I am SO sorry that I took this long to update. I debated how I wanted to go with the bus crash and then I was gone on vacation and then I had homework and then I had an idea for a new story I just had to write down. But here it is, the next chapter. Thank you to everyone for the reviews and I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: Veronica Mars belongs to Rob Thomas.

Duncan and Veronica were never together the night of Shelly's party. Therefore Veronica does not know how raped her, and Duncan and Meg are still together. Logan and Veronica never kissed at the Camelot, they never dated. So Logan wasn't on the bridge and Felix wasn't murdered. The paternity test results were different, and Keith Mars never survived the fire.

Filling the Void – Ch. 5: Crash Into Insanity

So school's been going for a few days and it has proven to take up much of my time along with my job, therefore I am left with little time to think about all of the losses I've had. However I'm dreading the field trip that's going to occur today. While Duncan and Meg are my friends, and Logan's well, friendly? I don't know what his case is, but still there's one big DICK on that trip that I'd rather not have to hear snide remarks from. Which is why I brought my Ipod to drown out the stupid conversation that goes on between the '09ers. Yet I wasn't lucky enough to have the earbuds in my ears and The Postal Service blasting through them before I was able to hear:

"So Duncan, who's the lovely young flower that's blossoming into womanhood?" Asked Dick while glancing over to the new girl who's staring out the window.

"Let me guess, you want to pluck her." Stated Duncan knowingly who was sitting with Meg in the seat behind me. Logan was across from them, the new girl behind him and Dick across from her.

I shook my head as I turned on my music and stole a glance at the new girl. She seemed nice, a people pleaser, and I'm usually a good judge of character. As I was turning my head I saw Logan looking right at me. I caught his gaze for a moment before turning to look out the window and turning the volume up, the conversations I could barely hear before completely fading out into the background.

Sadly though, music cannot get rid of disgusting smells and I didn't fail to notice a foul odor that seemed to creep through the bus. I looked around and saw that everyone else had noticed it too. Seeing as there was nothing I could do, I went back to my music and ignored the feeling this smell was creating deep inside my gut.

Between blankly staring out the window and closing my eyes while taking in the lyrics of whatever song was currently playing I hadn't noticed that we'd arrived at Shark Field until I felt the bus come to a stop and everyone got up. I followed suit and managed to squeeze in between Meg and Logan on the way out.

Up at the stadium I wasn't really registering what Woody Goodman was saying. I hadn't really even heard a word of conversation until he announced the new girl as his daughter, Gia. She got up and made some speech about how she wasn't sure what 'look' we had and she did the 'new school blend-in thing'. I feel that her desire to please proves my character judging from the previous bus ride. After some more discussion Meg, Duncan, and I were getting some food from the buffet table set up. Duncan had a heaping pile of food while Meg and I had rarely anything. I'm assuming Duncan made some sort of joke to Meg because she cracked up, but my attention had been focused on the person who just walked into the room. Quickly I nudged Duncan with my shoulder and he turned to look at what had caught my attention.

"Terrence Cook, in the flesh." He said to the two of us girls.

So that's why I recognized him. He was Dad's favorite baseball player. I quickly shook the thought out of my head as he made his way over to the start of the buffet table. For a split second I thought of walking up to him and asking for his autograph. However the loyal fan who I would've given it to is no longer here. My eyes started to well up and Meg looked at me with concern.

"You okay?"

"Just peachy." I said while grabbing some things from the buffet and putting them on my plate, not even really paying attention to what they were.

After staring down at the food for a good 15 seconds, I looked up to see Dick strolling over in his usual Dick way. Great, the one thing that would just make my day even worse.

"Hey DK, Meg." He greeted, not even acknowledging my presence. I guess when the person who you've hated all year is no longer hated by the school at large, you just don't know what to do. Once again I turned my attention back to the food and memories took over me as I stared blankly ahead.

Flashback

I was tired and itchy and five years old. Chicken pox had inhabited my body, and my father had reluctantly given up the baseball game to stay home and take care of me. I walked out of my room to the living room to see my dad sitting on the edge of the sofa staring intently at the screen. He had donned a baseball cap, jersey and foam finger. His yelling made it evident that he wasn't pleased with the outcome of the game. My attention switched to the TV in search for what had made him so upset. All I saw was a tall, dark man hang his head and walk away. At that moment my father turned to me. His expression changed from anger, guilt and sadness to concern, love and worry in a matter of seconds. He pulled off his hat and foam finger and walked over to me.

"Sorry honey. I didn't mean to yell. It just upset me that the Sharks didn't win."

"I'm sorry Daddy."

"It's not your fault. Now come on, let's get you back to bed."

End Flashback

"Veronica?"

"Uh, yeah?"

"Dick's dad sent a limo so that we could all ride in that instead of the bus. He invited Meg and I, and I made him agree to let you come. So will you?"

I looked over at Dick and saw him roll his eyes. Dick didn't want me on that limo as much as I didn't. Trying to sound cheery I said, "Well, I think I'd rather deal with a stinky bus than sit in a limo with him. But that's okay, you and Meg have fun."

Later on I was sitting towards the back of the bus, alone. The music of my ipod filling my head. I noticed the rest of the people towards the front of the bus laughing. I guess they don't care that they're stuck on this nasty bus instead of a nice limo. But who would want to listen to stories of hot chicks they banged, or the newest trend, or the parties this weekend. I can feel a few brain cells dying just thinking about the stupid conversations the 09ers have. I'd say those people up there laughing are the lucky ones.

After a while the bus pulls into a gas station. Everyone files off, leaving me to be the last one. I walk through the gas station, looking at all of the candy, chips, pop, and other things in the gas station. Sighing, I realize that everyone has already left so I grab a bottle of water and check out.

Walking out of the store I start to take a drink when I hear the sweet, fun, and mischievous laugh that I haven't heard in forever. My heart starts beating fast as I turn and see an image of Lilly running around the building. "Lilly?" I shakily call out. But I hear nothing else. Before I know it I've run around the side of the building where all I find is Weevil fixing something on his bike.

Weevil turns around to look at me at the sound of my footsteps. Seeing my wide eyes and pale face he asks if I'm okay.

"Yeah. Um, I'm fine. What's with the bike?"

"Give me a sec and it'll be as good as new."

I wait while he continues to fix whatever broke on his motorcycle and then starts the engine with a triumphant grin. "What did I tell ya?"

I was about to retort when I heard the sound of the bus driving away and turning to see it exiting the gas station. Turning to Weevil, I gave my best pout and head tilt and asked if he would please give me a ride.

He sighed and then grabbed the helmet from on top of the leather clad seat and gave her a smirk as he said, "Look who owes who now?"

Putting on the helmet I climbed on behind him and they drove off towards the school. Coming around a bend in the highway we saw smoke rising and everyone running out of the stopped limo. While Weevil slowed to a stop I took off my helmet and lunged off the motorcycle the moment he came to a halt. Running towards the crowd of students peering over the edge of the highway into the depths of the ocean, Gia was the first one who I found. "Gia, what happened?"

She looked scared and could barely make out the words. "The bus, it just, went off the cliff. They're all… dead."

I walked past her shaking form to the edge and peered over it. Floating in the water were a few bright yellow pieces. Looking away to avoid emptying my stomach, I saw Logan peering over the edge with a single tear rolling down his cheek. He made no move to wipe it off. Slowly I walked over. Surely he couldn't be crying over me? But as I got closer I could hear the faint 'Ronnie' that came from his lips as he stared down at the water.

Laying one hand on his shoulder every so lightly, I whispered his name. He turned towards me and his eyes widened in shock and then happiness as he saw who had disturbed him from his mourning. He pulled me into the tightest hug I've ever had and held onto me like he never wanted to let me go. I could feel his tears as they dripped onto my hair, and then as I felt a wetness on my cheek I realized that I was crying, too.

Then he pushed me away and held me at shoulders length, as if he was ensuring that I was actually there. "God Veronica, I don't – I don't know what I'd do if you had died. It – It's my fault you were even on that bus. If I hadn't made Dick hate you then, then…"

"Logan, it's okay. I'm here, I'm fine. And even if Dick didn't hate me, I'd still hate him." And I tried to give him a smile but it only came up halfway.

Then a silence surrounded us. We were looking into eachother's eyes and I felt as if we were the only people in the world. His brown eyes sparkled with joy and relief, and I felt them bore deep inside me. His arms dropped down my arms to my wrists and he took a small step forwards, never leaving my gaze. My soul felt as though it were on display right in front of me, and he could see everything. At this point, my mind was screaming to stop. To not show weakness. But my body didn't respond. I had lost myself in his gaze, and then he started to lean down, and I thought he might kiss me. But then –

"VERONICA!!!" Yelled a voice from behind and I spun around, breaking free of Logan's grasp and gaze and saw Duncan running towards me, full soccer speed, and Meg a few steps behind him. My half-brother pulled me into a bear hug and whispered for only me to hear, "I don't think I could loose you, too." And as he pulled away I nodded in understanding.

"Oh Veronica! I'm so glad you're alive!" Meg cried as tears rolled down her face. At the sight of them a few of my own escaped and I buried myself into her hug until they went away.

…….

Later that night as I sit alone in my room, lying on my bed and staring at the ceiling, I can't help but recollect the events of the day. What had started as a lame trip to a baseball stadium ended in a near-death experience. And as I tried to get some sleep, a dark feeling began twisting in my gut.