This is a different take on the conclusion of 8x22 Crossfire. Spoilers for that episode are contained within.

Slight correction per guest comment. Thanks for the catch.

Disclaimer: Any recognizable characters are the property of Andrew W. Marlowe and ABC television. All others are the product of my imagination. Any resemblance with any person, living or dead is purely coincidental.

"Welcome to Eyewitness News at 4. I'm Tom Presuit."

"And I'm Deborah Kim."

"Our top story is something the Eyewitness News Team has been following since this morning. A shooting at the home of Richard Castle and NYPD Captain Kate Beckett. We now go to a press conference at the hospital where Mr. Castle and Captain Beckett were taken."

"Good afternoon. I'm Deputy Chief Victoria Gates of the NYPD. With me here is the head of surgery, Dr. Gerrard Thomas. We each have a short statement and then we will answer some questions. Please keep your questions until we finish our statements."

"This morning, approximately 7:30 am, an assailant entered the loft apartment of Richard Castle and Captain Katherine Beckett. The assailant shot both Mr. Castle and Captain Beckett before being shot by Captain Beckett. FDNY EMT units arrived with the NYPD to determine survivors and victims. Both Mr. Castle and Captain Beckett sustained serious wounds. I will let Dr. Thomas give you more detail in a moment."

"The alleged assailant was pronounced dead on arrival and his body has been taken to the morgue. Identification on the body indicated his name is Caleb Brown. At this time there is no known motive for the attack nor any evidence of wrongdoing by Captain Beckett."

"Video provided by Mr. Castle's security company indicates that Mr. Brown forcibly entered the loft and that he was carrying a firearm."

"The injuries sustained by Mr. Castle and Captain Beckett are serious. They both were in surgery for 5 to 6 hours. Again, Dr. Thomas will give you more details."

"Both Mr. Castle and Captain Beckett are being guarded by members of the 12th precinct where Captain Beckett serves. Currently, there is no known further threat to their lives but we are taking precautions per NYPD protocol due to the high profile of this case."

"Dr. Thomas will now read a statement on Mr. Castle and Captain Beckett's prognosis. Dr. Thomas."

"Hello, I am Dr. Thomas, head of surgery. I performed the surgery on Mr. Castle. Dr. Jan Bryant performed the surgery on Captain Beckett."

"Mr. Castle was brought in to the chest wound on the upper right torso. He sustained damage to the right lung and has cracked ribs where the bullet grazed the bone. At this time, there appears to be no spinal damage. All other vital organs were unaffected by the shooting."

"Mr. Castle needed 3 units of blood during the time of surgery. Currently, he is in a medically induced coma to aid in healing. We expect him to be awakened sometime tomorrow. Currently he is listed as in serious condition. The next 24 to 48 hours will determine his survival."

"Captain Beckett's injuries were less serious than Mr. Castle's. She was shot twice by the assailant. She has a grazing wound on her upper right torso. She also was shot in the lower right torso above the hip. In her case, the damage was sustained solely to the intestine. Her liver and pancreas were luckily missed by the bullet. As with all intestinal surgery, peritonitis is always a concern. Captain Beckett's surgery repaired her intestine and she is on antibiotics to prevent infection. She has been out of surgery for approximately an hour and at last report has not woken up from anesthesia. She is listed in serious but stable condition."

"We will now entertain questions."

"Chief Gates, how do you know Mr. Brown shot Mr. Castle and Captain Beckett?"

"There was evidence of three shots being fired from the gun found on Mr. Brown's person. Also tests on his hands indicated a recent firing of a weapon. Further, evidence on the scene indicated that Mr. Castle and Captain Beckett were shot separately. Captain Beckett's firearm had discharged three bullets and there were three wounds in Mr. Brown's body. Mr. Castle did not have a firearm on his person at the time. Captain Beckett's backup weapon was also on her person and was fully loaded. Also, there were only 6 shell casings found in the apartment."

"Chief Gates, Was Mr. Brown a public defender?"

"That is my understanding."

"Do you have any motive for the attack?"

"No."

"Was the 12th precinct involved in a raid on a downtown business overnight?"

"Yes it was."

"Was Captain Beckett involved in the raid?"

"Being the Captain of the 12th, it is possible. However, I do not have first-hand information to that effect."

"Would that raid have been a motive for the attack?"

"I do not indulge in speculation. At present, we do not have a motive for the attack on Captain Beckett and Mr. Castle."

"Dr. Thomas, can you confirm that there were only one major wound each in Captain Beckett and Mr. Castle?"

"Yes. As I said earlier, Mr. Castle's wound was in the upper right torso; Captain Beckett has a grazing wound on her upper right torso, and a penetrating wound in the lower right abdomen."

"Dr. Thomas, what is their prognosis?"

"Currently, Mr. Castle's injuries are more serious, possibly life threatening. As I said earlier, the next 24 to 48 hours will determine Mr. Castle's future. Our team is monitoring Mr. Castle very closely. Captain Beckett's injuries are less grave but still serious. She is very likely to have a full recovery. However, she will not be back on her job anytime soon."

"Chief Gates, is Mr. Castle an author and a consultant to the NYPD?"

"Yes, Mr. Castle has been a consultant to the NYPD for approximately 8 years."

"He has written a series of books based on that?"

"Yes, he has."

"Is Captain Beckett the inspiration for the character, Nikki Heat?"

"Yes, she is."

"Are Captain Beckett and Mr. Castle in a relationship?"

"Captain Beckett and Mr. Castle have been married for almost 18 months."

"Dr. Thomas, will Captain Beckett's injuries prevent her from having children?"

"I prefer not to speculate. The medical team has not focused on areas not directly injured thus I have no information on the rest of her body functions except that they are functioning normally."

"Dr. Thomas, when will Captain Beckett be released from the hospital?"

"Again, I prefer not to speculate. I am hopeful that her stay here will not be long."

"Any more questions? Then thank you for your time. If you have questions later, please contact NYPD public relations. Thank you."

"Well, there you have it. Author Richard Castle and his wife, NYPD Captain Kate Beckett were shot this morning in their loft apartment. They are currently out of surgery and hopefully on the road to recovery. Deborah."

"Coming up next, a new cleaning method with common household products and what will tonight's weather look like after these words from our sponsor."

Thanks for reading.