LAST EDITED ON 04-01-03 AT 09:03 PM (EST)

Welcome to SB, KDMaxx!

<<The looks and hugs that Christie/Deena exchanged was a big clue that these two are closer than we think.>>

I think you're onto something here. I've been thinking along these same lines. They've shared more than one "knowing look". I went back through the first 6 episodes (I'll go through the rest soon), looking specifically for clues to see if the Christy/Deena combo could be the hidden alliance.

E1 - When Christy made her speech about being deaf, Deena was shown to be the first one to introduce herself.

C/D slept next to each other on the first night (shown the next morning-both are still lying on ground).

Camerawork showed both of them smiling to each other during the "washing the dirty panties" scene. What struck me was that they both seemed to communicate without speaking (at least that's my opinion of what I saw) with those smiles.

E2 - While Jeanne calls for a meeting, Christy is shown gathering logs; Deena is right next to her, sitting on the ground.

C/D sit next to each other in "Memory" IC

E3 - C/D bathe together.

During "Escape" IC, both stayed next to each other.

E4 - While talking with Heidi about booting Joanna, C/D share a "look".

At TC, Deena speaks well of Christy-"doing better than ever."

E5,6 - not on same tribe

I don't know if this will help or not in trying to figure this out. Sometimes the key to finding the winner is the "hidden alliance".

Edited to add E4-6.