Alright guys, time for Rest Day #2! Not much to say on it, just that I hope you all enjoy it!

Insert once per chapter reminder to vote on the poll for which member of the Peanut Gallery you want to return at the merge. First place in the poll gets brought into the game!

Each and every one of the twelve remaining campers took advantage of the second Rest Day by sleeping in. Even typical early risers, like Shawn and Jasmine, lounged in bed for a little while once awake.

The weather was impeccable. Only a few clouds dotted the bright blue sky and a warm breeze swirled through the camp. The tension that had been plaguing the island had received a hefty lift when Zoey had walked the Dock of Shame the previous night. Lightning finally believed he was victorious, and had properly avenged his eliminated girlfriend. Little did he know that the cause of his girlfriend's elimination was the person he trusted most.

The first person to emerge from their trailer was a drowsy Bridgette, who let out a loud yawn as she made her way to the bathroom. Jasmine and Jo were right behind her. Inside the trailer, the rest of the girls were working on getting ready for the day.

"I still can't believe Zoey is gone," Gwen said sadly. The goth was still lounging in her single bed, huddled under the covers as she tried to wake herself up.

Sammy, who was fully dressed and ready for the day, walked up to Gwen and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I know she was you friend, Gwen," she told her sympathetically, "I'm sorry."

"Thanks, Sammy," Gwen said with a small smile, "at least she's off that team full of jerks."

"Aw, c'mon! They're not that bad," Izzy chirped, somehow appearing from under Gwen's bed. "Hey, you're so lucky you don't have to have a bunk bed!"

"Uh...so not trying to be mean here," Sammy said nervously, "but didn't Team Alpha vote you out?"

Izzy nodded happily, "uh-huh!"

"But…oh, never mind," Sammy sighed, feeling awkward.

Izzy slithered out from under Gwen's bed, covered in dust bunnies. "Oh Samantha…you should know that…" Izzy blinked, as if a thought had just physically struck her, "say…if your name is Samantha, does that mean your sisters name is 'Amantha'? Because that's a cool-ass name!"

"Uhh…no?" Sammy turned to Gwen, looking for help. Gwen just shrugged helplessly at her, and began to bunch up her hair to put it into her messy ponytail.

"Right…well, I'm gonna go get some breakfast," Sammy said quickly.

"You smell that? It's a beautiful day out!" Lightning said as he leapt from his top bunk and landed on the floor. He stretched his arms out over his head an inhaled deeply. "The birds be chirping, the bunnies be frolicking, and best of all, Zoey be outta here!"

The other boys, minus Shawn, groaned at Lightning's loud tone.

"You should keep it down, man," Shawn scolded quietly as he lounged on his single bed, "the others are trying to sleep."

Lightning blinked. A sheepish look took over his face as he lowered his voice, "Sha-whoops. Sorry about that, dudes!"

"Whatever, man!" Duncan groaned from his bed. The punk had jammed his pillow over his head to try and drown out the voices, so his voice was muffled. "Just shut up!"

Lightning glared at the punk, "Lightning won't let your crabby self ruin his good mood," he retorted, "he's goin' for some breakfast!"

A snoring Owen instantly did a double backflip off his bunk. He landed perfectly on his feet and a triumphant tune played. "Did someone say breakfast?" He asked eagerly.

"Sha-yeah, dude! The Lightning is starving!" Lightning exclaimed, heading for the door.

"The Owen is, too!" Owen agreed. He quickly threw on some clothes and blazed past Lightning, nearly knocking the jock over.

"Hey, watch it!" Lightning yelled, running after Owen. "You ain't beating the Lightning in a race!"

Noah snuggled back under his covers. "Ugh, finally they're gone…back to sleep."

"I dunno about you, but I'm up now," Duncan said. The punk was frowning as he hopped down from his top bunk and began to do some pushups.

"Yeah, it's nearly 10:30," Shawn said, his eyes on the clock above the door to the trailer, "might be time to start moving, guys. The early bird doesn't get eaten by zombies, y'know."

"No one gets eaten by zombies because they don't exist." Noah grumbled. Despite his whining, he too began to get ready for the day.

Shawn just sighed, used to skeptics like Noah. "I just feel sorry for you guys, man," the nut told him as he quickly leapt up and scurried to the window. His eyes darted from side to side as he looked around outside, "you might like living a life of ignorance, but one day you'll see…you'll all see!"

"It almost sounds like you want civilization to crumble," Duncan pointed out. The punk was finished with his pushups and was now dressing himself.

"Nuh-uh," Shawn shook his head, "I dread the day the undead take over the world. But I know its coming. Sure, it might not be in my lifetime, but you can never be too prepared!"

Beardo let out a loud yawn as he rose from his bed. He absentmindedly whistled some classical music as he slid off his bunk, stumbling a little as he landed. "Morning, guys," he greeted.

"Sup," Duncan greeted.

Shawn offered him a wave from the window, "morning!"

The big beatboxer swung his arms and hips from side to side, enjoying the cracking of his spine, "man, I gotta tell ya," he rasped, "I'm looking forward to a day of R&R."

"Puh, you're telling me," Noah drawled, "none of you guys even had to go through an elimination ceremony since our last rest day…minus the bogus one."

Duncan grinned at him, "Hah! Yeah, you guys have been sucking major balls lately," he erupted into chuckles, "ah, classic."

Noah glared at him.

Bridgette, Jasmine and Jo were all in the ladies bathrooms. The surfer was brushing her teeth while Jasmine examined her face for blemishes and Jo showered.

Bridgette took the toothbrush out of her mouth and glanced at the preening Jasmine through the mirror. "Y'know," she told her, "I never took you for the preening type."

Jasmine flushed a little, but grinned back at her mirror-self, "yeah, I never was really, until I met Shawn."

"Gag," Jo called from the shower. The other two ignored her.

"I think that's sweet," Bridgette told her, tucking the toothbrush back into her mouth and continuing to scrub away.

Jasmine ceased her careful inspection of herself and grabbed her own toothbrush from her toiletry bag, "Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't be caught dead getting all dressed up. But I don't want a glaring red zit on my face if I'm hanging out with him, do I?"

"Definitely not," Bridgette said through a mouthful of toothpaste. She removed the toothbrush and spat into the sink. "When Geoff and I first started going out, I was kind of worried since I wasn't one to really get all glammed up. But Geoff doesn't care about that stuff," a warm smile spread over her face, "he likes me for me."

The sound of running water stopped, and Jo exited the shower. She secured her towel more securely around herself and joined the two ladies at the sinks. "Aww, isn't that adorable?" She mocked.

Bridgette rinsed the toothpaste out of both her mouth and toothbrush. "Just because you're alone," she said defensively as she slid the toothbrush back into her bag, "doesn't mean you have to spit at every couple you see."

Jo just laughed, "please, being single is the best. I'm sure I'll want to get into a relationship with someone someday, but for now?" She flexed her arms, "I'm all about me, Mali-boo-hoo-hoo."

"Mali-boo-hoo-hoo?" Bridgette repeated, looking offended.

"Just ignore her," Jasmine advised her, giving Jo a dirty look, "Shelia's got a chip on her shoulder larger than Capertee Valley."

Both Jo and Bridgette gave her a blank look.

"Capertee Valley? It's Australias biggest canyon."

They shared a confused look.

"Ugh, never mind," Jasmine sighed.

Owen barreled through the doors of the Mess Hall like a human semi-truck. He skidded to a halt in front of the Chef's counter, surprising an alarmed Chef. "What's for breakfast, Chef?"

Chef narrowed his eyes dangerously at the bubbly boy, "Breakfast ends at 10, tubby! You're late!"

Owen emitted his signature high-pitched gasp, "say it ain't so, Chef! A boy's gotta eat!"

"You eat plenty!" Chef yelled at him, "if ya want food, make it yourself! I'm going on break!" He turned around and headed for the back door of the Mess Hall.

"Wait!" Owen cried, sticking his head through the window separating the eating are and the kitchen, "can we use your ingredients?"

The cook spun on his feet, leveling an atomic-level death stare at the boy, "touch my ingredients, boy," he warned, "and it'll be the last thing you ever do."

Owen gulped as Chef left the building, slamming the door behind him as he did so.

"What's the matter, Fat Guy?" Came a voice from behind him.

Owen whirled around and instantly enveloped a surprised Lightning in a rib-crushing hug. "Oh it's just terrible, Lightning! Absolutely terrible?"

Lightning tried to push the bulky boy off him, but was having little success despite his impressive strength. "Dude, get off the Lightning," he grunted, both hands on Owen's face as he tried to get him away.

"But you don't understand?" Owen sobbed, refusing to let go, "Chef said he won't make us breakfast!"

"No breakfast?" Sammy repeated, walking in to the Hall with Gwen, Bridgette and Izzy. The rest of the campers were right behind them. "Seriously?"

Lightning finally succeeded at getting out of Owen's clutches, and Owen turned to the rest of the group. "Yeah! Chef said we were too late, so we're outta luck!"

"Well, okay. We can make our own food, then!" Bridgette suggested.

"Chef really doesn't want us using his ingredients," Owen sighed.

"So? Let's hit the Tuck Shoppe. They've got stuff," Beardo told him. A smile lit up his face, "this could be fun! Let's cook some breakfast!"

"No," Noah said decidedly, "having to put effort into making a meal for yourself when it could be served to you by someone else is not fun."

"Well who's gonna buy the ingredients?" Duncan asked, "I'm outta Bux."

"Me too," Izzy added.

Beardo imitated the noise Pac-Man did when dying, "same here, I'm broke."

"I'll go buy some supplies if I don't have to cook," Noah offered quickly, "I've barely spent any of my Bux."

"Same here," Sammy said.

"Alright, those of you with Bux to spare go get some food," Bridgette told the others. She headed to the back of the Mess Hall and crossed over into the kitchen.

Noah, Sammy, Jo and Shawn headed out to the Tuck Shoppe. The camera followed them as they walked.

"I'm glad I'm part of the buying crew," Shawn admitted, "cooking's not really my speciality…"

"Oh, so there's something you're not an expert on?" Sammy joked, playfully nudging Shawn in the ribs, "I'm shocked!"

Shawn grinned sheepishly, rubbing at his ribs, "well, I can bake pretty well. But other than that? Unless its roasting some game over a spit, I'm not your guy."

Noah snapped his fingers, "darn, here I was just hankering for some good ol' meat-on-a-spit for breakky. There goes my morning."

Shawn and Sammy laughed. Soon enough, the four approached the Tuck Shoppe. The nerdy intern was there reading a magazine, and looked up as they entered.

"Alright," Jo said in her commanding voice, "Noah, grab eggs and bacon. Sammy, you're on juice duty. Shawn and I will try and find something for the main course."

The others didn't look particularly stoked about being bossed around, but no one voiced any complaints.

"Main course, huh?" Shawn said as he pursued the isle, "like what?"

"I dunno, do they have pancake mix or something?" Jo complained, "all thats here is a bunch of junk food!"

Noah joined them, "yeah, this place doesn't have eggs or bacon. This isn't a grocery store."

Jo sighed, but quickly perked up when Shawn whistled.

"I found some pancake mix," Shawn said, pointing to a spot in the isle where a few boxes of mix were seen.

"Cool," Noah said, "let's get outta here."

The eight campers in the Mess Hall looked towards the door as the four returned.

"Pancake mix, bitches!" Jo called, tossing the boxes onto the Chef's counter. "Get cooking, cause I'm hungry!"

Owen gasped, "Pancakes! No way! I love pancakes!"

"We know, big guy," Duncan said, clapping him on the shoulder, "believe me, we know."

"Alright, I'm down to cook, and I know Beardo is too," Bridgette said, still in the kitchen, "any other volunteers?"

"I'll do it!" Owen said happily, "I make a mean pancake!"

"Are you just volunteering bacause you wanna eat all the batter, Big O?" Izzy asked cheerfully, "because I don't think the others would appreciate that!"

"No, honest!" Owen said earnestly, "I'll rock the socks off these cakes, swearzies!"

"I'll help," Sammy said shyly. She set her bottles of juice down and brushed out her blue blouse, "Amy always used to make me cook for her."

"Yay, pancake time!" Izzy cheered, "Izzy can't wait!"

(Confessional: Duncan.)

Duncan scoffs, crossing his arms and rolling his eyes. "If you had told me five seasons ago that I'd be sitting pretty in the Mess Hall while some fat beatboxer, a shy twin, Owen and Bridgette made me pancakes…" he trails off, shaking his head, "I woulda knocked your face off!" He holds up a fist for emphasis. "But here we are…"

(End Confessional: Duncan.)

In the kitchen, things were going rather smoothly. Bridgette and Sammy were in charge of making the batter, while Owen and Beardo manned Chef's massive flat-top oven.

"This equipment is pretty legit," Beardo whistled as he examined the oven, "Chef ain't messin' around!"

"You think he'll be mad we're using some of his stuff?" Sammy said, her eyes on the milk, butter, eggs, and other ingredients they had pulled out.

"At this point I could care less," Owen admitted, starry-eyed, "we're gonna have pancakes!"

"Alright! This batch is done," Bridgette said happily. She walked over to the two boys and handed them the bowl full of batter, "it's all you!"

Owen and Beardo each held up a ladle. They glanced at each other and shared a grin.

A flash forward showed the other eight campers sitting quietly, waiting patiently for the food to be ready. Finally, after what seemed like ages to them, Bridgette poked her head through the window separating the kitchen and eating area. "Alright guys, first round is up! Come and get it!"

Everyone excitedly clambered to the counter, starving an ready to dig in. Bridgette began passing out delicious looking pancakes coated in butter and syrup to everyone.

"Man, these look awesome," Shawn moaned as he received his plate. He sucked a bit of drool back into his mouth as he sat back down next to Jasmine.

Everyone began to tuck into breakfast. The cooks emerged from the kitchen with their own plates. Owen and Beardo's pancake stack was comically high, and both had eager smiles on their face as they sat down.

"If there's one thing us big guys know how to do, it's make good food," Beardo chuckled. He plucked a whole pancake from the stack and stuck the entire thing in his mouth.

"You can say that again!" Owen agreed.

(Confessional: Owen.)

Owen has butter and syrup all over his face and hands. "Man, that was delicious," he says with a happy sigh. "I feel so much better than I did yesterday, it's so nice to know that Gwen has my back. I think I can trust her, but…." his face falls, "I also thought I could trust Noah."

(End Confessional: Owen.)

The rest of the day continued on in peace. Some campers played video games in the Rec Center, others spent time in nature or in the water, and some caught up on rest after the strenuous challenges they had endured.

One camper in particular had a plan, though. And she waited until after dinner to propose it to everyone.

"Alright, everyone!" Bridgette called out, successfully getting everyone's attention. The surfer put her hands on her hips, her usual laid back smile on her face. "We're playing a game in the Rec Center in twenty minutes. Be there, unless you're chicken!"

"I don't know, Bridgette," Gwen didn't look to convinced, "we've got a challenge tomorrow. This isn't like last time where we had the rest day to recover."

"It's not a drinking game," Bridgette told her and the others, "and besides, it's not late and it won't take long!"

"Alright!" Owen whooped, "I'm in!"

"Me too!" Beardo echoed, looking super excited.

"Alright, I'll see you guys there," Bridgette said mischievously, "I just have to make a quick stop at the Tuck Shoppe."

"Someone should go buy at least a little alcohol," Jo sighed, "lord knows I'm gonna need a drink to stay sane playing some game with you losers."

Twenty minutes later, everyone found themselves entering the Rec Center. Bridgette was there, sitting at the huge circular table. On the table in front of her were three individual playing card decks, all unboxed.

"Oh no!" Duncan smacked his forehead. "I know what this is!"

Bridgette grinned at him, "alright guys, get ready to play…strip poker."

The reactions were mixed, to say the least. Some, like Izzy and Lightning, looked unbothered if not excited by the challenge. Others like Beardo and Sammy were looking very nervous.

However, Bridgette was quick to assure them. "No pressure, though. If you want to sit this one out, no one will judge." Her friendly smile quickly turned into a confident grin, "but if you think you can take me on, have a seat."

Owen, Izzy, Lightning, Shawn and Jasmine quickly took a seat around the large table. After a few seconds of consideration, Duncan, Gwen and Jo sat down too.

Noah, Beardo and Sammy were left standing.

"I've been humiliated enough on this show," Noah said dully, "the last thing I need is to be seen in my skivvies playing cards."

"Oh come on, Noah!" Izzy said jovially, "it'll be fun! Besides, it'll be good quality entertainment for Emma!"

Beardo gulped, but eventually sat down. "Let's do it!" He said, "I may be a little self-conscious, but that's not gonna stop me from having fun!"

Sammy looked at Beardo, emboldened by his words, "y'know what, me too!" She also sat down.

Now Noah was the only one standing.

"C'mon, mate," Jasmine told him, "you can't be the only one that doesn't play."

Noah rolled his eyes, "ugh, fine. Peer pressure me into playing, why don't you?" He took the final seat, completing the circle.

Bridgette grabbed the three decks and shuffled them together, expertly manipulating the cards.

"Wow, who knew you were a card shark?" Jo asked, slightly impressed.

Bridgette's confident grin remained plastered on her face, "oh, I've always had a special fondness for poker," she told the group nonchalantly.

"You guys better prepare yourself," Gwen warned, "Bridgette doesn't mess around when she plays poker. She gets real cutthroat."

"Her, cutthroat?" Lightning asked, pointing at the still shuffling Bridgette. An innocent tune played in the background as the camera focused on the surfer, "Lightning just don't see it! She's the nicest person here!"

"Aw, thanks Lightning," Bridgette smiled, the innocent tune continuing to play. She began to deal five cards to all the players with ridiculous speed and precision, shocking all the others as they found the cards perfectly placed in front of them. The innocent tune shattered and was replaced by something more ominous as her grin grew wider, "this is gonna be fun!"

Jo reached under the table and pulled out a six-pack of beer. She grabbed one and popped the top. "So, what are the rules?"

"The rules are simple," Bridgette said, finishing up the dealing of the cards. "Five card draw, I trust everyone knows how that works?" Everyone nodded or voiced their confirmation, so she continued, "Two folds equals a piece of clothing gone because we can't have everyone just folding willy-nilly with no punishment. The winner of each hand picks one person to lose an additional piece of clothing. Once you're down to your underwear and lose again, you're out. Last person standing wins it all."

"Wins what, exactly?" Shawn asked, "is there some sort of prize?"

Bridgette shrugged, "I dunno, bragging rights?"

Jo crushed down her beer in one gulp and aimed across the Rec Center, hurling the bottle into the recycling with pinpoint accuracy. She popped the top of another and grinned, "good enough for me."

"Alright, everyone look at your cards," Bridgette said, picking up the cards and holding them close to her chest, "you can trade in a maximum of three cards."

Everyone either kept their cards or grabbed some new ones.

"How about we make an interesting rule, since we're using three decks," Izzy suggested, "if someone gets a 5 of a kind they get to force everyone to take a piece of clothing off!"

"Ooh, interesting!" Owen chuckled, "great idea, Izzy!"

"Fine by me," Bridgette said. "Now, who's in, and who's out? I'm staying in."

"I'm out," Shawn said instantly, folding his cards down. "I got some hot garbage."

"Me too," Sammy said nervously, also putting her cards on the table.

"Y'know what, I think I'm in," Beardo rasped.

"So am I!" Izzy hooted.

"The Lightning never backs down!" Lightning proclaimed, "he's all in!"

"If that's your attitude, you ain't gonna last long, pal." Duncan told him snidely, "but I'm in too."

Jasmine looked a little conflicted, but was ultimately in as well. Shawn took a peak at her cards, since he was already out, and winced.

Noah reluctantly was in. Owen folded, though he looked disappointed that he had to do so. Jo folded as well, annoyed.

"I'm in," Gwen said, shooting a competitive smirk at Bridgette. "Alright Bridgette, reveal your cards."

"Not yet," Bridgette said, "the dealer switches each hand, but the dealer has the power to call 'double down' if they want to! That gives everyone an extra chance to fold! Anyone who doesn't fold and still loses takes two pieces of clothing off!"

"Put your cards down, babe," Shawn said out of the side of his mouth. A sad Jasmine complied.

"Lightning still ain't backing down," Lightning said, "he's in!"

Noah put his cards down. "Nope, I'm out."

"You aren't gonna get be to back off that easy, sweetheart," Duncan smirked. "I'm in as well."

"Me too," Gwen agreed.

Beardo shook his head, "y'all are too rich for my blood."

"Not for me. Izzy has blood to spare!" Izzy hooted, drumming the fingers of one of her hands on table. "Now reveal your cards!"

"Sha-bam!" Lightning threw his cards on the table, "eat this! Lightning has a two, and a seven, and a four, and a Jack, and an Ace!"

The table went quiet.

"Well, what does Lightning win?" The jock asked the group.

"Nothing," Duncan said bluntly, "because I've got three sevens!" He threw his cards on the table, daring anyone else to have a better hand than him.

"Aw, this is bull!" Lightning whined.

"Damn!" Gwen cursed, throwing her cards down, "I had three fours."

"Not enough, though!" Izzy hooted, "I've got a full house!" She threw down her cards; three sixes and two queens.

Duncan groaned, and everyone turned to Bridgette. The surfer smirked and dropped her cards on the table. "Four of a kind," she boasted, "read 'em and weep!"

Everyone gasped.

"That's right," the surfer continued, clapping her hands together, "you guys gotta strip!"

Duncan scoffed and took off both of his shoes. Everyone else that lost also discarded their shoes.

"This is Miami all over again," Duncan grumbled. Bridgette gave an impish giggle.

(Confessional: Gwen.)

"As the game continued, I saw a side of Bridgette I didn't know existed," Gwen says, eyes wide. "She was like an animal! I've never seen such pure ferocity before!"

(End Confessional: Gwen.)

An hour and a half later, things had gotten rather chaotic.

Noah, Jasmine, Lightning, Sammy and Izzy had all stripped to their undies and gotten out of the game. They had all gotten rather invested in seeing who would win, though, and remained in the Rec Center re-dressed. All five watched each round with baited breath, waiting to see who would be next out of the game.

Duncan was hanging on by a thread. The punk still had his pants and his collar on, but that was it.

Owen fas on the thinnest ice imaginable. In just his underwear but not quite out, all it would take was one fold before the fat boy was gone.

Gwen was doing a little better. The goth's legs were bare save for her underwear, but her entire top half was covered.

Beardo was sweating, but not from the heat. He was down to just his suspenders and underpants. The game had been stressful for the poor beatboxer.

Jo had discarded her shoes, socks and grey tracksuit. She had on her boy shorts and sports bra, and was glowering at how poorly she was doing.

Bridgette had lost only one sock and one shoe. She was currently staring cooly at what she deemed her only competition.

"My, my, Shawn," Bridgette said placidly, expertly shuffling the cards around, "is there anything you aren't good at?"

Shawn stared back, a confident smirk on his face. The zombie nut had lost both of his shoes and both of his socks, but was otherwise fully clothed. Considering he had a lot more pieces of clothing on than the others to begin with, he was at a definite advantage over everyone.

"Not much," Shawn bragged in response to Bridgette's question. "Though I will say I'm pretty bad at getting eaten by zombies."

"You get 'em, babe!" Jasmine cheered. Sammy giggled at her friends enthusiasm.

The table they were playing cards out was now full of empty peer cans and plastic cups, too. Everyone had a healthy buzz going and was ready for the next hand to be dealt.

Once Bridgette had thrown out the cards, everyone grabbed the hand and looked at what they had to work with.

"Gimme three cards," Owen said quickly, tossing three of his own into the discard pile.

Duncan winced at his crappy hand, "yeah, me too," he said.

"I'm all good," Shawn said confidently, causing Bridgette to eye him with suspicion. The surfer took two cards for herself, keeping an expert poker face when she saw what her hand was now.

Gwen, Beardo and Jo all grabbed three cards as well. It was time for Bridgette the dealer to start the war.

"I'm in," she said.

"Me too," Owen said, his tone nervous.

"I'm so in!" Shawn whooped.

"I'm out," Duncan drawled, his tone annoyed.

"Ugh, me too." Jo threw her cards on the table, "this game sucks."

Beardo gulped, eyeing both his cards and the others at the table. "I'm out," he finally said, throwing his cards down.

Gwen was the last to decide. "I'm in," she told them with little hesitation.

Duncan and Beardo exchanged a knowing look, "here comes the double down," Duncan muttered.

Beardo whistled a few notes, mimicking the classic "dun…dun…dun…" from many a movie.

"Alright, well I'm doubling down," Sure enough, Bridgette took the risk to the next level. She was in a deadlocked stare with Shawn, both trying to read the others' minds.

"Well I'm in, at this point I don't have a choice since if I fold, I lose my underpants and I'm out," Owen said, not inspiring a lot of confidence as he heaved a great sigh.

"I'm still in, you're not getting me to back down," Shawn told Bridgette.

"Me too," Gwen added, "reveal your cards!"

Bridgette threw down her cards, "I have a straight!"

Gwen gasped, revealing three Kings. "Oh man, I thought this would be enough!" She groaned.

"You're outta here!" Duncan called in a tone similar to a baseball announcer. Beardo hummed a couple bars of the classic 'Take Me Out to the Ballgame' and two shared a laugh.

The goth rolled her eyes, a dry smile on her face. It was true, after all. With just her shirt on other than her underwear, the goth was out of things to strip. She grabbed her discarded skirt and leggings and put them back on. Once back to being fully clothed, she grabbed her beer bottle and toasted the remaining campers. "I wish you luck," she said.

Bridgette, Shawn and Owen returned to their hand.

"Well, Bridgette," Shawn said cockily, "you may have a straight but I have…a flush!" He threw down his cards: A six, an eight, a nine, a Jack and an Ace all in the Club suit.

Bridgette thumped her fist down on the table, "Damnnit! I thought you might have been bluffing when you didn't take any cards…I should've known."

"Looks like I win this time," Shawn chuckled.

"Now wait just one goddamn minute!"

Both Bridgette and Shawn whipped their heads to look at Owen, who was using his cards to cover his face. His other hand was extended and then brought back to lightly touch his face as he looked sideways at the two other players. His pose screamed classic anime villain as he smirked.

"It couldn't be," Shawn whispered in awe.

"You fools," Owen muttered, "counting me out right from the start…but now? Now?! It has come back to haunt you!" He tilted his head slightly towards them, his expression dull and aloof. "For now, you shall pay the ultimate penance!" He took a deep breath and slammed his cards down on the table. "Behold, your destruction!" He screamed.

There, on the table, was a full house.

"Noooo!" Shawn howled, tumbling backwards for his chair and onto the ground. Owen erupted into evil laughter as the rest of the campers burst into cheers and whistles.

Izzy wiped a way a tear from her eyes, "that was so beautiful," she sighed, "but I gotta go to the bathroom!"

"Oh, me too!" Gwen said quickly, following the crazy redhead out into the night. The two left the sound of laughter and shouting behind them and headed towards the bathrooms in silence. "So, Izzy," Gwen said as the two walked, "I actually wanted to talk to you."

"Oh?" Izzy skipped along the dirt path, not paying Gwen much mind as the bathrooms got ever closer, "about what?"

"Well, it's actually about the last rest day," Gwen said. The two reached the doors and Izzy entered first, holding the door for Gwen. The goth nodded in thanks and the two entered separate stalls.

"What about the rest day?" Izzy asked. Her voice echoed goofily off the walls of the bathroom.

Gwen finished her business and flushed, emerging back into the main restroom and beginning to wash her hands. She turned on the tap, letting the water flow over her fingers. "Well, you said you don't remember much about it, right?"

Izzy emerged too, walking on her hands. "That's right, Izzy went a little too ham on the vodka."

"Right, I think a bunch of us did," Gwen agreed, "so I don't know if anyone has told you this, but you and Owen totally made out that night."

Izzy slipped on the tile floor, losing one of her hands and crashing to the ground. She popped back up, surprised. "We did what?!"

Gwen couldn't help the dry chuckle that spilled from her lips. She finished up washing her hand and shook them off, opting to let them air-dry. "Yeah, you guys were swapping spit big time."

Izzy's surprise slowly melted off her face. "Wow," she said, leaning against one of the sinks. "That's…wow. I'm surprised he hasn't said anything."

"Apparently he didn't remember at first too," Gwen shrugged, "but I just figured you ought to know, since it doesn't seem like you did."

"Did he talk to you about it?" Izzy asked, her normally zany attitude much more serious than usual.

Gwen nodded, "he wasn't sure what to do," a sly grin crept onto her face, "he's crushing on you big time. Old habits die heard, I guess."

"Aww, that is so cute!" Izzy cooed.

"It is," Gwen agreed, "anyways, I just wanted to get you in the know about it."

"He put you up to this, didn't he?"

"Maybe…"

The two exited the bathrooms and began walking back towards the Rec Center.

"Well," the goth continued, "whatever you decide, just go easy on him, okay? He's in a tough spot right now."

"It's because of Noah, isn't it?" Izzy asked, surprising the goth.

"Yeah, actually. Wow, you're pretty intuitive, huh?"

Izzy grinned at her, "one of my many specialties, Gwennie."

The two continued the rest of their walk in silence. When they re-entered the Mess Hall, they were shocked to see that the game had progressed rapidly without them.

Shawn and Bridgette were now down to their underpants. Duncan, Beardo and Jo were long eliminated. Owen was still there in his underpants, giggling to himself.

"Whoa," Gwen remarked dryly, standing next to Duncan and Sammy. "What the hell happened while we were gone?"

"Owen's on a hot streak," Duncan laughed, "the guy has won four in a row. Bridgette and Shawn are fuming."

It was true. Both Bridgette and Shawn were incredibly flustered as Shawn dealt the final hand.

"Bring it on, peons!" Owen hooted, "bow before your master!"

The three picked up their cards, glaring at one another as they debated on what they should do.

"I'll take three!" Shawn cried, tossing the cards down.

"Two for me, fools!" Owen muttered, once again edgy.

"I'll just take one." Bridgette announced, picking up one card. "There's no point in doubling down, so reveal your cards!"

Shawn tossed his onto the table. "Three tens! It's the best I could come up with!"

Owen and Bridgette eyed each other, their poker faces perfect. Neither could read the other. It was all a matter of who cracked first. Unsurprisingly, it was Owen. He threw his cards on the table and heaved a great sob. "I got nothing! Diddly squat! Oh, the shame!" He broke down into his hands, meaty sobs coming from behind his fists.

Both Shawn and Bridgette ignored him. They had bigger fish to fry.

"Well, Bridgette?" Shawn requested of the stony-faced surfer, "show 'em."

"Oh, I'll show 'em," Bridgette said. "Read 'em." She threw her cards down, and broke out into a broad grin, "read 'em and weep!"

She had a diamond flush.

The cabin broke out into raucous cheers. Shawn thumped his head onto the table and was immediately consoled by Jasmine and Sammy. Owen continued to sob messily into his hands, but a crowd of Duncan, Beardo, Gwen and Izzy went over to comfort and congratulate his attempt. Bridgette pumped her fists in victory but otherwise was a pretty good sport about it.

"You did great, big guy!" Duncan assured his friend, "I can't believe you had them on the ropes like that."

Izzy gave him a big hug, "yeah, you're the man, Owen!" Next to her, Gwen put a comforting hand on his shoulder and gave him a knowing smile.

Shawn lifted his head off the table and offered a grudging smile Bridgette's way. "Good game," he told her, "you're scary when you play poker."

Bridgette flushed a little, but smiled back. "So I've been told," she admitted, a little sheepish. "I guess I just get way too into it."

"Don't apologize!" Gwen assured her, "you don't have to be sorry for kicking butt!"

"True that," Jasmine agreed, smiling.

Jo was the first one to stop cheering. "Well, this has been a blast and all," she said, eyeing the clock on the wall. "But it's getting late, and I wanna be fully rested for tomorrow." She glared at Noah and Lightning, "and make sure everyone pulls their weight."

With those simple sentences, the reality of the competition came crashing back to the twelve campers. The mood sobered up quickly, and people began to disperse from the Rec Center.

Shawn and Jasmine were the first to leave, agreeing with Jo about being well rested for the game. Noah and Lightning followed suit, both glaring at Jo as they left. Jo seemed unbothered, and bid a brusque goodbye to the others before heading out too.

That left Team Nuclear and Izzy and Owen in the Rec Center.

"Well," Izzy said with a grin, "those guys did a good job of getting out without having to clean up!" She waved her hand at the cards scattered everywhere and the empty cans and bottles. "And on that note, you and I need to have a chat, Big O!" She grabbed Owen's arm and began dragging him out of the Rec Center, "a strategical one!"

"Yeah, get it, big guy!" Duncan whooped, only to be smacked on the back of the head by Gwen. He rubbed the back of his head with a smirk. "Alright, I probably deserved that."

"Probably?" Sammy giggled, beginning to collect all the garbage from the table.

Duncan rolled his eyes at the twin but didn't respond.

"Alright, I don't know about you guys," Bridgette said, "but as the champ, I'm abstained from having to clean up."

"Oh that's rich," Gwen snorted, "did you just come up with that?"

"Maybe," Bridgette grinned. "And as Poker Queen I declare Gwen doesn't have to help me. We're gonna go ready up for bed."

"What!" The other three exclaimed.

"They're right," Gwen said with a smirk, "that's unfair. Sammy, come with us. We'll let you two have a little boys night while you clean up."

Sammy giggled and waved to the two boys as she joined Bridgette and Gwen. The three left.

Duncan rolled his eyes, and Beardo let out the classic trumpet sad tune as they were left alone.

"Well ain't that a bitch," Duncan sighed, turning around to stare at the messy, cluttered table. He looked at Beardo, "I'll get the cards if you get the trash?"

Beardo gave him a thumbs up and ding-dinged at him, and the two got to work.

"So, I gotta ask, man," Duncan said as he picked up cards and made sure they all stacked properly with each other, "whats your story? Is Beardo your name or what? And what's with the sound effects?"

Beardo chuckled dryly. "I'm surprised it took you so long to ask, man." He began scooping up bottles and cans from the table. "Beardo is just my DJ name. As for the sound effects, it just comes from a long past of insecurity. I'm tryna work through it, though. My girlfriend has been a huge help."

"You've got a girlfriend?!" Duncan's eyebrows rose, genuinely surprised. He winced at his wording, "uh, that came out ruder than I meant it to…"

Beardo just waved his sorta-apology away. "I get it, I get it," he admitted, "people look at me and don't think they'd have some buxom blonde as their girlfriend."

"A buxom blonde!" Duncan slapped his forehead with his palm. He couldn't help himself. "You got a pic, man?"

Beardo chuckled and fumbled in his back pocket for his wallet. He opened it up and pulled out a worn photograph and handed it out for Duncan to take. Duncan took the couple of steps needed towards Beardo and took the photo. He glanced down at it.

The photo showed Beardo and a lovely looking blonde girl with emerald green eyes on a beach. Beardo was shirtless and the girl was wearing a two-piece pink bikini. Beardo was taking the selfie and the two had their cheeks mashed together as they beamed at the camera. The girl was rather…well endowed.

Duncan let out a low whistle. "Damn, she's a babe, dude," he admitted.

Beardo took the photo back with a goofy grin. "Yeah, Rebecca is a hottie," he said fondly. "No idea what she saw in me, but I ain't complaining!"

"How'd you two meet?" Duncan asked, continuing to stack up the cards.

"She and I knew each other since freshman year of high school," Beardo explained, "but we didn't talk much until a couple of months before I left for Pahkitew Island. We were friendly, I guess, but I was still so nervous about talking to people. I thought she just found my noises funny and that's why she kept me around." He chuckled again, "but after I came back from Pahkitew, most of my high school thought I was a total joke! Some of them, though, wanted to help me with my anxiety. Rebecca was one of them. She and I were just friends until senior year, and then she asked me to go to prom with her. I was totally shocked, y'know? I never thought I'd get to go to prom because I would never have had the courage to ask someone."

Duncan nodded, trying to look manly but no doubt enjoying the sweet story being told to him.

"We kissed that night during the slow dance song, and we've been together ever since." Beardo let out a fond sigh as he reminisced, "but she moved away for college after senior year, so we been goin' long distance. My family don't come from a lotta money, so I just take classes online. Winning this cash would be huge for me, you feel?"

"Yeah, dude, I feel you," Duncan said gruffly, abandoning the cards and clapping the big guy on the back.

Beardo put a hand to his chest, "Damn, thats the most words I've said in a long-ass time! I think I'm winded!"

The two shared a laugh.

"What about you?" Beardo asked. "I know you went to jail after All-Stars, but whatcha been up to since then? Did the slammer change you at all?"

"Hell yeah it did," Duncan said, his tone growing sombre. "Jail really forced me to grow up and take a look at myself, y'know? It made me figure out the kind of man I wanted to be." He shook his head, "I let the stupid show and my past baggage with it get to my head, and I got stuck in the glory days of Total Drama Action, when my popularity was at it's highest. I had everything back then. Then during All-Stars, I realized I had nothing, and just kinda lost sight of myself."

Beardo nodded, empathetic for his friend.

"I was lucky," Duncan confessed, "I was famous, and Chris didn't press for super serious charges. I only had to spend two months in jail before I got released 'on good behavior'," he snorted, "I guess cowering from all the real criminals and having weekly panic attacks is good behavior." He shook his head. "Anyways, the first six months after jail was rough. I was a prick, trying to reclaim some of my fame from Total Drama. I got over it, though. I came back to this show to right a few wrongs."

Beardo nodded sagely, "Gwen, right?"

Duncan winced at her name. "Yeah, but I blew that one right off the bat. She's not interested," he sighed, "but that's okay."

"You still have feelings for her?" Beardo asked, his eyebrows raised.

Duncan rubbed his face and sighed, quiet for a moment. Eventually, he looked over at Beardo and nodded. "Yeah, I really do," he admitted. "I basically just came back to try and get back with her."

Beardo let out a low, sad whistle, and Duncan sighed.

"That pretty much sums it up. But she's got a new boyfriend, and told me it wasn't happening. I was fine with being friends until she voted me off."

"Oh!" Beardo made a 'sproing' noise to mimic his realization, "that's why you got so mad when that happened!"

Duncan nodded in confirmation, "yup, pretty much. But things are fine between us now, I guess. Sometimes it sucks being around her, because I know it'll never happen…but I guess that's just part of growing up."

Beardo gave Duncan a sympathetic shoulder pat. "That's pretty mature of you, man." He offered.

Duncan chuckled, but there was little humor in it. "Thanks, man." His tone and gaze turned sharp as he eyed the beatboxer, "I trust this stays between you and me. I may not care about my tough-guy image as much as I used to, but I still don't talk about my feelings much."

Beard nodded and zipped his lips, somehow making the appropriate noise despite his closed lips.

"I gotta tell you that's a load-off, though," the punk admitted, grabbing the last of the cards and stuffing them unceremoniously into the deck box. "Thanks for listening."

Beardo gave him another thumbs up and a friendly smile. The two finished up the cleaning in comfortable silence.

(Confessional: Beardo.)

"Damn!" Beardo curses, a smile on his face, "who knew Duncan could be such a cool dude after all? It seems like he's grown up a lot. I never though I'd get along with him when I watched the show all those years ago, but I dare say you could call us friends!" He puts his hands to his head and mimes an explosion, rocketing his hands outwards.

(End Confessional: Beardo.)

(Confessional: Duncan.)

Duncan snorts. "I hear ya. Beardo? I wouldn't have thought it either. But the dude is surprisingly chill." He shrugs, "who would've thought?"

(End Confessional: Duncan.)

Izzy was dragging a nervous Owen out into the woods.

"Hey uh, Iz?" Owen asked, looking around the dark woods with a nervous expression, "what're we doing out here?"

"Does this remind you of anything?" Izzy asked him, grinning as an owl hooted in the distance.

"Yeah, sorta," Owen mused, still being dragged along, "it kinda reminds me of the horror challenge from back on Total Drama Island."

"Exactly, you know what happened during that challenge?" Izzy asked him.

Owen's heart began to beat quickly. "Uhh…DJ got eliminated for being a chicken?"

"No! Well…yeah, I guess that did happen…but that's not what Izzy is talking about!" Izzy hollered, "that was the first time you and I kissed!"

Owen's face went beet red, and he coughed awkwardly, taken aback. "Oh! Uh..yeah, I guess it was…" He continued to look around, a little nervous now, "um…say, Izzy…but why are we out here?"

"Well, Owennn," Izzy drawled, dragging out the name of the boy in her company, "I had a very interesting chat with Gwen a little while ago!"

Owen gasped, the reality of what was happening hitting him full force. "Oh! Uh…about what, exactly?"

"Well we apparently kissed a few nights back!" Izzy said boldly, finally stopping her dragging and letting go of Owen's chunky arm. She turned to face the boy, "I didn't remember squat! Did you?"

"No," Owen admitted, nervously scratching at the back of his head, "but I did find out the next day…Noah told me."

"Noah!" Izzy repeated, slapping her forehead, "he didn't tell me anything! Why didn't you say anything?"

The flush crept down Owen's face and into his neck. He was thankful it was dark outside. "I guess I was just scared that you wouldn't be happy that it happened or that you'd think it was gross," he finally admitted. "Especially with how messy and vague things ended between us in World Tour."

An unusually soft expression showed itself on Izzy's face, and she smiled warmly at the nervous young man in front of her. "Well, Owen," she told him, "for the record, I never find you gross!" She gave him an appraising look, "well, I guess there's only one thing to test! Let's see if the magic is still there!"

Owen looked confused. "The magic? What do you-" he was interrupted when Izzy suddenly closed the distance between them and kissed him on the lips. While he was initially shocked, he quickly recovered and wrapped his arm around her, and even popped his heel.

The kiss lasted about ten seconds before they broke apart. Owen had stars in his eyes, and Izzy put a finger to her chin, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Welp," she decided, "there's definitely still some magic there, Owen!"

"There is?" Owen asked hopefully.

Izzy nodded vigorously, "let me just sleep on it, okay? But I think I'd be willing to give us another shot!"

Owen let out a happy squeal to rival Katie an Sadie. "Ohh, yay!" He gushed. "Totally awesome!"

Izzy grinned, and hopped onto Owen's shoulders in an impressive athletic display. "Now, carry me back to camp! Your Queen is tired!"

Owen saluted. "Aye-aye, your majesty!"

The two ran off towards, camp, giggling the whole way.

Well, there's Rest Day #2, in the books! This was definitely the least dramatic of all the rest days. They'll amp up when it comes to 'competitive substance' from here on out. I knew when I first started planning this story I wanted them all to play Strip Poker at some point. The idea for Bridgette being an unexpected card shark came from the off-hand comment Duncan made in the very first chapter of this fic, and I kinda just rolled with it.

But yeah, Ozzy are borderline back together? Will they OFFICIALLY get back together because they're practically right there! I hope you all enjoyed this more-fluffy chapter. I had fun writing it!

The next chapter is planned to be updated June 29th! I'd like to update this story every other Monday starting now! (Hehe I was originally hoping to get this out yesterday but I ended up throwing a party instead whoops). So yeah, I'll see you guys on the 29th!

Some questions for the reviewers:

-Who are you pegging as the next boot for each team?

-Anyone you can safely bet will merge at this point?

-Who's the better cook: Beardo or Owen?

Ciao!