Kono returned with boiled water, knives, cloths, towels and bandages, needles and thread and a bottle of whiskey. She handed Danny a bottle of water and he gave Steve a drink, "Maybe we should give him a slug of the whiskey"

Steve spoke, "Nooo…nnott gonna' ddrinnk"
Chin added, "It's for sanitizing the wound" He rolled up a washcloth and placed it in Steve's mouth, "Okay boss here we go. Bite down hard. I'll get this done as quickly as possible" Steve nodded understanding and he again began to breathe rapidly as he braced himself for the pain to come. Chin continued, directing Kono to sit across Steve's legs, "Okay guys hold him as still as possible" As the whiskey hit the wound Steve's back arched in pain and his head lunged forward and then slammed back against Danny's chest, "HOLD HIM TIGHT !"

Danny tightened his grip around Steve's chest pulling him firmly back against his body and with other arm he held the man's forehead, pinning him against his shoulder. "Hold on Steve, I've got you buddy…relax"

As Chin began to probe for the bullet their leaders muffled moans increased, Danny continued talking to him, "You're doing great babe. Just concentrate on your breathing Steve, slow down…in…..out…..in…out…that a boy, good job Superman…breathe slow" Steve's head and face were drenched in sweat and tears as he battled the intense pain. After several minutes of digging the cloth fell from Steve's mouth and the screams of agony that filled the room cut to all their hearts. Danny silently prayed that Steve would pass out….he wondered what kind of torturous training Navy Seals went through that gave them the strength to endure pain such as this. Tears filled his eyes and using a cool damp cloth, Danny wiped his friends head and face as he continued to talk softly, encouraging him to hold on.

Thankfully Chin was able to get to the bullet a short time later, "Got it boss…."
"You hear that buddy, Dr. Kelly did it. He's almost done now, you just hang on"
Chin looked to Steve, "We've got a bleeder here boss, I'm going to need to do some stitching inside"

Steve spoke quietly, "Nnooo CChiin…cauuterizze man…..cauterizeee"
Danny held up a hand, "Whoa whoa….I'm beginning to believe you really do enjoy pain Steven, but cauterize?"
"Yees…cauteriizze will bbee better"
Danny looked to Chin, "Danny he's right. If we cauterize we'll limit the risk of additional bleeding. To sew these vessels, I'd have to open him up more to get better access"
"This is going to hurt like hell, you know that?"
Steve again spoke, "Danno…it's okaayy…do it…..pleassee…do iitt"

Chin turned to Kono, "Cous' I need a piece of thin metel and a lighter"
"Like a radio antenna maybe"
"Yes, that would be perfect"
"In….the ddennn…Kono"

The young detective raced from the room and as Danny held a towel tightly to the wound Chin began to work on cleaning the gash on Steve's eyebrow, "This is going to need stitches too brother"
Kono was back in the room quickly and they again took their positions. Chin had Kono hold the lighter to the metal heating it and then he began to work on stitching the eyebrow. His eye was blackened and had swollen shut. It took several stitches to close up and then he added, "Boss your cheek is bruised badly and your nose is broken, take a deep breathe and I'll set that for you"

"K…thanks brother"
As the nose crunched back into place in Chin's grasp, Danny chimed in, "Oh God….that sounds horrible" Chin placed two thin bandage strips across the bridge of Steve's nose and after finishing cleaning the dried blood from his face he turned his attention back to the shoulder.

They all took their positions and after placing the cloth back in Steve's mouth Chin steeled himself for what he had to do. His eyes were closed and nervous sweat beaded his forehead, he knew how much pain he was about to inflict on his friend and his hands were shaking. Danny talked to him calmly, "Chin, its okay brother…you've got to do it…..just take a deep breathe, calm down and do it"

Chin nodded acknowledgement and as he placed the burning metal against the torn vessels it was finally more than Steve could bear and his screams stopped as he surrendered to the darkness and passed out. Danny continued to hold him tight, "Chin, he's just passed out, keep going brother…..get it done"
The smell of the burning flesh filled the room and was horrific. Kono could no longer contain her emotions as tears flowed down her cheeks. Fortunately the process only took a few minutes and then Chin moved quickly to sew up the wound. Once done, the tension of the events overwhelmed Chin and he threw the antenna across to room and he raced out the door.

Danny looked at Kono, "Sweetheart, are you okay?"
She spoke as she wiped the tears from her eyes, "Yeah…..yeah sorry"
"Kono don't be sorry. We're taking care of our boy, doing what's got to be done"
"I've never seen anything like that in my life…..the burning…."
"I know babe…its over. Now we've got to be strong for him and find Catherine okay?"
"Of course Danny. What do you need me to do?"

"He's lost a lot of blood, can you bring up some juice, cookies or fruit and see if you can find maybe some iron pills and B2 vitamins. We need to help him replenish his blood"
"Sure Danny" Kono left the room, running into Chin in the hallway as he was exiting the bathroom. They embraced, "Are you okay cous?"
"Yeah Kono, I'm fine now"
"Can you check the bathroom cabinets for iron pills and B2 vitamins. We need to work on replenishing his blood supply"
"Sure" The parted and went in search of the products to help Steve.