A/N: I'm playing around with non-linear storytelling, so I'm not short changing you on more about Raj and Lincoln getting together. That will come next chapter.

Five months later...

"So, do you know anything about Raj's new girlfriend?" Penny asked Leonard as she put out a pile of napkins on the table. She thought it was strange that he wanted only her and Leonard to meet his new girl. He had clearly been pretty enamored with her for a while, and this was the longest he had gone without introducing a girlfriend to the whole group.

"Nothing. I don't even know her name. All I know is that she's an astrobiologist at UCLA," Leonard said.

"Does Howard know anything?"

"Nothing. For some reason Raj has been playing this one close to the sweater vest," Leonard smiled at his own joke, and Penny justifiably rolled her eyes.

That's when there was a knock on the door. Penny ran over to answer it.

"Hi, Sweetie," Penny said. Then she stopped talking. Obviously Raj was there, but instead of a girl, there was a tall, handsome man.

"Hi," Raj said nervously. He had meant to tell Leonard so many times that he was bringing his boyfriend to dinner, but it was like his selective mutism had come back. The words wouldn't come no matter how hard he tried.

"I'm Lincoln, Raj's boyfriend," Lincoln said. He could feel the awkwardness in the air. He was practically choking on it, but he was also a nice boy who was raised to be polite. Also he was beyond proud that Raj was standing here next to him.

"Raj's boyfriend," Penny repeated. "Honey, did you hear that? Raj's boyfriend, Lincoln," Penny added to her husband.

"Yeah. It's great to finally meet you. I'd say that I've heard so much about you, but honestly, he's been pretty tight lipped. Still, I know you have to be a great guy because Raj has never been this happy in all of the time I've known him," Leonard said as he walked forward to shake Lincoln's hand.

"Thank you. May we come in?" Lincoln said.

Penny shook her head at herself, suddenly remembering her manners. "Of course. Can I get you something to drink?"

"A glass of wine. Red if you have any," Lincoln requested. When Raj didn't say anything, he asked, "Baby? Do you want anything?"

"Same," Raj muttered. He still wasn't looking up at his friends. And he wasn't able to reach out for Lincoln's hand as much as he wanted the lifeline. Lincoln was out to all of his friends and family, but he had come out when he was a teenager. He was the only person in the room who knew what this felt like. Lincoln tapped the back of Raj's hand with his own like it was an accidental bump, but Raj knew he was trying to lend him strength.

When Penny and Leonard were in the kitchen alone, she turned to him and whispered, "Did you know? You were so relaxed just now."

"No. He said he was dating someone, but I realize that he never actually used the word girl, woman, or girlfriend. Maybe that's why it wasn't a surprise to me." Leonard had always had suspicions about Raj's sexuality. It wasn't his business. Or maybe he just wanted to avoid the awkward conversation.

Penny nodded and poured a couple of glasses of wine. Then she went back to her guests to hand them their drinks.

"So, we know you work at UCLA, but we know very little else. How did you two meet?" Penny asked. She had regained her composure, and was back to being her friendly self.

"I picked Raj up at a bar. He was wearing the cutest sweater vest and drinking a grasshopper. He also looked really sad, so I went over to offer him another drink. Then it took him nearly a month to call me," Lincoln said with obvious fondness in his eyes despite the small, playful shove he gave Raj. Raj still looked scared and Lincoln wanted to put his arm around him. If they were alone that's exactly what he would do, but Raj was touchy about physical affection in public. This wasn't public, but it might as well be.

"A month? That's a long time to keep a man waiting, Raj," Penny teased. "You're lucky he didn't move on and find someone else in that time. He's handsome. You would have missed out."

"I know," Raj said. He finally let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. He wasn't sure if Leonard and Penny were being nice because they didn't want to make a scene in front of Lincoln or if they were actually just okay with him dating a man. They were the first people he had come out to.

"Lincoln, can you give us a moment?" Raj asked his boyfriend.

"Yeah. Of course. I needed to use the restroom anyway," Lincoln said.

"It's through there," Penny said gesturing to the back of the apartment. Lincoln left the three alone.

"Why didn't you say anything, sweetie? Have you told anyone?" Penny asked Raj. She reached out and put a comforting hand on Raj's knee.

"No. I wanted to tell you all so many times. I love him, and he makes me so happy," Raj said. It was actually the first time he had said those words out loud. He hadn't even told Lincoln that he loved him. It was freeing to say those words. It was the first time that he really felt honest.

"Okay. Good. Well, we were shocked that you brought a guy over without ever mentioning it, but we love you and want you to be happy, right, Leonard?"

"Yeah, of course."

"Tell us more about him? You really took a month to call him?" Penny asked.

"I was drunk when we met and I kissed him that first night. I was terrified that I would come on too strong. I was worried about what my friends and family would think. I still am worried about that. But I couldn't stop thinking about him. I stalked him on Facebook for a while before I called," Raj started telling them.

"You two are really cute together. We support you, sweetie," Penny said.

"Absolutely," Leonard said. He meant it. He supported Raj's relationship because he loved Raj, but also because he hadn't been lying. These last four months, Raj had seemed lighter and happier than Leonard had ever seen him. That is other than when Raj was being cagey about his new relationship.

"Honey? Do you need more time?" Lincoln called from the back of the apartment.

"No. Come here. I'm going to tell them about our first date," Raj said. He reached his hand out for Lincoln when he came closer. Lincoln put his hand in Raj's, and felt so much relief. Raj wasn't often comfortable with even low key affection in front of others. Whatever Leonard and Penny had said must have put him at ease. Lincoln squeezed Raj's hand as he started telling the story.