Eventually, after four weeks on antidepressants, the mood swings evened out into passive confusion about everything.
Cid got back into the habit of sleeping at home again. Staying up all night had taken its toll. The crew told him they were fine with him taking naps on the Highwind, but stated very adamantly they didn’t want him flying alone until Vincent felt better.
Vincent had really wanted to get back out into the world and do something productive, but he had a hard time feeling as elated as he wanted to when Cid introduced him to the crew and set him to work on the Highwind.
Vincent barely said anything as he worked, no matter how much the crew tried to involve him in everything.
Cid had to tell them that was just how Vincent was; the crew stopped trying, but still liked having him on board.
It was weeks later, but Vincent started talking to the crew. Cid noticed he was talking more to him, going back to enjoying watching TV or reading his comics again, and much less reclusive, especially in bed—though more clingy. Shera noticed Vincent offering to make dinner, cheerfully too.
It was two weeks after that, that Vincent noticed that things had changed. He even told people he was feeling normal.
That didn’t keep the crew from worrying. They took turns watching Vincent as he worked. He kept pushing himself too hard on his knee. He refused help while loading and unloading cargo. They couldn’t keep him from working on the engine on his hands and knees and in awkward positions for hours on end. All they could do was have someone be there to catch him when he hurt himself and have an icepack in the first aid kit.
They were all glad that Vincent at least knew when he hurt himself and would stop for the day when he injured himself.
After almost ripping a tendon, Cid told him to go home and rest for a week. Vincent didn’t complain—either on the plane ride back to Rocket Town or at home. Vincent didn’t take it out on Cid or Shera in any way, and quietly stayed at home.
The bottle of pain pills, however, remained untouched.