Gregg: 'A Moment Too Late'

The paranoia hit an all-time high on Thursday night's "Survivor: Palau" as old alliances crumbled and new alliances formed. Unfortunately, while Gregg was off enjoying his reward with Jenn and Katie, Tom and Ian were left back on the island eating sour grapes and plotting his demise.

Gregg tells The Early Show co-anchor Rene Syler, "I wanted to give that reward to someone who hadn't experienced anything. I think if I had let Ian go in my place, I might not be here today."

Looking back, his reward ended up being a million-dollar cruise. Going home was the last thing in his mind.

"I left my two biggest competition in Tom and Ianout there on the island to plot with Caryn who is desperate for a vote. As soon as I made that decision, I let the girls enjoy something, and, one thing led to another."

Unfortunately, it was Katie, who betrayed Gregg and Jenn after confirming the top three alliance on the yacht.

"I was surprised," Gregg says, "I had a great time with her out there on the yacht and to see that kind of thing unfold, it was disappointing, but it did make sense. I didn't expect her to force a tie just for me. And I think for her in the position she was in, it may have been the best move at that time."

To think on Episode Eleven, Gregg had the chance to vote off Fireman Tom, who did not sport the immunity necklace then. Instead, Gregg was adamant about getting Stephenie off, even though he admits Tom was definitely the bigger challenge of the two. So why Stephenie?

"I'm a team player, and I was trying to hold my word and be loyal to Tom," Gregg says, "I also knew as soon as Tom is gone, that puts the target on Jenn and I, and basically puts it on me. I saw Tom as a buffer and was going to make my move at the last moment. Unfortunately, it was one moment too late."

If he could only turn back time: A couple of weeks back, he and Jenn were doing quite well. The couple was part of the alliance with Tom, Ian, and Katie and had another one with Coby and Janu.

"I think you always need options. At that point in the game, you are seeing who you can trust. I wanted to trust Coby," Gregg says but points out he was disappointed when Coby went over to Stephenie, "At that point, I'm not going to make a risk for someone I can't trust."

So the only person loyal to him was Jenn, who was as shocked as he was when the verdict at Tribal Council was revealed. Gregg says it was never his intention to repeat the Rob and Amber romance, referring to the "Survivor: All-Stars" competitors.

"Jenn and I bonded early on, and I knew that would put a target on us, and we had to step back," Gregg says, "We did some cuddling, but in the same regard, Jenn is with the girls; I'm with the guys. Two sets of eyes and ears and always knowing the lay of the land. As soon as I expose the fact... we're together (by choosing Jenn to share his reward), our strategy falls apart; I'm susceptible and vulnerable, and I'm here today."

Their bond however continues, even though he says there are challenges. "I live in Chicago. She lives in California," he says.

That's what they have airplanes for, Syler notes. "They do," Gregg says, "She said the same thing, I guess."