Pulling composure together was a matter of breathing- slowly in through the nose, measured exhale through parted lips and away from the phone so that she wasn't huffing and puffing in Steve's ear. She wasn't going to get ruffled while lecturing him against the same, but it was difficult. He'd always been good at that; getting under her skin, reminding her what it was to feel something rather than remain separate from it, aloof and apart. It was endearing as much as it was frustrating, especially when Peggy so often prided herself on the ability to remain calm in the face of extraordinary events.
"I don't want to be safe if you can't be," she answered, tone perfectly even once more. "I've spent my whole life on the sidelines, sending other people into danger. Sending you into danger. Don't ask me to hide when you refuse to, Steve. Please."