(After Season 5)

A/N: this story idea came while chatting with some Bones fans.

I don't own Bones.

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Vincent couldn't believe his good fortune. He'd dreamt of being on the game show 'Jeopardy' since he was a boy and his dream had finally come true. When he found out he had been chosen as a contestant on the show, he had been both stunned and proud. A rather uncomfortable feeling that his life might be changing made him pause for a moment, but he threw it off without a second thought. This was his opportunity to show his family that collecting facts were worthwhile and that he wasn't the weirdo his brothers thought he was. He was going to make money using his general knowledge of the world and his brothers wouldn't be able to find fault with that.

He came to power 34 days before FDR and left it 19 days after him.

Who was Adolph Hilter?

The only one he confided in at the time was his mother who had worried that her son would get stage fright, but that hadn't been the case at all. He had relished standing behind the podium with his name on the front. When the show aired, he knew everyone would know who he was. Well, everyone that watched Jeopardy and that made him proud. His family would be so proud of him of that he was certain.

The funny bone is not a bone but one of these where it rests against the humerus.

What is a nerve?

At first the questions seemed to be easy and he assumed the show was just making it easy for the contestants to put them at ease, but the questions continued to be easy and that worried him. He was worried that he might get cocky, maybe too cocky.

He was featured on the September 22, 1947 cover of Time with the caption "He and the boss took a chance".

Who was Jackie Robinson, Alex?

His fellow contestants were smart, but Vincent began to suspect they weren't as smart as he was. They were answering one question for every three he was answering and so far, he hadn't missed any questions.

This country's coat of arms features a palm tree and a 19th century American sailing ship.

What is Liberia, Alex?

One his opponents, had caught up with him until the next round of Double Jeopardy questions began and he fell behind everyone. Vincent assumed, none of the categories were in the man's range of interests.

This machine was invented in 1929, the government began buying them to help prevent any more in a series of Army Air Corps fatalities.

What was a flight simulator?

He started to run some of the boards, his hand hit the buzzer before Alex could finish the answers and Vincent felt like he was flying.

The title subject a 2007 bestseller, it was discovered in Australia where today it's a state emblem.

What is The Black Swan, Alex?

Debbie and James were falling behind and only Azra had a chance to beat him. Vincent couldn't believe what was happening. Was he going to win?

This Brit is the only actor to get Oscar nominations for playing two real-life U.S. Presidents, both for 1990s films.

Who was Anthony Hopkins?

Azra missed that one and Vincent jumped in with the answer. James and Debbie seemed frustrated, but Vincent didn't feel sorry for them. He was only worried about Azra now. She was standing between him and winning.

Set in the 12th century Middle East, "The Wondrous Tale of Alroy" is a novel about a Jewish conqueror by this author/politician.

Who was Benjamin Disraeli, Alex?

And then they were in Final Jeopardy and Vincent felt both confident and sick. His stomach was twisted in knots. He was confident he'd know the answer, but what if he didn't bet enough or Azra bet it all and she was right and he didn't bet enough and he lost. He wanted to bet wisely, but this was Final Jeopardy and he couldn't falter now. He knew he would have to go for broke. It was his only chance to shut out Azra.

It's the only country that borders both the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf.

He knew the answer. He knew it and he was going to win.

What is Iran?

Debbie and James got it wrong and lost every dollar they had. Azra knew the answer and bet all she had, but Vincent had also known the answer and he had bet all of his money too. He had won. Stunned Vincent turned to stare at Azra, blushed and smiled. "Well, this is amazing."

Vincent had called his mother that night and he had told her he had won and he was going to continue to play the next day. His mother had screamed with excitement which Vincent felt was unnecessary since she had jeopardized his hearing. Assuring her that he would call her the next day, he had gone back to his hotel room, ate dinner in his room and watched television. He knew tomorrow would be a new day and he could easily lose, but for now, he was a winner and he had to make plans. What was he going to do with his money?

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He won $1 million dollars before he finally lost and Vincent knew he was going to party like no man had ever partied before. He quit his job at the Jeffersonian, sent his mother a check for $50,000 and told her to save it or not, it was hers to do with as she wished.

After he paid off his student loans, he was left with more money than he knew what to do with. He decided that as a scientist it was his duty to travel and see countries he'd never seen before. He needed to add to his knowledge and he would do it through personal experience instead of books.

His brother Ian joined him in New York and from there they traveled the globe. They flew to Australia, Japan, Thailand, India and of course, Egypt and Rome. Vincent and his brother stayed in the best hotels, ate at the finest restaurants and they saw as much of the cities they visited as they could. Vincent discovered that he liked alcohol and he tried the specialties in every country he visited. His brother talked him into going to Monaco and try his hand at gambling. He thought it might be fun and agreed. "Why not?"

Vincent had a wonderful time, until one day he woke up and found out he was broke. He had just enough money to pay off his hotel bill and to fly home. When they arrived in England, he and Ian made their way to their mother's house and told her the sad news.

"You bloody idiot. You spent it all? Are you crazy?" All Vincent could do was stand in front of his mother and take the verbal abuse. He had not been a very wise man and now he had to pay for that. With shaking hands, he entered an Alcoholics Anonymous program and began to take control of his life. After attending a few meetings, he borrowed some money from his mother, flew back to Washington D.C and begged Dr. Saroyan for his job back.

Taking pity on him and because he was a brilliant forensic anthropologist, Cam rehired him. "Thank you, Dr. Saroyan." Vincent knew he was lucky and if he ever got his hands on another million dollars, he'd make better choices. For now, he was back at the Lab, going to AA meetings, seeing a therapist and trying to make amends to people he had wronged.

He still loved Jeopardy, but he knew that he would never get a chance to be on that show again. His fame had been fleeting and he'd never be able to answer another question with Alex again.

If you base this on an income of $52,000 a year, this takes 19.3 years.

How long does it take the average person to earn one million dollars, Alex? Alex? Do you hear me Alex? It takes 19.3 long hard years to make one million dollars.

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Let me know what you think of my story. Thank you.