During "One Tree Hill's" month long holiday hiatus, fans were kept in the dark about the fate of several characters. Peyton feared she had cancer, Sam ran away from home, Nathan had no basketball job and Millie was about to lose her virginity - but not to Mouth. Could all of these scenarios be true, or would they be just another dramatic ruse instigated by the OTH writers to keep us on the edge of our seats?

Monday night's debut episode of the New Year opened to a sobbing Peyton on the phone with Lucas. After several insinuations that she had cancer, Peyton broke the news to her fiancé that he was now her "baby's daddy." Congratulations to the proud parents! Yet, as we all know, the show never seems to disappoint us in lack of drama - Peyton may be pregnant, but it was never denied that she wasn't sick with cancer. Because the disease runs in her family, problems with our favorite punk rock girl and her future baby could rise before our very eyes.

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Lucas and fans alike have been treated to the rigmarole that comes with the movie-producing territory. After a coke-snorting non-Dawson Leery producer didn't prove his professional abilities, Julian sent Lucas out west to meet with more promising potential. Little did he know this new producer was Julian's father. After what seemed to be a successful meeting, Julian's father broke the news that he was firing his own son. Whether it was the idea of being a new dad or the mere fact of losing every father figure in his life, we'll never know. Since Dan never believed in him as a son or in his dreams, Keith's life was cut short and his mom's new boyfriend never in the picture, Lucas has learned to be a man and now a father in his own unique way. Yet, something sparked inside Lucas, and he convinced the producer to keep Julian on board. Kudos to the man Keith Scott would be proud of.

So what truly makes someone a parent? Blood related or not, Brooke provided her love for the young orphan by facing her fears and overcoming her biggest obstacle: accosting her attacker. After realizing Sam may have run away with her high school friend Jack Daniels (who was completely unchivalrous by climbing out of the window first), she went alone (not smart!) to his house -- only to find Jack's older, creepy brother. His comments toward her pretty mouth and sex not only creeped Brooke out but led her to many feel many doubts. Her suspicions rang true when she recognized the voice as being her late attacker. Fighting for her life and Sam's, she ran back in the house, maced Attacker Daniels and finally found runaway Sam. Unaware that Brooke came prepared, Attacker Daniels was not about to give up so easily. As she pointed her gun at his forehead, a sobbing Sam knew the only way to stop her was to tell her the truth. Through her tears she muttered, "I need you Mom." It was all Brooke needed to gun swipe Attacker Daniels face and kick him to the ground.

It's very refreshing to see such good acting when it comes to Sophia Bush. No matter if it's OTH or any other movie, Sophia truly knows how to tap into her character's emotions and really bring out their personality.

Millie's anger toward Mouth last episode came to a boiling point as she took away Owen's clean sobriety record - and in return, he took her virginity. Unfortunately, it was too late to apologize. The girl who once moved to Nebraska to be with her boyfriend, sealed the break-up with one little mistake. While Mouth may not be as innocent as it seems, he never took his frustration to the extreme of cheating. Fans can only cross their fingers in hopes that these two former lovers will rekindle what they once had in the past.

Next week's episode may not feature any Nanny Carrie or Attacker Daniels drama in the mix, but it does feature another side of Brooke we haven't seen in awhile: dating! As many probably called from the get-go, Julian and Brooke treat themselves to a romantic date served with wine. Will that lead to Tree Hill's next hottest couple? Or will that title go to Mia and Chase? You can bet Chase will have more of a featured role this time around, as his flirty behavior with singer-songwriter Mia did not go unnoticed! Who knows, maybe he'll end up being the inspiration she needs to create her next upcoming hit album.

Cast: Chad Michael Murray / Sophia Bush / James Lafferty / Hilarie Burton / Bethany Joy Lenz / more

Story by Kathryn Sparks

Starpulse contributing writer