Author's Note: I've always asked this question: what would've happened if Courtney wasn't eliminated like she was in Total Drama Island? I always pinpointed that was the change in her personality that made her a tad meaner and more vicious in the newer seasons from Action onwards to All Stars. She became bitter because of the betrayal and, therefore, meaner. However, what if that didn't happen? What if Courtney stayed in the game and went as far as she could go on her own? Find out right here!

The tension wasn't much, considering she knew exactly who was going home. Even Bridgette was voting for him, and she wasn't even in on the deal with the boys in the first place. Dusting off the small log before she sat down, she waited for Harold to take the seat beside her before she sent him an arrogant grin. Yes, perhaps that was a bit much. Today she had not only tried her hardest to let loose, she had actually kissed that damned delinquent who had been getting on her nerves all season and yet he managed to weasel his way into her better intentions, otherwise. She knew, however, that after tonight even if they were considered an 'item', she wouldn't be able to keep this whole daredevil vendetta up the entire game. While this had all been the most fun she'd had on the island, she understood it was her golden ticket for elimination. Duncan would understand.

"Don't look too cocky, Princess," Duncan's voice removed her from her thoughts as he took the stump on her other side. "You do wanna give the audience a bit of a surprise, ratings and all." He rolled his eyes playfully as he grinned at her, which she returned but finally changed her demeanor when Chris appeared with the tray of marshmallows, all that would be given to the lot of them except for Harold, who would finally rid the cabin of his disgusting underwear and body odor that was almost as bad as Owen's.

He began, as he always did, with the common saying before every elimination, "I only have five marshmallows on my plate. And these marshmallows represent the campers that will continue to be campers...here."

Courtney rolled her eyes. What was with that dramatic set up? They've been doing this for twelve episodes already. They knew what the stupid treats meant.

"You've all cast your ballots in the confession can," Chris continued. "If I do not call your name, you must immediately go down to the Dock of Shame, catch the Boat of Losers, and go home. And you can't come back. Ever." Once more, he paused for the dramatic effect. By now, Courtney had grown bored of it and resulted to just merely grinning at Harold as she waited to hear her name called. Duncan!"

"Yeah!" Duncan cheered, pumping a fist in the air as he flashed Courtney a grin before he got up to retrieve his marshmallow.

"DJ!"

"Yeah!" DJ mirrored Duncan's energy as he also got up, following the delinquent towards the tray.

"Bridgette!"

Bridgette could only smile, her hands stuffed in her sweatshirt hoodie as she got up to stand with the other two boys, giving Courtney and Geoff an encouraging smile as she did so.

"Geoff!"

"Yeah!" Geoff almost tossed his cowboy hat in the air, smiling eagerly as he got up and rushed towards the others, leaving only Courtney and Harold sitting on the stumps as both stared eagerly at the last marshmallow available that would only go to one of them. Courtney didn't know why she felt so nervous. She shouldn't be. Duncan promised her he would never vote for her, even going as far as to get DJ and Geoff to vote with him. Bridgette had smiled at her, meaning she didn't vote for her either. It should be inevitable for it to be Harold, right?

"Campers, this is the final marshmallow of the night." Chris said, pausing for just a few moments, staring at either one of the campers as he waited to shout the name that both were wanton to hear. "Harold."

"Yes!" Harold cheered as Courtney jumped to her feet in shock.

"WHAT? You guys voted for Harold over me? ME?" she couldn't help but shriek, her hand clutching the front of her shirt.

But, just as Harold reached Chris to grab the marshmallow, the host suddenly held it out of reach.

"That's what we thought, too!" Chris smiled, gently pushing Harold back by the chest.

"Yeah, I know for a fact there were at least three of us who didn't vote her off!" Duncan snarled in defense, his eyes flashing towards Harold angrily.

"Yes, yes, now let me explain. After seeing the unanimous votes against our very annoying CIT(which would mean even Courtney voted for herself), Chef and I reviewed the confessional footage to see what was up. Turns out Harold got ahold of the bin that held the votes and replaced the originals! Nice try, dude, really. You almost had us. But that don't work well with the producers. You're out. Courtney, you're safe."

Courtney felt her heart almost fall into her stomach, but the weight that had settled on her shoulders had lifted and she got to her feet, snatching the marshmallow from Chris before grabbing the front of Harold's shirt and yanking him towards her, her face absolutely malicious.

"Wait, wait, wait!" Harold cried, covering his face, "it wasn't personal! It was because Duncan kept picking on me! I thought it would make him stop!"

"So you decided to ruin MY chance for the money? Here's a clue for you! You're a loser without a backbone! Even Beth managed to stand up to Heather!" With that, she chucked him into the dirt and stormed toward her team, popping the marshmallow into her mouth before Duncan embraced her, hissing in her ear, "Nicely done, Princess, almost did it better than I could've."

"Oh, shut up," Courtney playfully retorted, pushing him back slightly to watch Harold stare at them, betrayed before Chef took the breath right out of him by chucking his luggage onto his stomach.

"The Boat of Losers awaits you, my friend," Chris smiled. "Go on ahead."

"Whatever! This show is a complete joke! GOSH!" Harold exclaimed, getting to his feet and sending them one last glare before he stormed away toward the Dock of Shame.

"And that leaves the Killer Bass with only five left!" Chris grinned, turning to them. "Go on and get to bed, Bass, and rest for the next challenge!"

The five of them cheered loudly, turning away from the glow of the fire as they went to make their way to the cabins, all of them exhausted from the training they had to endure with psycho Chef. Overall, however, despite the loss, they were happy. Harold was gone and their team was surely a lot stronger now without him.

"Well, Princess," Duncan called, throwing an arm over her shoulders and pulling her close. "Care to help me go and find Chef's undies and throw them up the flag pole?"

"Sorry, Duncan," Courtney laughed as they reached their cabin, walking up the steps and stopping just before the girls' side. "I'm extremely tired from the stupid obstacle course, and I'm pretty sure you should get some rest after nailing your head from falling off that stupid tree. We're going to need you next challenge."

"So you're back to normal, huh?" Duncan asked, though he didn't sound too disappointed.

"Well, I'm definitely not going to go out of my way to break the rules again, but I'm also not gonna go back to the girl who just rolled with the punches. Harold nearly got me voted off. Imagine what'll happen later on when we merge, especially if Heather's still in the game. I'll be playing a lot stronger."

By now it was just the two of them.

"Well, don't peg me as a picky guy. You're still hot either way," Duncan snorted.

"Such a charmer," Courtney shook her head before grabbing the front of his shirt and pulling him into a quick kiss. "Goodnight, Duncan."

With that, she stepped away and left him dazed as she entered her side of the cabin, leaning on the door with a flustered, grateful smile. This island wasn't as bad as she had thought.

"I can't believe Harold almost got you voted off," Bridgette called from her bunk, where she seemed to be fixing it up so it was more comfortable to sleep in. "Were Duncan, Geoff, and DJ really that hard on him?"

"Mm, maybe, but it wasn't as if it was one sided. Duncan told me Harold would purposely leave his nasty underwear around for them to find," she said as she walked over to the drawers in order to pull out some pajamas to change into.

"So...you and Duncan, huh?" Bridgette taunted, smiling at her. "You didn't tell me!"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I just didn't have the time! It all happened so fast! But...I actually think we're okay. I just hope we don't turn on each other when it comes down to the money. I think he understands even if we are...whatever we are, I'm still going to try to crush him for that hundred thousand dollars." She finally found her pink night shirt and shorts.

"I think he would prefer that," Bridgette smiled. "Now, c'mon. We need to sleep."

Courtney smiled thoughtfully and sighed softly, walking over to her bunk.

Well, hundred thousand dollars or not, she was still pretty happy.