Natalie used unto his own letter opener leaving his fingerprints. John then hides the letter opener covered in Mitch's blood and his fingerprints in his drawer, and tells investigators Mitch stabbed himself. When Mitch is interviewed, he tells Brody that John stabbed him. When Dorian, under the instruction of Mitch, brings forth John's hidden letter opener, John is charged with the crime. Natalie tries to confess, John continues to state he stabbed Mitch, and tells Bo that Natalie is trying to protect him. Marty questions John as to why he would risk everything for Natalie, and why he didn't consult her, his girlfriend, before framing himself. When John is arrested, Natalie tells her family John is covering for her and confesses to Bo. However, Marty arranges for Marty, Jessica, and Cole to come forward and admit to stabbing Mitch, the LPD having these new suspects coming forward forces John's release. Mitch gets Dorian to hire Mayor Lowell. He officially charges and arrests John for the attempted murder of Mitch. In February, Natalie and Brody break John out of jail so they can rescue Jessica who has been kidnapped by Mitch. As Natalie is driving, the car steers off the road as Natalie tries to avoid colliding with another car. Natalie is trapped and John gets her out before the car explodes. John finds a deserted cabin, where he takes Natalie. Natalie, suffering from a head injury, believes John to be Jared. John kisses the hallucinating Natalie and admits he loves with her. When Natalie realises her hallucinations are not real, John and Natalie admit they still have feelings for each other and kiss again as Marty enters the room. Although John tells Marty he wants to make it work with her, it is clear John has feelings for Natalie. John visits Natalie at Llanfair and the two end up kissing again. Before John is able to tell Marty about his feelings for Natalie, he learns Marty is pregnant with his child from Natalie, who congratulates him, not realizing he did not know. After she leaves, Marty arrives and he questions her about it. They discuss it and he reassures her while he has no idea what he's doing, he wants to have the baby, and she's very happy and relieved. On St. Patrick's Day, John and Natalie stare at one another as he dances with Marty. After being pushed down