Well, trying something new again. Hopefully the writing style does something for the story. I'm just not sure what. Don't forget to review and give me your opinion!

When the first bullet shattered glass and Rick Castle's adrenaline spiked, he didn't feel afraid. He felt excited.

It was just like one of his novels.

The man standing in the convenience store waving a gun wore a ski mask, black shirt, and dark jeans. The florescent light glared off his eyes with a menacing glint, and Castle idly wondered if he'd done this before. He certainly looked the part.

A second shot shook him to his senses, and Castle suddenly realized he should be a little afraid.

He wondered if maybe he was but couldn't feel it. This thought was quickly dismissed as a paradox.

"I want that cash register open, now!" The handgun pointed at the shaking teenaged boy who stood behind the counter.

Castle watched from behind the shelf, muted his cell, and texted Beckett. "23rd St. robbery, 2 shots fired."

As he waited for a reply, he thought of what MacGyver would do. Had the television star ever been in a hostage situation?

The "scumbag," Castle's imagination eagerly filled in, surveyed the shocked and frightened customers. "Nobody move! Don't take one step."

It was his first time. Convenience store, by its very title, reeked of desperation. He hadn't instructed the hostages to move where he could see them. A tiny bit of blond hair stuck out the back of his mask.

Castle's phone lit up and he eagerly read his partner's response. "On our way." A second message popped up. "No heroics, writer."

The reference to the writing on his bulletproof vest stung. He let out an annoyed huff.

Masked Man turned the gun on him. "Quiet!"

Castle smiled blandly and waved his acknowledgement.

How long did it take to open a cash register, anyways?

The man with the weapon shoved it in the employee's face and asked the same thing.

The boy stated that he was nervous, he'd never been held at gunpoint before.

Castle snorted.

The robber told him to shut up or he'd blow him to kingdom come.

That reminded him of a show Alexis used to watch about a cartoon star squirrel.

The register finally opened, and the man held out a bag to fill with the money.

When the robber took off for the door, Castle didn't think. He had to stall for the cops.

"Hey!" He took a few steps forward, wondering what he was planning on doing.

He discovered that didn't matter much, though, when another bullet exploded from the chamber of the gun. It hit him, somewhere. He didn't care where, really. Everything hurt.

A sense of de ja vous encompassed him, which was strange, because he'd never been shot before.

As he passed out, he realized something: Beckett was going to kill him.