Natasha was glad that for once, she could make a meet wearing comfortable clothes. She turned up to the meeting wearing jeans, a plain tee and a baggy jumper. Her wrist was wrapped in bandages and in a sling, and the bruise to the side of her face looked terrible.
She walked in, slightly late (Clint's fault) and took the last remaining seat as all eyes were on her.
Jess, who Natasha had been informed was running the group and would be expecting her, introduced her to everyone. Natasha nodded her greeting as everyone welcomed her but avoided making eye contact.
When asked if there was anything she'd like to share with the group Natasha shook her head, keeping that story close to her chest until it could be used to further the mission.
She sat and listened for the duration of the meeting, feeling Lindsay's eyes on her most of the time. She was certainly curious about the newcomer.
After the meeting was over they had what they referred to as a 'mingling session', most people left before then but Lindsay stayed, so Natasha did too.
There were sandwiches and drinks at the back so she headed over there
"You from New York?" Lindsay asked her, when there was just the two of them left at the refreshments table
"Boston" Natasha answered
"That's an awful bruise"
"It's not so bad"
"He must be brave to hit you where people can see it"
"He doesn't much care, not anymore"
"Your names Poppy right? I'm Lindsay"
Natasha nodded once more, it was much easier to allow Lindsay to come to her, than to try and force a conversation
They spoke over the next few meeting and developed some sort of friendship, but Lindsay still refused to talk about her husband. In the end Natasha and Clint were forced to go to plan B.
Clint was not impressed. He'd outright refused to go to plan B when Fury had mentioned it to them, but it wasn't looking like Lindsay was going to open up anytime soon, and with time running out, they were left without any other option.
In the middle of the next meeting Natasha's phone rang, she excused herself to the corner of the room to take the call while Lindsay watched on curiously;
"No George, I'm busy, I- ... Right, right okay, ten minutes" she hung up and snuck out
Clint waited for her part way down the road and when Natasha reached him he started yelling. He sensed a moment later than someone was watching, hoping it was Lindsay he grabbed Natasha by the throat and threw her to the floor.
He pinned her to the ground and kept her there while she made a show of trying to fight him. He grabbed her flailing arm and pinned that to the ground and leaned in to whisper "I'm sorry Nat"
"I know Clint, but you're going to have to do it harder; you need to leave bruises"
He did as she asked and watched with silent tears as she struggled for breath, she passed out and he leapt up off her, he'd already deposited what she needed in her pocket during the fight, so he ran off.
He stopped in an alleyway a short way down the street, waiting and watching to ensure Natasha was safe.