Hernandez was still fighting with the more animalistic side of his mutation, try to keep from doing something that he would later regret. He wasn't so much worried about Creed, considering that he had not shown the full fledged dragon form to any of the Brotherhood members. Another reason was that Creed would be looked at more favorably by members of the Brotherhood than a newcomer.

Creed calling him a coward didn't bother him that much. After all, he had been called much worse in his life. Hernandez did know that Creed was probably thinking that Hernandez had no experience in fighting superhumans. Which was actually wrong. The main problem was that there was little news coverage about South America, and Hernandez always preferred to remain hidden. He also preferred to kill anyone who would use their abilities to fight him. Though really, Hernandez was most comfortable in the role of a mastermind, getting beneath the skin and in the mind of another opponent.

This was evidenced by Creed's reaction to the off hand remark about Wolverine. Though in truth, Hernandez would be a little hesitant about taking on the canandian himself considering that the adamantium claws made the feral more suited to battle Hernandez than most super humans. Hernandez thought that Creed would attack after being insulted in such a way though. The human part of Hernandez mind was glad that he didn't have to battle a valuable resource. But the reptilian part of his mind was filled with the desire to incinerate Sabretooth and tear his limbs off.

"Killin' ya ain't worth my havin' ta' scrub the blood off these claws..."

A fairly generic threat to Hernandez mind. It actually took a rather creative threat to get under Hernandez skin, considering the fact that he was in a business where failure could result in a painful death, if you were lucky. But the reptilian part of his mind demanded a response to Creed's threat.

A strange look spread across Hernandez crocodile like head. It was Hernandez attempt to smile on a head not designed for the expression of human emotion. "My own thoughts are that a fight is not worth bringing this house down around our heads. I don't mind getting my hands dirty, but I have little stomach for making the authorities job any easier by demolishing this safehouse in plain view of the public. Now if you know of a place where we wouldn't be disturbed, just give me a time and place."

Oddly enough, Hernandez had gained a little more respect for Sabretooth during this encounter. Standing up to a mutant with obvious physical abilities, but not knowing the exact extent of those powers, took at least a little backbone. But Hernandez also realised that Creed was a loose canon in a sense. There was probably no way for any man or woman to control Sabretooth. About the only way to distract him would be by giving him a more attactive target.