time.

Missie rushed back to her.

Missie: We need to talk. There is a little shift tonight.

Beth: Oh? You’re not voting Rami?

Missie: Well, I want to talk to you first. I want to make a decision with you. Hold my hand dammit!

Beth laughed aloud and squeezed Missie’s hand in her own.

Beth: This about voting Lizzie?

Missie: Yeah.

Beth nodded.

Beth: Well, are you close with Christopher at all?

Missie: I love him to pieces, but I don’t know him very well. Why do you ask?

Beth: Because he loves Lizzie. I don’t think Lizzie should be jury necessarily, but I’m not sure tonight is the right time.

Missie: But Taylor has Lizzie in his pocket.

Beth scoffed.

Beth: No, he doesn’t! Taylor may think he does.

Missie: He told me he surely does…and Jenne too.

Beth: Really? Well, Taylor is delusional.

Missie nodded. Surely Beth knew best about which way to go.

Back to Kyle, Missie went, finding him exactly where she had left him. He was still loitering outside of the restaurant, lost in deep thought.

Missie: Beth is not sure this is the right time for Lis, and she says that Taylor does not have her in his pocket.

Kyle looked up quickly. In the five minutes since he had just spoken with Beth she had already gone to further halt his plans and strategy? What exactly was she doing to him?

He looked around quickly, wondering if Beth was standing somewhere watching him. Did this mean she was working for Jenne and company and telling them everything Kyle was doing?

Kyle turned his attention to Missie, hoping the disdain he felt was not betraying the front he was trying emit.

Kyle: What do you want to do?

Missie: If the numbers aren’t there, there is no point in even trying in my opinion. But dude, I’m so with you…just worried.

Kyle: I don’t want this to be a boring Valentine’s Day finish. I’m trying to prevent that. It sucks that some people have to have their friends here to do well in a game!

Missie: I agree. I hate playing with a bunch of friends.

Kyle: If we vote Rami tonight, we have got to band together and prevent that!

Missie: I agree. Let’s go with Rami, ok? Isaac needs to feel like he has a say, too. Tomorrow we need to work it out so we throw a wrench in there.

Kyle nodded and looked at her quietly for a moment.

Kyle: Ok. I’m trusting in you.

Missie: Dude, I’m totally with you, I swear. And apparently Chris loves Lis?

Kyle: Yeah, they are close. It’s going to be friends all over again.

Missie: Would you be in for Jenne next? Why not take her out?

Kyle: Oh yeah I’d be down! Just as long as you don’t turn around and tell Jenne this.

Missie: Heck no! I think she has lied to me about her and Taylor.

Kyle: I don’t know what’s going on there, so I’m staying out of it. Though, I’d like to keep Taylor around.

Missie: Me too, but, Kyle? I don’t want Taylor to think he has control of two different alliances.

Kyle: I think it’s moot whether he thinks so or not. We know the truth.

Missie: Where do you stand with Chris?

Kyle considered for a moment. Christopher had been growing on him. After all he had been crucial in the Tenzil vote and seemed genuinely disappointed in Jenne’s reactions to everything.

Kyle: We get along. That’s all I can say. I’d defend him if votes were going against him.

Missie: Just so you know, I feel close to him, Beth, and Isaac. And I’ve talked a bit with Jon.

Kyle: I think I have Jon, but I discredit no one.

Missie took a deep breath and put her hands on his shoulders.

Missie: Tonight will be over, then we will move on, get immunity, and take out someone who is a threat. We are still kind of strong.

Kyle: Alright.

Kyle’s trust for Missie had just sky rocketed. In that moment, he had his first inclination to trusting Missie over Beth. Beth not willing to budge on anything that Kyle tried to do that seemed a safer option for himself, she wouldn’t allow. Everything done thus far had been for Beth’s safety, and Kyle was not liking it.

He smiled at Missie and gave her a gentle squeeze.

Then he went to find his supposed final two partner. He approached her quickly, the frown very apparent on his face.

Beth: What?

Kyle: You told Missie not to vote for Elisabeth.

Beth: Are you mad at me for telling her that?

Kyle: No…I’m just mad I even decided to play this game. I will never play this game with friends again.

Beth: Exactly! Playing this game with friends is not good!

Kyle: It could be! But some people are brats and have no skin!

Beth gasped and crossed her arms indignantly.

Beth: Me?

Kyle: No. If I say brat, I mean Jenne. I think she can’t stand the thought of losing to me.

Beth: Honestly, I don’t know what she’s doing. Are you mad at me though?

He was getting there, in all actuality, but he couldn’t show all of his cards. If Beth had the slightest inclination that he would take his loyalty elsewhere, so would she. But Kyle couldn’t help but be somewhat honest with her.

Kyle: No, I’m not, I promise.

Beth: What then?

Kyle: I’m just miffed that I decided to play my own way, and I feel slapped on the hand because it doesn’t adhere to SC standards.

Beth sighed and consciously refrained from rolling her eyes. The Survivor-Central hang up was getting old, even to her now.

Beth: You can always play your own way, hun.

Kyle: I wasn’t allowed to in Valentine’s Day. Apparently I’m not allowed to here. My opinion of Jenne has done a 180.

Beth: Where do I fit in?

Kyle: I trust you, and I know it’s hard for you to vote out your friends, but I’m just wondering how this is going to work down the line.

Beth: Someone will end up hating me again.

Kyle: Not me.

Beth: The difference for me is, I don’t mind if they vote me out, and I’ll like them anyway. What I don’t like is the smearing of people. It just isn’t necessary.

Kyle: Thank you! It’s not! Just play the game…gah!

Beth: Do you think you’re not allowed to play the game or that your method is just different?

Kyle: I think that I’m not allowed. Jenne is so afraid that I’m going to turn on her that she’s overplaying and making me want to turn on her. Her and Taylor both!

Beth: Well, then you need to outplay them.

Kyle: It never even entered my mind to turn on Jenne and Taylor ever until Taylor has repeatedly jumped on me ever since Tenzil was voted out, telling me I’m overscheming, and Jenne is mad, and everyone thinks so…

Beth: The thing to remember about Taylor is that he is paranoid and plays that way. He’s delusional at times about what he thinks is going on. Taylor saying he “has Lizzie” is a good example. I’m not sure who exactly Lis is aligned with, but I’ve played with her enough to know that Taylor does not have her.

Kyle: I don’t see how Lis can be aligned with anyone.

Beth nodded briefly. It was the truth. She had scarcely spoken to anyone outside the people she knew coming in.

Beth: I think she is counting on Taylor and others to protect her.

Kyle threw a hand into the air, his point being made by Beth’s own mouth.

Kyle: Exactly!

Beth heard the point herself. It was a tough situation for her.

Beth: I’m not opposed to Lis being voted out. I honestly don’t think this is the vote to do it.

Again Kyle threw his hands up and paced away for a moment.

Kyle: I’ll vote Rami. But I know I’ll have a rogue Ryan after me now. I’ve come into this game with too many people expecting me to trust them and be loyal to them out of obligation that I’m in “this” position right here.

Now Beth could see that Kyle was entering her world.

Beth: Exactly!

Kyle: There is no one I can defend or want to vote off without getting myself in hot water with someone.

Beth: This is exactly how I felt in Valentine’s Day. Why Lizzie hated me so much, and Taylor hated me so much. “This” is why…because you want to protect yourself.

Kyle: Exactly!

Beth: So you don’t always tell everything to everyone, and yet people assume you’ve told everything you know and don’t think about it being an individual game. So, when you know something or make a move, they’re shocked and surprised that you would do that, and they start attacking your character. Which is insane!

Kyle nodded vigorously. That was exactly it! Beth knew precisely what was going on in his head, and their “friends” around them weren’t getting it!

Beth: You know they’re doing the same thing.

Of course they were! Kyle knew Jenne was playing her own game against him and had been since before Tenzil had left, which was why he had taken measures to protect himself! Which was why Christopher had wanted Tenzil gone. Which was why JoJo was now questioning Jenne’s motives for her current drive. Which was why Taylor was telling everyone everything people were saying. Which was why Ryan was trying to align himself with everyone outside of what he considered the power block.

Everyone was trying to protect themselves and playing their own game.

[Host Kyle]

And as the day progressed, most all of the fifteen ventured out in their efforts to “protect themselves”. Ryan was trying to drum up enough support to keep Rami off the block and Elisabeth on her way out. Hopefully Kyle was making the same progress.

Word had traveled quickly of the new plan of rebellion. Christopher Collins did not take kindly to the information either. In fact, it would seem that he reacted more on Elisabeth’s target than his own.

“The winds of change have been tearing through camp every 12 hours here on All-Star Island.

Apparently, Ryan & Kyle couldn't gather the votes to off me. It seems that Taylor is standing by me, and possibly Missie, as well.

Jenne did a major number on Drew, and he's flipped from Ryan's side to ours. Phew.

So everything should be easy, right? Rami goes and we resume our journey towards the Final 9.

Nope. Now Ryan & Kyle are targetting Lizzie. MY LIZZIE!

HELL NO. I will NOT let these f**kers take out Lizzie. Lizzie will always have a piece of my heart. And I will not let her go without an ugly, viscious fight.” – Christopher

Ryan quickly received wind that everyone knew he was campaigning for Elisabeth, but that he had also targetd Christopher and JoJo and Jake and anyone he could get his hands on—much the same as had happened to Kyle.

By a simple twist or word of mouth, it was all too possible.

Jenne found him out on the beach and became one of many who had approached Ryan Appel that day. She put on her best smile as she approached him.

Jenne: Does Rami have any idea about what’s going on?

Ryan: I haven’t told him he’s up. If it’s not me or someone in my alliance, it’s best to keep myself out.

Jenne: I gave up on that alliance like the day after. Poor li’l Jon. His fate in this game is to be used and abused. But man, I’ve been hearing the rumor mill go crazy on your ass recently. Either you are a naughty, naughty li’l boy or someone is framing you.

Ryan grunted and shook his head.

Ryan: Yeah, I’m used to it. People like to talk about me as opposed to to me.

Smiling, Jenne approached him and caressed his arms.

Jenne: But you’re so pleasing to talk to.

Ryan: Could you do me a favor and inform others of this news?

Jenne: I’ll do my best. At least you aren’t hearing that a friend of yours is targeting you. That sucks.

Ryan: I suppose that would be worse. Rami better not be the one spreading these rumors.

Jenne: Couldn’t be. He doesn’t talk to anyone.

That was truth. But Ryan didn’t care. Rami talked to him, and he was going to get rid of Elisabeth if it was the last thing he did. He would stop all these rumors, that he was certain now Jenne was helping to spread.

In passing he found Jon and gave him the heads up.

Ryan: I take it back. Chris apparently had nothing to do with the rumors.

Jon: Who’s been spreading them?

Ryan: Jenne and possibly more. I would go for Elisabeth now. But that’s just what I think I’ll be doing.

Jon nodded and jumped on board.

Then Ryan headed out to resolve another issue. The rumor that he had devised the plan to get Christopher out made everyone’s ears. Sure Ryan had mentioned his name in strategy, but no plan had ever been devised. Still he felt compelled to apologize and make nice with Christopher in an attempt to squelch the rumors or potential animosity.

Ryan: Chris I have something I need to tell you.

Christopher had just left his hut to go find his girls for a late lunch when Ryan cut him off. Ryan was the last person he wanted to see aside from Kyle, but there was not getting around this confrontation.

Christopher: Woah.

Ryan: Sorry to ambush you. People have been spreading crap about me and hinting to where it was coming from. When I asked if it came from you they didn’t deny the notion. Unfortunately I belelived them and had asked a few people if they would vote you. Again I apologize and hope that you could find it in you to forgive me. When I found out that those people were lying to me... first to frame me and second to distract attention from themselves I immediately went to the two people that I suggested your name to and told them to scrap it and that you had nothing to do with the whole thing.

Christopher: So you told people to vote me out?

Ryan: I did and I truly regret it. I assure you that I have taken all the blame for it, and you won’t be getting any votes. I was confused and disappointed when people I thought I could trust were suggesting that you were spreading false information about me.

Christopher blinked and stared at him.

Christopher: I am floored. I could get votes tonight because of you! Thanks, Ryan.

Ryan: You won’t.

Christopher held up a hand to stifle him.

Christopher: I think we should skip this conversation. If these are my last few hours in the game, I have some goodbyes to make. You be well.

Ryan reached out to stop him from going.

Ryan: First of all the two people I spoke with talked me out of going after you, and second I went back to them and told them I was wrong. You’re not getting voted out! If I was being this honest, I would tell you if others were even considering you. I’m telling you this because I screwed up, and I want you to get an apology before others exaggerate it.

Christopher jerked out of Ryan’s grasp and smoothed his shirt. With one last once over of Ryan, he turned and stalked away.

Ryan stood there, defeated.

Ryan: I hope that you can forgive me eventually…

Jenne had been watching the entire scene and loving every bit of it. She approached him with her arms crossed and a slight smile on her face.

Jenne: Hey, Mr. Eye Candy. How’s the “save Rami” campaign going?

Ryan frowned at her as he turned around.

Ryan: I’m simply trying to push the vote on someone who doesn’t deserve to be here. If it happens to save Rami, it’s a plus.

Her smile faded quickly.

Jenne: Don’t get defensive on me, hubby. I had a “save Tenz campaign myself. If you think Jon deserves to be here more than Tenz, speak now.

She grinned at her stumping question, but Ryan was having none of it.

Ryan: Who participated better at the Family Fued challenge?

And that was Ryan’s challenge. He crossed his arms and cocked his head as Jenne dropped her hands at her sides.

Jenne: Now, that’s a loaded question.

Ryan: I’m just saying. I voted for Tenzil only because I heard he hadn’t helped at all on the challenge, and honestly? I was never approached to vote out Jon.

Jenne pressed her lips together. She hadn’t approached him to vote Jon. It was Ryan’s turn to smile.

Ryan: When you only hear one side, your options are limited.

Jenne: This is true.

Ryan: I had nothing against him.

Jenne huffed, cleared her throat and attempted to brush it off, trying to manage her signature smile.

Jenne: I don’t want to have a domestic squabble, I’m just teasing you.

Ryan: Oh, I know, I’m just saying. Plus I don’t ever take this game so seriously that I get into squabbles. Disagreements maybe, but definitely not squabbles.

It was Ryan’s turn to firmly hold the cards and he smiled broadly at her. She eventually matched his smile and inched up to him.

Jenne: How about wrestling matches?

Ryan looked her over.

Ryan: I’ll have to clear that one with my lawyer first.

And with that, he headed about his business. Jenne was fuming once again. Ryan didn’t care though. He had nothing to lose. If Rami went, he was sure to go next. There was already enough waves made about him that there was no possible way he would be able to survive the next tribal council without immunity.

He marched out of the aisle of huts and toward the main resort, but eased his pace when he saw JoJo.

She was heading to the main resort as well, for the lunch with her group, but stopped long enough to hear Ryan out.

Ryan: Hey, JoJo.

She sighed deeply.

JoJo: JoJo again?

He shrugged.

Ryan: Jory, rather.

JoJo: I was gonna say! What’s up?

Ryan: A little concerned with how crazy things are getting but other than that not much.

JoJo: How crazy are they?

Ryan: Every time I talk to someone I hear a new rumor about how I’m in a group that’s trying to get rid of someone. It’s funny and flattering at the same time.

JoJo: Just remember you have immunity.

Ryan: I know. I’m clinging to it.

JoJo smiled then glanced off toward the hut where she knew Christopher and the girls would be waiting. Jenne passed them quicky, offering JoJo a wink as she headed to the restaurant. JoJo paused until they were alone again then cleared her throat.

JoJo: The other day when I wanted to talk to you, I had heard that you had many alliances. I don’t even remember where that came from, but I wanted to tell you to watch your back.

Ryan: Thank you for being up front. This is what happened in Valentine’s Day. People for some reason see me as a threat and decide that the only way to get rid of me is to tarnish my reputation.

JoJo frowned.

JoJo: I’m sorry. That sucks.

He managed a smile then and shook his head.

Ryan: It’s a game. I try to take it as a compliment.

JoJo: Of course. Means you are good, and you are doing great. I just thought I’d mention it to you. Doesn’t even mean any of it is really true…people start rumors just for fun.

Ryan: But I do officially hate this season now.

JoJo: Why? Talk to me.

He shrugged nonchalantly.

Ryan: I should’ve left honesty at the door. When I’ve made a mistake in this game, I felt that if I at least was honesty and tried to rectify it, I could show people that I was trustworthy. Apparently it’s better to lie and leave things unsaid.

JoJo: You know that’s not true. Go with your gut instinct. Ultimately you may have done the right thing.

Ryan: Have you decided who you are voting for?

JoJo: Rami.

Ryan dropped his head and nudged sand with his feet.

Ryan: I see.

JoJo: Sounds like you don’t like that. You never spoke to me about any other option, Jory.

Ryan: I don’t like that, but I’m not going to tell people how to vote. It’s not secret who I’m voting for, and in my opinion it’s with good reason.

JoJo: It is a secret to me. Chris? Lis?

Ryan: Lis. I tried to resolve what happened with Chris but he was pretty upset with me. That was the whole honesty thing.

JoJo cocked her head with question.

JoJo: Resolve what?

Ryan: I was led to believe he was spreading all that crap, so I discussed voting for him. When I found out people were lying I retracted and made sure he wasn’t getting any votes, but he didn’t want to hear it.

JoJo: Who lied to you?

Ryan: Jenne. Someone I thought I could trust. Stupid me, she’s done it before.

JoJo: I’m hearing that over and over lately.

Ryan was through talking. He was through campaigning and through defending. Tribal council was but a few short hours away. There was no sense in beating himself up. What was going to happen was going to happen. He would need immunity the rest of the time.

They hugged their goodbyes before JoJo headed to lunch with her group.

Ryan returned to his hut.

Meanwhile, Kyle sought out Rami, sharp words waiting at his lips.

Rami: Hey, Kyle, how was the plan?

Kyle: How was talking to Beth and telling her exactly what I asked you not to?

Rami: I didn’t! What did she say?

Kyle: She repeated back to me exactly what I told you…without me having to bring it up.

Rami: The only thing I told her was that my name was on the block. I didn’t tell her anything else and I did not mention your name. I don’t know where she got her information, but you told me to say certain things. My ass is on the line! I wouldn’t go around saying anything!

Kyle: Well she couldn’t have known what I told you just this morning.

Rami: I gave you my word! I didn’t even tell her I talked to you. She is trying to frame me just like Jenne is trying to frame you.

Kyle laughed. The day was getting utterly ridiculous.

Kyle: The thing is, she came to me first. She came to me with interesting news from Rami and the rest is history. How would she know to frame you? How would she know everything I told you?

Rami: I swear to you, Kyle. I didn’t not say anything, and I’m not trying to frame you or anyone! She is full of crap and is a part of that group!

Kyle: Just stick to your guns and vote Lizzie, and we’ll figure this out.

Ryan had no sooner pillowed his head for nap when Rami burst in, an urgent plea lighting his face. Groaning he sat up and pushed the blankets off.

Rami: I don’t know where the hell Beth learned this crap, but I think she just screwed my chances! We need to get rid of Beth soon!

Ryan rubbes his face.

Ryan: Why?

Rami: She knows me and Kyle talked earlier and found out stuff that Kyle told me not to say. Beth telling Kyle all this she is trying to turn him against me.

Ryan: Kyle is voting for Lis. We still need to talk to Jon and Drew, and we need three more. I don’t think that we’re safe yet.

Rami: I hope Kyle still trusts me. I seriously don’t know how she got her info.

Ryan: Are you and Beth still on good terms?

Rami: What she calls good terms is pretending to be all innocent like she doesn’t talk to anyone. I’m just acting like I don’t know how she really is.

Ryan nodded. He really didn’t feel like hustling anymore. The plan was ruined. He would still be voting for Lis but he knew in his heart that Rami was doomed.

In the restaurant, the power four seated themselves in the most secure area of the restaurant. All of them were fired up, but Beth and JoJo had come into the grouping with a new question on their minds. They were still with their four, but something beyond their control and understanding was going on.

Still they played it off.

Once they were situated, Jenne immediately took the floor.

Jenne: I wanted to tell you of conversations I had with Ryan and Kyle. Kyle tells me he can’t trust Ryan because it got out that Kyle wanted me gone. Says he only told Ryan so that means Ryan is spreading this crap. Then he starts acting like someone is trying to tear Valentine’s Day apart and telling me that Ryan is targeting season one folks, plus Tay and Lis. Apparently Ryan thinks they are in a huge voting block. Kyle was totally acting like he’s done nothing wrong and someone is out to get him now.

JoJo: Season one folks with Tay and Lis…

JoJo exchanged concerned glances with Christopher.

JoJo: Where would that come from?

Jenne: Ryan has an uncanny ability to see straight through everything to alliances. Because add Beth and me to that and he nailed it.

JoJo: Ryan officially worries me.

Beth: Ryan is smart. He proved that in Valentine’s Day.

Jenne shrugged and continued her rant.

Jenne: So Ryan is also licking my ass and asking if I still want to vote with him.

Christopher: I have a side note. Ryan should go next…not Kyle.

An agreement went around the table. Ryan had too much pull with the variables.

Jenne: The R Twins go back to back. It’s their way. And if the seven who are immune now end up being a team for this next challenge, I will throw it like you’ve never seen a challenge thrown before.

Christopher looked around at his lovely ladies and grinned.

Christopher: I really love you guys! Very happy to be with you.

JoJo: I love you too!

Jenne: It’s a rather nice li’l gathering I’d say. Way better than our final four last time, eh Beth?

Beth: Most definitely.

JoJo: So Kyle is in better graces with you, Jenne? No longer a need for him to “die?”

Jenne turned from Beth and deadpanned at JoJo.

Jenne: ‘Cause he licked my ass clean? Um…he can still kiss it.

JoJo chuckled.

JoJo: No, because of your making up the other night.

Still, deadpan.

Jenne: You mean when he lied to my face? Tried to blame others for his betrayal? Tried to kiss my ass ‘cause his ass got caught with his hand in the cookie jar? ‘Cause friends mean nothing to him in this game? Because he lies and betrays and uses like an evil cow?

JoJo glanced furtively at the others and backed down a bit.

JoJo: Ok, shutting up now. Message to others…don’t mess with Jenne girl.

Christopher shrugged.

Christophre: I don’t mind if friends mean nothing, as long as you go with it. He whines about how he was betrayed by friends, but it is what he wants to do. Don’t whine. Either be down with it or don’t.

JoJo: You think Ryan is more dangerous than Kyle? Or that the R Twins should just go together?

Jenne: Once Rami goes, neither is too frightening. They just don’t have the numbers. What’s funny is Ryan was saying Lis should go after saying someone was tearing apart Valentine’s Day. He was saying she should go because she was inactive. I was like, Rami should go for the same reason.

Christopher: So dumb.

JoJo: I’m bummed Ryan is a dork. I kinda liked him.

Jenne smiled broadly.

Jenne: He has been my toy in this game. I am the cat, he is the mouse. I bat him around with my claws.

Christopher: I’ve enjoyed chatting with Ryan, too, JoJo.

Jenne: Ryan and Kyle are playing defense now…

And the conversation went on for some time. The group dispersed only an hour before tribal council, and everyone was sure the plans were set for Rami to go.

[Host Kyle]

But as Christopher and Jenne headed out to the council area, JoJo and Beth lingered for a moment with the same concern on their minds.

The approached each other with mirrored expressions, then they burst into laughter.

JoJo: I adore you.

Beth: Why?

JoJo: Just ‘cuase.

Beth: Kyle is definitely voting Rami tonight.

JoJo: Good. I was getting all pissy about him.

Beth: Why for?

JoJo: Between Chris and Jenne. Him mentioning their names.

Beth nodded and looked down thoughtfully.

Beth: You know, Kyle told me this morning that he likes and trusts Chris and would not vote him out. I wanna know how we “know” that Kyle was targeting Chris.

JoJo bit her lip thoughtfully.

JoJo: Let me think. I believe Taylor said that either Kyle or Chris is winning this and so Kyle wants him gone…I had asked Jake, too, but his answer could go either way.

Beth: Maybe Taylor is pulling something? I don’t know what to believe.

JoJo: So you feel less like Kyle needs to die?

Beth: They all gotta go sometime.

JoJo: Maybe Drew told me about Kyle and Chris….umm….

JoJo snapped in rememberance.

JoJo: Jenne heard it from the fake alliance! Maybe it was Ryan!

Beth nodded. That was exactly what she expected JoJo to finally land on. She looked around quickly and saw Jenne and Christopher far in the distance.

Beth: Just between us, and it goes not further. Promise? Jenne herself started it…to get Chris all anti-Kyle.

JoJo gaped and put a hand over her forehead. It made perfect sense.

JoJo: Ok, I have one for you. No further. It was in the middle of Kyle and Jenne’s spat and I know they worked things out. The night they argued Kyle asked me if I wold work with him against Jenne. But they kissed and made up and I didn’t give it much thought.

Beth tsked and shook her head.

Beth: To make it weirder, the only person who has suggested Chris as a possible boot is Jenne.

JoJo: Yeah, I’m getting that.

Beth: I mean seriously. No one that I’ve talked to has mentioned Chris as a target.

JoJo: Why in the world did Chris say that if he goes, she is right behind him?

Beth: Because he believes Jenne.

JoJo: The closest thing here is Taylor saying Kyle or Chris will win.

Beth nodded her head slowly and JoJo bit her lip as she began to see things.

Beth: Jenne was right. She is a good victim, and I have a feeling that is what she is doing…playing the victim.

JoJo: That’s pretty much what Kyle was saying.

Beth: I have not heard anyone target Chris.

JoJo: Kyle says that Jenne is playing the victim and he refuses to be a villain, but he gets so passionate about this stuff. It’s like watching an ADD on crack! So I paid it no mind, but this is hard for me, Beth. Not Kyle, but Jenne versus Chris would be a nightmare.

Beth: I have a feeling that Jenne may be lying to us about stuff.

JoJo: Do you want to talk to Chris?

Beth shook her head.

Beth: I don’t want to make trouble. Honestly, I don’t know how to handle it.

JoJo: We can just sit on it.

Beth nodded. Things were beginning to be much clearer and she was glad someone else was opening their eyes to it. She and JoJo headed toward the council area together.

Ryan walked alone. He was exhausted. He merely shuffled through the sand, tossing rocks into the tide, enjoying the evening sky as he walked along. He was resigned to having immunity as his only saving grace, and he took his time making it to tribal council.

He saw no one else on his journey and enjoyed the solitude until he heard someone coming up behind him. It was Elisabeth, and her long blonde hair was flowing in the wind as she hurried to catch up to him. It was the first anyone had seen her outside of her hut in the last three days, and Ryan turned back around as if he hadn’t noticed her.

Elisabeth: Hey.

Ryan didn’t answer as he skipped another rock.

Elisabeth: I’m sorry if I’m interrupting your campaign against me.

Ryan laughed. There was no one else around.

Ryan: No that’s fine. I’m glad you finally chose to speak to me. I’m sorry if you’re offended but you haven’t been around much.

Elisabeth: I just wish you would have told me you were gunning for me, that’s all. Instead of through everyone else. Do you know what I’m saying? It’s better to have a good clean fight in the open than to stab through the curtain.

Ryan looked at her and smirked.

Ryan: The way all the eliminations have gone down so far? I wish Shaun, Jamie, Angie, and Tenzil had that luxury, too. It’s part of the game, and I’m sorry about that, but let’s face it…we never talk.

Elisabeth: Good enough. If I leave, then I leave, and good job. If I don’t then we’ll see what happens. That’s survivor.

Ryan: I wouldn’t expect you to leave, but it would be cruel of me to have a good friend blindsided as was planned. Sorry you’re the one I targeted. The person who deserves to go has immunity.

Elisabeth: It’s no big deal. It’s Survivor. I just wanted to see where you’re coming from.

Ryan shrugged and said nothing more. Nodding, Elisabeth realized her duty was done and went ahead of him to tribal council.

“Ok so since last time I've tried to branch out a little. I now have an alliance with Kyle; another one with Jon, Drew and Jenne; and the original one with Rami. Kyle managed to get the numbers to get rid of Tenzil so that is how that one went down. At our next Immunity Challenge it was multiple-individual immunity... which I had a part in winning... so I was immune to the tribal council... unfortunately Rami's name was the prime target. So being that I was immune I decided to try and pull some votes in. Apparantly that was stupid because all it did was piss a bunch of people off. My whole plan of trying to be honest with the people I wanted to work with is now being thrown out the door. I approached Chris and told him that I had been led to believe that he was spreading crap about me being in an alliance with Kyle, Taylor and Rami with the plan to vote out jenne. I told him that initially I was mad and suggested to a couple of people that we vote him out... however when I found out that Jenne was a manipulative ***** can't type that word on screen, I went back to those people and told them not to vote him for any reason. Chris being a mature person got right pissed off at me for being honest and resorted to giving me the silence treatment. Whatever, it's just a game, it's just a game.” – Ryan

[Host Kyle]

Tribal Council 4

The Survivor entered the stone temple in collectively better spirits than three nights ago—with the exception of a few people. For the most part, things were going as planned.

Karen stood at her usual place across from the four rows of benches, now not nearly as populated by contestants as at the first tribal council. For now, one bench remained totally empty. Karen waited until all had placed their torches and sat quietly.

Karen: Welcome Tribe Snickalick to tribal council number four. Unfortunately one of you will be leaving the game tonight.

Jenne leaned over and whispered into Beth’s ear.

Jenne: If Lis leaves tonight, we have been played by dumbasses. I would be shocked.

Beth: I refuse to be played by dumbasses! We be da playas!

Jenne: Hells yeah!

Jenne patted her leg then sat upright to continue listening.

Karen: Kyle, you have been accused of being pushy in this game. How do you defend or explain that?

Kyle laughed to himself and looked around briefly. Jenne turned to look at him from where she sat.

Kyle: I take full responsibility for getting the ball rolling for Tenzil, and I do not regret it nor do I apologize. But pushy? No. I went to those I knew had already voted for him and asked if they would to it again. I asked. Then others got on board. I don’t have the power to force ten people to vote someone out. Those that have accused me of being pushy are just threatened. Everyone’s vote is their own, and those that fall into a minority shouldn’t attack character or assume anything. This is an individual game for individual play, and I’m only doing what I think is best for me. I will not sit back and just comply to the standards of others or a small group who thinks the game should be played a certain way.

He looked down at Jenne briefly.

Kyle: If you are afraid I’m targeting you, come ask me. Don’t just tell everyone around you that I am. Chances are, it’s not true. Kyle is not a big, bad bully. I’m just playing a game where death does not occur on the dreaded side of tribal council.

Jenne rolled her eyes and nudged Beth on the arm, but Beth considered what he had said. Christopher and Jake snickered to one another. Many others did not even react, but nodded their assent.

Karen: Beth, do you feel people who primarily show up for immunity challenges and triabl councils should be considered to be as active as the people who are actually playing the game?

Beth: Well, I prefer to play the game with people who are actually playing.

Karen: Elisabeth, you’ve been pretty non-existant. How do you justify your existence in this game?

Elisabeth sighed and looked around quickly, at Ryan in particular.

Elisabeth: I give my all in this game. You best believe that I’m trying to get to know these people that, yes, I really do like. I try, and I will always try my best. My heart is in this game and always will be. I love the game of Survivor, win or lose. For me? Mostly lose, but I love the game, the people, the playing. I will never quit and there will not stop playing.

She garnered some eyerolls with her answer, but for the most part mumbling was at a minimum.

Karen: Ashley, same question.

Ashley perked up and looked around quickly.

Ashley: I try to talk to everybody.

Karen waited for more, but when nothing came, pressed on.

Karen: Group discussion, but I’d like JoJo to answer first, then Christopher. Do you think playing a victim is a good straregy? Are there any “victims” in this game from what you can see?

JoJo wrinkled her brow and looked around quickly. She and Beth had just discussed a victim, but was that what the question was asking? She swallowed before speaking up.

JoJo: I haven’t seen anyone playing a victim role. My first instinct is to say that I don’t think it is a good strategy. I might need to understand the question better but for now that is my thinking on it.

Karen: Christopher?

Christopher straigtened and cleared his throat. He threw a glance at Ryan.

Christopher: To be honest, I don’t think that card would work too well. In this game? I guess I kinda feel like Tenz played that card a little bit and, um…ended up leaving. So my advice to y’all: we’d best not play that particular card.

Taylor raised his heand, followed by Missie, and Karen nodded.

Taylor: I’m a victim of a broken heart. For days the immunity challenge has tempted and toyed with my emotions. Just last time I was mere seconds from claiming the hut that Ryan did. I don’t know how I will go on.

Taylor feigned crumbling into a blubbering mess. Those around him giggled and patted his back.

Taylor: But really. It’s a bad card to play. People don’t like victims at all.

Karen nodded to Missie, and she grinned before speaking.

Missie: How about Beth? Two words…fashion victim!

Beth gasped and then the whole council area erupted in laughter. Beth couldn’t help but to wilt with laughter with them and gave Missie a slap on the arm. When the laughter died down, Jake raised his hand.

Jake: I’m having so much fun in this game!

Laughter followed once again, until Christopher spoke up.

Christopher: I’ll address the biggie. There’s been some shady business the past few days, and the thing is, in this game what you reap you will sow. It catches up to you.

He cast a condescending look to some of those around him, particularly Ryan and Kyle.

Christopher: Play on the level. It only hurts you in the end.

Taylor: I have to agree with Chris on that statement. I don’t play these games for drama. I play for fun. This game could very easily take a negative turn so let’s leave the bull at home. There is no reason for this to get nasty. No reason.

Ryan considered Taylor for a moment before raising his hand, and Karen nodded to him.

Ryan: I understand that this is a game, and I understand that people need to get booted off, but if you can’t play a game and do well at it without having to rely on lying and cheating…then like Chris said, I hope that it catches up with you.

A silence fell over them.

Karen: Anyone else?

There was a brief pause before Jake spoke up.

Jake: I am still having so much fun.

The laughter erupted once again, and Jake beamed proudly. Missie reached over and ruffled his hair.

Missie: I love Jake!

Karen: Ashley, Jake, Jenne, JoJo, Kyle, Missie, and Ryan have immunity tonight. The rest of you are vulnerable. With that said, it’s time to vote!

Once again they arose to place their votes in the urn. Rami sat quietly, not at all certain that he was safe. Many had promised they would not be voting for him, but many had also proved what kind of a game they were already playing.

Elisabeth chewed on her fingernails. She hadn’t left her hut all day only to come out and find that a campaign had been launched against her.

Jenne bounced her leg confident and leaned on Beth as they waited for thirteen others to vote.

Once they had all returned to their seats, Karen retrieved the urn and was back in a moment.

Karen: Once the votes are read, the decision if final. The person voted out will be asked to leave the council area immediately. I’ll read the votes.

She reached in and pulled out the first vote.

Karen: Elisabeth.

Elisabeth nodded.

Karen: Second vote…Rami.

Rami nodded and looked over at Ryan.

The next three votes came up for Elisabeth and she was now officially worried. She looked over at Christopher hopefully and he merely held up a comforting hand. Christopher looked with disdain at the younger guys of the cast.

The next three votes were revealed for Rami.

Karen: That’s four votes Elisabeth, four votes Rami. Ninth vote, and the next person to be voted out…

She opened the parchment and revealed the name to the cast.

Karen: Rami. You’ll need to bring me your torch.

Even though he knew it was coming, Ryan’s heart sank. It meant that he was next. Immunity must be his. He shook Rami’s hand briefly and watched him arise and pull his torch from behind him.

Kyle stared at the ground as Rami made his way to Karen and presented her with his torch. She brought the snuffer down quickly and his flame was gone.

Karen: Rami, the tribe has spoken.

Rami nodded once and turned to salute those remaining.

Rami: Later guys…been fun.

JoJo: Bye, Rami.

Taylor: Bye, Rami.

Christopher crossed his arms and frowned at him.

Christopher: Poor Lizzie.

JoJo looked at him quickly but he did not acknowledge. He didn’t care. Ryan was firmly in his sight for no other reason but being and idiot and targeting first him and then Elisabeth. He wasn’t going to get away with it.

Jenne arose and pulled Beth to her feet and looked triumphantly over at Kyle. Beth arose willingly but looked curiously at her. She then looked down at JoJo who exchanged a knowing glance with her.

There was still a mole in the game sabatoging anyone that stood in it’s way.

How much longer would this mole upheave the entire island?