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A Step Back in Time

Author - Kabella66 | Genre - Angst | Genre - Finale Fix Challenge | Rating - PG | S
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A Step Back in Time

by Kabella66

Fix the Finale Challenge

Genre: Drama – Angst
Rated: PG …mild language
Disclaimer: Paramount owns these characters, but as a fan I can rewrite their lives as I see fit. P.S. I might not have the technology just right, but the meaning isn’t lost in the mumbo-jumbo.
Summary: After these are the Voyages, Archer becomes a bitter resentful old man. He calls in a favor from a friend to reset his life and get his friends back.
Archive: OK
Email: kabella66@earthlink.net


~~~~~~~

The elderly man limped along the frozen path in front of him. The frigid wind swirled around the ground and over the hilly terrain, before blowing through his coat. The man bent over to shelter his face from the wind. He trudged on for several miles until he came upon the wrought iron gate at top of the knoll. He pulled his hands from his pockets and fumbled with the latch. His fingers, stiff from age and numb from the temperatures, did not respond to the signals from his brain. He brought his hands to his face, folded together, and attempted to warm them with his breath. After rubbing them for a few seconds, he finally succeeded in opening the latch.

Once inside the gate he shuffled over to a small concrete bench sitting a few feet away. He rested on the bench for a short time, tired from the up hill climb. He looked around at his surroundings. The overnight snow had frozen the countryside in time. The trees and creek lay silent, the air crisp and sharp in his lungs. The sun was rising brightly to the east, and it blinded him. He squinted to protect his eyes, curling his lip as he did. In the distance he could see the smoke from his cabin dancing in the skyline.

Finally he stood, walked a few feet and then knelt on the snow covered ground. He leaned to his left and brushed the snow aside with his hand, uncovering a small marble headstone. He cleaned it off meticulously. When it was clearly visible, he turned to the right and brushed the snow from another spot, revealing yet another marble stone. Once both were clear, the man rested a hand on each and bowed his head in respect.

After several minutes, he straightened and took a deep breath. He brought his hand to his face and wiped the wetness from his eyes. He stood, shuffled back to the bench, and sat with his head down in his hands. Time passed slowly for the man. An hour later, then man stood, stumbled back to the gate, and walked slowly down the hill toward his cabin.


As the man approached the cabin, he could hear his dog barking behind the door. The sound gave him a reason to smile as she was one of the only pleasures left in this life. He opened the door and was greeting to the jumping friendly face of his two-year old Beagle, Charlie. He ruffled her ears and rubbed her back as she sniffed at his hands and licked at his face. The man walked over to the fire and removed his coat. He held his hands in front of the flame to warm himself from the cold. Charlie didn’t leave him to his thoughts for long. She was hungry for food and attention and wouldn’t let the man forget it.

He leaned over to rub her ears and then tossed a toy over her head. She turned, running after it, barking madly all the way. The man straightened and walked into his kitchen. The dog was back in a second and dropped the toy at his feet. He smiled at her, leaned over and tossed it again. She turned chasing after it again. The man shook his head and began to mix up their breakfast. Orange juice, scrambled eggs and bacon for himself, a package of dog food and table scraps for Charlie.

After breakfast, the man and Charlie had another play session and then the two of them settled down for their morning nap on the couch. The fire crackled and popped quietly in the background as the man fell into a fitful sleep. In his dream, the man was haunted by a memory, a memory of losing his friends, not all at once, but little by little over time. He woke with a jump.

He stood from the couch and hobbled towards the kitchen, his leg stiff from the pressure placed on it. Charlie looked up at him, and then rolled over into the spot the man once coveted, stretching out as she went. In the kitchen, the man leaned over the sink, grimacing in pain from his hip or the dream he wasn’t sure. He reached for his medicine in the cabinet. A bottle of Kentucky Bourbon cold from being against the outside wall. He grabbed a glass and shuffled to the kitchen table. He set the bourbon down and sat heavily in the nearest chair and staring at the bottle with empty eyes. What happened to the man I once was? he thought. Why has time taken its toll on me, robbed me of happiness? He poured himself a shot of the liquid and swirled it around in the glass before swallowing it. He curled up his lip as the vial liquid burned the back of his throat. The next two shots came fast and were less bothersome. Before he knew it, a fourth of the bottle was gone.

He found himself staring into nothing, reliving a stolen moment in time. Sharing a meal and a drink with friends on his ship. His ship. A place he had not thought about in years. Voices rang in his head, words that once brought him honor and pleasure, only tormented him now. He pushed back from the table and limped around the room. He staggered to a cabinet by the fireplace. He opened the top drawer and pulled out a small metal disc. The man held it in his hand and then clinched his fist around it. A voice from past, a link to the future, began speaking in his ear, he turned relentlessly to find the person behind the voice. You can’t ignore your place in history, Captain. History has been reset because of you Captain. History never recorded the disaster. Timeline. Temporal Cold Wars. The man turned quickly to the left, then the right chasing the ringing in his head, but not finding any answers. He became dizzy and lost his balance. He leaned up against the couch for support. The man grabbed at the disc, fumbling to open it and activated the beacon inside. Nothing happened.

After several minutes of nothing, the man threw the disc in to the fireplace in a rage of fury. He stumbled over to the table and took a long swig of the bourbon from the bottle, and then in an attempt to sit down, fell to the floor. Charlie jumped off the couch and ran to her master, licking at his face and pawing his arm. The man fell into a state of unconsciousness.


When he awoke he was lying on the couch. He could smell fresh coffee brewing in the kitchen. The fire had been re-stoked and the cabin appeared brighter, cleaner somehow. He sat up and Charlie jumped into his arms, licking happily at his face. He ruffled her ears and then pushed her off to the side. He was about to get up when he heard a male voice talking to him from across the room.

You still prefer your coffee black? Don’t get up; I’ll bring it to you.

Yes, the man answered cautiously straining to get a glimpse of the person speaking to him. An arm extended from the left delivering a steaming cup of black coffee. The person attached to it sat in the chair opposite of the couch. The elderly man took at sip of the coffee in an attempt to clear his head and then stared at the man sitting across from him.

Don’t you ever age Daniels? You look the same that you did … ahhh….

Sixty years ago, Sir. Aging is complicated in the future. Daniels fidgeted in his seat. I see time hasn’t been so good to you though.

Archer took another sip of the coffee. He couldn’t remember the last time it tasted so good. He looked at Daniels and nodded. “Time has sucked the life out of me. It has taken my friends lives prematurely,… Trip, T’Pol, Hoshi, Amanda…. Their lives all ended because of time.

History recorded all their deaths at the appropriate intervals, Jonathan, just as your life determined the course of the history of the Federation.

Archer sat back on the couch and stared at Daniels. That’s a load crap and you know it. Trip died for a stupid cause.

Tucker sacrificed himself for you Jonathan. Are you saying you weren’t worth it?

Archer leaned forward and glared at Daniels. Tucker died fighting thugs in the corridor of my ship. Common everyday thugs that somehow boarded the ship with little resistance and walked freely from the airlock. After 55 years to think about it, I find the whole incident a little too perfectly planned. No ship communication, no security … it all smells like a set up.

Daniels just shook his head. That’s the bourbon talking for you, Jonathan. Tucker knew he was destined to die young, even before that fateful day.

Archer looked at Daniels in confusion. What? What are you saying? How would he know?

Daniels shook his head. Lorian, Tucker’s son. He told Tucker that he died when Lorian was 14 (in Vulcan years) or 6 1/2 human years after Lorian was born.

Archer stood up and limped over to the fireplace thinking about what Daniels had said. No…. how can that be? After we went through the corridor, the other Enterprise ceased to exist. He paused, then turned back to Daniels. You told me yourself those events would not play out once the timeline was altered.

Daniels’ stood and turned to face Archer. That’s where things get complicated, Jonathan. It’s best not to dwell on it.

That’s easy for you to say, that’s all I been doing these years is dwelling on it. I watched my best friend die saving my life. I witnessed T’Pol’s life become empty without her soul mate. I found her dead in her apartment of a broken heart. She was lost without him. I held Hoshi’s hand as she took her last breath. I’ve out lived them all and I’ve had a hell of a lot of time to think about it.

You can’t change history, Jonathan. Archer turned around quickly and stepped to Daniels with his finger in his face.

The hell I can’t. Did history record Jonathan Archer as becoming a reclusive drunk? I’ve done you enough favors over the past 70 years, the least you can do is help me this one time.

Daniels shook his head and took a step backward. Jonathan, he began but Archer cut him off.

Don’t Jonathan me …I’ve given you my trust and cooperation when I had nothing to base it on but your word. I did everything you asked of me and then some. You owe me Daniels. I’ve saved your ass countless times. All I’m asking for is my life back. My friends’ lives back.

Daniels stepped back from Archer again and tripped over the edge of the couch. He sat back on the armrest and looked at the floor. In one sense, Archer was correct, the timeline never recorded the man that resigned his commission from Starfleet in the prime of his career and became the bitter, angry person that stood before him today. To go back and change history just to make someone happy? It wasn’t something Daniels could stomach, even for his friend Jonathan Archer.

Archer hobbled over to the window and stood in silence looking up at the hilltop where Trip and T’Pol lay. What was my role in your history before we met? Archer quietly asked without turning from the glass.

Daniels stood up and walked careful around to the back of the couch. He leaned over and rested his hands on the back. After a few moments he spoke very quietly. You served as Captain of Enterprise for 9 years. The ship was decommissioned 18 months before the Charter was signed. You were promoted to Admiral and served in many roles within Starfleet before your final promotion to General. Daniels took a deep breath. You were married, had children and grandchildren…… this Jonathan Archer that you’ve become never existed in my history.

Archer turned toward his friend and leaned back against the wall. And Tucker?

Daniels stood up and shook his head. Jonathan, he began.

Archer interrupted. Just tell me.

Daniels turned and leaned against the back of the couch and took a deep breath. After Enterprise, Tucker was promoted to Captain and commanded Starfleet’s first warp 7 ship. He and T’Pol married and they had three daughters.

Archer turned from Daniels and rested both hands on the window sill. He dropped his head and tried to stifle the sobs building in his throat. Tears flowed freely from his eyes. A history in which his friends lived, and didn’t suffer needless deaths. What happened that changed history, he choked out, his voice full of emotion. Archer swallowed hard and turned from the window.

Daniels was standing behind him reviewing a projected display from a disc in his hand. He was pointing at the air at the visual and mumbling to himself. Archer stepped closer to his friend and peered over his shoulder as images from 900 years of history scrolled in front of them. There, he pointed. Starda…, he smirked. Sorry, August 2161. He finished directing Archer’s gaze to the spot on the display. Enterprise was attacked by … (pause) a species, he mumbled, trying not to give too much away. Archer tuned into what he was saying right away.

The no-name species, Archer laughed. They attacked us the first year of our mission, but never actually made contact with us. Archer replied. When we ran into them that year they nearly destroyed the ship.

They did destroy the ship, Daniels stated, then added with a shrug. At least they did in my history. Their weapons fire caused a warp core overload. The crew had to eject in escape pods and were later rescued by Columbia. Enterprise, what was left of it, was towed back to Earth and decommissioned.

Archer turned and walked over to the table and sat in a chair, stretching his legs out in front of him. Wha … he shook his head in disbelief. The warp core … didn’t overload. Their weapons were targeted on the narcelles…. Archer’s voice trailed off into his thoughts. Why didn’t history play itself out, what happened to change those events?

Commander Tucker happened. Daniels replied. The bond that he shared with T’Pol changed his thinking, the way he approached a problem, analyzed it, and solved it. His actions on that day changed the course of history forever.

Archer pulled his legs up to a 90 degree angle and leaned his forearms on them. His hands steepled in fronted of him. Trip figured out a way to stop the breech that day, which meant that Enterprise wasn’t destroyed. Then just days before the signing of the Federation Charter I decide to help Shran rescue his daughter and Trip ends up dying saving my life.Archer turned his head and laughed in disgust. What’s that ole saying … Turn about is fair play?

Daniels looked at Archer quizzically. I don’t understand what you mean, Jonathan.

Archer shook his head. It doesn’t matter. I just need to fix it. I need to go back to that day in August 2161 and fix it. He stood, and limped the few steps to stand next to Daniels. Will you help me? He looked deep into Daniels eyes and knew his answer before he even spoke.

I could get into a lot of trouble for this, Daniels replied, keying in data into the device.

Archer shrugged, Well, despite that I don’t like you; you’ll always have a place on my crew. Daniels took a double take at Archer, who returned the look with a wink and a smile.

Daniels waited in the corridor outside of the Captain’s Quarters, while Archer slipped into his uniform. He nervously looked around, expecting the temporal authorities to walk through the bulkhead and arrest him. He had brought Archer back to just minutes before Trip diffused the warp core breech. All was silent on the ship as time was standing still. He and Archer had just rigged a computer panel in engineering with explosives that Archer would trigger later during his mission to reset history. Daniels shook his head, still not believing that he was out to foil the temporal accord that he swore to uphold. He became impatient, and stepped through the doorway to see what was holding Archer up.

Archer was standing in front of his wardrobe struggling to get into the coverall jumpsuit that was Enterprise’s uniform that decade.

I just remembered how much I hated these uniforms, he said. Could you help an ole guy out for a second? Daniels reached over and pulled the back of the coverall up for Archer.

I actually liked these uniforms when I wore them, simple design, lots of pockets, commented Daniels as he smoothed out the back of Archer’s uniform.

Archer turned to look at him. You say that now, but need I remind you how fun they were when you needed to use the head? Archer smiled and tilted his head in that ‘know-all’ manner. Charlie jumped up on the bed and barked at the two men. Archer picked her up and ruffled her ears one last time, then handed her to Daniels. Will you watch her for me, just until things settle down?

Daniels took the dog from him with an uneasy look on his face. I told you when we left the cabin that I wasn’t good with dogs.

Archer sat on the bed and leaned over to slip on his boots.What, you don’t have dogs in the future?

Daniels shuffled Charlie in his arms so he could reach into his pocket. He pulled out the device he was using in the cabin and mumbled, Yes, we have dogs, but I travel a lot for work, so I personally don’t have one.

Archer rolled his eyes and looked at his friend. Give me a break … you travel for work? What kind of excuse is that? Daniels smirked and shrugged. Archer continued while pulling on his other boot. Besides I didn’t say keep her, I said watch her … I certainly can’t end up in an escape pod with her considering that Porthos died about 6 months before these aliens attacked us. Archer stood up and shook his leg, which helped his pant leg fall over his boot.

Good point, Daniels replied. He set his scanning device down on the desk and handed two small metal disks to the Captain. Ok, let’s go over the plan again. You’ll only have one chance to plant this on the warp core, to insure a fatal cascade.

Archer took both disks from Daniels and held one between his thumb and index finger. Are you certain this little th…. Daniels interrupted him.

Yes, we’ve been over this twice. It will work… when are you going to plant it?

Archer took a few steps and leaned against the wall by his bed. When time resets, I’ll be on the bridge and Tucker will notify me of the impending breech. I’ll order the crew to the escape pods and then head to engineering. When I get there I’ll need to trigger the explosive with this device. He held up one of the disks and then put it in the zippered pocket on his right arm. Once the panel explodes, if Trip isn’t knocked out by the blast, I’ll need to stun him. Then I’ll plant the second explosive at the primary coil junction. I’ll have 27 seconds to get Trip and myself to the pod closest to engineering before the ship blows.

Good. Then if all goes well, Charlie and I will be touch with you in San Francisco. Daniels stepped over to walk through the doorway and then turned back to look at Archer, any questions?

Archer had turned to step away from the wall and had a muscle spasm in his leg. Just one, he choked out leaning over to rub the sore spot. Am I going to be a younger man when time resets? I’m not sure how fast this ole one will be able to run.

Daniels looked at Archer, rolled his eyes and shook his head.


Archer felt a searing pain in his head as the room began to spin and a wave of nausea came over him. He covered his eyes with his hand for a moment when Tucker’s voice came blasting over the comm line.

Tucker to the bridge! He yelled.

Go ahead Trip, Archer replied snapping back to reality. He was still dizzy and could hear ringing in his ears from the time jump.

That last shot damaged the coil junction; I’ve got plasma fires on all systems. The core is overheating and we are heading for a breech!

This is it, thought Archer as he stood from his chair. He looked over at Reed, who was frantically pressing buttons on his station. Status Mr. Reed?

Plasma cannons are gone sir, I have two torpedoes loaded aft and ready to fire.

Travis?

The helm is not responding. We are dead in the water.

Archer looked around the bridge at his crew. His crew, he smiled to himself. He directed his gaze at the view screen. The alien vessel was still firing at the ship. Archer stepped up to the helm station and keyed up the ship-wide comm. Attention all Enterprise crew, this is the captain. Abandoned ship! All crew head to the escape pods, immediately! That is an order. Repeat abandoned ship! Archer released the comm button and the turned to Reed. T’Pol! Get everyone out! Mr. Reed fire aft cannons when ready, then get to the shuttle bay. Hoshi, launch the emergency beacon broadcasting on all frequencies! He turned and began to head toward to the turbolift, his staff completing his orders behind him. I’ll be in Engineering. He shouted to no one in particular. He heard Reed call out direct hit as the turbo lift door closed.

As Archer made his way to Engineering, he heard the escape pods launching from the hull. He recalled the events from the fateful day so many years ago. By the time he made it to Engineering, Trip had figured out a way to stop the overload. He was standing in front of the computer panel that Daniels had planted the explosive. Archer pulled the trigger out of his pocket and placed it in his left hand.

Archer reached the door to main engineering and popped the lock, pushing on the door with all his weight, as the emergency bulkheads were beginning to lock in place. Thankfully Daniels had restored his body to the timeframe as well and the strength that he had 50 years ago was all intact. He slid the door open with a grunt. Tucker was standing in front of the comm panel at the front of the warp engine.

Capt’n, I think stopped it, he shouted over the steam and roar of the fire in the room. He continued to work the panel in front of him.

What? Archer yelled out, covering his face from the smoke and waving his left arm as a distraction. He barely made out Tucker’s form on the platform. Archer stepped over to grab the fire extinguisher off the wall and activated the trigger in his hand. Sorry, Trip, Archer mumbled to himself as the panel in front of Tucker exploded. The force knocked Tucker back against the platform railing and flipped him over it onto the floor. Archer stepped over his friend and put two fingers on his neck, checking for a pulse. Once he felt the throb on his finger, he stood up and dug the second disk out of his pocket. He placed the device on the warp core just as Daniels had instructed him and then activated it. Archer took a step back, pulled Trip up and heaved him over his shoulder in a basic fireman carry. As he stumbled out of engineering he cursed himself for insisting to Daniels he could make it down the corridor to the escape pod in 27 seconds. This body isn’t what it used to be, he thought to himself.

He made it to the pod in 22 seconds. He leaned Tucker up against the wall as he activated the launch mechanism. Then Archer crawled inside and pulled his friend in with him. It was a tight squeeze, but he wasn’t leaving anyone behind. He stared at Tucker’s face as he pulled the pod door closed behind him. His face was bloody and covered with multiple burns, as it was the day he died 54 years ago. Archer hit the button to launch, and then leaned over his friend sheltering him from the impact as the pod jettison from the ship. Moments later, the pod began to tumble in the shockwave as the ship exploded behind them. Archer fell hard against the deck, cracking his head against the wall. He felt the searing pain behind his eyes and started to lose consciousness as a wave of nausea came over him. His last thought as darkness began to close in on him… My friends will not die today.

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Daniels played fetch with Charlie, the little dog chasing the ball and barking relentlessly. He smiled to himself, thankful that today was the last day he would have to watch her for Archer, but feeling that he was going to miss her all the same. She certainly had a way of growing on a person. Today was unusually mild for October in San Francisco. As the two of them made their way through the park, Daniels looked around for Archer. I suppose I could just scan for him, he thought to himself, then thought better of it. He didn’t have much time to himself in his life as a temporal agent. He smiled to himself reflecting on how he was promoted for ‘noticing the discrepancy in the time line of 2161 and taking the initiative to reset it’. He was so involved in his thoughts as he walked, he didn’t notice Archer walking toward him. Charlie’s frantic barking pulled him back to the present. He blinked to see Charlie jump into Archer’s arms.

She certainly didn’t forget you, Jonathan, he stated, then added, you are looking well these days.

Archer ruffled Charlie’s ears and rubbed her back in her favorite spot as he replied, Thanks to you. He looked up at Daniels, the sun in his eyes causing him to squint. I would say I owe you … but I think we’re about even. Did anyone ever say anything to you about …

Daniels smiled, I actually got a promotion for that reset, so I’m the one who owes you … again.

Archer stood up and tossed the ball for Charlie. She chased the ball through the grass barking like mad behind it. Archer and Daniels smiled, watching her as she ran.

Well, Jonathan, he said. My duty as your dog sitter is up. Although I can honestly say that I’m going to miss her. Charlie ran back over to them and she dropped the ball between the two of them. Daniels rubbed her head and then tossed the ball again.

Archer looked at his friend, well, you can always come and visit or you can get your own. A little companionship might do you some good.

Daniels smiled and shook his head. I still travel a lot for my job. Together he and Archer shared a laugh. How is Tucker’s recovery going? Daniels asked.

Good, actually. I even got him running in the morning with me.

Daniels nodded. And his relationship with T’Pol?

Archer smiled. That’s complicated as you would say.

Daniels smiled and replied. Relationships usually are…no different than ours, I would venture. I need to go, but I before I leave, he reached into his pocket and produced a small metal disk. He handed it to Archer. If you need to get in touch with me, use this.

Archer took the disk from him and stared at it. A memory of that cold day at his cabin played out in his mind. He tossed the disk up in the air, catching it in his palm and looked up to say something to Daniels. He was gone. A minute later Charlie was back at his feet with her ball, demanding his attention. He knelt down beside her and ruffled her ears. Today was a great day. He had his life, his friends and his dog.

The End

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A whole mess of folks have made comments

Ahhhh, that's much better. Thanks for the Fix.

[altho these time travel stories always make my head hurt a bit - ;) ]

Huh? I thought Hoshi and her husband were executed? How's Archer holding her hand?

That was an interesting story. Love the fix the finale type stories.

Not crazy about replacing quotes with italics, though. I kept thinking they were telepathically talking.

I agree about the italics. They were... well... distracting! Somehow I doubt that Trip's family would have agreed to have him buried at some remote cabin instead of a place they could visit, especially after Lizzie got vaporized, but it's your story, and you're entitled to some poetic license. Just the scene where crotchety old Archer cleans off their tombstones, and the fact that they're buried together, is enough to make up for any discrepancies in the logic of their burial place. Please can I have a sequel about TnT's relationship after Enterprise got all blowed up?

I enjoyed that one. Thanks!

This was certainly an original idea on how to fix the finale. I enjoyed it. Thanks.

I'm sorry about the italics ... it was my first post and it sounded like a good idea. I'll know better next time.

I'm sorry about the italics ... it was my first post and it sounded like a good idea. I'll know better next time.

I never really liked Daniels but you breathed life into him. When you can make me care about a boring character, that's something special.

WOW! You hit the reset buton there! Good. Hopefully my first fic will be out soon.

One question: with *Enterprise* blowing up, what will now happen to Shran's little five-year-old daughter? She might die, and though I love Trip *a lot*, I don't know if risking the life of a child is the right way to save him. That being said, this is an interesting story, but I do have some more nitpicks. One, the italics were a bit distracting,—I, too, thought they were conversing telepathically—but I see you've said you'll change that for your next post. Also, the story started out with a *bang*; you had *excellent* descriptions of the surroundings. My favorite lines were, “The overnight snow had frozen the countryside in time. The trees and creek lay silent, the air crisp and sharp in his lungs. The sun was rising brightly to the east, and it blinded him. He squinted to protect his eyes, curling his lip as he did. In the distance he could see the smoke from his cabin dancing in the skyline.” However, the excitement I had at the beginning gradually fizzled out as your descriptions became sparser. Here are two things that would greatly improve this story and future stories and make them ones that leave the reader saying, “Wow!”:
1. Make *all* your descriptions as vivid as the one I quoted. If you need a unique word, try thesaurus.com—I use it *all the time*, and pretty soon you memorize new words and your writing becomes more vivid as your vocabulary increases.
2. Don’t use the same sentence structure so many times—combine your sentences by using conjunctions or adding –ing to the end of your verbs. For instance… “He trudged on for several miles until he came upon the wrought iron gate at top of the knoll. He pulled his hands from his pockets and fumbled with the latch. His fingers, stiff from age and numb from the temperatures, did not respond to the signals from his brain.” Becomes… “He trudged on for several miles until he came upon the wrought iron gate at top of the knoll. Pulling his hands from his pockets and fumbling with the latch, he noticed that his fingers, stiff from age and numb from the temperatures, did not respond to the signals from his brain.” See? Much more clear and concise, and I didn’t even change the meaning.

I think your writing has the potential to be *very* good if you change those two things, and maybe get a good beta-reader. I’ve not been there yet, but Bucky says the HoT bulletin board would be a good place to start.

Good luck, and whatever you do, *keep writing*!

Emily