A/N: Hello all of my lovely readers! It's been a while since I've updated hasn't it? Sorry about that, life's been kinda crazy lately. Anyway here's a new chapter for you guys to enjoy! Not as randomly funny as the first couple of chapters, but I hope there's still enough humor to give a couple of giggles to you. Don't forget to review, ya hear?

A big thank you to manouchan, sunflowerspot, Luna Goddess of the Night, Shoujo's Revenge and those two random guests for your reviews!

And lots of kisses from Tifa to all those who have faved and followed the story!


Chapter Four: Encore

"More, Again"


Hair up.

Hair down.

Hair in a high ballerina bun?

Leaving it down to hang freely.

Maybe one long braid?

Decisions, decisions.

Tifa Lockhart found herself debating what on earth she could do which her thick chocolate locks to appear more "professional." After all she had to make a great impression on this Mr. Angeal Hewley, considering the last time they met she was highly inebriated. And also basically dressed like a lady of the night.

Gotta make this one count, Teef. Your life basically depends on it.

Donning the traditional black pantsuit with a wine-colored blouse underneath (to bring out her eyes and her mother's "lucky" pearl earrings, the brunette opted for a sleek low ponytail, pinning her loose side swept bangs out from the front of her face.

Content with her overall appearance, she glanced at her wall clock for the time. Doing the math in her head, it would take her about an hour on public transportation to reach her destination.

That'll make it 2:45 when I get there. That's great timing; I'll be there fifteen minutes early.

"Perfect," she said aloud to herself.


"That woman is completely incompetent," a strong, yet silky bass voice voiced aloud.

"Aww, come on Sephy, she was a nice girl. And she had a cute butt too, right Gen?"

"Hmph, I can agree with that, Fair."

"Do you two fools realize that she could barely string a sentence without the words 'totally' and 'like'? I refuse tolerate her gibberish on a daily basis."

Sitting in one of the many Shin-Ra's smaller conference rooms where the members and manager of SOLDIER. Angeal had thought perhaps it would be best if this time around he'd have the band give their input on the best choice this time around, although it was his decision in the end. However, it turned out to be more of a nightmare. The four of them could never agree on one that they all approved on, more or less thought was decent. This was the third time they've held interviews this week. It was looking rather hopeless.

Genesis was adamant about hiring an attractive woman. If he felt that the candidate was not up to par with this "standard," he would bombard them with questions about an ancient poem called LOVELESS, their theories on it, which were always "incorrect," then would bore the poor soul into what seemed like a state of confusion.

Sephiroth had a list of qualifications he believed was suitable for each interviewee to possess. His demands sounded reasonable to Angeal. The only issue was many of the applicants found the silver-haired man quite intimidating, scribbling away taking notes with clipboard in hand. After each question he asked had been answered, there was always the loud click of what Zack lovingly nicknamed "The Pen of Judgment and Impending Doom." One could create a pool from all the sweat the man generated from others. However the few who would be deemed worthy to Sephiroth always conflicted with either guitarist or the drummer.

Zack's only real requirement was that this person was friendly and optimistic. Looking good was only a bonus. The raven haired man had been particularly keen on an elderly woman who he said was "Too cute and could imagine her baking chocolate chip cookies for them after rehearsals." Unfortunately, Genesis was not attracted to "someone's great grandmother," while the bassist was concerned that with her frail state that she would not survive very long working in the fast paced lives that they had.

As for the blonde lead singer, his only request was the new assistant not be insane. Other than that, he could care less. He spent the majority of the interviews daydreaming and adjusting the seat of his chair. Anytime he was asked of his opinion, he would just shrug his shoulders with an uninterested look on his face.

Angeal believed that this process would have been much easier had this not been the seventh time they'd have to rehire a personal assistant for the band itself. Their reputation preceded them, causing the most employable candidates for the position to shy away from applying. The manager was afraid that if this happened again, no one would want to work for them for the rest of their careers. He had Kunsel, his own personal assistant, tending to them temporarily, but, taking time out to attend to the band's personal needs was taking time from working on professional pursuits instead, and Angeal knew that juggling both would run him down very soon. So he needed to find a new one quickly.

"So," Zack began, turning to his blonde comrade, "Who'd you like best, buddy?"

He replied with yet another classic gesture of nonchalant.

"Strife has clearly made no effort to care whether or not the new assistant can perform any of their duties," Genesis accused, running a hand through his vermillion hair.

"As if those so-called duties you find oh so valuable really make a difference," retorted Cloud.

"Is there not one applicant that all you could bare with?" their manager asked wearily, rubbing his left temple. He was met with an overwhelming response from the three very opinionated band mates. Sighing to himself, he raised a surrendering hand in the air. "ENOUGH!" he bellowed. The room became deathly quiet. "I will see to this later. I have an appointment to attend to. Don't be late to the photo shoot at four," Angeal stressed, averting his gaze to Genesis as he spoke. The guitarist simply waved him off.

"Bye Angeal!" Zack gleefully bid farewell, twirling his chair around. "I still think that sweet old lady was the best."


Midgar never ceased to amaze Tifa. She had lived here for a little more than four years and still didn't even know all it entailed. She found the address Angeal's secretary had given her over the phone, and it had led her to what seemed to double as a bar and cafe. The outside was questionable, but walking in she was surprised that the interior was actually very upscale and modern.

This Angeal guy has pretty good taste.

She sat at a small table checking her phone for the time. Two extra spare minutes to add to her estimated fifteen. As the brunette waited, a waitress came to take an order. She'd figured that a glass of water wouldn't hurt. Just as she reached halfway through the drink, she saw a somewhat familiar face walk in. Considering the smile he gave her when she was spotted, Tifa figured this was the man she had met at the club the other night.

"Miss Lockhart, pleasure meeting you again," he greeted placing a hand out. She politely shook it and he proceeded to make his way to the opposite seat. "Would you like some coffee? Are you hungry?"

"Is..is that really alright at an interview?" she shyly questioned, her cabernet gaze fixated on the glass of water.

"An interview? Hmmm. I was wondering about your appearance. No Miss Lockhart, this is not an interview at all."

"Then, is this a date?!" she blurted aloud, this time with a confused expression. Angeal looked just as confused as she did for a brief moment then burst into laughter. Tifa could feel heat spread across her face as she realized that it most likely wasn't one.

"No, this isn't a date either. An honorable man would ask a lady on one, not trick her. This is just two people networking. But even so, am I that unattractive?"

The brunette vigorously shook her head no in response and the waitress from earlier came to check up on the two. Angeal ordered rather quickly, and Tifa picked out something that sounded rather delicious.

"So, what kind of networking did you have in mind?" She could only wonder what she might had said during her drunk encounter with the man.

"I realize that you may not remember a lot from the night we had met, but I found you to be quite intriguing. You mentioned that you had wanted to become a composer."

"I did?"

"Yes. I've never met anyone who sounded so passionate about that before. So I took the liberty to do a little background research on you. Seems like you have as much talent as you do passion. I recently spoke to the dean of that performing arts school you attended, and he gave me a raving recommendation. And a viewing of your final review. You have quite a heavenly voice, but instead of singing you'd rather write songs?"

Wow, this guy really did his homework on me. I'm not sure what to think.

Clearing her throat, she then replied, "Well, um, I love singing and all, but sometimes I feel like it would be more fit if someone else had sung it. Plus, the process of stringing together a new melody, I believe, is far more rewarding." Angeal nodded his head in understanding.

"Then I suppose you wouldn't mind me passing your name along for an upcoming project the company has scheduled for the future? I think you'd be a perfect fit."

"Really?! Of course, I would love that!"

"Great! Now, I won't make any promises, but I'm positive that with a little convincing with the higher ups, we'll get you in."

"Thank you so much, Mr. Hewley, this is a wonder opportunity." Tifa was indeed excited that she presented this wonderful chance; it didn't help with her present situation. She tried not to dwell on that, but Angeal couldn't help but notice the look of slight dissatisfaction.

"Is the food bad?"

"No, no! It's really good. I, uh…. Well…. to be honest, I was really hoping to hear about something a little more immediate."

"Hmmm, I do have a possible position open, but I'm not sure if you'd be up to that," he stated rubbing the small hairs across his jaw line. "But the benefits and pay would help your predicament. Paid living arrangements, most of your food is paid for and a decent salary. I must warn you though, it is very taxing."

"What is it?"

"Do you like babysitting? That may the closest description to the job. Caring for children, keeping them from trouble, and doing domestic duties from time to time."

"I love kids! And not tooting my horn or anything, but I've been told I'd make pretty good housewife."

"This is taking a chance, but I'll consider hiring you as a personal assistant then."

"You won't be disappointed! When do I start?"

"Actually, you could start after lunch. Simply introducing yourself to them and becoming familiar with their faces. You are also free decline the position before we sign any paperwork. "

She didn't quite understand why he would add that last sentence in.


Tifa spent the majority of the rest of lunch and the ride to whatever location Angeal was driving them to imagining what kind of children she would be looking after. The most information her almost new employer gave her was that there were four of them and he described as "male" when she asked if they were girls or boys. She twiddled her thumbs while looking out the window deep in thought.

I wonder how old they are. Angeal doesn't seem very old himself. I'm guessing six or seven years old at the most? Must be a handful if he claims there a bit troublesome, since I can tell he's a man of great patience.

They ended up in front of what looked to be a warehouse of some sort, and the brunette could feel her heart rate rising.

Angeal noticed the woman's deer in the headlights expression as she stood facing the building.

"Nervous?" he inquired.

"Just a bit."

"Don't be. They can smell fear."

Did he just compare his kids to animals?!

Walking into the building, the warehouse turned out to be a studio. There were various people running around setting up camera equipment and backdrops, checking to see if computer software was running correctly, and a very large burly man shouting orders to the crew.

Leading to a sectioned off part of the interior, it appeared as if they were now where hair and make-up would be done. Tifa's first sight was a woman around her age with a long auburn plaited pony tail held by a pink ribbon pinning random medallions on a man's jacket. As she was mentally taking note that his hair resembled a chocobo, she began to have minor flashbacks of her drunken escapade with Jessie. And, much to her horror, she remembered publicly shaming herself as he became a poor victim.

According to his reaction when he noticed her, he clearly remembered as well.


A/N: Ta-daaah~ And finally a wild Sephiroth appears! 3 I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I do writing it!