Unbeknownst to the man, the boys had followed Nick to the warehouse, but are able to escape. While Nick works to avert the detonation of what turns out to be a fake bomb, Artemis and Demarquette are rescued by Umar Abboud. Abboud is in the employ of the boys' parents, who are wealthy foreigners with many enemies. Having secured political asylum, they wanted to be reunited with their sons; Chelsea's abduction had been a ploy by the family's enemies. Nick agrees to let Artemis and Demarquette go. Nick and Chelsea reunite. He helps Chelsea find proof that Ford Decker was the campus rapist by breaking into Ford's room in order to take photographs of his drugs and journal. After the campus rapist situation is resolved, Chelsea and Nick grow apart because of her attraction to Dr. Daniel Jonas, and the two eventually break up. Nick then begins working on a research project involving alternative fuel sources and begins a relationship with Max Brady's half-sister, Melanie Layton. Nick ultimately starts stalking her and is later revealed to be the killer of Trent Robbins, Max and Melanie's father. On January 14, 2009, Nick is tried for the murder of Trent Robbins. Maggie and Melanie give testimony as to why Nick should not receive a life sentence. The judge agrees and sentences Nick to 2 to 5 years in a facility and 18 months for good behavior. Nick is thankful to Melanie for her testimony as she tells Nick she forgives him because deep down he is a good person. On January 15, 2009, Chelsea comes from the hospital to the courthouse. Nick tells Chelsea he is sorry for everything and tells her to move on with her life. Chelsea tearfully tells Nick that he will always have a piece of her heart and that he can focus on getting better. On August 27, 2012, Nick returns to Salem and, still in jail, has a parole hearing. Having been recently kidnapped, Melanie does not know how she feels. Against the advice of her family, Melanie decides that Nick really had changed, but wants him to stay away from her. Nick is released and threatened by Chad to stay away. Caroline forgives Nick and gives him a job at the Brady Pub. Chad beats Nick up after believing that he has Melanie, since he has her scarf. Later, Nick meets Melanie's former friend Gabi