A/N: LOL! It has been OVER TWO YEARS since I published chapter 8 . . . and I got this sudden urge to finish it, so I can at least say I've completed a fic . . . So I'm writing this even though I haven't read my own story in two years, so it might not make sense. But it would go along fine with the other chapters . . . I can't believe I wrote this story! What was I thinking! LOL, I like how in my last author's note (written on 9/3/03, almost exactly 2 years ago) I said I would try and finish it that weekend! OK, so here's my poorly written, non sensible final chapter! Let's see if I can fit in the things I promised in chapter 8...

Love in the Third Degree

Chapter 9

Please Forgive Me

Lily walked down the girls' dormitory stairs and crossed the Gryffindor common room to the staircase leading to the boys' dormitories. She had seen James sneak up there earlier, and was determined to seek him out.

When she reached the door to the dormitory he shared with Sirius, Remus, and Peter; she straightened her school skirt, blouse, and tie, and gave a polite knock to the door.

No one answered it. Lily heard rustling inside and knew someone was in there.

"James! Please let me in! I need to talk to you!" she said in an urgent voice. Still, no answer. She gave up and just walked in, but immediately walked back out.

Megan and Peter had been in there and they had obviously been too occupied to hear her callings.

'Ew,' was all Lily could think. It was time to search somewhere else for James. The next obvious place to look for him was the Quidditch pitch, and of course upon arriving there, she was not surprised to find him there. She was surprised however when she saw him laying in the grass, gazing at the sky, his broom no where to be seen.

Lily started walking toward him when she realized he hadn't even noticed her yet. She considered this an advantage for herself. She quickly strode toward him and placed herself next to him. At this point he noticed her and quickly threw her a glare.

"Why can't you just leave me alone Evans? You already lost the bet, so you can go back to despising me," James said, his eyes never leaving the dark sky above them.

"I don't hate you...I've never hated you," Lily said thoughtfully, slowly inching closer to him. "I mean, sure, we annoy each other sometimes...a lot of times...but I mean, I guess sometimes you're not that bad of a guy...Do you hate me?"

James finally looked at her, and after a moment of silence answered, "No, I don't hate you."

Lily smiled slightly at this, maybe things weren't so bad. But then she remembered the way he had acted when she had kissed him. She had to ask him about it.

"James, I can understand why you'd be cold toward me now, but why did you get so mad when I was nice to you...when I kissed you?"

James was really looking at Lily now, as if he was trying to read her mind. He shifted his body so they were both leaning toward each other, just inches apart.

"Lily, what did you expect? Out of the blue you started being nice to me! I knew you had to be up to something. I thought you were teasing me, setting me up for something. And in the end, I was right not to trust you! I'm glad I didn't fall into your trap!"

Lily didn't know what to say. She had been terrible to him. She didn't deserve any kind feelings from him. He was right to act the way he did. Tears started to form in her eyes and before she knew it they were streaming down her face.

"I'm sorry, but there's something I have to tell you. I know you'll probably just throw it back in my face, but I have to say it, or I'd never forgive myself." Lily took a deep breath. James looked like he was trying to hide the curiosity that was apparent on his face. "I like you. I have a crush on you. There I said it," she said quickly.

When James didn't say anything, Lily was sure he hadn't heard what she had told him. She started to open her mouth to repeat herself, but he interrupted her.

"Evans, I told you I don't like the games you play, so can just drop the act," James told her, doing his best to ignore the tears running down her pretty face. She was pretty though, and James did admit that. He wasn't going to let that mislead him though, he knew she was up to something, and he couldn't get distracted.

Silent tears still falling, Lily continued on. "I knew you wouldn't like me back, but Sirius told me to tell you exactly what I told him, and that was that I really like you! I admit, at the beginning of the bet I still thought you were a git. Hell, I still think you act like a git sometimes! But I see you differently now. Even though we don't always agree with each other doesn't mean we can't like each other. But I guess it was useless, because you obviously don't like me back. Lily sighed. She'd done all she could. Her heart was beating rapidly, threatening to jump out of her rib cage. He looked so gorgeous in the moonlight, she just wanted to lean in a few inches and kiss him.

James's thoughts were running along the same lines. On one hand he hated her for what she had done to him. She hadn't thought about anyone but herself. She'd also broke Sirius's heart. Who was to say she wouldn't do the same to him? On the other hand though, she looked beautiful lying in the grass next to him, the only light on her coming from the moon. He didn't know whether to kiss her or tell her to leave.

The kiss won out.

Before he knew what he was doing, James Potter was kissing Lily Evans. She looked thoroughly shocked, he noted smugly to himself. He quickly forgot all thoughts, for he was completely captivated by Lily Evans.

Especially her lips. And her hair. And the smell of her skin.

Every part of her enthralled James. Before he knew what he was doing he had moved so he was on top of her. Apparently Lily had gotten over the initial shock, because she was kissing him back with all she had.

Finally the panting couple detached their lips. James looked down at Lily, who he'd never seen look so flustered before. Her usually pink lips were red and swollen, her bright green eyes were widened in shock, and her cheeks were flushed. She was beautiful.

Lily was looking up at him, entranced by the boy on top of her.

"What just happened?" Lily managed to breathe.

"I don't know."

"What are you expecting from this? What do you want?"

James smiled.

"All I want is you."

A/N: LOL! That ending made no sense! It just ended with a u2 quote...This whole story didn't make sense. I never explained why Lily fell in love with James or vice-versa! This is madness! I don't care! This story is over! It took nearly 3 years, but it's over! Let the flaming begin:)