The Reasons for Marriage

Summary: Elizabeth Swann has a choise; get married to someone other then her beloved Will or be the reason for his death. James Norrington is married and all other elegible bachelors have fled knowing her past is full of pirates and the warrent that was out for her arrest. No decent man would have her, that's when an un-decent man steps into the picture to let his friend live. The question is, what's in it for him?

Disclaimer: I own everything because I bought pirates from Disney for a lot of money so Jack and Elizabeth will be getting together in the 3rd movie as in having sex. Yay! Ooops, my bad that was a dream. I really own nothing.

Chapter One - Preparations

Everyone knew the name of the man she was going to marry today. Adrian Romane. He was talk, dark and handsome. He was the essence of propriety. His hands were rough from the years of working on his father's farm. The roughness had nothing to do with pirating what so ever, nope, not for him. His skin was tan because of his nationality. The tanness of said skin had nothing to do with the years of standing in the Caribbean sun, nope, none what so ever. He was kind and light hearted, there was no slur to his words as he was never drunk. Nope not once in his life.

In short, he was the perfect man. Perfect men do not exist.

Elizabeth wasn't sure how she was able to pull it off. She wasn't sure how she was able to convince such a man as he to wed her simply because it would save the man she did love. She definately did not know how she got into this possition in the first place. Perhaps if she did, this would all make more sence.

"Rose or Lilac Miss Swann?"

Elizabeth was pulled from her thoughts as her maid directed the question at her. "Oh umm, lilac I believe."

In all honesty she didn't care. She wasn't having a wedding night per se. She was going to go through the motions but by the next morning her virginity would still be intact. That had been part of their agreement.

"You get to save your darling William, but I see nothing in it for me." He said lazily, cossing his arms.

She had searched for him, day and night, she was so tired.

"What do you want. You can have anything."

He grinned and she wanted to smack it off his face. "You might not want to be saying that darling."

"Within reason then." She added.

"First off love, how long is said marriage going to last?"

"First off, it's not going to be a valid marriage, your name won't be on the certificate, I will not be saying your name in the vows. So in all reality, this is a sham." Elizabeth said, going with her trump card.

The man grinned yet agagin. "Is that so? Well then, I am free to do as I want, when I want it?"

"One year, that's all I'm asking. By then we should be able to come up with an idea to get Will safe."

He frowned at this. "So you would like me to pretend to be someone else, live in a hoity toity house with servants and the like while figuring out a way to save your beloved while on top of it all pretending to be your husband?"

Elizabeth sighed, it sounded impossible. "You're right, this was a bad idea."

"Now just a moment love, do I get full husband priviliages?"

"No." Her answer was quick. "But you do get some, such as run of all the money. You like money don't you?"

Mischeif raddled in his eyes. "Aye love, that I do."

"Save that for the wedding."

She had been hopeful going to him. He seemed the best choise, if he would do it of course. After much persuasion he had agreed. He had a reason to marry Elizabeth Swann under a false name and he was not bound. He was still free.

"Hands above your head Miss Swann."

She did as instructed and a soft white gown was draped over her body, it was so smooth and soft she didn't know what to think. It was Heaven on Earth.

"I adore this dress."

Her maid nodded. "So did everyone else. It's a gem by all means."

Her shoes came next along with the jewlary that would accompany her on her long walk down the aisle. Today was supposed to be the happiest day of her life and everyone would know no difference. To everyone but herself and the man she was about to wed it was.

A knock on the door disturbed the newly found silence in her bedchamber. It was her beloveds only link to life.

A young man stepped in when the door was answered. "They're ready for you Miss Swann."

She nodded and was helped to her feet, her knees already shaky.

Walking down the steps to beautiful music made her shut her eyes briefly to invision Will at the bottom, awaiting his bride. When she opened them she was shocked at what she saw.

There in proper englishmen's clothes and shoes, his hair cut short, all dirt disappeared from his face, neck and hands, his facial hair somewhere misplaced. He looked younger, making her wonder what his real age was. She was locking him up, she knew it. No matter what he said he didn't want this. They didn't even have those strong feelings for each other. But his eyes twinkled when he looked at her. He smiled and she looked into the eyes of the former Captain Jack Sparrow.

TBC