The Finale: Just Desserts

[Host Kyle]

Christopher: JoJo…this promise is so very important to me.

Shaking his head, he stuffed the vote in the urn and headed back to his seat.

Jake: You’re even awesomer than before.

Jake also wrote a name on his parchment and returned to his seat on the bench.

All of them waited with baited breath for the outcome. The first vote had been a tie, and no one was sure that Jake Erickson would follow through with his initial vote and loyalty to JoJo Treadwell.

JoJo and Elisabeth clasped hands so tightly, one of them was bound to lose feeling.

Karen revealed the first vote for JoJo. The second, she glanced at for what seemed like an eternity before she revealed it to the jury and final four.

Karen: Elisabeth. We still have a tie.

Elisabeth relaxed as she knew her fate had been sealed and she no longer needed to worry. JoJo let out a breath. She had made it.

Karen: In the event of a tie after a re-vote, we look to past votes. Unfortunately your past does come back to haunt you.

Elisabeth mustered a smile.

Elisabeth: Let me pull all nine of ‘em out right here.

Karen: Elisabeth has nine prior votes to JoJo’s zero. Elisabeth…you’ll need to bring me your torch.

Elisabeth turned and hugged JoJo. For a moment she thought that JoJo would never release her.

JoJo: Love you, girl.

Christopher reached out for a hug of his own.

Christopher: Goodbye, Lizard. I love you.

Elisabeth returned his hug and stood to her feet. As she passed Jake, he reached out to hug her as well.

Jake: You are awesome. Sorry…

Elisabeth pressed her lips together and regarded him for a moment.

Elisabeth: Mmmhmm. You made your decision.

They looked at each other for a moment longer before Elisabeth released him.

Elisabeth: I’m fine with it.

No further words, and she took her torch and headed to Karen.

Karen: Elisabeth, your tribe has spoken.

And her flame was snuffed. She watched it smolder for a moment before turning to the final three.

Elisabeth: Best of luck. Keep your heads high.

She stared at them with glossy eyes, threw a glance at the jury—the group she was not excited about joining, then turned back to her friends.

Elisabeth: Alright…love you all, be nice, and play fair! As always!

Christopher felt his eyes misting over.

Christopher: Love you, too.

It pained him to see Elisabeth disappear along the path that sixteen others had already trod. He already missed her, yet he was ecstatic he had nearly fulfilled his ultimate goal in the game—to reach final two with his Mama. In doing so, he had managed to maintain complete intregity with his relationship to Elisabeth Marie.

He turned to the other two.

The only obstacle left was Jake Erickson. Christopher and JoJo had their work cut out for them in becoming the coveted final two of Survivor Holidays: All Stars.

[Host Kyle]

Elisabeth's Final Words

*crickets chirping*

[Host Kyle]

Survivor Holidays: All Stars
The Finale: Just Desserts


Saint Patrick’s Day: Christopher, JoJo

Halloween: Jake

All three of them were exhausted by the time they made their way back to the aisle of huts—just the three of them.

JoJo, Christopher, and Jake enjoyed a quiet stroll along the beach. None of them said much. They merely enjoyed the company—and the solitude. After so many people and so much drama, turning into the aisle of huts was an ethereal experience. Only ghosts of the past remained.

They stood there with their torches at the mouth of the aisle and gazed upon the twenty huts that once housed their fellow opponents, all of them vacant now.

Jake looked over at his two friends, bid them good night and then headed to his hut for a good night sleep for the first time in…well, thirty-seven days. Tomorrow was a big day. Tomorrow presented the most cherished ceremony and the most important immunity challenge, all in less than twelve hours.

JoJo smiled at Christopher and took his hand.

JoJo: You are a good man, Mr. Chris. You are…you always really are.

He grinned and turned away.

JoJo: You are so empathetic.

Christopher: Nigga, please! You are that person! I am merely learning from you.

JoJo: You are so good at saying the right things and meaning them. No wonder we have fallen head over heels. And I love how you humor me when I fawn all over you.

Christopher: You know I adore you.

She grew silent for a moment, visions of the past haunting her mind.

JoJo: I keep thinking how at this point in season one you just laid it out there—told me the truth.

She threw troubled glance toward Jake’s hut where he had disappeared for the night.

JoJo: I wonder if I can do that for Jake now.

Christopher: I don’t think you should. He’s already fighting so hard for it, but it’s up to you.

JoJo: He might take you then!

Christopher shrugged.

Christopher: Whoever wins is going to take whoever they are going to take.

JoJo: No drama necessary.

Christopher: But I don’t think Jake would take me. It’s you. You have that thing that only Rafe could ignore.

JoJo shrugged.

JoJo: Lizzie told him I’d win, and that was smart of her. He so went “there” about me taking you to the final two.

He reeled her in to a side hug.

Christopher: If I win…I’m taking your ass.

JoJo: Well, duh! I’m taking yours too!

Christopher: I’m just saying, if he’s anything like us, it comes down to love, and he loves you more!

JoJo: Jake was mad at Mama for a second, asking if I had final three with you and Elisabeth. I almost fell down!

Christopher cringed.

Christopher: What did you say?

JoJo: What you said about insurance.

She stomped and glanced off toward Jake’s direction.

JoJo: I just want to fess up! But once I start I know I’ll just barf it up.

Christopher: We should just wait.

JoJo: That boy will kick final three ass.

She considered for a moment, biting her lip before turning to Christopher.

JoJo: I am gonna come real clean with Jake before tomorrow.

Christopher: You are, huh? Why is that?

JoJo: I just remember the relief of knowing I was screwed with you and Rafe, but knowing what the deal was, that I didn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell unless I won immunity.

Christopher: You weren’t screwed! It sounds so bad!

JoJo shrugged.

JoJo: I just felt at peace once I knew the deal. I don’t want him to learn on the jury that I wasn’t honest with him.

Christopher: I don’t want to see his feelings hurt.

JoJo: I don’t either! At all! I want him learning it all from me.

Christopher: Do what you need to do. I do think it will fuel his desire to win that much more, but hey…maybe it will trip him up. As much as I love the kid, tripping him up wouldn’t make me cry right now.

JoJo shrugged. The drama had been too much that evening and she wanted everything right with her favorite boys of the game.

Shortly she found herself in Jake’s hut.

JoJo: The game has just been way too intense. Our fault…their fault…whatever. I ain’t pointing fingers. I’m trying to stand back now and stay out of it.

Jake chuckled.

Jake: ‘Cause you wanna win!

JoJo: Oh yeah. There is that.

They smiled at each other for a moment before Jake looked down and grew solemn.

Jake: You guys did a good job though—throughout the entire game.

JoJo: “You” guys includes you!

He smiled slightly and patted her arm.

Jake: Well, the thing is…you rarely mentioned Chris—even late in the game. I always suspected you guys had a final two. But…

He turned away and began folding some of his clothes and packing them in his bag.

Jake: I never acted on anything. I never had any options other than you guys.

JoJo: I don’t know. I think you did, but I appreciate you being with me. You made these amazingly loyal choices. Nobody does that.

Jake: I’m glad I did. It wouldn’t be the same if I was here with Isaac or Ashley or something like that. I think I had a bit of moral fiber in this game, not that I never had any before but moreso. I only really broke one promise—with Drew.

JoJo: Your moral fiber is amazing. We can all learn from you.

The door opened, and they both turned to see Christopher letting himself in the hut.

JoJo: One scrawny ass accounted for!

Christopher: Look who’s talking! You’re nearly a midget!

She smacked him playfully, then looked around fondly.

JoJo: My two favorite boys…men…dudes…

They looked at her expectantly.

JoJo: I’m nervous. Ok…so…

Christopher: JoJo’s about to tell us she is a man in disguise.

JoJo pushed him again.

JoJo: Jake are you heading to bed soon?

He stopped packing his clothes and gave her his attention.

JoJo: I feel the need to say a few things before tomorrow. No idea why.

JoJo appeared extremely troubled, and Jake sat down on the edge of his bed.

Jake: Ok, I’ll be quiet.

JoJo twisted her hands nervously and fought back tears.

JoJo: It’s because it’s you two, and anyone who follows my game will know from episode one that if I could have chosen who I was in the final three with, it would be this exact situation. I happen to love you both.

She looked tragically from one to the other.

JoJo: I feel the need to throw out some stuff that I’ve not said. My attempt at being strategic, I guess.

Christopher: It’s ok…I’m the hottest survivor, I know.

JoJo groaned and looked away, not as amused as Christopher hoped.

Christopher: Sorry.

She turned and took Jake’s hands.

JoJo: I’m going to say things, and maybe you might get upset with me—

Jake: Ain’t gonna happen.

JoJo: Maybe you will call me on some inaccuracies the way you see things, but I feel better going into tomorrow with no secrets. Ok so far?

Jake: Yes.

Christopher: Sure.

JoJo took a deep breath.

JoJo: Jakey, when Jenne left, I approached Chris for a final two.

Jake: I am absolutely not surprised.

JoJo: I want to tell you that I did it because I felt sitting by him was my best chance…same game, same alliances, same enemies. As it got closer to now, it became clearer that the only person who could really foul up me sitting with Chris…was you.

She watched him for a response, but he was expressionless.

JoJo: As crazy as that sounds, that’s a compliment. You are the brains of this operation.

Jake: Hmmm…I don’t think I ever saw it that way.

JoJo: I certainly didn’t run it past you either. At some point—I don’t remember when—it was agreed that perhaps you should be voted out before you could win the final three challenge.

He cocked his brow and shifted his eyes from one to the other.

Jake: Oh really. I’m glad I got this far then.

JoJo nodded guiltily.

JoJo: Yeah, like final five. You can believe this simple line, or you can wait to see the show—I was a nervous wreck about it when it was being discussed.

Jake looked over at Christopher who raised clean hands.

Christopher: I’m just letting Jo talk.

JoJo: Chris if you think I’m being inaccurate, then I want you to call me on it. Anyways, it got closer and closer, and Isaac approached you, and I played…strategically. For the record, I felt like shit…but ok…so then final five comes, and I won. I basically approached Lizzie and Chris and pleaded with them to reconsider.

She grinned at him.

JoJo: By the way, I thought you were sucking at challenges. That was my hook.

Jake shook his head.

Jake: No. I always tried.

JoJo: You asked yesterday if I had a final three with Lizzie and Chris, and I answered it really carefully.

Jake: Yes, I noticed.

JoJo: I told them you weren’t a threat. Told them Taylor was much more of a threat.

Jake: That’s almost offending that Taylor is a bigger threat than me.

JoJo: Well the reason I did was because I wanted you to stay. You still with me?

Jake shrugged.

Jake: I wasn’t ever going to vote you out. I was going to think about it but I was never going to do it.

Christopher: Lizzie knew it would play out this way if Taylor left at five. She’s a little psychic.

JoJo: I just wanted to fess up my answer to you last night.

Jake remained quiet for a bit, taking it all in. It was the first he had heard of any of it, and it was quite a bit shocking. He glanced at both of them, considering how to respond. There was no use getting angry—he was still in the final three, and JoJo and Christopher still had been great friends to him.

Jake: So I am really the underdog?

Christopher: No!

Jake grinned.

Jake: That’s actually kinda cool!

Christopher: You are the boy who has told us more than once that you would win the final three challenge.

JoJo: Jake, you are the brains. Chris and I have played nearly identical games, so that’s why it came down to wanting to go up against Chris.

Christopher: Personally, I think she just wants to beat my ass.

JoJo: Bite me, Collins!

JoJo looked back at Jake.

JoJo: I want to hear what you think.

Jake paused as he glanced from JoJo to Christopher and back. Part of him wanted to hurt, but the better part of Jake knew it was a game. He was a young man beyond his years, and as he sat there considering the two that had been closest to him the entire game, he couldn’t begrudge them.

He shrugged nonchalantly.

Jake: You guys won as yourselves.

JoJo smiled, and Chrisotpher reached out to take her hand.

Christopher: Can I add a few things? Just so it’s a clean picture…I never had a final two with Jenne. JoJo just happened to approach me after Jenne was gone. My only promise was to Lizzie in episode one, and that was to never vote her.

Jake raised his eyebrows.

Jake: Oh. I didn’t catch on to that.

Christopher: That’s why it was really, really important to me to stick to that. She has been a sweet friend.

He took a breath before he went on.

Christopher: Very early on I know that JoJo and I hoped that we would be in the final four with you and Lizzie, so there is no grand scheme she is trying to let you in on gently. I think there are two sticking points: JoJo and I talked final two after Jenne got booted, and…when you got hysterical.

Jake snickered and looked toward JoJo. JoJo had to laugh as well.

Christopher: JoJo did tell me about that, and you never brough it up to me.

Jake: Yes.

Christopher: She did tell me that she thought you would stick by me but were considering getting rid of me, so I went, “Ok, if the time comes where I consider Jake too much of a threat, I will consider it, too.”

Jake nodded, understanding.

Christopher: Basically, both you and I considered it but never went through with it. You at final eight and me at final five. Etc, etc, etc….I think I’ve added enough.

Jake: Isaac offered me a final two. No one else offered me that all game, so it was hard not to give it at least serious consideration.

JoJo: Right, Jake. That’s why I feel like I bullied you a bit to vote him off.

Jake: No, I would have done it anyway.

JoJo took him by the shoulders and grew serious.

JoJo: I said all this because, Jake, I told you I don’t want this to get ugly…period…ever! And if I’m not going to the final two with Chris, I want you to know every detail to make whatever choice you want.

Jake: It’d never be that way with me. I’ve said all along I would never have a problem ending up third place to you guys.

JoJo: If it ain’t me, I’ll be so friggin’ happy for whichever one of you it is. I will feel like a winner at the end of this game no matter what!

Christopher leaned in to nudge Jake.

Christopher: She just showed you how she can work a jury. Don’t take her!

The three of them laughed together at that.

After sharing some memories from their stint in St. Patrick’s Day, they decided to call it a night and rest up for the next day’s challenge—the most important challenge of the day.

Jake: I have to go to bed so I can kick your asses tomorrow.

JoJo laughed.

JoJo: Cute.

Christopher: We know.

Jake snickered and headed for the door. Before opening the door he turned around.

Jake: Or at least try.

Christopher patted his shoulder on the way out, and JoJo kissed his cheek. Once they were outside and Jake had shut the door, JoJo grinned up at Christopher and shook her head.

JoJo: Karma.

Christopher: It sure better be.

JoJo sighed deeply and looked at him for a long moment.

JoJo: Thank you for…you know, letting me do all that.

Christopher: No prob. Glad you feel better.

She stood and hugged him tightly.

JoJo: I love you.

Christopher: Love you, too.

And so the night ended. Two days remained in the game, one challenge, two tribal councils. JoJo and Christopher relished that they had experienced the entire game together, now two games over.

JoJo crawled into bed that night feeling as light as a feather. Not only had she made it to the end with exactly the people she wanted to see with her, she was about to be home with her Chad and Brandon and Abby and Carson. There was no greater news than that.

The evening she had just had…sealed it all.

“Tonight was the most amazing night of the game. I asked to speak to Chris and Jake together and I told Jake everything about my final two with Chris....where it came from, when, why I wanted to take Chris to the final 2.... And Jake was amazing, as always. We were all so supportive of each other and said we will be happy with the IC results tomorrow no matter what. And I don't know about them.....but I sincerely meant it. I LOVE those guys.

Now Jake knows where I stand. And if he wins the final challenge, I will support whatever decision he makes. I feel SO relieved that Jake knows where I stand. I was not honest with him about having a final three with Lizzie and last night...when I laid it out there and knew not only that Jake still loves me but that I have no secrets from him.....well that was amazing.” – JoJo

[Host Kyle]

Day 38

They all arose early the next morning and shared a sentimental breakfast together. Strict instructions had been given to meet at the beach sharply at nine o’clock for treemail, but when they got there, they were greeted with only a note.

To find their way to the final challenge of the game, they were to follow a map down a trail along the beach in a direction they had yet to explore. It was definitely a new experience.

But there was a catch to the instructions: they were to bring along with them the extinguished torches of each fallen comrade from day three to the night before.

JoJo felt herself getting sentimental as they headed out toward the pier, reading over the first pitstop on the map. She quickly thought of all the faces she had worked with since the beginning. Seventeen people gone.

They passed the pier along the shore, the water crashing against the sand until eventually the came to a torch standing upright near the water. A plaque hung loosely, and it was adorned with a lei and other floral adornments. They approached it together and read over the name painted upon the plaque. It was the torch of Shaun, the first victim of the game.

JoJo smiled as she approached the torch first and ran her finger along his name.

JoJo: While I think it was weak game play to approach me for an alliance the first time we spoke, I do want to thank him for attempting to work with me. He seemed like a kind guy, and I now feel it was inappropriate of me to run to my alliance members and immediately make fun of his offer. It was poor timing, I didn’t know Missie yet, and I already had some established allies.

She sighed deeply.

JoJo: Good luck to him with his life, his work, and his children.

Jake stepped up and studied the torch for a moment before shrugging.

Jake: He really didn’t try very hard, but he did bring a laugh to us all at the beginning. He got caught not talking to many people early, and it definitely didn’t help his chances.

Christopher was already shaking his head before Jake finished, and he smirked.

Christopher: I wasn’t impressed by his gamesmanship. I’ve heard he’s good, but unfortunately he didn’t bring his “A” game to All-Stars, and he ended up paying the price.

Christopher beckoned them and they headed away from Shaun’s torch and headed down the shore where another loomed into view. It was embellished identically to Shaun’s and the golden plaque read, “Lisa.”

Christopher: I think she got a bad rap, and I tried to help her turn it around. While that ended up working for the first vote, we just didn’t see the double tribal council coming.

He pressed his lips together as he thought back.

Christopher: She deserved better treatment than she received, and I wish her well.

JoJo: I don’t believe we ever spoke in this game so I apologize for having nothing to say except thanks for being a part of this game. Good luck to her.

She took a step back to allow Jake a gander at Lisa’s torch. He stared at it for a moment.

Jake: I definitely wanted to give her a chance, and I believe she was one of the two people out of the entire seventeen that I didn’t vote out. I wish she could have been around more to save herself.

Christopher put an arm over Jake’s shoulder and led him and JoJo away. They walked for some time before they came to a third torch along the beach. This one was Jamie’s. JoJo looked at it fondly, but Christopher merely stood his distance with his arms crossed.

Jake: She played hard, and she played well, but when we tried to knock out the season four players, she was a prime target. She was also very close to Tenzil which was really worrisome. Glad to have played with her, though.

JoJo looked up at Christopher, but he motioned for her to take her turn.

She slid her finger over Jamie’s name fondly.

JoJo: Our connection was instant and genuine. I’m sorry I didn’t have more time to get to know her in the game. I had nothing against her at all, but wanted to support my alliance at the time she was voted off. She was witty, friendly, and really a joy to play this type of game with. Good luck with her zillion jobs, the games she hosts, with Tenzil, and with her life.

At that point JoJo and Jake both looked to Christopher. Christopher glanced over the torch momentarily, shrugged, turned up his nose, and continued on.

Angie’s torch was the next they encountered along the way. Christopher walked right up to it, eager with words to say.

Christopher: I’m sorry it ended up working out this way for her. She was so likeable and such a gamer that I knew she’d be a problem for me down the line. I know her boot was a surprise, and I hope that she understands it was all in the spirit of the game and nothing personal at all.

He then kissed his finger and touched her plaque.

Jake took a deep breath as he considered what to say. He had much history with Angie in the Holidays series—or with Desiree as he initially knew her. Her torch was somewhat sentimental to him, a cornerstone in his Holidays experience.

Jake: We came into this game, quite honestly, enemies, and I think I have always had a lot of respect for her and her game. That’s really why she needed to go. She was a danger to me and JoJo, and I guess she really did need to go.

He smiled crookedly.

Jake: She was a tough woman…I’ll give her that!

JoJo: Angie was a wonderful lady. I really enjoyed our numerous talks and do sincerely believe she knew the difference between game and life. I am so happy to know her! Thanks for playing the game with me.

They moved along past Angie and past the portion of the game marking the double tribal councils. From that point as memory served them, the votes grew more dramatic and difficult.

JoJo came to stand before the following torch and read over Tenzil’s name fondly. She turned to look at Jake and Christopher to exchange smiles before she continued on.

JoJo: He was such a wonderful surprise to me in this game. I expected to be intimidated by him and instead came to enjoy our late night chats, quoting song lyrics, and joking around. I think he is a great player and my desire to vote him off was purely to due to my respect of him as a threat. He was a great guy, very loyal to friends, funny, charming…

She paused for a moment and looked at her bare feet on the sand before she went on. Christopher squeezed her shoulder.

JoJo: I apologize for not being honest with him about the time I voted him out. He deserved the truth, and he deserves good things in his life. Good luck and thanks for the fun times.

She stepped away quickly before tears formed in her eyes. She had done well thus far and hoped to keep her face dry.

Jake patted her arm as he stepped up to Tenzil’s torch, remembering how intimidated he had been as well.

Jake: Again, he was a strong player and a strong personality. When we tried to weaken the season four group, he had ties with so many people it was hard to ignore. I think he played the game with class, and I’m glad for that.

Christopher nodded his approval as he glanced at Tenzil’s plaque.

Christopher: Well, leaving early seems to be his MO, and that didn’t change here. My vote for him was purely strategic—I needed Jenne to keep her game face on, not to mention that I wasn’t sure if he’d retaliate for the Jamie vote. He was a good guy, and I wish him the absolute best in life.

Once again they marched on, feeling the soft, moist sand on their bare feet, enjoying the cool breeze from the sea as they walked along the shore.

JoJo slithered her arm in Christopher’s as they walked, and Jake kicked up sand.

They came to the sixth extinguished torch which bore the plaque of Rami.

Jake was the first to approach and squinted thoughtfully.

Jake: I don’t think he made a lot of impact on this game, as I remember it. I don’t remember a lot else so I can’t say much. But I do think he was a good guy over all.

Christopher snickered to the others.

Christopher: I don’t even think I know who Rami is…like at all.

He turned back to the torch and shrugged.

Christopher: So…ummm, have a good life?

With almost the same sentiments as the others, JoJo looked at Rami’s torch.

JoJo: Sorry, but we really spoke just a few times, and his vote-off was not difficult for me. We just never really made a connection in this game, I guess. I hope he has success in his life, with his business, and with friends. Take care!

In contrast to Rami, when they headed further down the beach and came to Ryan’s torch with all the same adornments and burnt wick, JoJo smiled.

JoJo: Jory! Under different circumstances I do believe that he and I could have played such a great game together. By the time we met I sincerely had aligned with other people, and it was difficult to work him into my plans. It shows what a great player he is, however, because he really did have me close to flipping to his side prior to his being voted off.

She nodded thoughtfully.

JoJo: I really respected the way he fought for himself before he left. Good luck and thanks for the friendly talks we did have together.

Christopher: I have mixed feelings about Ryan. I really enjoyed getting to know him early on in the game. Clearly a strong player, and I think he was one of the biggest threats in the game. That said, I don’t think he handled his breach of trust so well and didn’t love that he tried to put it on me when it was pretty much all his fault.

Christopher shrugged.

Christopher: Nonetheless, I’m just chalking it up to game. In the end I do think he’s a stand up guy, and I hope life treats him well.

Jake: He was probably the first person to really shake things up before he left, I have to say. I know I didn’t like some of the things he did to do that—including accusing me of being in an alliance I wasn’t in. I knew he was just trying to save himself, so I respect that.

As they traveled along down the beach, all of them were conscious of the next torch and milestone it proved to be in the game. It was a point when loyalties were rethought all across the board.
As they approached the torch with Drew’s name on it, Christopher pressed his lips together.

Christopher: Drew was a nice guy who ended up taking the fall for Jenne when people were really up in arms about her.

JoJo and Jake shook their heads in agreement.

Christopher: Definitely an odd situation, and I felt for him.

He patted the plaque.

Christopher: Be well, chap.

Jake took a step forward.

Jake: He and I ended up having differences in this game, but before and in the beginning of this game, I knew him as a friend. I hope despite these differences we can talk after this game. I think he’s ultimately a good person but that these games can get the best of him.

JoJo: He seemed like a great kid, and I’m sorry that it didn’t work out better for him. He did a great job attempting to create an alliance of him, me, Jenne, and Beth, but at the point he approached us, an alliance had been made. I’m sure it appeared that I was cruel agreeing to an alliance with him, then voting him out soon after, and for that I apologize. Strategically, it did make sense to me at the time. Good luck to Drew in the future.

Onward they traveled until they came to Beth’s torch, and JoJo stared at it for a long time before she could say anything.

JoJo: This is much more difficult for me…

Christopher put his arm over her shoulder as she considered the right words to say.

JoJo: Our interactions were sincere on my part. Beth was my rock, my friend, trusted by me. I planned to vote Jenne off the night she went. I was nervous because I thought she was playing just like I was, and I couldn’t trust that I was her only ally. It wasn’t personal for me until after she left. If Beth was sitting next to me in the final two, I would’ve been happy, but I just didn’t see us getting that far together. When she last spoke to me, she told me that we were no longer friends, and it took a long time, but I do accept that. I just didn’t think she would feel so strongly about game play.

JoJo sighed deeply.

JoJo: Beth was my favorite person in the game for a long time. She told me I hurt her, and for that, I’m sorry.

When JoJo stepped back, Christopher stepped up, less contemplative than JoJo had been.

Christopher: Oh, Beth. She was definitely someone I expected to be loyal to for the entire game. Unfortunately that loyalty was not reciprocated. She passed on information that was supposed to be private, played all sides, either intentionally or unintentionally set up Jenne…in the end all of her actions revealed that she wasn’t loyal to anybody. I do think she is a nice lady with a good heart—and a fun wicked streak…

He ran his finger over her plaque.

Christopher: I think she earned her exit more than anybody in the game and got her just desserts.

Shaking his head, he stepped away and allowed Jake his moment of musing.

Jake: Beth knows as well as us that she was a power in this game. There is no doubt that she brought fun into this game…I hope we can all get past this at the final tribal council and after the game.

Pressing onward, they came to Kyle’s torch. Christopher was the first to approach it, and he crossed his arms.

Christopher: What a complicated relationship we ended up having. Truly not what I expected—like at all. There was a time where I thought we were going to work together, but he turned around and plotted against me. While I admire gamesmanship in trying to cover his actions, I never trusted him after that.

He looked at both JoJo and Jake.

Christopher: I won’t lie, his exit was one of the high points in the game for me. It was a long time coming. All that aside, I admire his passion and tenacity. Nobody can ever say that he didn’t fight with everything he had in this game, and he should be proud.

JoJo: Oh, Kyle…I cared for him almost immediately. There are always people in a game who go “click” when I meet them, and that was him. So, so many times I wanted to work with him or change game plans for him. He was an amazing player; he was so convincing he probably could have talked me into nearly anything.

She looked up at Christopher.

JoJo: My friendship with you prevented me from being completely honest with Kyle. I could never vote against Chris, and I think ultimately that’s what it all came down to. I think Kyle understands the real me very well, which is a compliment to him. I get close to so few people in these games. I missed him immediately after he left, and I hope we will remain in contact.

Jake: The only person whose hand I shook on an alliance all game. He was just too powerful. He had ties with everyone, including me, and I knew I was never number two in his gameplan. I always did have a great time talking with him, though. I’m glad we did get to know each other in this game.

At the next torch, they all grew quiet. Reading Jenne’s name was the most somber thing any of them had done the entire game. Her removal had been a detriment to them and their spirits.

Christopher: Jenne. My sweet Jenne. It sickens me to this day the way you were set up by certain people, and it breaks my heart that I almost believed the lies. I will never understand people who tried to hang you out to dry for the entire run of this game. Knowing you in real life—it baffles me. You are one of the kindest, funniest, most loving, comforting, and caring people I have in my life.

He smiled as he thought back to their twenty-five days together.

Christopher: While we had our ups and downs, I will always remember the fun times: the four—when it was good, our private talks, the drunken confessional, the plotting, taking certain people out. It was all worth it, if only to spend every day talking to someone I care about so much. I am so grateful to know you and treasure our friendship.

Jake: I hated the way she left early. We were just getting to know each other, and I really was enjoying it. She was one cool chick.

JoJo: My one and only Handcups! I never enjoyed someone in a game so much while feeling threatened by them at the same time. She scared the hell out of me gamewise, and I was always worried about Chris having to choose between us. I loved our chats, I loved our laughs, I loved the easy frienship we built. We listened to each other about some tough stuff, and, frankly, she helped me maintain some sanity in this game. I am grateful to her and the time we spent together.

Once more they moved on, and Jake approached when they came to Missie’s torch.

Jake: Missie brought plenty of excitement to the game. To put it in the best way, she always had a lot of fire and enthusiasm—maybe not always appreciated—but it brought something to the game nonetheless.

JoJo: All I can say is, wow! Was I wrong about her! I can’t believe I spent a year and a half thinking I would hate her, and she turned out to be one of my favorite people in the game. I want to thank her for helping me get to the final two. Well, I’m sure that’s not what her intention was but she had a lot to do with me getting here.

JoJo nodded and laughed when she looked around at the other two.

JoJo: Missie was an amazing player who could argue a point like nobody’s business! I was so conflicted about her. Once I got to know her and wanted to work with her, it was too late. I can say that I missed her when she left, and I respect her as a person. Thanks for the laughs and being cool.

Christopher: What a difference a game can make. Coming into this game I had heard such awful things about her. She was one of my early targets and I never, ever expected to become friends with her.

He looked at JoJo and grinned.

Christopher: She was so d**n likeable that you and I really did want to align with her and Isaac.

He turned back to the torch and smirked.

Christopher: The Kyle vote ended up mucking that up. Missie was a true gamer, and I would’ve happily voted for her had she made final two. It was an honor to play with her.

Once again, Jake was the first to the next torch, and it was the first time in the torch walk that he grew pensive.

Jake: Crap, Isaac…

He reached out and slid his fingers behind the plaque with Isaac’s name. The wood reflected sunlight as he tilted it.

Jake: I wish he could’ve lasted longer. We kicked butt in season three together, and I wish we could have had a bit more trust in each other here as well. But I guess that’s the way it goes. I really did have a tough time voting for him.

Christopher: He was a cute thing. Serously, he was awesome. He was another I would’ve voted for had he made final two. He was absolutely one of the toughest competitors in the game, and I’m sorry we didn’t end up getting to work together for very long. I respected his maturity, intelligence, gamesmanship, and ethics. He was a unique young man, and it was a pleasure getting to know him.

JoJo: Isaac didn’t have much use for me in the game until things got desperate. That is sincerely fine as he and I had different alliance partners. I am just lucky that it worked out for me. His game was very good, and it could have easily been him walking this memory walk instead of me. I always appreciated the way he always asked about me and my family, though we never really had anything in common. I respected his hard game play in the end, though it resulted in me pushing for him to go earlier.

They came to Jon’s torch—an individual they had not seen since Kyle’s removal. He had completely vanished, and all they could assume was that he packed his things and left the island on his own.

Christopher: Not a whole lot to say. He worked hard early, then pretty much gave up. Don’t know a lot about him, so I guess I’ll have to leave it at that.

JoJo: Well, I certainly took care of him with our “sorta” alliance agreement for as long as I could. Took some heat for it too. I expected you to work hard in this game and it was disappointing to have you disappear like you did. Thanks for helping me get to the end of this game. I believe voting together when we did indirectly helped me advance.

Jake shrugged and didn’t even bother to approach the torch.

Jake: I don’t have much to say because he didn’t contribute much to this game. I hope there is a good excuse for why he disappeared, otherwise, the time he was here, he was cool.

They moved on and JoJo slid her hand down Ashley’s torch, remembering the sweet, quiet girl who lasted so much longer than anyone had expected.

JoJo: We tried. We both tried, but the reality was that we had very little in common. It must be difficult to get to know some mother who has a child her age. I hope Ashley will be well. She opened up a bit about her family tragedy, and I was glad to be able to talk to her. I hope she has good luck at UCLA and takes care of herself and her family.

Christopher: In spite of being in completely opposiste alliances, it was a pleasure playing in All-Stars with Miss Ashley. She played a heck of a lot better than people give her credit. She was the last member standing of her alliance and ended up outlasting fourteen other people—most of whom I’m guessing underestimated her. In the face of some very tough personal circumstances, she persevered.

He smiled.

Christopher: I’m sending happy thoughts her way—the very best to her and her family. She has a lot to be proud of.

Jake: I’m sincerely glad she played this game. She and I may not have always connected here, but I think she brought a lot of reality to the game, and I am grateful for that.

After passing Ashley’s torch, they came to another symbol of a huge moment in the game. It was Taylor’s torch, and it stood proudly in the sunlight though no life emitted from the wick.

Christopher was the first there and paused for a long time.

Christopher: I really don’t know what to say or where to start…

JoJo came near and patted Christopher’s arm.

Christopher: Taylor will definitely be one of the people I remember when I think of All-Star. Whether it be finding out his real age, the alliance flip-flopping, working together, catching him in lies or watching him make it all the way to final five in spite of the odds against him…well, it was quite a ride.

Christopher nodded.

Christopher: We definitely had our strife in this game. I feel like most of it was about lies on his end—if any of us had known how old he was, I think people would’ve had differenct expectations of him. Whenever he felt like I was coming down hard on him, it was usually because he had been caught in a lie—either trying to oust me or blame something on me. All that said, when we came together the last half of the game—even though Jenne and I set up his boot with Kyle to get Taylor to flip-flop and vote Kyle out—I ended up having a good time with him. With the age thing out of the way and being in the same alliance, it sure seemed to work for us. Things were really easy and natural for a long time, and I hope it felt as good for him as it did for me. Be well, Taylor!

Jake narrowed his eyes as he looked over at Christopher and then to Taylor’s torch.

Jake: For a long time I thought he was a nice guy, but since he’s been voted out, I’m not so sure. I understand the disappointment, but I don’t understand his actions on the jury. Maybe I will after I see the show.

[Host Kyle]

JoJo: I truly love him! He was so different than I expected when we finally got to know each other. He was so funny, direct and honest with his opinions, a total threat in this game, and I overall have a great deal of respect for him. He did deserve to go far in this game, and I do apologize for being the main reason he left at final five. I apologize also for being dishonest, for blindsiding him—for basically doing what he asked me not to do. He would have kicked such butt in a final two situation. It was his status as a threat that earned him my vote. I was relieved when I heard he had the same plans for me.

They walked along for what seemed like the longest trek in the journey until they finally came to Elisabeth’s hut, some few miles down the beach. The sun beat down but the cool breeze from the sea, was soothing to their skin.

Jake approached Elisabeth’s torch and smiled.

Jake: You know I think she’s awesome, and she brought a lot to this game—especially as she left.

JoJo and Christopher both nodded proudly.

Jake: I’m really proud to have played with her and wish the best of luck to her in whatever she does in life. She, more than anyone else, handled her exit with grace. She is great.

Christopher: She is my Lizzie-monster! I’m so very proud of how far she made it in this game. Almost parentally proud—d**n, she makes me feel old! I was so scared for her so many times in this game, and all I could do was work my ass off to keep her here. And watch her work her own hiney off to stay. And we did it! To the very last possible moment! People underestimated her, targeted her, talked smack about her lack of playing…and they still couldn’t take her out!

Christopher shook his head proudly.

Christopher: Playing alongside her at that auction and setting it up so that our side won everything we wanted was so much fun. The way she played Taylor immediately after—wow…her control of the situation was masterful. On the challenge alone, her work determined that our alliance remained in control of the game. Without her…

He looked around and put arms over JoJo and Jake.

Christopher: We would not be standing here right now. I do wish she was at the final three with me and always will. I always regret that I lost final immunity and couldn’t ensure her a spot in the final three.

He paused solemnly.

Christopher: I am still thinking about her and missing her sweet smile…

Letting go of JoJo and Jake, Christopher walked up to the torch and faced them.

Christopher: For her and her only I will make an ass out of myself and sing the Golden Girls theme song…because she truly is a friend.

He cleared his throat quickly, and in the best pitch he could muster began singing.

Christopher: Thank you for being a friend…traveled down the road and back again! Your heart is true: you’re a pal and confidante…and if I threw you a party, invited everyone you knew, you would see the biggest gift would be from me…and the card attached would say…

JoJo and Jake laughed and applauded as he performed for them and spread his arms wide for the big finish.

Christopher: Thank you for being a friend!

JoJo hugged Christopher tightly and turned to look at Elisabeth’s name on the torch.

JoJo: Lizzie has true class. She was a pleasure to play with, with her strategic energy, smart ideas, and loyalty to people who had even hurt her in the past. Games need more people like you, that’s for sure. She and I didn’t talk a lot, but the times we did always left me smiling. Yesterday she worked her butt off—I had so much respect for her even while she was fighting to have me voted off. That’s a huge compliment to her. Lots of luck next year to her with college and soccor.

They gathered around this last torch for sometime, thinking, reflecting, remembering, savoring the company.

When they finally turned, they found Karen waiting at the top of a hill. She beckoned them, and they hurried to her where she stood and she began without preamble.

Karen: Congratulations Christopher, JoJo, and Jake! Welcome to your final immunity challenge.

The three of them exchanged proud glances as they stood with their arms around each other.

Karen: This is without a doubt the most important challenge of the game. If you win this challenge you will have secured your spot in the final two and will determine who sits beside you.

Jake: It’s like déjà vu.

JoJo : I’m ready !

Karen: This is Survivor Memory! You will need both luck and skill to do well in this challenge.

She turned and swept an area of the beach behind her where forty-four tiles sat face down on the sand in a perfect grid. JoJo, Christopher, and Jake all eyed the giant grid before them curiously.

Karen: There have been twenty castaways in this game, and there are two tiles for each of them. There are also two tiles for me and two tiles marked “special.” Whoever matches the “special” pair may be given a special opportunity in this game, and I stress the word “may”. More information will follow. The tiles are randomly shuffled. When it is your turn you will choose two tiles and reveal what is marked on the other side. Got it?

They nodded in unison. It was a simple game of memory not unlike they had all played as children. This was simply more tense.

Karen smiled impishly.

Karen: However…to make this a little more complicated…a number corresponds with each tile. Instead of choosing a tile to turn over, you will choose a numbers and I will only reveal what is behind those numbers. For example, if you choose one and two, I would reveal that Bill and Mary are behind those numbers—but I will not tell you who was behind what number. That is where your skill comes to play.

Christopher’s countenance dropped.

Christopher: Oh…wow.

But Jake grinned and rubbed his hands together.

Jake: Awesome.

Christopher: Very clever.

Karen: If you make a correct match, only then can you go out on the grid and turn over your tiles. Even after a match, play goes on to the next person.

JoJo clasped her hands and put them to her mouth nervously.

Karen: Each correct match is worth one point. The person with the most points at the end of the game will win. In the event of a tie, we will do a pre-determined tie-breaker round.

There were no questions from the three and they quickly determined by a roll of die which would go first. JoJo stepped up.

JoJo: Thirty-one and six.

Karen: Lisa and Jake.

JoJo nodded, taking a mental note.

Christopher: Seven and seventeen.

Karen: Ashley and Ryan.

Jake: One and thirty.

Karen: Beth and Jon.

Their selections went down the line several times and back. JoJo was massaging her temples, trying to remember the tiles. Jake maintained an unreadable expression. Christopher was clearly frazzled.

Christopher: I am so lost…

He took a deep breath.

Christopher: Seven and nine.

Karen: Ashley and Ashley…match!

With that Christopher brightened and sighed with relief. On his next turn he made another match. Very shortly after, JoJo made her first match. Jake noticed but refused to let himself get distracted.
He finally made a match with Rami.

JoJo followed in matches of both Tenzil and Jenne, now leading the group with three points. Jake picked up another match of Taylor, and JoJo followed once again with Kyle.

Christopher sighed nervously but covered it in laughter.

Christopher: That woman is…umm, lucky!

JoJo smiled but the game continued on and Jake picked up another match. Christopher picked up the next match of Missie.

As the game went on every number Christopher called out, JoJo and Jake were able to make matches from his leads, and he noticed the trend. He grumbled aloud.

Christopher: Forget it if I’m going to keep setting those two up!

But his woes didn’t last long when he picked up the match of “Special”. He laughed with delight. One by one, the matches were turned over until the game was finished.

Jake frowned knowing he had not pulled in enough matches for the win.

JoJo: Wow, that was great!

Christopher: Good game…very inventive.

JoJo looked up at Christopher.

JoJo: Wonder what Mr. “Special” boy got?

Karen: Here are the totals…in last place, but with the Special prize is Christopher with five points. In second place with eight points was Jake and coming in with the win by only one point is JoJo! Congratulations JoJo!

Karen approached her and slipped the immunity necklace over her head. JoJo was ecstatic, but when she looked over at Jake and saw the disappointment on his face, she almost melted.

JoJo: Oh….Jakey.

She went to approach him, but he shook his head.

Jake: Do what you need to do.

Karen: JoJo is safe at tonight’s tribal council, and Christopher and Jake are not. Each of you will have an opportunity to plead your case as to why you should get the other seat in the final two.

Christopher and Jake nodded. JoJo hadn’t taken her eyes from him.

Karen: You have the rest of the afternoon to rest up and decide.

Without further word, Karen left them alone.

Christopher looked over at Jake and hugged him.

Christopher: You da man!

Jake: Thanks for everything…really.

Christopher: I’m so glad we both got to play alongside each other before we both retired.

Jake: I agree, I agree.

Christopher: If you go into that jury room…cling to Lizzie!

Jake nodded in exasperation.

Jake: I will.

Christopher: Give her a hug for me.

He hugged Jake once again.

Christopher: You are pretty effing amazing…I hope you know that.

Jake: Thank you.

Jake released him and turned to JoJo who already had tears forming in her eyes.

Jake: I love you so much.

JoJo: Oh, Jake, you have no idea how much that means to me.

They embraced as well.

JoJo: I feel honored to have you say that to me, I really do.

Jake: I promise to be nice to you at the final tribal council. And I will make the rest be nice too. Or well…try.

JoJo smirked.

JoJo: Forget those idiots.

When they released each other, they looked at each other for a long moment while JoJo held his face in her cupped hands. Finally Jake excused himself and headed back alone toward the aisle of huts.

He walked on for some time before turning to look behind him, then sweep the expanse of the island with his eyes.

“So I guess this is where it ends. I'm disappointed in myself...I wish I could have won the challenge.” – Jake

When he reentered the aisle of huts, he stood at the foot of the community and scanned the twenty huts before him.

“I don't fault Chris and JoJo for what they've done. They've both been great friends throughout the game and a time comes where one of us has to go. They're both awesome and I know they will be friends for a long time. Yes, I still do have Tribal Council to plead my case to JoJo, but I know she has made up her mind. I've always said we'll be friends no matter what, and this doesn't come between that in the slightest. She was honest with me and I respect that. Good luck to both of you, and thanks for everything.” – Jake

He released one last sigh before shutting himself in his hut where he fell quickly asleep.

On the way back from the challenge, JoJo and Christopher walked arm in arm.

Christopher: Congrats! You were amazing.

JoJo: We did it!

Christopher: I can’t believe it!

She turned to look at him fondly.

JoJo: I love you.

Christopher: I love you, too.

She then smiled playfully.

JoJo: Hmmm, that’s what Rafe said to you in season one.

Christopher: He did, didn’t he? I thought it was in poor taste at the time.

JoJo turned and giggled with delight as she led him in skipping down the shore.

JoJo: All I wanted was to win this one for us and oh my gosh!

Christopher: You did it! And now you will win! You deserve this.

JoJo: You made me like this…I freaking adore you!

And they made their way back, each returning to their own huts. Christopher flounced on his bed and stared at the ceiling.

The end result was all in JoJo’s hand, and he trusted her to do the right thing, both for herself and the game.

“Phew.

That challenge...was really f**king intense. Pardon my French. Or, um, don't. But...whoa.

It was difficult. In some ways a game of chance - based on what cards the person picked before your turn, a match might have opened up...or one might have just closed. And I was stuck in between two brilliant people.

In the beginning, I was in the lead...but then Jojo picked up steam, followed by Jake. Thankfully, I caught up a little in the end, so it wasn't completely humiliating.

The thing that was so amazing about Jojo was that she'd make these random guesses...and her intuition was right on. Jake & I were both clearly playing by the hard information...but Mama Jojo was playing by her gut instincts. And it worked out for her. I'm so proud of her!

I'm sort of relieved, obviously. Jojo & I have Final Two deal, so unless she backtracks, I should be sitting in the FInal Two with her. Granted, I am fairly certain that she'll win...but still - if I don't get voted out...I will not have received a single vote against me in this entire game. Which, with my reputation, is something to be proud of even if I don't win.

Of course...anything could happen. Jojo could've had a deal with Jakey, too, and this could all be a set up. But I don't think so. I really can't even entertain the thought for more than thirty seconds - I trust her too much.

Here's to Final Two!” – Christopher

Laughing, Christopher turned over on his side and reminisced until he finally drifted off to sleep for a refreshing nap.

JoJo returned to her hut but was much too excited to sleep. She let out a shriek once her door was closed and tore through the hut.

“I WON the final immunity challenge!!! I have never ever ever ever won a challenge so big. In situations like that I always choke. But I won! It was exactly what I felt like I needed to do in order to make up to Chris how badly I f**ked up that last challenge. WE ARE GOING TO THE FINAL TWO!!! And I'm taking HIM, not the other way around!!

I'm euphoric!! WE WON!!” – JoJo

Instead of taking a nap like her favorite boys, she ventured up to the main resort and spent the rest of the afternoon shopping.

That evening, Christopher and JoJo walked together to the council while Jake once again opted to make the trek alone.

Tribal Council 14

JoJo, Christopher, and Jake took a seat on one bench before the bonfire, across from Karen and Kyle. It was a very unreal experience to be the only ones in the council area before the meeting. They had locked arms with one another and waited patiently.

Karen: Welcome, Tribe Feste, to tribal council fourteen. Unfortunately one of you will be leaving the game tonight and joining the jury. Things will be done differently tonight…I will not be asking questions of you. We will offer you, Christopher and Jake, to plead your case for JoJo.

The boys nodded and Karen looked toward the corner of the council area.

Karen: I will now bring in the jury. Drew, Beth, Missie, Isaac, Ashley, Taylor…

They all filed in one right after the other.

Karen: And Elisabeth, voted out at last night’s tribal council.

Elisabeth Marie came in fresh and clean, primped as beautifully as any of them had ever seen her. She offered a sweet smile to the final three and sat with the jury, obviously separate from them.

Karen: As you can see, jury, JoJo is wearing the immunity necklace and is safe from tonight’s vote. She alone will choose who sits next to her in the final two. Christopher and Jake, you will each have a turn to plead your case to JoJo. Christopher, you’re up.

Nodding, Christopher turned to look at JoJo.

Christopher: First, congratulations to both you and Jake. It’s been a crazy ride, and it’s almost over. I’m grateful to have been riding alongside you both. I don’t have much to say in the way of pleading. JoJo, you earned that necklace, and you should do whatever you think is best for your game.

He nodded his conclusion and Karen motioned toward Jake.

Jake: Thanks to both of you guys for everything. It has been an awesome game. JoJo…we’ve talked. You know that I am absolutely fine with whatever you do—we are still friends no matter what. I wouldn’t trade anything for it, so…just do what you need to do.

She nodded, feeling her eyes glisten over again.

Karen: JoJo, would you like to say something before the vote?

She nodded, clamping her jaw shut while she fought back tears. She waved at the heat at her face.

JoJo: I’m having a bit of an out of body experience, but I do want to say a little something. I think in Survivor it’s almost fully impossible to trust someone. In this game I was lucky enough to have not one…

She put a hand on Christopher’s knee.

JoJo: …but two people…

She put her other hand on Jake’s.

JoJo: …who I sincerely trusted the entire game. That might sound fabricated or cheesy, but I said it in one of my first confessionals…all I wanted was to be in the final three with Jake and Christopher.

She turned to look at both of them.

JoJo: I love you both, and I especially love that we came together last night and had our honest discussion so this would not be a surprise tonight.

Jake nodded. He knew what JoJo was going to do, and it was going to land him in the final position on the jury.

JoJo: Thank you both for you friendship…it means a great deal to me.

She nodded and looked back at Karen.

Karen: Ok, with that said, it’s time to vote. JoJo…you’re up.

[Host Kyle]

She nodded and arose to make what seemed like a long journey to the voting booth to cast her final vote of the game. She wrote down a name quickly and returned where she clasped both Jake’s and Christopher’s hand.

Kyle went at once to grab the urn for Karen, and when he returned, Karen wasted no time.

Karen: Once the vote is read, the decision is final…the person voted out will be asked to leave the tribal council area immediately. I’ll read the vote.

A tear streamed down JoJo’s face as she held tightly to her boys’ hands.

Karen took the folded parchment from the urn, unfolded it and read over it.

Karen: Eighteenth person out of Survivor Holidays All-Stars is…

She rotated the parchment for all to see. The jury shook their heads and murmured quietly—all except Elisabeth.

Karen: Jake. You’ll need to bring me your torch.

Jake nodded and wrapped JoJo up in a tight hug.

Jake: Love you, JoJo.

Her tears were flowling freely by then.

JoJo: I love you, Jake.

Christopher squeezed his hand on his way by, and Jake ceremoniously took his torch and headed toward Karen and Kyle.

Karen: Jake, your tribe has spoken.

Jake nodded as his flame went out. Just like that, his game was over—the very last possible moment. He threw a glance at the jury and felt a dread in the pit of his stomach. He then turned and left, disappearing into the night.

And so the final two had been determined. There was nothing left to say at the conclusion of the fourteenth tribal council. Having been officially deemed the final two of the great all-star game, JoJo Treadwell and Christopher Collins quietly made their way back to the aisle of huts for a good night’s rest.

One day remained, and they would spend it together before facing the jury in the final tribal council of the game—the final tribal council of both of their lives.

[Host Kyle]

Jake's Final Words

Well, here I am. Survivor Holidays All Stars: 3rd place. Am I surprised? Not really. Throughout the game, I knew I could never count on anyone bringing me to the final two. Sure, at most times I would have said, chances are, if it were anyone, it'd be JoJo, but in the end, I absolutely understand her decision and - hey, she knew what she was doing, and I'm not second guessing it. I think cumulatively, over the entire game, it was just a few things I said, and a few things I did that probably led to JoJo and Chris making a final two deal, and more or less leaving me out in the cold if I lost the final immunity. But that is a risk I took and a risk I knew I could definitely backfire on me badly. I really have so few regrets in this game - the only thing I would do differently is play the final challenge just a bit differently - take more risks, and I think I could have won the challenge, taken Chris, and won the game. Really - I think I did everything else, throughout the game, as a true representative of myself and what I thought I needed to do to win the game, as well as end up at the end with JoJo and Chris, and I really wouldn't trade anything for that. They both stuck with me throughout the game, they both protected me, and they were both awesome friends throughout. I really probably couldn't say enough about them. I really couldn't wish for better friends to have played the game with, and I am happy to see them in the final two together. I will be truly happy for whoever wins the game, and I think that's valuable in itself.

Overall, I am glad for the overall experience I've had the past three months, I'm satisfied with what I was able to do in this game, and I'm extremely thankful for all

the work the hosts and all the other players have put into making this game great. That being said, I don't know if I'm ever going to play a game like this again. The toll it takes on me, both emotionally and timewise, is too big to undertake again. Maybe one day I'll get bored and catch the bug again, but for now - I don't feel like I can do it again. I've learned what I wanted to, I've gotten a taste of the people that are out there in the world, and I think I've gotten out of it what I wanted from these games. So with that, I think I'll sign off here, knowing that I'm satisfied with what I've done and accomplished and knowing I made a few true friends.

[Host Kyle]

Tribal Council 14 Voting History

“Jakie, my vote is for you and you know why. I feel my best shot is to sit next to Chris at the final TC, having played a similar game, with similar allies and enemies. This is not easy for me because you deserve to be there too. You played a fantastic game Jake. I would absolutely NOT be in final two if you hadn't been so loyal to me. Can't wait to hug you!” – JoJo

[Host Kyle]

Day 39

Christopher arose early and marched excitedly to JoJo’s hut on the final day of the game. Not only were they to face the jury, but they would be able to return home in less than twenty-four hours.

He inhaled a deep breath of fresh air as he made his way through the empty aisle, spinning to look at all the vacated huts around them.

He pounded on JoJo’s door, and she answered at once.

Christopher spread his arms wide.

Christopher: Rejoice! Camp is empty! It’s pure joy! It’s all gravy from here! You win…and that means that I don’t lose.

JoJo: My guess is you win this one.

Christopher: It seriously doesn’t matter to me. I think you are amazing…the best player I ever met. So, if you win, that makes me happy—which means that I win.

She shrugged as she took his hand and they headed toward the main resort.

JoJo: I won no matter what!

Christopher: It’s a perfect ending. This is how the game was supposed to end, and my whole time here I couldn’t see it ending differently.

JoJo: But you had such confidence, though! I mean, these people scared the crap out of me! Tenzil, Missie, Angie, Beth, Jenne, Kyle…

Christopher : Sure. They were all tough. I’d even toss Isaac in there.

JoJo: Taylor!

So they spent the day together, enjoying the solitude, remembering moments from the game, predicting the jury. It was going to be an intense night, and they both knew. They were, in fact, preparing for it.

On the way to tribal council, their last trek up the beach, JoJo turned to look at Christopher.

JoJo: Excited about tonight?

He shrugged.

Christopher: To be real honest, I feel distant from it all. Does that make sense?

JoJo: Yes, it feels like it’s been forever.

Christopher: I’m just sorta ambivalent. I’m a prime candidate for the jury to jump all over tonight.

JoJo scoffed and waved a hand.

JoJo: Just let ‘em lay it on me! Say what you need to and vote.

Christopher: Yell at me or whatever…let’s just wrap this puppy up! This is going to be ugly—I just know it.

They continued on quietly, hand in hand.

Christopher: You’re kicking my hiney tonight. I will love it.

JoJo: Mama loves you.

They stopped and shared one last hug before they approached the council area.

Final Tribal Council

JoJo and Christopher took their seats as normal across the bonfire from Kyle and Karen. They looked around; the sight of an empty council area was eery as they sat there by themselves.

Karen: Hello, Christopher and JoJo. Welcome to your final tribal council. Tonight, one of you will become the ultimate Survivor Holidays All Star sole survivor.

They looked at each other anxiously.

Karen: Let’s bring in our jury. Drew…

Drew entered promptly and offered a smile to them as he made his way to the jury bench.

Karen: Beth…

Beth followed rather expressionless. She didn’t even look toward Christopher and JoJo before she went to sit next to Drew.

Karen: Missie…

Missie flounced in, swinging her arms, offered them a smirk before sitting next to Beth.

Karen: Isaac…

Isaac merely tipped his head on his way in.

Karen: Ashley…

Ashley came in as quiet as ever and made her way to Isaac’s side without eyecontact with anyone.

Karen: Taylor…

As expected, Taylor came in with a frown and very determined set to his jaw. Christopher and JoJo eyed each other.

Karen: Elisabeth…

Elisabeth came in smiling, and Christopher and JoJo felt a relief at her cheery face.

Karen: And Jake…voted out at last night’s tribal council.

Jake came in without a glance toward anyone as he went to sit next to Elisabeth. He was virtually unreadable. JoJo and Christopher wondered for a moment if the jury had tugged him over to the dark side.

Karen: Tonight the jury will have their chance to speak and ask questions of the final two. The answers they receive will determine how they vote for the winner. We’ll start by giving each of the final two a chance to make their opening statements. JoJo, please go first.

JoJo nodded and stood quickly. She looked down at Christopher before clasping her hands and beginning.

JoJo: First, I want to thank every one of you for giving me the opportunity to be here in the final two. Each of you had something to do with me making it this far. I want you to know that as a player, my game ended at the last tribal council.

She scanned the faces of the jury members, many of them intimidating.

JoJo: It is clear that some of you are hurt or angry by this game, and tonight I’m just standing here as a person willing to answer whatever questions you have. I will be completely honest with you tonight; I’m not here to brown nose anybody. I want to hear what it is you have to say and hopefully make sense of things. When I finish, I hope that you want to give me your vote, but if you do not, I know that you had a good reason for that. I will not only respect it, but be happy for Christopher.

She nodded and sat down quietly.

Karen: Thanks, JoJo. Christopher, your turn.

He arose and clapped his hands.

Christopher: Hey, guys. Wow. Here we are. It’s almost over, and I bet you guys are as eager to put this behind us as I am. I am going to be a little long-winded for a sec, so just a warning for those of you who have gotten bored with us.

He smiled at them and continued without hesitation.

Christopher: It’s been…tough. Emotions have definitely run high during this game, and it’s been really hard to weather it sometimes. I know I’m not the only one who feels that way. The competition itself has been the toughest group I have gone up against, bar none. Making it to the end is an honor—you guys made it really, really hard.

He paused for a moment before continuing.

Christopher: I know you guys have questions for us, and before I came I really had to think…what is most important to me? What do I want to make sure these eight people know before we close this out tonight? For me, it was this: it was very important to me to keep this whole thing “game”. I tried to communicate that to people as much as possible. I didn’t want anybody to think that any strategic moves I made reflected on the way I felt about them as a person, because they didn’t. I felt like I was playing on the defensive throughout the game rather than offense, and often if felt like self-preservation. Playing a game of self defense led me to make some tough decisions that didn’t always benefit you guys. I can honestly say that with each and every one of you, whatever hand I had in you leaving...it was difficult. I genuinely like each of you. And voting for each of you was not easy. I won't lie - voting for some of the earlier folks wasn't always that bad. I either didn't know them well, or I just wasn't connected to them. But I do feel I connected with each and every one of you. And that presented a cornucopia of problems and emotional upset as each of you left the game. So that is what I want you guys to know, most of all. And I'm really not trying to kiss anyone's hiney. Whoever you vote for, it's all good. However this game ends, the most important thing to me is that none of you leave here feeling like I didn't value the relationship that we have. Because I do. Really. And I want to know each of you when this is over and done with. But, yeah - back to the game. Tonight is your night, not ours. I know that we have some owning up to do, and that you guys have questions to ask. And although I'm more than a little nervous...I'm ready. So let's do it.

He nodded toward them before taking a seat.

Karen: Thanks, Christopher. Now is the jury’s turn to make statements and ask a question of each of the final two. Drew will go first.

Drew arose and approached the bonfire where he stared at Christopher and JoJo. The flames cast eery shadows on his face.

Drew: First and foremost, congratulations for playing your way to the final two.

JoJo: Thank you.

Christopher: Than you, Drew.

Drew narrowed his eyes.

Drew: You both played me like a freakin’ violin. Anyway my challenge to both of you is this: describe each of the jury members with three adjectives—without repeating. I would like Chris to go first.

Christopher: Ok. Drew: artistic, kind, open. Beth: funny, caring, naughty. Missie: raucous, badass, awesome.

Missie cocked her head as she listened to him rattle off words.

Christopher: Isaac: brilliant, intuitive, cute. Ashley: honest, strong, sweet. Taylor: tough, a player, deep.

Taylor shifted his weight where he sat.

Christopher: Jake: hysterical, honorable, friend. Lizzie: insane, loveable, mature.

He looked up thoughtfully, then nodded.

Christopher: Done.

Drew: And JoJo?

JoJo arose sheepishly and looked at the ground for a long moment before listing her adjectives.

JoJo: Jake: wise, warm, loyal. Taylor: bright, concise, intense. Beth: engaging, witty, clever. Missie: hilarious, thoughtful, admirable. Isaac: friendly, honest, open. Drew: faithful, caring, friendly. Ashley: sensitive, caring, warm. Lizzie: adorable, intelligent, skillful.

Drew shook his head.

Drew: You used, friendly, caring, and warm twice.

She nodded and took a breath.

JoJo: Drew: faithful, caring, amiable. Ashley: sensitive, nice, sweet.

She nodded her finish.

JoJo: Great question!

Drew nodded, nodded his approval to Karen, then took his seat.

Karen: Beth, your turn.

Beth stood quietly and approached to face them. She shot them both with a cold stare.

Beth: I’ve been dreading this night for a while now. I haven’t known what I wanted to say to either of you—or even if I wanted to say a word to either of you. My original plan was to simply stand up, look at you both, then sit down without uttering a word. At one point, I thought about giving my famous parting gifts since I had done so in my first game. I thought it was especially appropriate in my last game.

Giggles went up from the jury. Christopher and JoJo exchanged glances.

Beth: Luckily for all involved, I’m way past that now.

She took a deep breath before she continued.

Beth: The cost to all involved has been high—in some cases too high. I wonder if either of you realize the price that has been paid for your actions. Apologies will not earn you my vote, so that brings me to my first question—and I may want to follow up depending on your answer.

She looked at Christopher.

Beth: Chris, it’s no exaggeration that people hold you responsible for a lot that has happened in this game. From all that we’ve seen, you’ve played a hard and ruthless game and have tried to win at all costs. In your mind, what were acceptable costs and do you think they ever get unacceptable?

Christopher: I’m not totally sure. I thought that walking in I could play a strategic game, and that if I told people that, then I could just play and not worry about who knows who and for how long. It’s why I don’t make any final agreements until way late in the game. I thought I was doing things right…but I know that it didn’t work out the way I anticipated. It isn’t acceptable to me to actively try and hurt people, and I really can honestly say that I didn’t try and hurt anyone. Until your vote, I didn’t know how seriously everyone was taking this game. It was intense for everyone.

He nodded slowly.

Christopher: Yes, I do think things got unacceptable. People are upset. Even if you don’t try to hurt someone, it doesn’t mean they can’t get hurt. That was a surprise to me…I just didn’t see most of it coming.

Beth considered him for a moment, rubbing her chin.

Beth: Remember how you asked me during the game not to record certain conversations concerning Jenne? Because you were afraid of what it would do to your friendship?

Christopher: I remember we both felt that way, yes.

Beth: A request that I honored because I respected your desire not to have the game impact a friendship that was important to you—after which I felt like you did everything in your ability to make Jenne hate me to the point we no longer speak. I’m wondering what is the difference between us? Why was your frienship worth protecting and not mine?

Christopher: First I want to say that I didn’t do that—straight up. That did not happen, and I don’t know why you think it did. I’m sorry if I sound a little intense, but that is a very strong accusation. It simply did not go down like that at all. I really don’t know how to answer that because it didn’t happen.

Beth: That’s why I’m asking. Tell me what did happen.

He shrugged.

Christopher: Ok…I can do that. You were very confusing in this game. You, Jenne, me, and JoJo had been very close. Then I felt I was hearing from you and JoJo that Jenne was turning in to little Napoleon. Then I began feeling it myself. Then, you and I had the big talk—the big one—where we said we need to let Jenne go, this is too much, she is really upsetting a lot of people—not just us.

He raised his hands in the air.

Christopher: Then, just as suddenly, you changed your mind! You guys were best friends again. I was like…what just happened here? How can Beth tell me all these things and just act like it never happened? I really had no clue what was going on with you at that point, then when we all had a group discussion with Jenne, going over what had happened, JoJo and I both laid ourselves out. We admitted we were angry with her and had considered voting her out.

He looked at her directly.

Christopher: You barely said a word. JoJo and I both kept going, why isn’t she owning up? Why isn’t she saying anything? That is where I felt very separated from you. I didn’t know what you were doing or thinking in this game. So, I did tell Jenne that my feelings of doubt in her came from you and Jo—and that was true. I was the last one on that train, but I did tell her where she upset me, too.

He looked down thoughtfully.

Christopher: She and I had one conversation…then you were out. I have no clue what happened with you guys after.

He nodded his finish and Beth regarded him for a moment.

Beth: I appreciate hearing where you were in all that. Now for JoJo…

She turned and trained her eyes on JoJo.

JoJo: Hi, Beth.

Beth smiled weakly and greeted her in return.

Beth: You thrive on the whole “Mama JoJo” bit. You tell people you hope they aren’t voted out, then say you yourself are voting them out. So my question: are you proud of the way you treated this cast, both in the game and outside of the game? Is the end result worth it?

JoJo swallowed briefly.

JoJo: I guess I do thrive on the whole Mama JoJo thing. It’s become my “thing” in these games, although I never thought of it until now. I did speak to the point about voting people out after I’ve said that I hope they stay…a few tribal council’s ago. So, in terms of your main question, I do sincerely want to know the ways I hurt people. I know I liked you all. I know I don’t like hurting people. I know I thought that playing hard had nothing to do with how I liked someone. I came here tonight hoping people will give me specifics—you included. I think I treat people well, and I am proud of that. You told me once yourself, “why do people think if we are a nice person, we can’t play this game?” I’ve held on to that since you left, hoping that you would understand that I didn’t intentionally hurt people. I can’t answer if the end result is worth it unless maybe you tell me what the end result is.

Beth nodded.

Beth: I just want to know that both you and Chris know the difference of me being bitter and hurt. I was never bitter. I was hurt.

JoJo: I understand that being voted out was never the problem. It’s that you felt I didn’t respect you. That’s the way I understand it.

Beth considered her for a moment, looked at Karen and nodded.

Beth: Next please.

With that, she took her seat once again. Karen then looked at Isaac who smiled and took his place before the final two. He grinned at them genuinely before he cleared his throat and began.

Isaac: First of all, JoJo and Chris, I adore and respect you both. I realize from you both that you didn’t try to purposely hurt anyone and probably most of the time didn’t realize you were. I think you two are fantastic players. I have one general question first: why did you want to win this game. This is for both of you.

Christopher and JoJo glanced at each other for a moment before speaking up.

Christopher: I didn’t think I could, actually. I made a promise that I would do my best to get my people to the end; I told Karen that the first few days of the game and specifically said I can’t wait to see JoJo win—

Isaac waved his hands before him, cutting him off.

Isaac: That wasn’t my question.

Christopher paused, and JoJo squinted up at Isaac.

Christopher: Ooops…

JoJo: Why “do” we want to win? Or why “did” we?

Isaac chuckled and clapped his hands before him.

Isaac: Ok…I just want to know why you decided to play the game so hard to get to the final two. Does that make the question easier?

Christopher: Yeah.

He nodded and looked down thoughfully while JoJo took her turn.

JoJo: Isaac, I just play hard in situations like this, I guess. I have always wanted to be on the show, and this is as close as I’ll get at knowing how I’d do. I had good allies in this game and maybe I didn’t realize I was playing it “hard”.

She shrugged.

JoJo: I just played the best way I knew how. That’s it for me.

Christopher gave her a beat to nod her finish before he spoke.

Christopher: It is just who I am. I play Survivor hard. I felt I was walking in with a huge ass target on my back, so I played aggressively. I was a former winner, and people think I am hardcore. I couldn’t just sit back and sip my tea while y’all voted my skinny ass out!

Laughter filled the council area.

Christopher: I mean, I could, but it’s not who I am. I come from a waterpolo background, and if you guys know the sport…it’s take no prisoners. That’s where I come from.

He glanced at JoJo next to him.

Christopher: I feel like we played hard…sometimes. Other times we just happened to be on the right side of the numbers game. So…while we played a tough game, I don’t think it was all hardball.

He stopped and looked at Isaac, while Isaac nodded.

Isaac: Thanks, Chris. One quick question for you…

Christopher: Oh dear…

Isaac: In the final three, would you have taken JoJo or Jake in the final two had you won immunity.

Jake perked and gave his full attention, but Christopher didn’t even hesitate.

Christopher: JoJo.

Jake nodded graciously.

Christopher: It was a promise I made.

Isaac looked at JoJo.

Isaac: And, JoJo, did you ever have a plan to vote Chris out?

JoJo: No, I didn’t.

Isaac: Thank you, and I must say that my mind is made up. Good luck, and I respect you two for getting to the end together. I love it when two people can do that.

He tipped his head toward them and made his way back to his seat.

Karen: Missie, your turn.

[Host Kyle]

Missie nodded and stepped up before them. She stared coldly at the final two to the point they grew uncomfortable. She then grinned and headed toward Christopher; his eyes widened.

Bending toward him she pulled his lip down and inspected his teeth. One could have heard a pin drop in the entire council area. What on earth was she doing?

Missie: You still have a leaf or something in your teeth.

Putting a hand over his mouth, he picked quickly to remove it.

Christopher: Must’ve been something I ate.

Missie: It’s been there since the tribal council I left and no one would tell you. See how much they care?

She smiled toothily down at them. Neither JoJo nor Christopher, or the entire jury for that matter knew what to make of what just happened—until JoJo cackled out loud. Christopher then fell into laughter, and Missie made her way proudly to her place.

Missie: Here we go. Chris and JoJo, one of the best things—and believe me there were so very few good things that came out of this game—is some of the absolutely incredible people I became friends with that I did not know before this. Tenzil, Jon, Drew, Beth, Ash, and Lis are people that I’m sure to keep on my list and hopefully get to know and hang out with. I got to reconnect with some people, too. Jamie, Kyle, Isaac, Taylor…it felt so good to hang with Kyle, Isaac, and Taylor again.

She looked at them for a moment.

Missie: The two of you are no exception. While I felt disrespected by Chris and totally disregarded by JoJo, outside of it, I never imagined I’d find two people that I just totally clicked with and looked forward to seeing every day. That’s what makes this hard: game Missie versus outside-the-game Missie. It’s the devil/angel on my shoulder.

She paused.

Missie: I want to explain something…when I say there are no friends in Survivor, you all got the impression that connections weren’t real to me or that we could not make friends. That is not the deal. What I mean is…you all pissed out and did the “I’m gonna stick with my friends” thing—which undermined the whole d**n game.

JoJo and Christopher shifted uncomfortably. The jury immediately became interested and leaned forward to hear every word.

Missie: You did. And it was unfair to everyone—even yourselves. But, hey…if you can feel good winning that way, then whatever! I will say that it’s a good thing that the two of you are sitting there together and not one of you with Jake. Otherwise the choice would have been a no-brainer. You both are smart. Thing is, there is usually one clear better player, and I’m not seeing it. That being said, game Missie has some stuff to say, and I can swear my vote is up for grabs.

She turned her eyes upon Christopher, and all lightheartedness was gone from them. She pierced him with cold eyes.

Missie: Chris, do you think you could ever play any game without being a bitchy, snide, vile drama queen within the game? Seriously, do you think it helps you when you call people names like cunt or twat? Does it help your strategy to call people retarded? Usually when someone is the villain, there is a clear supremacy about them. It’s not there with you. You come off—and maybe you don’t know this—as better than everyone else. Like you are above it all. So when you get angry at someone for calling you a name, you can’t connect that you’ve done the same if not worse! Do you do this on purpose or is it something you just revert back to naturally?

Christopher gaped at her a she continued to burn him.

Missie: Do you feel the least bit sorry for some of the things you’ve said?

Still he stared at her, wide-eyed, open-mouthed. Even JoJo was shocked. Missie crossed her arms as she finished and waited a beat.

Missie: You can answer now…

Christopher nodded.

Christopher: Yeah…I’m picking my jaw up off the floor.

He looked to JoJo for support and stammered for a moment.

Christopher: Umm…I think I have my moments…but I do feel your characterization is a bit one-sided and a bit off. I am an in the moment person. I rarely spend time thinking…oh, Ryan is irritating me. I should think up a real good insult. I just say what I’m thinking. I do it in real life, and I do it here. I have definitely gotten bitched out for doing it in real life, too. I have to say…

He paused, grinned, then winked at Missie.

Christopher: This will probably make me sound like I think I’m better than you—

She smirked.

Missie: It’s ok, you aren’t.

He nodded and cleared his throat.

Christopher: On the one hand, you say there is nothing about me that makes me supreme and follow that up with saying that I come off like I am better than everyone else. I assume you meant that I act like I’m better but am not?

Missie: Come off meaning act…yes…

Christopher shrugged.

Christopher: Sometimes I am an asshole of the grandest kind…sometimes I’m not. I’m far from perfect and mess up here as much as in real life because I play these games as me. If you feel I am flawed, it’s because I am. I don’t have any excuses or great answers—I’m just me.

He glanced around at the jury intently watching him.

Christopher: Apparently that isn’t always the best person to be. So, to wrap up…of course I feel sorry for some of the things I say. Sometimes I don’t. It depends on why it was said and what the context was. As I said earlier, I didn’t come back to play All Stars so I could make people cry. I like people, and that is why I played in the first place. If I’ve hurt people’s feelings, then yes, it makes me sad. I hope that answers all your questions Miss Missie.

Missie: How ‘bout calling me a twat? That’s all I want to know. Do you feel bad about that?

He shrugged.

Christopher: Bah! I totally think you are a twat sometimes. You’re amazing, fun, wicked, and brilliant…but you can also be a twat. So…I’ll take my chances and stand by that one.

She considered him for a moment before approaching him and giving him a hug. Christopher then reached up and mussed her hair.

Christopher: There was bird dropping in it.

Missie: Well, this whole tribal council is full of shit…

She smirked and returned to her place to face JoJo while the arena erupted in laughter. She quickly raised her hands to silence them.

Missie: Ok, on to my JoJo. Hey, Mamacita…here we go. You…ugh…you basically admitted to me that you used a pre-game opinion of me; therefore I was doomed. That is just in my crappy opinion. I was told before this game to never trust JoJo, but I did.

Missie shook her head with a tsk.

Missie: Stupid girl. What I have to say about you is that you were so freaking spineless that it almost made me physically ill at points.

JoJo flinched and put a hand to her chest as she listened.

Missie: You never owned your evil. Not once. And girlfriend…you were evil. I hated the fact that you would use the “I wish you weren’t going tonight” on someone as you were voting them or “this sucks” every freaking time. You would not even talk to me when I was going, so that led me to believe you were not doing any leading—just following. Convince me that you did some leading and had some balls and that you also feel a little bad for the way you treated people out here.

JoJo took a moment to collect herself.

JoJo: Missie, you are wrong about me. I am not spineless, I am not a follower. Most of all my opinion of you did not make you doomed. I did have a pre-game opinion of you but I totally and completely fell for you after we played together. My confessionals go from “Missie must go” to “Gee, I see why Missie is so well liked” to “Oh crap, I like Missie now!” Missie, I came to you and said I was wrong, I am sorry, I feel horrible for judging you without knowing you….now let’s vote off Jenne. If those things were spineless, then I don’t see them that way. I wanted to work with you, Missie, but our allies were completely different people. It was not going to work out for us, and maybe I shouldn’t have approached you so that I would never have to hurt you. When it came down to it, I couldn’t screw them over, and they weren’t pre-game alliances. I didn’t know Lis or Taylor, but I worked hard with them in this game, and it was completely unexpected.

She paused for a moment to let things sink in.

JoJo: I’m sorry that you think my strategy was evil and spineless. I was a leader when I wanted to vote off Jenne despite wanting to work with Chris. I was a leader when I got enough votes together to vote off Beth, then Isaac. I have been a leader in making genuine connections, in strategizing, and winning immunity ten times.

She shrugged and slapped her hands on her knees.

Missie nodded quietly.

Missie: Funny…I thought you and Chris were all mine. Anyhow, thanks, JoJo. For the record…I’m not bitter at all here. Just having fun.

She winked, smiled sweetly then scurried to the jury panel to take her seat. Christopher and JoJo smiled at each other. They had endured half the jury still in one piece. Nothing had been so bad, but Taylor had yet to question them.

Karen: Ashley, your turn.

Ashley nodded and arose to approach them. She smiled all the while.

Ashley: Congratulations to you two.

Christopher: Thanks, Ash.

JoJo: Thank you, Ashley.

Ashley: I’d like both of you to please tell me the best decision you felt you made in the game.

Christopher smiled and put an arm around JoJo.

Christopher: My best decision was choosing to work with JoJo. I told her everything. She was my one hundred percent confidante. From minute one of the game, I said I needed someone I could trust with every strategic decision, every single question I have, and for me that was her. Coming in as the first winner, I knew I had a target. Coming in…well, as Christopher, I knew I had a target. But I made it to the end and am the only person in the whole game who never received a vote.

He turned to look at her and squeezed her tightly.

Christopher: I attibute that to working with JoJo—someone I trusted and love.

Ashley: Thanks, Chris.

Christopher: Yup.

JoJo considered for a moment longer.

JoJo: I think the best decision I made was to fight for Jake to stay. While I love Taylor, I could not turn my back on the loyalty that Jake gave to Chris and I. I knew the strategic side of me should vote Jake off, but I couldn’t do that to someone who had been so loyal to me in the game.

She nodded.

Ashley: Thanks, JoJo.

Ashley turned and nodded her approval to Karen before turning to go back to her seat. When Karen turned her head toward Taylor, the whole council area went deathly quiet. The sparks were about to fly. JoJo and Christopher exchanged glances as he approached them.

He approached slowly and clasped his hands before him.

Taylor: I think both of you tonight, as I say what I have to say, need to keep in mind what you have used as your trite slogan. “This is a game.” It is a game and this week and last week I went back and forth with myself. Should I be the evil person I can be and make an ass out of myself…but I thought maybe I should be nice. Honestly, I love you both and still want to talk after this is over.

Christopher and JoJo both relaxed a little.

Taylor: But tonight listening to your statements, I think you have both said this was a tough game. It has been tough, and I think your jury should be the toughest ever. So, Chris, I’ll start with you.

He exhaled and looked up thoughtfully.

Taylor: Where to begin…as much as you say that you’re loyal and have morals and aren’t a hypocrite…in this game you are. You condemned me early on for saying what I wanted to say about people. Yet you and Jenne—who I no longer value as a human being—thought it was perfectly fine to say anything you wanted. It seems to be a trend with me, I feel like I have gotten no respect from my friends…ever. Nor anyone in any of these games. I feel that the reason the jury is so upset with you is because they are experiencing what I have experienced throughout my history in this game. You said to me at one point that you and I are the ones who survived the most drama, and it’s true.

Christopher: I think so.

Taylor: You made the drama I had to survive!

Christopher froze as he listened to him.

Taylor: One day you came to me, mid-game, telling me you had found out about my real age. You said that you wouldn’t use that to exploit me or to help you in this game. I feel that you might have.

Christopher: You would be wrong!

Taylor: I didn’t ask you anything.

Christopher shrugged.

Christopher: That’s fine. I spoke.

Taylor: Continuing on…I don’t think you did use it to be honest. My question is this: why did you have to lie to me about voting me off?

Christopher: I want to first address something you said earlier. I think you are right. Ever since I have known you, people have kicked you around. When I found out your true age, it clarified a lot for me. I feel like it brought us closer together. I also don’t feel I created drama for you in this game, because I didn’t tell anyone other than JoJo. We kept it a secret. Not one person over there heard about you from me. So, if you had drama in the game it was because of how you played. You were very erratic in the first half of the game, talked a lot of smack. It got around a lot, and you kept switching alliances. That is why you had drama, not because of me.

Taylor: Right, but you promised not to tell anyone. ANYONE.

Christopher: It was a decision I made because I knew I could trust JoJo one hundred percent.

Taylor: But you broke mine. So that’s ok?

Christopher: I didn’t say it was ok or not. It was a decision I made, and I’m sorry that you are upset by it, but it actually endeared you to both of us.

Taylor: That’s great that it did…but you broke my trust. Okay, go on with my question.

Christopher: As far as us not telling you you were leaving…that was all me. I asked everyone to hold that, and they did. Because, my friend, you knew that Jake had been slated to go next instead of you.

Taylor: Why though? Why?

Christopher: JoJo asked Lizzie and I to change it up, and we agreed. I didn’t want you going ballistic because you are a grade A shit-stirrer like me. You would not have left the game quietly, and it would have gotten ugly. And I wouldn’t expect you to leave quietly. Why would you? Nobody wants to leave. It was the right decision for our alliance, and I’m sorry it upset you, but it was one hundred percent strategic. I didn’t want you alienating Jake.

Taylor: Ok.

Christopher: That’s it for me on that one.

Taylor shrugged and turned to look at JoJo. She shifted uncomfortably where she sat.

Taylor: I think the problem people have with you is that they felt you enabled Chris to do whatever he wanted. I may be wrong, but that’s what I felt. You are an interesting case, Miss JoJo. On the one hand I want to yell at you for not telling me I was going and breaking a promise. On the other hand, strategically, getting rid of me was your best option.

He paused for a moment and rubbed his chin.

Taylor: Umm…I think it’s funny that you had no set final four, yet Chris calls it an alliance? My question for you is, why is it ok for you to break a promise?

JoJo: I just want to say real quick…you said before that you have had no respect from people in this game.

Taylor: I didn’t say it quite that way, but ok…

JoJo: In terms of this game, I want to say that I, JoJo, Mama JoJo, Miss JoJo, Mamacita…Me…whatever you want to call me tonight gave you the most respect in this game.

Taylor: I won’t debate that.

JoJo: I heard some stuff about you and I completely made up my own mind about you. I am proud of our work together in this game because ultimately it was about you and me—nothing pre-game or offered by others. Taylor, I’m a mom, I’m a good person, I believe in karma, the whole bit. I cannot answer your question saying why it’s ok to break a promise. It is not ok to break promises.

Taylor waited for more, but JoJo was finished. He then sighed and looked at Karen.

Karen: Thanks, Taylor. Elisabeth, you’re up next.

Elisabeth sat quietly and shook her head.

Elisabeth: I have nothing to say.

Karen eyed her oddly, and she received surprised looks by all the jury members. Still she ignored them.

Karen: Ok, that brings us to our last juror. Jake, take your turn.

Jake: Alrighty then.

Jake arose from his seat and slowly made his place in the spotlight before Christopher and JoJo.

Jake: First of all, congrats.

JoJo: Thank you, Jakey.

Christopher: We love you Jake.

He pressed his lips together and waited a beat.

Jake: You definitely outplayed all of us and in the end…especially me. You both know I think you’re awesome.

Christopher: Back atcha, spelling boy.

Jake: I’m glad we had the last few days together to get everything out in the open, so I think you both have heard a lot from me. This night has been more than long enough, so, I have one simple question. What was the toughest decision in the game for you and why? Chris can go first.

Christopher thought about it a moment.

Christopher: Toughest decision for me was to jump on board with the Beth vote when I found out it was in the works. It ended up leading to a lot of other tough decisions. Beth, Kyle, Missie was the ugliest time in the game for me, bar none.

Beth nodded in agreement at that, as did Missie.

Christopher: They didn’t like it. I didn’t like it. I think it was just a bad time for everyone involved. The reason Beth was hard was because Jenne was slated to leave. Then she got immunity at tribal council and suddenly everything was up in the air. I remember telling Kyle I didn’t think I was going to vote with him for Beth and he said, well then you are being just like her than, aren’t ya? Not those words, but that was the effect essentially.

He glanced at the jury.

Christopher: And he was right. I had said that Beth was everybody’s best friend, that I didn’t know whose side she was on. I had said those things; I was very confused by her. And…I was joining a new alliance with Kyle, Missie, Isaac, Ash, and JoJo. I felt like I would be on the outs of that group if I was the one person who decided not to take part in a difficult vote. So I went with it, and it sucked. It ended up not even mattering because Kyle tried to get me voted out the next round. I don’t feel like I made the right decision, and at the time I told JoJo I didn’t think it was Beth’s time to go.

Beth looked down sadly.

Christopher: That vote was not in my control and rather than stick it out on my own, I did go with the crowd. I’m not proud of it.

Jake nodded once he was sure Christopher had finished.

Jake: JoJo?

JoJo: Interestingly that was one of the hardest times for me, too, because Kyle and Missie approached me about splitting up Taylor, Beth, and Jenne. It wasn’t until I finally agreed to do it that I learned that neither of them were completely up front with me about it. I was convinced that the three of them needed to be split up, but when the immunity changed, it turned out that Kyle wouldn’t ever vote for Taylor and Missie wouldn’t ever vote for Beth. That had been conveniently left out. I went with Kyle and pulled all these people in at the last minute and then obsessed about whether it was the right thing to do or not.

Beth’s eyes glistened and a tear streamed down her cheek as she listened to JoJo. JoJo was acutely aware, but she kept her gaze on Jake.

JoJo: Was Beth loyal to me? Did she have agreements with everyone else?

JoJo finally broke her focus.

JoJo: Don’t cry, Beth. I got access to her journal and felt like a complete moron. She was not loyal to Kyle, she was not loyal to Missie, she was not loyal to Taylor or Jenne even. But not once could I find that she was not loyal to me. So, yeah, Beth, I screwed that one up. You asked for no apologies but I was wrong. I’m done.

Jake: Ok, one quick thing. Just yes or no please. Chris, do you truly regret anything you’ve done in this game?

Christopher: Yes.

Jake: JoJo?

JoJo: Yes.

Jake: Ok, thanks, guys. Love ya.

Karen: Thanks, Jake.

Jake nodded and headed back to his seat. Karen took the place in the spotlight.

Karen: Now the final two will have a chance to make their closing statements. Christopher, go first please.

Christopher stood slowly. JoJo patted his knee as he did.

Christopher: I didn’t prepare this one, guys, so I’m gonna free form. Forgive me if I ramble. Off the top of my head I feel like I want to make three major points. The first one is…Missie and Isaac. We were aligned with you and did want to stick with you. It didn’t come up tonight, but I want that on the record. Circumstances ended up making that a difficult crossroads. We ended up switching right before tribal council. I know you guys felt set up and played, and while there was a fair amount of that in this game…I want you to know that it wasn’t like that. That really stands for everything I had a hand in in this game. Some things I saw coming, some things I thought out. Other things like Beth’s vote took me by surprise. I just kept trying to adapt. I know a lot of people feel I had a lot of control over this game and the outcome, but it never felt that way in my shoes. It felt like a constant game of reassessment and sometimes playing people. I want to own that.

[Host Kyle]

He smiled at everyone.

Christopher: My second point is the lighter side. It was a tough game, and I worked as hard as I could to get here. Whether it be my nine immunities or the connections I made, the plans I laid out—it was to get here with JoJo. There are a few things I’m proud of. I’m proud to be a former winner and to have made it all the way to the final two again. I’ve never seen it happen in an All Star game, and it feels cool. I also, in spite of being hated, targeted, pinpointed as the mastmind never received a vote—not from any of you. I only had immunity once post merge, so the chances were there. I’m proud to have that record.

He paused for a breath.

Christopher: My third point…I feel really fortunate to have met each and every one of you. It isn’t a line of bull either. I think there were some really incredible people in this game. Taylor surprised the hell out of me…you kicked major ass. And he wasn’t the only one. But as people, I feel like I actually connected with each and every member of the jury on a personal level—from Drew all the way to Jake. I’m sorry that some of you feel hurt by me, but I do leave with good feelings about all of you.

He turned to look down at JoJo.

Christopher: And finally…if you can all hold the fake puking noises… I love this woman sitting next to me with all my heart. I was close to her before we even started this game, but I feel even closer now. I feel grateful to have experienced every up and down with her right by my side. So…Mama JoJo, I wish you the best of luck. I am so fortunate to have you as a friend and to have you in my life. Thank you for being there for me…

He turned toward the jury.

Christopher: And thank you all for everything.

He sat down as Karen nodded.

Karen: Thank you, Christopher.

Christopher: Thank you.

Karen: JoJo, your turn.

JoJo arose and took her place before the jury.

JoJo: Well everyone, your questions were amazing. Thanks for all the thought you put into them. I had hoped for more specifics of how I had hurt you besides voting you off and not telling you about it. If Missie and Isaac had made it here, they wouldn’t have been spineless. If Taylor were here, it wouldn’t be due to him not respecting people. I fully admit that a lot of this was luck. You are awesome players, and I was scared to death of some of you at the beginning of the game. It happened to work out for me and Chris, but it could easily have been all of you sitting here tonight.

She cast her eyes on Beth; Beth merely looked up at her.

JoJo: I am sorry for hurting you, Beth.

She then engaged Missie.

JoJo: Missie, I am sorry you felt disregarded by me. Taylor, I’m sorry I broke my promise. Jake, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you the truth until the end. I hope we can all talk after this is over and resolve unanswered questions.

She turned and reached out to take Christopher’s hand.

JoJo: Chris, thank you so much for what you just said. I love you, too, and playing together meant the world to me.

She then turned to face Karen and Kyle.

JoJo: Karen and Kyle, thanks for this game!

Karen: Thanks, JoJo. With that said, it’s time to vote. Remember you are voting for someone to win the game. Drew, you’re up first.

He stood and made his way to the voting booth where he stared at his parchment for sometime.

Drew: I never thought I’d have trouble voting here. It was all clear to me before tonight. But now things have changed.

Uncapping his marker, he wrote Christopher’s name in bold letters.

Drew: JoJo, I love you, but Chris didn’t lie to my face about an alliance.

Similarly, when Beth reached the voting booth, she hesitated, not exactly knowing how to vote. She lowered the marker to write a name, but stopped.

Beth: My head says Chris; my heart says JoJo. Then again, my head says JoJo, and my heart says Chris.

She started to write again, but stopped.

Beth: JoJo had my vote going into tribal council. She had it and lost it many times of the course of the council. Chris never had it, fought for it, won it, and lost it too.

After much contemplation, she wrote a name and returned to her seat.

Karen: Missie, you’re up.

Unlike the ones before her, she approached the booth and immediately wrote Christopher’s name on the parchment.

Missie: Tonight JoJo lost my vote. She took credit for things she did not do, like round up the votes for Beth. She did not once own her evil, and Chris stuck to his guns. He deserves to win.

She nodded resolutely, stuffed her vote in the urn and returned to the bench.

Ashley stood to her feet to take her turn at voting, but when she reached the voting booth, she balked. Looking at the parchment, she shrugged her shoulders and headed out of the council area, never to be heard from again.

In the heat of the moment, nobody else noticed.

Taylor placed his vote following Ashley’s disappearance.

Taylor: You’ve both lied; you’ve both done a lot of crap.

He uncapped the marker and wrote JoJo’s name quickly. He then held the parchment up.

Taylor: JoJo didn’t have to call others idiots, bitches, or stupid to win the game.

Elisabeth was next, and she voted without hesitation as well.

Elisabeth: Nothing personal; love you both. Good luck.

She returned to her seat and remained as quiet as she had been the entire evening.

Jake was the one to close out the voting, and he made his way to the booth with a name on his mind.

Jake: I think Chris may have played the game harder, but I think JoJo really represents what this game means. JoJo, I think you are a true Survivor.

He wrote JoJo’s name in block printing and held the parchment up.

Jake: And Jake casts the last vote in his entire life…evah!

Karen left and returned momentarily with the urn of votes and scanned the eager faces before her, particularly those of Christopher and JoJo who sat huddled, holding each other.

Karen: I, first, want to thank you all for your participation and support during the Survivor Holidays years. It seems a little strange that this is all coming to an end.

All in the council area that evening looked around fondly. All the connections made and hard work coming to a close. It definitely lightened the mood for a moment. Holidays had been in running for almost two years, and many friends had been made—as well as enemies. Much time and effort had but put into each of Karen and Rob’s locations from St. Patrick’s Day to Independence Day to Halloween to Valentine’s Day. Sixty-two characters constructed the ongoing saga known as Survivor Holidays—twenty of them here at All Star island to seal the vault.

JoJo leaned in as Christopher pulled her close to lay his head on her shoulder. Isaac and Missie exchanged smiles. Beth and Kyle made eye contact, and an understanding passed between them. Jake reached out to clap Isaac on the shoulder, remembering the time the two of them had taken season three by storm, barreling through the likes of Desiree, Gary, Colby, Lauren, and Nick.

Elisabeth Marie sat back with a huge sense of accomplishment as she beat out all of her Valentine’s Day contenders—the ones who had not let her pass the fourth vote in season four.

Christopher: It does seem odd.

Karen: With that said…I’ll read the votes.

She opened the urn and pulled out the first parchment.

Karen: First vote…Christopher. Second vote…JoJo.

Two more votes alternated between JoJo and Christopher once again, and they held each other even more tightly.

Karen: Fifth vote…JoJo.

JoJo took in a breath and held it nervously. Karen pulled out the sixth parchment and studied it for a long moment before she turned it to reveal Christopher’s name.

Karen: That’s three votes JoJo, three votes Christopher.

The final two exchanged glances while Karen paused.

Karen: If you had’t noticed, Ashley seems to have walked out on us, so we have ended up with a seven member jury after all, meaning this final vote will determine the winner and sole, all star survivor of Survivor Holidays.

Christopher’s mind raced quickly through all the votes Karen had shown, realizing he had yet to see Elisabeth’s handwriting. He would know her script anywhere. Her vote was the deciding vote…

Karen: Seventh and final vote, crowning the winner of Survivor Holidays…

She turned the vote around to receive gasps, sighs, and applause from all over the board.

Karen: Congratulations JoJo! You are the sole survivor of Survivor Holidays!

After a moment of cheers and applause and endless hugs from the newly seven-member jury, the rest was a blur to JoJo Treadwell. Four seasons, sixty-two players, two years, and countless memories…it was all coming to a close.

She glanced over at Christopher Collins who beamed at her and the win no longer mattered. Jake was there to hug her tightly, and Elisabeth bounded over the council area to jump into her arms. She was met with smiles from Beth and Missie, another grand hug from Isaac.

It was all so surreal.

Christopher: I told you, Mama…from the beginning. This was your game.

JoJo: I couldn’t have done it without you, Mr.

Christopher: Rafe and Tuck will be proud.

JoJo reached out and grabbed Christopher in a tight embrace as tears glistened in her eyes, knowing this would be the last time she would hug him on All Star Island, or any place of seclusion for a game of Survivor for that matter.

But hugs would live on for the rest of their lives.

Hand in hand, the left the council area for one last evening on the island at the main resort, for tomorrow they would depart.

And Survivor Holidays would forever become another day on the calendar, never to return again.

[Host Kyle]

Final Tribal Council Voting History

“*steps up to vote* my Head says "Chris". my Heart says "Jojo". and then my Head says "JOJO" and my Heart says "Chris". Jojo had my vote going into the final tribal council. She had it and lost it many times over the course of tonight. Chris, never had it, fought for it, won it, and lost it too. *wrestles with the pen* I vote for: Jojo. Jojo .. you get my vote because you were the force of getting me out of the game. Someone who had the power to do that deserves my vote. I would have like to reward Chris for his 'almost' loyalty to me but in the end my vote goes to the person who was successful in voting me out.” – Beth

“Wow, both of you held yoursleves up so well during questioning, well done! I never thought that I would have trouble voting here, it was all clear to me before the final tc, but now things have changed. I am not going to switch my original vote, but I thought about it. CHRIS, I am voting for you tonight, and even though we really didn't talk a whole lot I still consider you a friend. Jojo, I love you, but Chris didn't lie to my face about an alliance. I love both of you, and you should both be very proud that you are the final 2.” – Drew

“My vote goes for Chris. Tonight Jojo lost my vote. She took credit for things she did not do, she did not once stic up for her "evil" and Chris stuck to his guns and he deserves to win.” – Missie

“I vote for CHRIS to win Survivor Holidays: All-Stars. Chris, you came into this game at a huge disadvantage. You had only one person from your season, you were a winner, and well, you're Chris . However, you were ready to take on the action, and you played the game incredibly. You made the alliances you needed, you actually played a strategy that I would have played (with the trusting the one person), and you kept your head in the game. I'm not trying to undermine JoJo, she played an amazing game too, but I think Chris edged her out just a little bit more.

I am also voting for Chris because I agree with Missie, JoJo was too spineless. I like how Chris would let people know how things were. He was ALWAYS Chris.

Chris, you were a great friend in the game. I respect yo, and I think you deserve this 100%.

JoJo, you are a great lady too, but I think that Christ just had you a bit more on the work ethic.” – Isaac

ASHLEY – did not cast a vote.

“JoJo- You've both lied, you've both done a lot of crap, but JoJo, JoJo didn't have to call others idiots, bitches, or stupid to win the game.” – Taylor

“JoJo. Chris, I think you did a great job and you know I love you but I just think that you did so much of trying to get new votes tonight that you didn't think about keeping the ones you had. I love you both, but I think Jojo played the better over all in both the way she played in the game and the way she acted towards the whole jury. She kicked butt in the challenges, and she deserves this title. I wanted to a woman to win, and I hope she does.

Nothing personal, love you both. Good luck.” – Elisabeth

“JoJo. I think I need to go with my heart this time. And honestly - I am so glad I have played with you and had the chance to know you. I hope we are friends for a long long time. I think Chris may have played the game harder, but I think you really represent what this game means. And I think you are a true survivor in this game. Good luck. *casts the last vote in his entire life...EVAH*” – Jake

[Host Karen]

Chris' Final Words

Final words…

…it sounds so heavy. But it’s appropriate. And something I’ve been looking forward to since very early in the game, because it would mean that this game had come to an end…something that I think all of us were anxiously awaiting.

It also marks my retirement. Which is something else I’ve been greatly anticipating. I’ve been at this for a few years now, but only have five games under my belt. Yet five is enough. Enough drama, enough strife, enough strategy…and even enough fun, enough camaraderie, enough challenges…just enough of all of it – the good and the bad and all that falls in between.

I feel good about my record. 11th, 1st, 2nd, 3rd…and I’m guessing 2nd once again. Well, hoping for 2nd! I told Host Karen during the very first week of this game that my goal was to get Jojo to the end so that she could be crowned the Sole Survivor. So, I hope that is how this all played out. I’m guessing it has…but I’ll come back to Jojo later.

I suppose I could use this as a space to vent, or complain or lay out some final truths about what really went down in this game and behind the scenes, and who I think needs a good dressing down. But I don’t see the point. The journey has been too long, and I don’t much care what anyone other than my friends and family think of me. That is all that matters to me in the real world, and I can’t really be bothered to worry about it here.

So my Final Words will be a list of shout out’s and thank you’s. And then I will finally sign off from this crazy, upside-down world that far too many of us have spent way too much time involved in.

Season One of Holidays was one of my two favorite games. I had a phenomenal time. Online Survivor was still new to me. The cast was dynamic. The challenges were fun. The hosts were supportive. I met some new friends (Jojo & Jake). Ireaked havoc with an old one (Michelle). I fell in love (Rafe). And hell – I won! I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.


So my first tip of the hat is to Michelle, 4th place in Season One and the very first person I connected with in online Survivor…

Michelle, we’ve since lost touch, but we were very close for a few years, and your friendship was very important to me. We were two sides of the same coin – a wicked, naughty, fun-loving coin! We ended up playing in several games together, and each and every one of those times was well worth it. Trouble, you were my partner-in-crime inside and outside of Survivor. We shared strategies, secrets and offered each other an ear when times were tough. I will always remember you, Michelle - always. I am truly grateful for the friendship we shared, and will always feel blessed that you trusted me enough to come out to me. I hope that I was able to provide you support when your life was changing, and I will always remember you with fondness when I look back at these experiences.

Next up from Season One is my Final Two partner…my dear, sweet Rafe.

Oh, Rafe. The things we’ve been through. The things we’re still going through…so much of what I feel about you is so very personal and seems odd to express here…yet Season One ended up being more about our romance than Survivor. I’m pretty sure that Jojo is just about the only person on this planet who knows what we’ve shared and how deep our feelings have run. I am so very thankful to have you in my life. We’ve had ups…and downs…and more ups…and more downs…and thankfully we’re up again. I’ve learned more from you than I ever expected. You’re so kind, forgiving and patient. You’ve truly inspired me to work on those attributes in the real world. I’m sorry that I broke your heart. I will always regret the way I handled things. And yet you forgave me, and re-opened your heart to me again. You once told Jojo that I needed you, but that I just didn’t know it…and that you would be waiting for me when I finally figured it out. Well…now I know. So thank you for waiting, and I love you.

Michelle & Rafe were both such integral parts of my Season One experience. It was sort of odd to come back to Holidays and to not have them be part of the game. In the end, the season was so difficult and so full of strife, that I’m glad they didn’t join us for the rollercoaster ride from hell.

But some very important people did join me in All-Stars, and I have to give some love:

Jenne – why in the hell did we do this? Oh, lord…what a nightmare. But, thankfully - a nightmare I was able to experience by your side. It broke my heart to see you removed from the game in 9th place - you deserved so much better. You are a girl who will always stand up for what’s right, and you sacrificed yourself while taking a stand. And that is who you are in real-life, too - a kind, loving, brilliant, adorable, talented soul that the world is lucky to have. I think you are more important to me than you know…I will always love you, and my house is always open to you. Some of my favorite moments of the past few years have involved you and liquor…you are the only cuddle-buddy I have who doesn’t get too frisky! Oh…and, um…thanks for the French kiss on New Year’s, you little minx! And in spite of being the two most maligned players in this game, let’s not forget that we are the only two people who never received a vote against us in the game. Mwahaha! They couldn’t get us and they never will! I love you, Peaches!

Lizzie - 4th place in All-Stars, and the brightest ray of positivity in All-Stars. Thank you so much for standing by my side, just as I stood by yours. I think I fought harder to keep you in the game than myself, and that’s saying something! We are so different - different ages, we come from different places…yet we “get” each other. I love your competitive spirit…but I love your goofy side even more. You have one of the greatest talents in the world – the ability to bring a smile to a person’s face, no matter how sad they may be. And that is truly a beautiful thing. Thank you for the pep talks and laughter over the years…but most of all – thank you for letting me have a glimpse into your life. You are such a precious young woman, and I can’t wait to see what you will do. The world is lucky to have you, and I am lucky to call you a friend. Big bugs, Lizard!

Jacob, Jacob, Jacob…Mister 3rd place! Who on earth would’ve guessed how close we’d have been by the end of Season One? Surely not me…it wasn’t really until episodes of that season began to air, that I was able to see how special you really are in spite of having been on the same tribe for the entire pre-merge! Playing with you in All-Stars was a joy - one of the few highlights of my game. Thank you for trusting me as an in-game partner…but more importantly – thank you for trusting me with your real-life “stuff”. Because you are a private, somewhat guarded young man, I feel very privileged that you’ve invited me into your life. You, like Lizzie, will also leave a very unique mark on the world, and I feel blessed to have known you. Aside from that, I’m curious how in the hell someone managed to transplant a cantankerous 85 year-old man into a 15 year-old’s body. I don’t imagine that you’ll ever explain that one to me…but thank you for everything else, mister.

Mama Jojo! The Sole Survivor (I hope)! What a f**king journey…jesus. All I know…our friendship is the one thing that truly makes me not regret having played this game. The fact that we became closer during All-Stars, and that our bond has crossed over into the real world makes all of this incredibly worthwhile. I truly have a deep, deep love for you – you, your family…just everything that is Jojo! We were close in Season One…and close after – but something changed in this game, and you became one of my best friends. I don’t know how I got picked, or why I’m so lucky – but I am…and I’m NOT giving you back! MY MAMA! But seriously – thank you so much for all of the support and love you’ve given me – I cherish you in the way that I only cherish my closest friends and family. You are a truly special woman, and while the world is lucky to have you – I feel even luckier to have you. Words don’t really do my feelings justice. Just know that I love you very much.

And I guess that’s it. I don’t really have much else to say. There were certainly other people I enjoyed connecting with during my time in Survivor Holidays-land, and I will remember everybody – good or bad…but these six? These six are all very dear to me for different reasons. And when I look back on holidays, these are the six faces that will make me smile.

Jojo, Jenne, Rafe, Jake, Lizzie & Michelle…thank you for the memories. Big love to each and every one of you!

Goodbye, goodnight...signing off! That's all he wrote, folks...

[Host Karen]

JoJo's Final Words

The year and a half since Season one has been, in many ways, a journey for me. I played another Survivor game and changed my strategies, sometimes not in ways that I was proud of, but with an ultimate goal to win. I waited excitedly for Holidays All Stars because I thought I would be a completely different player than I'd been in St. Patricks Day, but also because I had such strong feelings about the other players who would join me in All Stars. Before I played anything online, I never really thought I'd be able to make connections with other people on a computer. When I played in season one, it was my second game ever. I was naive and I was a bit of a rookie, but season one brought me some people that I never thought I'd care about so much. Between season one and All Stars I have been so happy about the friendships that were built between me and Christopher, as well as me and Jake. So, I'm gonna get mushy, and for those people who might feel like puking, you might wanna shut this window right now. My journey has ended exactly where I wanted it to end: with me and Chris and Jake in the final three. Two people who are completely different to me, but who came with me through this journey and will hopefully still laugh with me in years to come, about the journey we all took.

I can't post final words without telling Jake how much he means to me. I can't figure us out, Jakie. I have to admit that I have always felt that a 39 year old woman and a 15 year old teenager can't be "friends." I guess its just inappropriate or inaccurate to infer that we are peers. So what the heck are we? I've thought about this for almost 2 years! I know I'm proud of you and your accomplishments. I remember the news footage of you winning the spelling bee and heading to Washington DC and how I watched it online and felt very maternal and proud of you. Thats the same way I felt when you got roles in your school plays or told me about how things were going in your life. I remember you confiding in me late one weekend a year or so ago and me feeling so honored that you could trust me. On the other hand, in this game especially, I came to you multiple times for support. You comforted me, you knew the right words to say, you knew when to joke and when to smack me upside the head with a dose of reality. So what is the word for us if I'm not your friend or your mom..........Honestly, I still grapple with that. I guess it really doesn't need a name. All I know is that I want to be cheering for you when you win awards, fall in love, go to college.....whatever it is that I call us, I know that you are precious to me, Jake. I loved playing this game with you. You are bright and strategic, you are funny and clever, you are understanding and sincere. Thanks for working with me and literally getting me to the final two by voting Lizzie off instead of me. I love you!

When I remember back to season one, I think about my friend "JC." We had a pretty instant connection, but its so funny in hindsight. I didn't really know his name, I thought he was straight, I thought I had a chance to go to the end with him. When I learned that JC and Michelle had a f2 agreement and that JC and Chance had fallen for each other, I remember the exact feeling. As much as it is difficult to admit, it took me back to high school or junior high. I have been fortunate in my life I suppose, in that I was rarely in the left out group. In season one, with the realization that JC had these other relationships, I just felt horribly left out. When I cried and fought and kicked and screamed JC explained that he had an agreement with Michelle since early in the game, and wouldn't turn on her. As crazy as this sounds, I remember thinking that having him trust ME like that.....working side by side with him like that.....playing a game with him as my partner.....would be the best feeling in the world.

I don't know, there is just something about our Christopher that makes you feel incredibly special if he befriends you. Its laughable now to remember season one, me trying to set him up with female friends, etc etc. The first week of All Stars I still thought of him as "JC", even after a year and a half of knowing his name.

I say all this to just explain that all I have wanted since I joined the Holidays family has been to work side by side with Christopher. I am sorry if that felt unfair or clique-ish in any way to other players. I think many people in the game had someone they worked closely with whether they choose to admit it or not. It is fair, and it worked out beautifully for us. Standing next to Christopher in this game has honestly been a natural high for me. We discussed each and every boot. We agreed a lot and disagreed a few times too. Our trust in each other never wavered, and I felt like the luckiest person in the game to have him as my ally. Lo and behold, we also became exceptionally close. We cried late at night sharing personal things with each other. We supported and complimented each other on our game play. We set a goal to go to the end together and thats just what we did. Sitting at the final two with a player as talented as Christopher was an honor, no matter who wins. I wouldn't trade my game with Christopher, or our friendship, for anything in the world. I love him very much, I have finally met him in person and I envision us growing old as friends. I am so thankful to Karen and the Holidays series for bringing us together.

Hopefully whoever has read this in its entirety now understands how I came full circle in the journey between St. Patricks Day and All Stars. Thank you to everyone in the game who helped me get here.