Author Notes: Hello. This is the next part of Unconscious Flirtations. I'll tell you right now, it's coming off the top of my head and I really hope it turns out well. Who knows, it may be another chapter like New Years eve or it may be more important than that. I do know that as of right now, there are only 2 (give or take some) chapters left. Then I'll finally be done with this story and onto another. Thank you for sticking with me in the long duration in between chapters. I am deeply sorry for such long waits. But I hope it's worth it. Enjoy.

Halloween

It had been nearly nine months and whenever Andy saw a picture of Les or heard one of the girls talking to him on the phone, she thought about Valentine's Day. About how good it felt to be with him. To be treated like they once were. To feel like they once were. While she hadn't felt like she'd made a mistake with the fact that is was too soon to be with Les, she had regretted blowing him off completely. After all, he was still her friend. She had been married to him for over twenty years and something like that just doesn't go away because of one incident and a bunch of papers saying that they were divorced. When she thought about Les, she thought about Milo and the difference but then it came to her in July, when she went to visit Milo's grave, that she couldn't compare the two. One was living and one wasn't. And she knew Milo wanted her to find happiness. If the situation had been reversed, meaning Les being the one six feet under and Milo the one romancing her, she would have known the same thing. There were only two men she'd been in a serious relationships with all her life and now she had the chance to reconcile with one of them. Yes, Les had hurt her but it wasn't the same anymore. He had changed and she knew, deep down, that it was for real. She knew she still loved him and she knew that she didn't want to end up alone. It wasn't about disrespect to Milo and it wasn't about Jessie and Lizzy anymore. Dating Milo had showed her that her daughters could handle their mother moving on. Now, it was about her and what she wanted. All her life, she'd cared about what other people wanted and it was then, in July, knealing in front of Milo's gravestone while the hot sun pressed down on her neck and a butterfly flew through the wind, waving in and out of the graveyard, that she realized what she had to do. She had to let go, again, and take a chance of letting another person inside her heart. A person she knew would make her happy, by not only giving her the one thing everybody longs for, but by giving her back the family she once had. By giving her happiness.

They lived from February to October like they had always lived after Les moved to California. Jessie and Lizzy went to visit him, as usual, for half the summer and Andy stayed busy with work. The same thing she had done after Milo had died. She concentrated on her patients and the clinic. But on the late nights, laying in her bed, not being able to sleep, her mind drifted to what she longed for. And it was when she drifted, that she would finally fall asleep.

In about mid-August, Andy stopped seeing the therapist she had come to know, the one she talked to. She had never wanted to open up to a complete stranger but that complete stranger had done her wonders. She could finally see her future, and as much as it pained her, Milo wasn't in it. He was a memory now, granted, a memory she would never forget, but still, just a memory.

It was October, one of her favorite months. It wasn't too cold, especially for Philadelphia and the leaves on the trees were turning a crispy brown. There was a breeze perfect for yard work, jogging, or anything else that was done for people's enjoyment. The sun shone nicely throughout the world but it didn't threaten the way it did during the hot summer months. It was peaceful. It was perfect.

It was a few days before October thirty first that she found out Les was coming into to town. Lizzy had begged him to come visit and he decided that it had been too long since he'd seen his daughters...and ex-wife. He thought about Andy on a regular basis and what he might have done. Or what he might be able to do. He had to admit that Andy scared the hell out of him. She had his heart, all of it, and she could break it any time she wanted just like he had done to hers. He knew, of course, that Andy would never do that. But he still questioned it every now and then. He wondered if he would ever be happy again. He was miserable without his family. He wondered if he would ever be able to wake up next to her or if he would ever be able to walk into the steem filled bathroom, smell how wonderful her shampoo was, and see her delicate body, water running over it smoothly. He prayed that he would. Prayed that he would be able to hold her again, to kiss her again, to make love to her again. He wanted her to be happy, but he also wanted himself to be happy. He knew though that in the end, it only came down to her. It was her decision.

Everytime Les came to town since Valentine's Day, he stayed at a hotel. But this time, Jessie and Lizzy had begged for their mother to let him stay at the house and help them with Halloween. Andy, in her weakness stage, had actually said yes to a haunted house in her home. Jessie and Lizzy were having a Halloween party and they had decided to top the night off with a scary, creative trail through the back yard. Les insisted that he help set it up, so he came to Philadelphia three days before Halloween.

He arrived late at night on Sunday and Halloween was on Thursday. The girls had gone to bed already but Andy was sitting on the couch reading a book by a warm fire. When she heard the doorbell, she rose, setting her book aside, and straightened her silk pajamas with matching robe. Les was standing outside, hands full of his stuff from the taxicab when she opened the door. He had a smile on his face.

"Hello Les."

"Hello Andy," He responded and watched her gaze at him for a few seconds then slowly move to the side to invite him out of the cold. "How are you doing?"

"I'm good," She said and crossed her arms over her chest after closing the front door and locking it. "How are you?"

"Cold."

She laughed and he smiled at the sound of it. It was familiar and something he longed to hear since February.

"I have a fire going. Come warm yourself up," She offered and started moving back to the previous room she was in.

Les set his things down by the stairs and followed her. He sat down on the couch nearest the fire place and rubbed his hands together.

"You know, I really haven't missed this weather," He commented.

Andy smiled and folded one leg under her to make herself more comfortable. She looked into the fire and found herself entranced. The flames flickered, black smoke floating upwards into the brick chimney. While it wasn't the only light in the room, she felt like it was. It reflected in her eyes and suddenly she heard his voice again.

"Andy?" He asked again.

She looked at him, not knowing what on earth came over her.

"Deep thoughts?"

She smiled again and then shrugged. "Just thinking about the last time we had a haunted house."

He nodded, remembering.

"That year was a lot of fun."

"Yeah it was," He responded. "So, what are you going to dress up as this year?"

It took her a few seconds to answer. "Actually, Jessie and Lizzy have already conspired on both our costumes and we won't know until Thursday afternoon."

"Why so late?"

"Jessie said it was so we don't return them. Apparently, her and Lizzy put a lot of thought into it and really want us to be surprised."

"Uh oh."

"My exact words," She said with a laugh.

"And you agreed to go along with this?"

She shrugged again. "Why not?"

"Just doesn't seem like you."

"You're not the only one who's changed Les," She said as a matter of fact.

He looked at her surprised by her comment and then looked at the fire. Andy noticed his expression and glanced at the antique clock sitting gracefully on the mantle.

"It's late. We should get to bed. I mean, the girls are going to be up early knowing you're here now."

He smiled at that. Then nodded and headed towards his things. He picked them up and headed for the study. Usually, whenever he stayed at the house, he put his stuff in the study and slept on the couch in the living room.

"Where are you going?" She asked, stopping at the foot of the stairs after shutting the fire place, double checking the door lock, and turning off the lights.

He pointed to the study in confusion.

"Oh...well, I made Lizzy bunk with Jessie so you could have her room while you were here. I mean, that couch is so uncomfortable just to sit on, much less sleep."

"That's very thoughtful of you Andy. Thanks."

"Your welcome," She said with a smile and waited for him to join her. "Need any help carrying that?"

He shook his head. "I got it."

"Ok." She said and they headed upstairs.

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The next few days went by quicker than they were aware of. Les helped Jessie and Lizzy set up the entire house for the Halloween party that would take place in a few hours, while Andy kept herself busy at the hospital. Apparently, Jessie had invited everybody she'd ever met considering the guest list was a few miles long. Andy had hesitated on paying for all the food and drinks and decorations but then decided that she wasn't going to hold back on yet another party of her daughters. What shocked her the most was when Les took them to the grocery store and charged all the food to his credit card. He payed for everything, including a giant tent used mostly for weddings that was being set up in the back yard for the haunted house. Her mind thought he was showing off but her heart told her that he was being considerate. Maybe he was trying to make up for all the alimony she gave him since they divorced. Maybe he was trying to make up for not being there. Or maybe he was just being nice. Trying to get on her good side. Thing is, he was already on her good side and inching towards her romantic side.

Andy arrived home from work with barely enough time to change into her costume. Les was already in his when she arrived and it made her laugh extremely hard. He was wearing a wolf's mask with a shower cap, wolf's gloves with claws and a granny nightgown that matched the shower cap.

"What in the world!"

"What!"

"Who are you supposed to be?"

"Well...remember this was Jessie's idea. But...'The Big Bad Wolf'," He said and posed for her.

She laughed even harder. "I'm almost afraid to find out what mine is!" With that said, and a smile returned from her ex-husband, Andy headed up stairs. Her costume was lying on her bed when she got to her room.

Twenty minutes later, Andy came out and headed down the stairs. Jessie and Lizzy were standing in the foyer. They had matching costumes. Jessie was wearing a black leather suit and had on a red wig. Her make up was overly done and she had fake guns attached to her leg. Lizzy was identical, only shorter. Les came around the corner to meet his daughter's and they all noticed Andy walking down the stairs. Les's eyes widened and he realized that Jessie had bought them coordinating outfits as well. He was 'The Big Bad Wolf', therefore she was 'Little Red Righting Hood', only...a different version. Andy was wearing a clingy red dress with matching shoes and cape. The cape, with attached hood, was the same material as the dress, almost silky looking, and was black on the inside and the red color on the outside. It pinned at her neck to almost look like a witches outfit. The dress was too short and too low cut for her standard but since it was Halloween and she had nothing else, she went with it. Her hair was pinned up in a twist with strands flowing down the sides of her face. She had the hood on and her make up was also overly done. Les gaped at her. When she reached the foyer, he stared up and down her body. She looked, what he would describe as, unbelievably gorgeous. Andy smiled at him through her bright red lipstick and then set down the small picnic basket she had been carrying in her hand. Les noticed that she had painted her fingernails bright red to match and after looking over her once more, he also noticed a small tattoo on her left breast. It was a red rose, most fitting for the costume.

"What do you think?" She asked and circled.

"Whoa..." Jessie said. "I really didn't expect it to turn out...well what it's called."

"What do you mean?" She asked confused.

"Well, the name of your costumes was...'Sluty Red Righting Hood and The Big Naughty Wolf."

"Jessica Campbell!" Andy yelped and looked towards Les, blushing.

"I thought it was funny," Lizzy said and Andy glared at her.

"You look great Andy," Les said, a sort of 'awe' in his tone and eyes. She returned his stare and then sighed.

"Thank you," She said nodding. They paused and then Andy looked at her daughters. "Who are you supposed to be?"

"Well, I'm Sydney Bristow from Alias! Played by actress Jennifer Garner!" Jessie said, doing an action move. "And this is my stunt double." She said and pointed to Lizzy.

Andy laughed. "You guys look great."

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Guests started arriving shortly after seven o'clock. It was mostly Lizzy's friends first, then Jessie's. The house was full when Andy's guests arrived. The doorbell rang and she answered it, revealing Peter and Kayla.

"Thornton! Is that you in there?" She asked and looked more closely. Kayla was dressed in a genie outfit. She had a lacy, blue top with matching baggy genie like pants. Her middle showed and had diamond beads throughout it. The bottom half of her face was covered with a matching blue, semi-see through scarf and she had her hair in a pony tail. Peter was at her side in an all with costume with a turban on his head. "Are you supposed to be Aladdin?" She asked Peter.

"Good guess," He responded. "And this is my lovely Jasmine."

"I always loved that movie so I made him go along with it."

"I didn't mind," He reminded her as they stepped inside the house and headed throughout the party.

Next to arrive were Lu and Lana. Les answered the door this time, and they walked in, not exactly knowing who was behind the wolf's mask until he spoke. Andy joined them in the foyer and glared at Lana. She was dressed in a skirt, blouse, hose, and comfortable shoes. She had a white lab coat on and the word "Campbell" written over her left jacket pocket. Her hair was pulled in a half pony tail and she had a stethoscope around her neck.

Andy's jaw dropped. "Are you supposed to be me?"

"I know, I thought it was scary to," Lu said and held back a laugh.

"That is not funny," Andy said, placing her hands on her hips.

"I think it is," Les said from next to her and she turned her stare over to him.

"Anyway, what are you supposed to be Delgado?"

"I'm a 'zombie bride'," She said with laughter. Lu had on green make up that covered her face and made her look as if she was nauseous and her hair was scrunched in all different directions with gel. She was wearing a bridal gown that she must have bought at a consignment shop. She had long fingernails on and there was blood stains running down her face and all over her dress. She smiled. "You like?"

"It's...interesting..."

Lu looked up and down Andy's body. "Seems like I'm not the only one with an interesting outfit."

----------

The night wore on as everybody danced, ate, drank, and laughed. The house was full of fun and Andy had noticed herself glancing at Les more than a few times throughout the evening. She found herself thinking about him a great deal lately and it was completely self-conscious.

When the time came, Les pulled Andy into the back yard. Jessie and Lizzy had asked them to run the haunted house so that they could go through it with all their friends to see their faces and hear their screams. Andy listened to Les instruct her on what to do and when to do it. The haunted house wasn't too long but she thought it would certainly get people aware of their surroundings.

Andy crawled under one of the large tables in the middle of the tent. They had set up a divider for the tent, cutting it in half so that they people would walk in one way and leave another. They passed by both sides of the table as they turned. On top of the table was a dead body, cut open for what looked like an autopsy they would have done at the hospital. It was a small space and got even smaller when she noticed Les crawling under there with her. She adjusted herself so that he could fit and then smiled when he nodded for her to get ready.

Jessie and her friends were the first to go. They made their way through the front part of the tent. Loud, scary music was playing all around and there was fog floating throughout the air. The tent was dark, the insides black and only being lit up by desktop lamps and black light's inside of various coffins. Friends turned and screamed at things that were popping out at them from every direction. Then the music stopped and the fog grew heavier. Strobe lights cut on and people were widening their eyes, afraid of what was coming. It was silent, except for the faint sound of teenagers breathing. Andy saw a group of feet pass the table and reached out her hand grabbing one. She tried to keep herself from laughing as the person she grabbed squealed and yanked away. She could hear laughter and whispers as people continued throughout the tent. They circled around the table and Andy stifled another laugh as Les grabbed somebody else's feet and they squealed for safety.

Three groups went through before Andy and Les left the tent, leaving Jessie and Lizzy to take their place. They walked through the same scary cycle they had heard with Lu, Lana, Kayla, Peter, and some others. When they came out, they were laughing as hard as they could.

"That was great. Felt like being a kid again," Lana commented.

"Yeah, that was fun. I can't believe you put that together," Lu said.

"It was him," Andy responded and pointed to Les. He shrugged.

"It was mostly Jessie and Lizzy."

"Yeah really! Give us the credit. We deserve it..." Jessie said from behind them, coming out of the haunted house. She brushed her shoulder off with her hand and walked past them into the house to join her friends. Andy and Les shook their heads and the others laughed.

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The night ended with laughter, just as it had begun. After that evening, everybody was exhausted and went straight to bed. Even though it was Halloween and despite their objections, Jessie and Lizzy had school the next day. Les was also leaving to go back to California. Andy had offered to drive him to the airport that morning and go in later to work. He accepted, wanting to see as much of her as he could before leaving.

They arrived and got his luggage from the trunk before heading to his terminal. Since they were right on time, they didn't bother sitting. They stood, waiting.

"Thanks for having me. It was really a lot of fun."

"I'm glad you came. It was fun wasn't it," She said and smiled up at him. "What are you doing Thanksgiving?"

His smile turned to a frown and he sighed. "Working actually."

"Oh..." She mumbled and looked around, sorry she'd asked.

"I'm sorry but they already scheduled me for something in Nevada...I don't know. But..." He hesitated and then set what little he had in his hands down next to the rest of his bags. "Andy..."

She looked up at him, hands in front of her. Les gazed into her eyes, something he'd been drawn to do since she came downstairs wearing her Halloween costume the previous night. He looked to her lips and she knew what he was going to do. Andy's breath increased and her mind raced at all the outcomes of what would happen. It disappeared though. Before she knew it, his lips met hers and she was tasting a sweet sensation she had been wanting to taste for almost a year now. When he pulled away, only giving her one small kiss, he gathered his luggage and headed for his plane. She wondered why he was suddenly leaving but then realized that the announcements had said his plane was now boarding. She smiled and waved her glove covered hand before turning to leave.

"Andy?" He called, while handing a lady his ticket.

She turned back to face him and her expression told him that she wanted him to ask her.

"How do you feel about a California Christmas?"

She smiled, thankful he finally suggested it and then nodded towards him. He smiled back and their eyes held for a few seconds before they both turned to leave.

Halloween

Author's Notes: Yay! Another chapter down, one to go! I hope you guys liked this! I thought it was pretty creative. Tell me what you think by reviewing cause I LOVE REVIEWS! Until next time...:).