I\'m using the Fancybox plugin for my modal windows. It seems like no matter what options I use I can\'t prevent the fancybox modal window from closing when the user clicks
There is no option for that. You will have to change the source code.
In jquery.fancybox-1.2.1.js you need to comment out (or delete) line 341 in the _finish method:
//$("#fancy_overlay, #fancy_close").bind("click", $.fn.fancybox.close);